Underwear Drawer Pattern Hack

From a pom pom beret to knickers, that's me...here goes:

One of my crafting New Years resolutions was to find a go-to knicker pattern. I had tried many ways to get the right fit but to no avail. Two years into my experiment and I felt something drastic might have to take place.

I had tried using a free pattern from So Zo as my starting point. It was OK but the cut was a little square for me. I messed around with the pattern for quite a long time. I probably made about 5 pairs in total. Some wearable, some I just made with old t-shirts for practise. I did learn that I liked fold over elastic around the legs and picot edged for the waist from this whole experience so I don't consider it a waste of time.

Next I decided to try cutting up an old pair. I liked this shape to use as a template. This had varying degrees of success. I made a good pair with lace at the front and jersey at the back but the lace did not wash well and the shape was still a bit wrong.

I succumbed to a bought pattern to resolve the issue. I chose KWIK SEW 2100 I made the blue pair from here based on my hip measurement and I could have held a party in them, they were way too big and then I lost confidence in the pattern sizing.

Finally I decided to do a pattern hack of the most drastic kind. I hacked the pattern and I hacked at a pair of knickers at the same time. I compared them to each other and thought I would just cut the paper pieces - the pattern was not any good to me in its current format. I ensured the pattern and the old knickers were closely matched. See how much I cut off piece 1? All of the words 'seam allowances' has gone from the leg arch in the end. I would never have done that to the pattern without the real garment to give me the guide to do so. It would have taken me four more failed pairs snicking a bit out of the leg arch each time.

Yay! I made knickers that were just right. I was careful to measure all my elastic and write it down so that I can repeat the pattern. I have an unusual array of colours, elastics and technique samples from making so many experiments.

My goal this year was to efficiently make five pairs of knickers at a time when I need them. I can do this now that all the planning and testing has been done. I am ready to cut my best fabric and elastic so I will keep you posted.

One New Years resolution very nearly ticked off my wish list.

Jo xxx