Sewing panties holds a special meaning for me. They were the first garment I made when I learned to sew at age 5. Little did I know then that one small piece of apparel required so many techniques used in other areas of sewing. Besides mastering the construction sequence, I learned how to use different stitches, apply elastics and lace, and work with knits. Still, the overall process is fast and easy, and there’s so much room for experimentation with different fabrics, styles, and embellishments to get the desired look. Also, because minimal fabric is required, it’s fun to use scraps from a top you’ve sewn to make a pair of matching panties.

To get started, choose a style. Look for a commercial pattern that matches the characteristics explained below, or if you can’t find a pattern that’s exactly what you want, adjust a basic style to meet your standards.

Alternatively, it may be easier to create your own pattern by tracing a pair of panties that fits perfectly. I’ll teach you my special secrets for creating your own pattern, constructing basic panties, and applying elastics.

Pick a style

The first step for making custom panties is to choose a style. Refer to the panty illustrations to select your favorite design. I tend to concentrate on the six types shown. Classic briefs sit at the waist, hipsters sit at the hips, and bikinis sit an inch or two below the hips. All three can have a regular leg height, which means they sit in the high-thigh crease. These three basic styles come in a number of variations, including: high-cut briefs, control briefs, boy shorts, and more.

Select or create a pattern

If using a commercial pattern, such as Elite Panty (BravoBellaBras.com) or Kwik…