Sewing your own lingerie is becoming more and more popular. However, it can be intimidating, so let's look together at which patterns are best for beginners to start gently without fear.
Lingerie sewing starts like sewing your first clothes, with simple pieces and then gradually more complex ones.
The most affordable pieces will be panties and their variations (thong, string, boxer...), men's boxers and briefs, and wireless bralettes/bras.
So, let's get started with the overview...
The Jolly set (yes, it’s real 😊) by Gael Couture Bordeaux
The Jolly set was created to be accessible for beginners and all breast shapes. With its bralette for small or full busts and two bottom options: the thong and the printed shorts, this set is designed to suit as many body types as possible.
Jolly is available from cup size 75A to 100F for the bralette and from size XS to XXL for the panties, corresponding to hip measurements 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 8/9).
Patrice bralette from Atelier Guillemette
Patrice is the first bra pattern from Atelier Guillemette's range. It is rated difficulty 2 out of 4 by the brand.
The bralette is a triangle shape made of lace with a wide elastic band as the base. It is quite light but designed to be wide at the back for good support.
Patrice is available in sizes S to XL. You can find it on the brand's website for €14.90 in printed format and for €9.90 in PDF format.
To sew Patrice, you will need 1.15 m of elastic lace, lingerie elastic 6 to 10 mm wide, and straps. 2 rings, 2 sliders, 3 cm wide elastic, and a hook.
The set: Phoebe top, Prue shorts, and Piper panties from La Maison Victor
If you don't have the March/April 2019 magazine, no worries, this pattern set is available on the brand's website in PDF format for €5.85.
This set consists of panties, a crop top, and printed shorts rated at difficulty level 2 out of 4.
Available sizes start from 30 and go up to 48.
To sew the Piper printed, you need stretch fabric and pre-folded elastic bias. You can find them in the shop.
To sew the top and the shorts, you will need woven fabric.
The Paolo briefs and Paola printed from Petit Patron
Petit Patron offers us a duo.
Paolo is a brief designed for comfort but also style with its pretty seams. It can be made from size 44 to 62, corresponding to a hip measurement 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, on the other hand, 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 you to play 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, corresponding to a hip measurement 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 rated as Paolo at difficulty level 2 out of 4.
The Jacques briefs from Atelier Guillemette
Classified as difficulty level 1 out of 4, Jacques is easy and quick to sew, even for beginners in sewing. The only prerequisite is to have already worked with sewing jersey and elastic.
The Jacques model is tight-fitting and comfortable. And according to Atelier Guillemette: it will delight gentlemen constantly in search of refined products for their little essentials. A staunch defender against overly 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 briefs, which you can find 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 for €14.9 and in PDF version for €9.9 (there is a promotion on the Makerist site until 8/9).
The Audacious pattern duo by Les beaux Gosses
Les beaux gosses created a men's pattern duo featuring a singlet/tank top and briefs in the same printed pattern set.
The tank top has a fairly contemporary cut and fits quite close to the body. The neckline is quite open, allowing it to be worn either as underwear (under a shirt, for example) or as a summer garment.
The Audacious boxer was designed for optimal comfort; it is a short boxer with a double-layered front panel. The back can come in two versions: one with a high panel that allows for playful fabric combinations, and a second, more classic design version 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 for €15.5 on the brand's website and for €9.9 in PDF version.
Here is a brief overview of lingerie sewing patterns for beginners.
So before you start, I invite you:
- to carefully reread the article on sewing knit fabrics
- to equip yourself with jersey or stretch needles depending on the chosen fabrics
- to practice on scraps
And then off you go! Happy sewing!
