Sewing your own lingerie is becoming more and more fashionable. However, it can be intimidating, so let's look together at which patterns are best to start gently without fear.
Lingerie sewing starts like sewing the first clothes, that is, with simple pieces and then increasingly complicated ones.
The most affordable pieces will be panties and derivatives (tanga, thong, boxer...), men's boxers and briefs, and wireless bras/bralettes.
So, let's get started with the overview...
The Jolly set (no, it’s not made up 😊) by Gael Couture Bordeaux
The Jolly set was created to be accessible to beginners and all breast shapes. With its bra for small or generous busts and two bottoms to choose from: the tanga and the shorts, this set is designed to satisfy as many body types as possible.
Jolly is available from cup 75A to 100F for the bra and from size XS to XXL for the panties, corresponding to a hip measurement between 75 and 110 cm.
To sew this set, you will need bi-elastic lace or jersey, lace elastic, straps, 2 sliders, and two rings for lingerie straps (matching the width of the straps).
Jolly is available for download on the brand's website for €12.90 (there is a promotion on Makerist until 9/8).
Patrice bra at Atelier Guillemette
Patrice is the first bra pattern in the Atelier Guillemette range. It is rated difficulty 2 out of 4 by the brand.
The bra is a triangle shape made of lace with a wide elastic band as the base. It is therefore quite light but designed to be wide at the back for appreciable support.
Patrice is available from size S to XL. You can find it on the brand's website for €14.90 in printed format and at €9.9 in PDF format.
To sew Patrice, you will need 1.15 m of elastic lace, lingerie elastic from 6 to 10 mm, and straps. 2 rings, 2 sliders, 3 cm wide elastic, and a hook.
The set: Phoebe top, Prue shorts, and Piper panties at La Maison Victor
If you don't have the March/April 2019 magazine, no worries, this set of patterns is available on the brand's website in PDF format for €5.85.
This set consists of panties, a small top, and shorts rated at difficulty level 2 out of 4.
Available sizes start from 30 and go up to 48.
To sew the Piper printed, stretch fabric and pre-folded elastic bias are required. You will find them in the shop.
To sew the top and the shorts, woven fabric will be necessary.
The Paolo briefs and Paola printed at petit patron
Petit patron offers us a duo.
Paolo is briefs designed for comfort but also for style with its pretty seams. It can be made from size 44 to 62 which corresponds to a hip circumference of 90 to 134cm.
You have the option to sew it with a casing or a wide boxer-type elastic which allows for two different styles. Paolo is rated difficulty level 2 out of 4 by the brand.
To sew Paolo you will need jersey fabrics, laminette, and elastic for boxer briefs.
Paolo is available on the brand's website in PDF format for 7.92€
Paola, for her part, is women's underwear available in classic and high waist sizes for a slightly retro effect. It was designed to be comfortable by fitting well to feminine curves. Like Paolo, it has side seams that give it a modern look and allow playing with fabrics, colors, materials, or even patterns.
Paola uses little fabric, which allows you to use your jersey scraps, lycra lace, ... Paola is available from size 34 to 56 which corresponds to a hip circumference between 88 and 144cm. You can download the pattern on the brand's website for 7.92€.
To sew Paola, you will need stretch fabric and a bit of cotton jersey for the crotch lining, picot lingerie elastic. Paola is classified like Paolo at difficulty level 2 out of 4.
The Jacques briefs from Atelier Guillemette
Classified as difficulty level 1 out of 4, Jacques is easily and quickly sewn including by beginners in sewing. The only prerequisite is to have already tackled sewing jersey and elastic.
The Jacques model is tight-fitting and comfortable. And according to Atelier Guillemette: it will make these gentlemen happy who are constantly looking for refined products for their little stuff. A fervent defender against too tight packages, it fights against poorly placed seams and promises softness to the attributes with its double-layered front cup.
You will need 70cm of jersey and elastic for boxer and you will find these in the shop.
Jacques is available from S to XXL for a hip measurement between 80 and 105cm.
It is available on the brand's website in printed version at the price of €14.9 and in PDF version at the price of €9.9 (there is a promotion on the Makerist site until 9/8).
The l'audacieux pattern duo by Les beaux Gosses
Les beaux gosses created a duo of men's patterns including a singlet/tank top and briefs in the same printed pattern.
The tank top has a fairly contemporary cut and fits quite close to the body. The neckline is quite open and allows it to be worn either as underwear (under a shirt for example) or as a summer garment.
The boxer l’Audacieux was designed for optimal comfort, it is a short boxer with a double-layered front panel. The back can be made in two versions with a high panel that allows playing with fabrics or in a second version with a more classic design that results in a boxer with almost no inner seams. An elastic waistband completes the top of the boxer for good support.
The duo is available from size XS to XXL which corresponds to a hip measurement between 90 and 120cm.
The printed version is sold at the price of €15.5 on the brand's website and at €9.9 in PDF version.
Here is a brief non-exhaustive overview of lingerie sewing patterns to get started.
So before you start, I invite you:
- to carefully reread the article on sewing knit fabrics
- to equip yourself with a jersey or stretch needle depending on the chosen fabrics
- to practice on scraps
and then off you go! Happy sewing!
