Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Fundies, with a PSA

A few months ago, I made a pair of undies from some leftover t-shirt material:

from last year's orange Renfrew

I was pretty excited, because although these weren't the first undies I'd made, they were the first successful pair.  I used Cloth Habit's Rosy Ladyshorts pattern - the same one everyone uses but I linked it up for you anyway.

After I wore them once, I told my friend Andrea that I didn't think I'd be using the pattern any more, lovely and clear as it is.  I felt it didn't give me enough bum coverage, because I've been used to wearing full on boyshorts for probably 20 years.  But I loved the colors of these, so I wore them a few times more and they kind of grew on me.  And even though they feel to me like they ride up, they really don't - they stay put.  So I dug out a bunch more leftovers and cut out 5 more pairs.

And then they sat on one of the tables in the "sewing room" (it's really the guest room but even Hubby has taken to calling it the sewing room, since my sewing stuff has pretty much taken over).  Because the truth is, I don't really enjoy sewing undies.  But I like wasting fabric even less.

Having them sitting there as UFOs started to bum me out, so on Sunday I got busy sewing them up.  And I learned some things.

First off:  when you start getting skipped stitches and your zig zags stop zigging and zagging, it's time to consider using a stretch needle.  Now, I've been sewing long enough that I know the first line of defense against wonky stitches is a new needle - or the appropriate needle.  Do I take my own advice?  Rarely:

But I probably should.

Secondly:  if you're going to off-road it and try to construct an unfamiliar garment without looking at the instructions, you should probably check the alignment of your pieces after pinning and before sewing.  And especially before serging - because let's be honest:  who picks out a serged seam?  Not me:

An inside-out lining, giving me a serged seam right in my nether area.

And here's your PSA:

Poor Pattern Placement:  not just for chests any more:

This actually really cracks me up.

If you've made these, you may notice that I stitched down the front of the lining too, with a zig zag stitch.  On the first couple pairs, I couldn't get the leg elastic sewn on without keeping the lining from getting folded over, so I innovated that little trick.


Well, I got all the kinks worked out on the first two pairs.  Yes, it took me two pairs.  But now I have five fun new undies.  Or, Fundies, if you will:

from "ikat" mission maxi

from floral stripe dress

from raining dots kimono dress

from "Hawaiian" mission maxi*

from pucci swirls dress.  muahahahaha

My camera just couldn't get the color right on the Hawaiian pair without the flash, even though it was a sunny afternoon.  Here's the real color:


 And I think I'm done sewing undies for the time being.


26 comments:

  1. My husband just asked me what I was laughing at, he couldn't see the problem with your print placement on your Pucci swirls pair but I thought it was hilarious. Your undies are fun, too bad they get covered up!

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  2. bwahahaha! that pattern placement... that's hilarious! and awesome undies! i keep meaning to do this (i have that and zoe's pattern sitting on my computer waiting to be printed out) but never remember to buy lace for the job. must change that!

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  3. I have to give this pattern a try. All are so cute and a great way to use up bits and pieces of knits. It took me a minute, but I finally got the picture. I don't think it's poor pattern placement, just a unique piece of art:)

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  4. Lol, thanks for the advice. The pattern placement tip in particular!

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  5. Cute! I love these! I've downloaded a few undies patterns, but haven't gotten around to making any. Truthfully, they seem kind of fiddly and the thought of running around all day wearing wonky underwear seems pretty horrible! But they're such a great stashbuster... I really need to give this a shot.

    Your PSA is HILARIOUS.

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  6. They turned out great! I have several knit remnants and old tees waiting to be turned into undies, someday. Thanks for the PSA - that print placement is amazing!

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  7. I had to go back and look at it again! LOL!!!!! Niiiiice!

    Where do you get the lace? I have several knit pieces that should be enough for undies but no lace :(

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    1. I got my stretch lace at my local fabric shop - Vogue Fabrics here in Chicago. I took a look at their website but couldn't find the same stuff online. However, I don't actually know the proper name for it, so I may not have been very effective in my search!

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  8. I don't even know why I am surprised Gail, you are amazing! What cute undies.

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  9. Cute! Now you have panties to match your dresses! LOL

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  10. *giggles*
    These handsewn panties are awesome Gail and so fun! They totally look like they'd be sold at Nordstrom. The first one you showed looked like it was by the Hanky Panky brand. These looks like maybe they're more like Daisy Duke cheeksters.

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    1. Hehehe - you always say Nordstrom! You must shop there a lot!

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  11. I want some fundies too!! I've got this pattern AND the grace knickers from ooh la la but haven't got round to making them. You've inspired me!

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  12. I've been wanting to make undies for a while, thanks for directing to this pattern, it looks like a good starting point.
    Love your oops pattern placement panties, hehe, so funny!!

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  13. In college, roommates in the room next to mine always matched the color of their bras and panties to their outfits (I was never that coordinated). You can exactly match your outfits! These are sooo cute! I have this pattern too, but have never tried it. Your PSA is priceless!

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    1. I'm planning to! I think I'll be able to get away with it, since I generally wear a slip under dresses anyway!

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  14. he he he...yup, you got me laughing too!

    They are a good length in the bottom, though, and nice and wide on the side so they look like they will be very comfy...as long as no one with a bow and arrow sees that bullseye...

    ;-B

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  15. So cute Gail! I love your knit versions. Some people would pay good money for "interesting" pattern placement, like your swirl version :)

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  16. Oh wow, those are certainly FUN! I laughed out loud over the unfortunate pattern placement. Too funny!!

    In a sort of related note, what kind of serger do you use? I'm in the market. Thanks!!

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    1. Hi Eileen! I have the Brother 1034D, and I've been really happy with it. I had a fretful weekend a few weeks ago when I thought I might have broken it (at that point, I'd been using it pretty heavily for about 16 months) but I took it apart and put it back together a few times and it all worked out :-) I think it's a great entry-level machine, as it's been very reliable for me and it's only about $200.

      The Coverstitch machine I got last week is also a Brother - the 2340CV. It's really similar to the 1034D serger, so it was easy to set up and learn to use.

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  17. Pretty nifty! These are awesome. .. I laughed out loud at your pattern placement comment :p I want some of these!

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  18. I'm a boyshorts fan too ... and even those seem to ride up on me. I'm picky about my underwear I guess. I'm not ready to take on sewing my own, but yours are super cute!

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    1. I'm picky about underwear too. I wore the Pucci ones yesterday and they ended up stretching out :-( A combination of the fabric being a little too drapey for underwear, and the elastic being not quite firm enough. So they were riding down instead of up, LOL!

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  19. Oh my, if I could make my own underwear, that is all I would ever do, I get so depressed when going into any kind of underwear store because I can't help but think about the circumstances under which they were made. I had a little giggle at the unfortunate pair, but they all look very, very nice!

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  20. Those are fab! I have this pattern and just haven't got round to trying it out - I must.

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  21. Hahaha great post! These are on my list, and I am glad to hear they stay put :)

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