So, Mum was coming up to stay recently and we were going to be doing some sewing together… for a variety of reasons I didn’t want to be doing my Christmas sewing, the biggie being that I needed a little break from all that #exhausted #needsomeselfishnessSTAT
Anyway, I decided I wanted to just whip up something quick, fun and easy. A simple lingerie set. So quick! Such fun! So easy! And, I reasoned; I have a billionty-one lingerie bits and pieces on hand already, so I could easily shop my stash and avoid any last-minute dashes to the fabric store.
Obviously when anyone sets out to do such a thing, a last minute dash to the fabric store will be an absolute certainty. Ha!
So I had this small piece of neon yellow bamboo knit (Fabulous Fabrics I think), always intended for lingerie but never-got-around-to-it; and some bits of both white and black elastics, enough of the both together to cobble together a bra and two sets of sorta matching undies. For the set to look cohesive, I used both white AND black elastics on all pieces… so it’s kind of a case of nothing matches so everything does. I do really like black ,white and yellow together though, so I think it turned out very nice.
The difference between the two pairs of matching knickers is subtle, oh so subtle! but it’s there. One pair has black elastic on the waist, and white on the legs, the other has white elastic on the waist and black on the legs. Subtle!! To further emphasise the black/white dichotomy, I used black zig-zag topstitching everywhere there was white elastic, and white zig-zag topstitching everywhere there was black elastic. This was not a totally successful ploy, since the white zig-zag stitching basically disappears into the yellow and you can’t even see it, but hey.
On another note; high contrast black zig-zag top-stitching on yellow is a deeply unforgiving exercise. Much quality time was spent with my seam-ripper.
I’d planned to use a few little plain black and plain white ribbon bows in my stash, saved from old lingerie sets… but inevitably I became more and more convinced that black and white ribbons were just not right, and more and more convinced that the only option was something black AND white. Like, gingham. In fact I decided that gingham was the only possible choice, eventually. At first I first made some ultra skinny rouleau loops with a scrap of gingham fabric from my stash – must avoid any last minute dashes to the fabric store!!! – and made some little bows, but they were just too bulky for the set.
Thus, the inevitable last-minute dash to Spotlight, for gingham ribbon.
It’s OK, I bought other stuff while I was there! Alway, but always; there’s a little list building up. (sigh)
Mum agrees that the gingham bows were exactly what the set needed. The only thing is, that since the gingham ribbon is sold by the spool only, I now have about 3m left out of a 3.5m spool to do something with. Lol! MORE RANDOM STUFF ADDED TO THE STASH WILL IT NEVER END
Oh! pattern… I used the cloth habit Watson pattern for all pieces, except I used my own method for ensuring that all seams in the bra are enclosed in the lining, and as usual cut the knickers front and crotch lining as one piece so as to eliminate that horizontal front seam. I love the Watson bra more and more nowadays; it’s funny; I’ve always preferred a slightly padded bra with a foam-lined cup, basically my whole life, but just lately I’m really into this soft, unwired, unstructured type of bra. Especially for summer, when I’m not wearing tight Tshirts. Sure, they result in the flat-chested look, but you know what? I’m at peace with that aspect of my body now. I mean, it’s what I’ve got, it’s me, my body is just my body; and I’m ok with it.
Thank you, Jane for being such a fab lingerie model… and now, back to sewing the Christmas pressies!!
I have enough stash to make a set at home and my sets often require a bit of thinking out of the sewing box. It really works doesn’t it? Great job. Jo x
thanks Jo! xx
Super, as usual. Absolutely love the gingham bows. Just the right touch.
thank you so much Barbara! xx
So cute and totally unlike anything in the shops! I’m sure you’ll find a way to use the rest of the ribbon. You are so lucky. Some of us need a whole lot more engineering in our bras than the wee Watson provides. 😉
thanks Louisa! I love this pattern for me personally, however there are other bra patterns with more structure and shape built in, like some of the MakeBra patterns, and the Pin-Up Girls classic bra pattern. Making your own bras is actually pretty fun and I recommend giving it a go!
Great use of colour. I have dyed a couple of bits of findings and need to get out the dye pot again. It sure is random when I dye stuff. Usually a surprise result.
thank you Rosemary! I’ve seen great results from people dyeing their own lingerie findings, although I haven’t tried it myself yet. Maybe next time! 🙂
So good your mum agreed to your gingham ribbon needs! It looks really cute and I love all your subtle use of black and white! You have got a lovely set for your yellow dress, now!
thank you so much, SaSa! xx 🙂
Love the colour and love that gingham ribbon. I had to laugh at the need to not shop and then having to. The contortions we go through to avoid the stash building that result in stash building! Another great set of lingerie!
thanks Sue! hehe, it’s pretty rare that I have everything on hand already for a project… even if I think I do, like I did for this one, I often end up deciding I need SOMETHING!
Very cute set! Its very annoying the way we have to buy ribbon, elastic etc in a pack. Bloody Spotlight and Lincraft!
thanks Vicki! luckily there are still lots of options in the buy by the metre rack, but not for this one.I often complain about Spotlight, but really they do have a pretty decent range and where I live there aren’t actually many other options, unfortunately!
Another lovely undies set. I love the colour combinations, and I’m sure you will find something amazing to do with that gingham ribbon
thank you Kim xx 🙂
Oh, how pretty!
thank you Irene!
It’s such a cute set!
thanks Diane! 🙂
Very cute, stylish and it looks well constructed. I love your creative use of what you have on hand. My Mum now lives within walking distance of Spotlight – I wished we lived that close when I was a child as I’m sure we would have spent much more time in there and I’d have become an accomplished sewist 20 years sooner 🙂
thank you Elissa! oooh, it would be awesome to live within walking distance from spotlight, but oh so dangerously tempting!!!
I love your lingerie set. Such a brilliant and cheery color.
thank you Tomasa! 🙂
Yes it needed that gingham ribbon – spot on! I love this set.
thank you Kate!
Noting the switcheroo of the knickers in the photos, too … love it. Happy Christmas, Carolyn.
you have a good eye, well spotted! and thank you Cussot! Wishing you a very merry Christmas too xxx