More underwear

I can't say that underwear is THE thing I've been sewing the most around here these days, because I'd be lying, only because masks requests have been more than many, and I just can't say no. I guess I could say that underwear, is indeed the second most sewn in this house for the last couple of months. I don't know if anyone remembers I did a one year no buying clothes back in 2013, and recently I just felt like I needed to do something like that again, I was going no control lately. OK. I did these underwear pieces before I made the decision again, but I guess somehow I was already made up about stopping the waste around here. Waste of our money, waste of my time... So, when I say my kids always had and still have a lot of clothes, I's no joke, or at least, it looks like too much for me, anyway. They do have plenty enough to go through each season without the need to buy anything... except for... yeap... drum roll... underwear! They get lots of hand-me-downs from their cousins and also some friends, so when each season changes, I know I am prepared. However, underwear is something that isn't passed away as the rest of the clothes and they get shorter on these, eventually. 

So, this brings me to my post today. A couple of weeks ago, I got both my kids a few new pieces - well, only one for him, and a new set for her, but more are coming for him, that's for sure. Anyway... I had bought my son three new boxers and one day, looking at them, I thought "I should do this, instead of buying more", and I did. I used those RTW boxers to draft the pattern from, making it a bit bigger to last a little longer. Then I grabbed a striped shirt from my refashion pile (I should refashion more often again, shouldn't I?), and in a blink of an eye, I had the boxers done. For the waistband I used leftovers from a pre-loved baby onesie I didn't even know I still had. I found it on a quest for red knit fabric, on my own stash.

This is the shirt I used. I will hunt any striped knit shirts at op-shops and markets, especially if they are red, or black. This shirt was cute as it was, but it didn't fit me, and the lettering on the front... just, no, no! I've put it to a much better use, I am sure. 

All said about his piece, let's see her entire set now. This isn't anything new either when it comes to two of these pieces, I used the very same patterns I have used before for the top and the panties. The socks though, it's a different story. It is the first time I used the pattern, and might as well be the last, at least if it is to sew for my girl again, which is a shame, they fit her so well. The socks look beautiful, but she can't stand the seams on her toes, she just tried them on, never really wore them.

I bought this fabric from Paula @Serafina a few years ago, and been saving it since then. It was just half a meter and was right enough for the three pieces. I almost had no scraps left when I was done. I was so happy to used it to it's most and make somethin I really enjoyed seeing after all. It might be my favourite so far. Not only because of the fabric I used, but also because I payed a little bit more attention to detail in this one, and instead of following the tutorial for its finishings, I encased the seems and it looks much better like that, outside and inside. 

Patterns Used:
#123 Girls Tank and Pants by Thread Faction
Sew It Forward Sock Pattern by Ellie & Mac - which is a FREE pattern guys!

As seen before on the blog... 

When the time comes to make her some new panties, I might try to change the pattern, and go back to Serger Pepper's Big Girl's Briefs.

I made socks patching this one too, but I draft my own pattern back then.

The Bella Bralette Hack and the Betty Panties

I made myself some new underwear. Yes! It has been on my to-do list for quite a while, but it's no news I don't sew as often as I did before, and when I do, it is often something for the kids, gifts or some pattern test I seemed to come across. Meaning, most of the times, I sew things that weren't actually on the list of things I'd really like to make – not meaning I don't love making them, just that they made their way to come out ealier, stealing sewing time from things that were thought and wished long before they were. Get ready, because I am feeling wordy today!

Anyway, I made myself some new underwear! Just because I have a very tiny memory, I can't tell which piece I sewed first, the bra or the panties. Since that isn't important either, I will start by telling you about the bra. I actually used a bralette pattern, the BellaBralette by Day Dream Patterns to be precise, which I tested and shared with you back HERE. This is a pattern meant for lace but I wasn't happy enough by hacking the bralette into a bra, I also had to make it with knit and lace. 

And... yes, there's more, that said knit, was actually re-used from a t-shirt. I used part of that t-shirt for my boy's shorts (here) and these were just scraps I had left. As you see, they were enough (though just quite) for the whole set. Because I have these huge boobs (NOT really), I also had to adjust the damn cup size, shortening a bit the smallest size. Never did that on a bra before, but it went just fine, and I never had a selfmade bra fitting so well – oh wait, this is my actual real bra ever. I had a little help from Susana's tutorial on how to turn a bralette pattern into a bra pattern.

 

And now that I've mentioned Susana, this might be the right time to mention that I recently got the Betty Panties pattern from Suco by Susana and I was eagerly wanting to try this one out, because again, making myself some new underwear was something I was planning to since a while ago. And what can I say? I was pretty much satisfied with it, so much so, I have at least three more planned on my list. 

There are a few views for this panties and I did view F to start, next on my plans is view D. I did make panties for myself before, you can see them HERE, and I am happy to say both patterns have the perfect fit for me. Ever since I made all of them, they became part of my fave and I wear them more often than I wear most of my ready to wear panties. They're all so comfortable. 

 

There are a few more undies patterns I'd like to try, and I can't wait to, but I won't tell you to come back soon for them, as I don't really know when that might happen. One thing I'd really like to try to make, is a lace body, oh I love them so, but never pondered making one as much as I have lately. Should I? Could I? What about you? Have you tried sewing underwear before? I promise is not as scrary as it might be in your head.

