Homemade Underwear

(Please note that affiliate links have been used in this post.)

We are veering way off script here, folks.

I made my first garment. This is the third pair of underwear I’ve sewn. You may laugh, but this is quite an accomplishment for me. I’ve sewn straight lines for years. I’ve never embraced curves, and I’ve only sewn with right angle pieces of cotton quilting fabric.

This underwear, though, it’s given me immense freedom. Plus, I figured it’d be wise to start with something that won’t be seen by anyone else when I wear it. 🙂

First things first. Then I’ll explain more of my inspiration.

What pattern did I use?

I used this pattern off of Etsy from SewJo Box. I had to read through the pattern a couple times, but it has turned out to be rather simple. I have made three pair, and I have fabric for more.

What fabric did I use?

I use jersey knit fabric. It’s stretchy and is super comfortable for underwear. I buy most of my jersey knit from Two Dreams Fabric Shop off of Etsy. But I’ve also recently been shopping for knit off of knitfabric.com.

(Both fabrics pictured above are from Two Dreams Fabric Shop.)

Can you use a normal sewing machine for sewing garments?

For some garment projects, a normal straight stitch with no stretch is okay. For this project, specifically, you need a seam with some sort of stretch. I had no idea when I bought a serger off of Facebook Marketplace a year ago that it would come in handy for sewing garments. (A serger creates the strong, multiple threaded, stitch that you see inside most of your shirts.)

A serged stitch has stretch. A zig zag stitch on a normal machine is another option. There is also stretch thread that comes in handy on projects like this. (I recently purchased this stretch thread off Amazon.)

Why am I sewing my own clothes?

I’m not sure where it started. After having a baby girl, I started browsing a few simple dress patterns for her.

My husband and I have also witnessed a slow degradation in the quality of our clothes. Have we changed or has our clothing quality changed? Not sure.

Along side this, I started toying with shopping second hand for clothing. Shopping secondhand comes with lots of learning. If I’m not out to follow trends anymore, what do I look for and what should motivate my clothing purchases? Name brand? Type of textile? What makes a shirt a good quality shirt?

We’ve also had countless inconclusive conversations in our home about our lives being revolving doors of temporary gratification. When it comes to the things we bring into our home, what comes with the great amount of satisfaction and joy?

Much of that leads us to ask ourselves the question of how are we choosing to spend our time. And the conversation goes on.

Among other books, I’ve also read some that have inspired me to consider they way I use my time in life. Homemade clothes or not, where do we find joy?

In case you’re interested, the books are:
Tech Wise Family by Andy Crouch
Tasha Tudor: Heirloom Crafts by Tovah Martin
Mending Matters by Katrina Rodabaugh
Make, Thrift, Med by Katrina Rodabaugh

(Here’s my page on www.bookshop.org too. I plan on adding books to this page as I read them.)

Following that somewhat deep philosophical delve, here is one more picture of the most comfy undies ever.