Before we get down to the topic du jour, I'd like to point out that I cannot believe my last post was in November of 2018. That's right, over a year ago. I had a goal for myself to post once a month last year. I'm not entirely sure what happened to that goal or how it slipped away so unnoticed, but I do truly hope to change that this year. I suppose part of it is that life is busy and unpredictable. We all know that. Another part of it is that I have a great deal of trouble making myself sit in front of a computer screen and focus. It is one of the worst parts of my job as a Registered Nurse (something I never anticipated being such a large chunk of my job because aren't I supposed to be taking care of people?!). However, I LOVE to write. It is something I used as therapy for many years but that has somehow almost vanished from my life as technology has evolved. I want to rekindle that form of expression. And now that I've shared that bit of intimacy, what better topic is there to blabber on about into the great abyss that is the internet than sewing and my underwear? Might as well dive into the deepest end first--it's been a hot topic since at least 2015 in RTW--PERIOD PANTIES. After the birth of my daughter in 2015, I realized that the products I had used previously were not comfortable for my new body. Let's be honest, they were probably not comfortable for my old body either, but I had no idea of the alternatives out there. Sewing was also still new to me at this time and during my research for new options, I came across many tutorials on how to sew your own reusable pads. This topic was fascinating to me. I began plotting and formulating how to incorporate these techniques right into my own underwear. Wouldn't it make you feel as if you were wearing a diaper though? I dug deeper. It was during this time that I stumbled across the ever-popular ads for a very well known brand of period underwear. I was floored. How amazing was that? In 2017, I gave it a whirl. They were fine for a while, but I felt the company was not very transparent in discussing the materials used in production. Certainly they wanted to keep their technologies proprietary, but I really wanted to understand, in depth, what I was wearing so closely to my body. Fast-forward to 2019. Sophie Hines released a kit that contained all the materials one would need to sew their own period panties. This was a freakin' game changer. She discusses, in depth, on her website ALL of the materials that are included in her kit and you see every single bit of it because, duh, you're sewing them yourself. I ordered one as soon as I found out about their existence. I waited patiently (*ahem* sort of...) for the kit's arrival. I followed the tutorial on Sophie's website to transform any panty pattern into a period panty pattern. They. Were. Glorious. Yes, they were slightly bulkier that the RTW version I had been using, however, this bulk was no more obvious to anyone else in this world that might be staring at my butt than the other undies were AND they worked better. Because you're sewing your own, these are completely customizable. I used the Megan Nielsen Acacia pattern (free if you sign up for her newsletter) for mine because I like the amount of coverage they provide. Prior to construction, I studied my RTW panties to get a feel for how much I needed to change the crotch to accommodate my needs. Knowing what I know now (that these underwear work better than my RTW), I could probably decrease the coverage area in future versions, but this was a great starting point. Sophie's tutorials both for modifying your existing patterns and for actual construction are very detailed and were incredibly easy to follow.
Now, for a few pointers. One tip I came across on Instagram (and I can't remember who shared it), was to trim your seam allowances on the bulkier absorbent layer once it is basted in to help prevent catching those extra layers when enclosing everything and to cut down on excess bulk. I did not discover this suggestion until after my first pair was complete, but I did employ it on my second attempt and it made a noticeable difference. Definitely trim your seam allowances (if you're following Sophie's tutorial, it would be just prior to stitching in the crotch). Secondly, basting is very important. You are working with many layers and it is quite necessary to have them all exactly where they are supposed to be if you want any sort of protection from your completed product. Clips are helpful (the type specifically for sewing or binder type clips work equally well--I also have a theory that you could use larger paper clips, but I have yet to try it) in keeping everything where it should be since using pins on the waterproof layer isn't advisable. Thirdly, sew slowly. Making sure that fold over elastic is encasing everything that it should while applying a gentle stretch as directed was the trickiest part for me. Truly, I feel the application of elastic is probably the most time consuming part of the entire project. This is an important step, take your time. Lastly, if these materials enter the dryer, they will shrink. Somehow, during pre-washing, my kit ended up in the dryer (these materials are meant to be air dried). I removed it as soon as I realized it, but the shrink had already taken hold. I was only able to squeeze two pairs of underwear out of my materials. Still quite a deal at their current price point, but definitely a disappointment when you are expecting to make three pairs. Other than the shrinking, the materials held up well to one exposure to dryer heat. The original intent of this post was to cover a variety of DIY lingerie projects, but this topic took hold and wouldn't let go. I'd say I've rambled on long enough for all of us. If you have been wanting to tackle a lingerie project, this is a great one--it's super practical, you get to dip your toes into pattern drafting/modification, it is unique, it is a great step toward adding an environmentally, economically, and health friendly product to your closet, and it is so much fun to customize! This was one of my first projects for the #braaweekchallenge on Instagram hosted by Emerald Erin--hopefully more on that soon.
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AuthorJen. Archives
February 2020
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