Thread Faction #123 Pattern Tour

I am joining Liz from Thread Faction for her Sewing Knit Basics pattern tour. Today I am sharing my take on her new pattern #123 Girls Tank and Pants. 

The Tank n Pants Set was a winner in our house. I asked my daughter if I could try it on hr when I finished and she immediately asked me if she could sleep in it (it was about bed time) and of course I said yes. She loves these sets and I love to sew them for her. I see a few more in a near future coming out of my sewing machine. 

So. My kiddo's measurements put her on a straight 7 and I am happy with it although I think the bottom piece was a bit baggy on her. It allows to grow though which is something I always appreciate on a me made anyway. And, it is still comfortable she says, so all good here. 

The set is made of two pieces, top and knickers, it comes in sizes 2-10, has an optional gusset - which I did by the way - and it is a begginer's friendly pattern, just, so you know. It is another quick and easy sew, just what I need to get back into sewing. 

The main fabric from the top was given to me by my friend Patrícia, when she downsized her stash. The green one I used from the bottom of some launge pants my sister bought for me. They were new but she got it for me, not to wear as she knows I wouldn't wear anything with this lettuce colour on, but because it was a lot of knit for a little amount of money and I could refashion them. I love my sister (she got me two of these).

Apparently this is perfect to sleep in... except she was pretending to do so in my bed, instead of going to her own. Anyway, if you liked it and you got the pattern or are planning on it, make sure to follow Liz's Thread Faction Sewn Series on youtube, here's her first episode for you. 

January Refashion Month with Shannon from googiemomma

Shannon from Googiemomma is our guest today. She's the incredible mom of 5 who sews for her kids and occasionally for herself too. She's creative and resourceful. A while ago she was one of the testers for my free blazer pattern (size 2) and I loved what she did. Today she left her fancy dresses and princess cosumes aside to share a very practical refashion with us. Enjoy it. 

...

it’s been my m.o. since i started sewing: just the fun stuff. fancy dresses and princess costumes and bowties. occasionally a bag or a stuffed animal.

i’d gloss over those tutorials and patterns for things like basic t-shirts and stretchy pants and jeans and gasp! underwear! who? why? why spend my time on making something i can buy at walmart when i can spend it making fluffy fluffy skirts???

and then i had a moment of clarity, as i prepared to drop yet another $7 pack of  3 pairs of “princess undies” in my cart. i was annoyed—the two little girls basically share clothes, gigi being a peanut and elliot being our typical thick toddler googie—and with potty training in full swing we were going through panties faster than…than i don’t know what. but just way too fast. and $7 every few weeks starts to add up.

meanwhile, back at the ranch…i had an ever increasing backlog of “upcyclable” items—shirts and dresses piling up in drawers and baskets that i figured i’d be able to reuse for a sewing project eventually.

::record scrattttcccchh:: duh.

i pulled that pack o’ panties outta my cart quick as a wink and set off home to make my own.
shockingly, i learned it wasn’t hard at all. (i can hear you experienced sewists rolling your eyes). once i drafted myself a basic pattern and tweaked it a bit, i had four pairs cut and sewn assembly line style in about an hour.

for freeeeeeeee.
which is my favorite number.


also shockingly—those homemade panties are dang cute. and watching their little bums run around in my handmade underpants was rather satisfying, even if it doesn’t get quite the same amount of attention from others that a handmade dress would. (hopefully. truth be told, i have rather exhibitionist daughters. :/  )
i also learned that sewing is sometimes useful for more than just sparkly dresses. it can actually save my family money, instead of being an expensive hobby. lol. i kid. really i’ve always tried to spend very little on my sewing, so it is a cost saving measure for our family. but this opened my eyes to the fact that taking the time to make some of the, ahem, “boring” stuff can really make a dent in our bottom line.

and i’m finally putting some of those knit t’s i’ve been hoarding to good use! upcycling/recycling either your own castoffs or thrifted/gifted items just makes good sense!
so, who’s ready to make their own panties? well too bad, you’re on your own for that. but if you’d like to make a pair that will fit a child between 2-5 depending on their size than i’ve got a free tutorial + pattern for you!

your only supplies are:

+ a pile of knits. somewhere in there try to have a thicker white cotton. i had a rib knit white tank, and this
was perfect as a liner for the crotch. (i just said crotch. on the internet)

+ elastic. i used both F.O.E. (fold over elastic) and regular 1/2” elastic that i have on a big spool. the F.O.E. does look nice and professional, but i found the regular stuff much easier to work with.

+ scissors, thread, machine, pins. what you don’t need is a serger. it’s nice if you have one, but you can do these perfectly well without one.

+ this pattern + this tutorial, over on my blog!

boom. crazy cute panties in multiples.



with cute little bums.



there you have it! go forth and sew more than just the pretties, and save dollah dollah bills ya’ll, and cover nekkid bottoms! (the world will thank you)



how dare i try and take photos without them…;)

MAGDA—thanks so much for letting me be a part of your January Refashion Series! what you guys don’t know is that i totally flaked on magda, and thought i was scheduled a week AFTER when i had actually scheduled myself! graciously, magda still allowed me to squeeze in my post at the end!
so thanks, lady! you’re the best! how about a handmade pair of panties from one of my hubby’s old t’s as a thank you? no? too much? ;)