Sewing underwear for the whole family
If you don’t have much time to sew and want to use your fabric scraps, underwear is the perfect project!
You can easily make them for the whole family, with more or less haberdashery and materials, depending on your desires and the difficulty of the chosen model.
We’ve selected a few patterns to get you started on this project, which isn’t as difficult as it looks!
Easy-to-sew boxer shorts for men
Of all undergarments, boxer shorts are certainly the easiest to sew. It’s also a sewing technique that requires very little material: a piece of jersey and a meter of elastic waistband, which you can choose to be thicker or thinner, depending on the desired result.
Fitiyoo’s Maï Taï pattern lets you sew this men’s wardrobe basic. It requires just 50 centimeters of jersey, so you can easily use fabric scraps lying around in your closet, or prefer several harmonious colors, one per yoke.
You can also make these boxer shorts more original by choosing an elastic whose color contrasts with the main jersey.
Panties for kids
If you’re in the mood to restock the kids’ knickers, head for Atelier Adriette’s easy-to-use Mini-Nat pattern, which can be sewn on a serger or a conventional sewing machine. This pattern avoids the somewhat technical step of placing elastic around the waist and legs, preferring to finish with a piece of jersey or ribbing. This makes it more comfortable and less constricting for children.
It’s an ideal pattern for using up your jersey scraps. When sewing underwear, always prefer cotton jersey to viscose jersey, the latter being much less breathable.
You can make the whole panty from a single color of jersey, or opt for two contrasting shades, or a printed fabric and a plain fabric.
Menstrual panties
Practical, comfortable and environmentally-friendly, menstrual pants have become increasingly popular in recent years. They can, however, be expensive if you buy them commercially.
But you can also sew them yourself from A to Z, following the Fitiyoo Bloody Mary pattern for example. This pattern allows you to have panties 100% tailored to your needs: you can widen the crotch, use transparent or non-transparent jersey, add press studs, choose a high or medium waist…
This is a more difficult sew than the previous ones, and will require a little more material, since the idea of menstrual panties is to be very waterproof. You’ll need jersey, waterproof PUL fabric (easily found online or in fabric stores) and absorbent micro-sponge in bamboo or cotton.
You can also add sheer jersey to part of the panty for a more chic touch.
A comfortable bodysuit
The bodysuit is a superbly practical and comfortable garment that can be worn under a sweater or cardigan for warmth in winter, or as a top when temperatures rise!
It’s also a fairly easy project to make yourself, if you have a good stretchy jersey coupon. Make sure your jersey contains elastane, so it’s comfortable to wear. Choose the thickness of your fabric according to how you intend to use the garment: thinner if you want it to be discreet under your sweaters, thicker to be worn as a t-shirt.
You can use the Moi je couds pattern to sew this great basic for women’s wardrobes.
For the finishing touches, you’ll need snaps and fine cotton for the bottom.
A sports bra
The brassiere is a very practical undergarment to have in your closet, for sportswomen who go to yoga several times a week but also for those who simply like to have a comfortable alternative to underwired bras.
Fitiyoo’s model suggests making this piece with jersey or sheathing tulle. You’ll also need to add elastic at the hems for good support.
Here again, you can use several colors or make your bra entirely black or colored.
Do you sew your own underwear? Which models do you prefer?
