Way back at the start of this year, I wrote about my need for new pieces in my Lingerie wardrobe {read here} and I've only just got round to getting sewing! Once upon a time I made Boudoir Lingerie as part of my Bridal collections and corsetry was de rigeur in some wedding dresses but I'm starting with a pair of very big knickers!
Over the years, I've graduated to the Granny Pant club and when I saw the Betty High Waist Panties by OHHH Lulu, I knew these would be perfect for me. When I say Granny Pants, you know what I mean ~ Knickers that come up to waist height and give you full coverage. No tugging bits of stringy cloth from your derriere, no tiny triangles or disappearing lace under your tummy flumps! Smooth lines, and comfort is what I want and the higher the better! In fact, if my knickers could double as bosom warmers, I'd be a happy lady indeed!
I believe that your underwear should be functional, comfortable and dazzlingly pretty all at the same time and I'm in very good company ~ Dita Von Teese is of the same mind and she's the Queen of Lingerie (and style!) as far as I'm concerned!
Vanessa Paradis shot by Mario Testino for vogue, 2011. I LOVE this vintage all in one and it's the main inspiration for my own handmade lingerie.
Sadly, the underwear I find on the High Street leaves a lot to be desired hence my new sewing adventures in Lingerieland. My Pinterest board is full of delicious Lingerie confections and I would love to make them all!
The Betty's are a fairly simple sew especially if you've sewn knickers before. I made mine out of leftover bridal silk in Ivory, black dotted mesh and picot edge lingerie elastic in my stash. They probably took no more than an hour to sew up but I was filming the process for YouTube at the same time! You can watch that video here!
I made the Large which was a 41" hip which ended up being too small for me which is so annoying because the finished knickers are so blooming lovely! My fault entirely because I didn't measure myself and made the assumption that they would fit. I've drafted up the pattern now so will remake them in the appropriate size ~ I have so many ideas for my own knicker wardrobe and my aim is to never buy knickers again { Unless, that is, they are very, very special!}
Next stop on my lingerie sewing adventures will be sewing my own bra! I can't wait!
Love, Tara x