I don't have a sewing machine. But I want to recycle some old T-shirts and scarves into underwear for my self. My problem is that I am having trouble finding a pattern that I like, and that I can use easily. Most of the ones I have found so far I don't like or they don't give me the directions I need. What I know about sewing I had to teach myself, so I don't know most of the terms that are used. Thank you.
I forgot to add, if you can't seem to find what you are looking for and don't want to take something apart, try looking in the bathing suit patterns. They should be on sale right now and you can probably find a bikini bottom that would work as long as it doesn't have ties on the sides. Once you start really making things you will learn how to change a pattern so even the ties wouldn't be a challange to change to elastic.
Just another tip - after you find a pattern that fits you well, no matter where you get it {I do sew and prefer to take something apart and trace it for my patterns since I am not a perfect size anything!} I trace it onto a brown paper bag, using the inside of the bag.
After I make the item and like the way it fits, I get some of the Craft Fuse from the fabric store and iron it onto the pattern. {this works with a regular pattern or a paper bag!}
Craft Fuse is cheap and it makes things very stiff once you iron it on. I have several patterns that I use over and over and always use the CF to save the pattern forever.
It keeps those tissue paper patterns from ripping all the time and I use a skirt hanger {with the little clips} to hang my patterns up. At the price of patterns these days it saves a lot of money in the long run.
I love the idea of using your t-shirts for panties, especially if they have a great saying or a cute pix and you can get that part on the bottom area, too cute! lol
Now first let me say, I have no clue how to sew. This is second hand from my mother. She tells me the best way it to take an old piece of clothing that fits you and you love, take it apart and lay it out on a paper bag to make pattern pieces cut it out and then you have your pattern. So I can only say good luck and I hope they fit well.
I have seen instructions for making underwear online. So if you do an online search something should turn up. Of course, you could make these by hand, but since I have gotten perfectly nice panties and bras at the dollar store. I wonder why you would bother to make your own? (Also terrific bargains online at sites like Hanes, etc.) And I just got a free pair from Victoria's Secret with a coupon!
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