“Shapewear” Patterns or instructions
Okay, so I’m really getting desperate… Yes, I passed that 50 mark and now it seems that all of my previously cute parts are not the same as they were. I have rolls shifting faster than a Ferrari! To smooth things out, I have discovered this magical stuff called “shapewear”! I think this is just 21st century-speak for “body girdle”, but I won’t quibble. The point is, it costs a fortune and seriously needs a custom hand. I just don’t have the first clue how to manufacture any of it for myself. I am a pretty good seamstress – don’t shy from lingerie – however, I expected to be able to find a few patterns out there. Hours and hours on the web and I’m still looking at garter belts. Can anyone offer a suggestion?????
Replies
What if you started with a leggings pattern, the really snug kind meant to wear to the gym?
Bless you, a response! Thanks so much for your interest. This is a great suggestion for creating my own pattern. I was simply hoping that someone smarter than me had already thought of it. In other words, I'm lazy! Honestly, I just find it odd that the selection of lingerie patterns available (that I can find) is so abysmal. There are panties, bras, jammies through corsets, etc., but apparently nothing in regard to shapewear. To purchase these items ready-made, just for a panty is $20+. I have thought to simply buy a smaller pattern and then use some of the wonderful "suck you up" knits available, but this could become a costly experiment. Maybe I just have to break down and do it..Anyone else?
Are you talking about Spanx? I've seen them at Big Lots for under $10. L'eggs has a really nice panty that's a lot more comfortable. There are plenty of outlet malls near us, but if you don't have that luxury, try the L'eggs website. After that, you might have a better idea of what you want to do.
For some underwear such as panties, long panties or what used to be called girdles, and camis for the small-busted, you can approximate "shapewear" by using lycra fabrics and dancewear patterns from companies such as kwiksew.com and jalie.comJan Bones also sells some lingerie patterns that might be adaptable to your needs:
http://www.sewinglingerie.com/patterns/index.htmlThe problem comes with stretch tops with shaped but seamless cups. There are almost no such patterns for home sewers because we lack the industrial technology needed to shape those, ahem, cones in high-tech fabrics.
If you are looking for a little squish me in help, a stiffer two way stretch mesh knit will work in a basic panty or legging pattern. If you are looking for something a little more complicated...I suggest you purchase the more expensive ready made ones. They are an engineered, custom knit custom designed garment. They are made with different knit parts, of different densities in different parts to custom squish and uplift different areas. You might consider putting directional panels in stretch garments to help control the squish, but you would have to experiment to figure out how to best accomplish this. Kind of like re-inventing the wheel, when someone already has figured out a more comfortable way to do it, in my opinion.
In some cases, I think it might be best to purchase one to study, perhaps? With proper care, it will last for years. Cathy
Terijo,
Found this on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/STRETCH-KNIT-N-STRETCH-%23206-PANTY-GIRDLE-PATTERN-S-XL_W0QQitemZ230368218969QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20090817?IMSfp=TL090817171005r29919
Hope it helps.
Thanks to all for such great advise. I'll be testing and sewing some serious "smooshing" garments!
This post is archived.