I am plus sized and am amazed that I can no longer find a basic woman’s slip.
Can anyone advise me about making slips and how to sew on nylon material. I have always found it very difficult to sew.
I am DESPERATE and would appreciate any help.
Thank you! Annie
Replies
I sewed nylon slips with a zigzag sewing machine using either nylon or poly thread. The problem is you can find the nylon but not good quality lace to match. A few years ago when I couldn't find a good fitting bra anymore, I decided to make them. I absolutely could not find the lace, lingerie elastic, straps and powernet to match for a nude bra! Search online and my all means order samples for color matching.
thank you so much for your reply.
I failed to mention that I can not find full slips only half slips so I want to make full slips.
How do you keep the nylon from rolling up when you are sewing it?
Hi,
It's impossible to find good slips anymore - I've looked and looked for my mom. Can I suggest a great book - Beautiful Lingerie by Kerstin Martensson - it's full of patterns & design ideas with good tips on handling fabric. I picked up my copy at Half Price Books but I'm sure it's available elsewhere. As for sewing with nylon, are you using the right needle for this fabric? It should be a fine needle, size 10/70 or 11/75. Hope this helps.
Julie
Annies, It rolls to the "right side" when pulled so my guess is you're pulling/stretching it too much. When sewing the seam it should lie flat. Use fine pins--my favorite is glass head pins, sew with a very narrow zigzag, about 1.5-2. long, 2 wide (scale of 1-5 width) for the side seams, then trim away excess of allowance. The hem lace is sewn with same stitch on top of lace. Align bottom scallop of lace with the bottom cut edge of nylon, sew, then trim excess. No need to worry about seam finish as it does not ravel.
The Kerstin M. book mentioned in the post ofter yours to me is probably good as I have an old one, but there's no patterns for whole slips in mine.
http://www.kwiksewpatterns
http://www.nylonsewsewshop.com--she used to have brown paper patterns yrs. ago
http://www.sewsassy.com--has a catalog
You might also check THREADS archives--they've had several articles on lingerie. Stitch an Easy Bra-Slip, by Connie Long, under the "Quick to Make" section, Feb/Mar 1997.
Here's another link for cling-free nylon tricot, stretch lace and lingerie elastic.
http://www.lurasfabricshop.com/tricot.htm
Have you tried Martha Pullen's store, she has a lot of lace and other things for making lingerie,
Her catalogs are primarily for heirloom sewing products. Although she has lots of laces, they are cottons not the nylon needed for lingerie. But thanks for the suggestion!
Thank you for all of your suggestions. You have given me hope that I can do it!
has anyone mentioned ball point needles? they push the fibers aside, instead of stretching them out like a bungy cord.
I saw an ad in a magazine that listed this site as having all the things you need to make lingerie. It is http://www.FabricDepotCo.com . If you check it out let us know how it is. Thanks
Try using liquid washout stabilizer on both seam lines. I brush mine on with a brush to avoid wetting the entire garment. When completed, this washes out beautifully. Galey
How about using silk charmuse instead of nylon for the slip - what a luxurious feel it has!
I've been making my own full slips for years always of silk. I frequently use charmeuse; I love to use really bright colors that I don't normally wear in my dresses because it gives me an extra frisson. Lately, I've been using decorator weight taffeta because it lasts so well. I wash these slips on delicate cycle in a lingerie bag and hang to dry. I use a bias cut with spaghetti straps or sometimes more like a cut in sleeveless dress.
Hi
I love your idea of making slips out of interesting colours! The proprietor of a fabric shop that used to be in my city used to encourage using interesting colours for lining, where the lining would not be visible. Consequently I have a collection of sombre coloured skirts for work that have vivid scarlet, emerald green, or magenta lining! They always make me feel just that bit special!
Susannah
PS - The demise of this fabric shop was heartbreaking! It was truely a delight to shop there - beautiful fabrics in magic colours, and staff who knew about what they were selling. So sad!
Edited 11/27/2006 7:03 pm ET by Susannah
Another source for lingerie fabric is http://www.sewsassy.com/
They have tricot, lace, satin straps and other fittings. And if your in the mood to make a lightweight girdle, they have power stretch too.
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