I fully admit it; this could very well be the weirdest, most bizarre thing I’ve ever made! I had toyed with the idea of making a lingerie set to complete my one year one outfit… er… outfit; but rejected the idea as being impractical and unwearable; then re-embraced the idea, then rejected it again. And found myself pondering it again… and then dismissed it again. Finally I just decided to have a go, although this part of my project was in danger of never ever getting blogged!
So; lingerie, made using ONLY locally sourced materials; quite a challenge, quite a challenge. My set is very very simple; a string bikini top and high waisted knickers cinched in at the top with a drawstring.
As per the criteria of the challenge, I could not use anything not made here in Western Australia … which ruled out elastic, findings, thread and even FABRIC! Hmmm, yes, quite a challenge… Like every other part of my outfit for this challenge, I had to make my own fabric. Fortunately I had some pieces of merino felt leftover from my dress, and I made another small piece to complete the knickers, so my set is mostly made from scraps, yay! The yellow blanket stitch edging is in locally handspun merino yarn from Bilby Yarns, that I dyed myself using sour grass from our garden; here. The bikini strings and the drawstring are a single crochet chain.
In my early planning stages, I had contemplated knitting some knickers and bra from my handspun Western Australian merino yarn, and actually found a free pattern for a knitted bra too! but rejected that idea… why? well to be perfectly honest, this set is probably not going to get a hekkuvva lot of wear! if any! and so I really wanted to minimise the use of my beautiful handspun yarn. I felt OK about using my leftover felt though, since that was made from my own labour.
The bra is self-drafted, if you can call two, felted-together, darted triangles a self-drafted pattern, ahem. I gave them a gentle cupped shape by cutting darts from the lower edge and felting them closed with my felting needle, just like I did the darts in my dress, so the darts are seamless; and felted them together at centre front the same way.
The knickers are loosely based on the Tried & True knickers pattern, by the Makers Journal, an undies pattern designed for non-stretch wovens. This design is a little on the low-rise side which I modified slightly by making it a higher rise design with a drawstring to pull them in at high hip level, also the crotch and leg holes have also been cut away significantly with a deeper curve to the crotch and straighter front leg-line; I did this because the fabric was a tad on the bunchy side around this area otherwise. When they’re on the knickers look like tap pants, flaring out a little from the waist and away from the hips, and are actually quite cute, believe it or not!
I made a little cotton jersey lining for the knickers, and have loosely tacked it in with running stitch This small piece of fabric is the only part of the set that does not fit the criteria of my one year one outfit challenge; but I’m sorry, I just consider a liner to be an absolutely essential thing to have in a pair of knickers. I’ve done my absolute best to eliminate non-local elements in all of the components in my one year one outfit, but you can only go so far for this challenge! and I’m drawing a line at unlined knickers.
While making them I was reminded of Sheldon fashioning historically accurate undergarments from linen just to wear to the Renaissance fair… so funny!… meaning, yes; I’m fully aware that this is just about the silliest set of lingerie ever, but I made them mostly from my leftovers and using my “experimentally” dyed yarn so I don’t consider making them to be too much of a waste of resources. I think I made them just for fun, really! Think of it as wearable art!
That's just great! And looks and sounds like fun. I totally get why you had to make this set! 🙂
It's also performance art. I mean that in a good way. Your project provokes viewers to examine their own relationships with place and consumption.
Oh you made me smile first thing in the morning which is no easy feat. Have you tried them on?
Of course! I try on everything that I make! 😀
Well this is definitely an interesting challenge. I agree that a crotch liner is a MUST.
Well, you certainly made me smile at this one! I most definitely agree that a lining in the knickers is an essential. Being made of merino felt do you find them to be itchy on your skin or haven't you had them on long enough to find out? 😀
Merino is famous for being beautifully soft against the skin and is not itchy like some other wool varieties, just one of its qualities that makes it so highly sought after. If you haven't ever experienced it I highly recommend merino for thermals; it really is divine worn against the skin. 🙂
I am always in awe at the work you put into your garments. This one is beautiful. I have tried felting, just to see if I like it, but no, I don't. It is enjoyable looking in on others' work. This is a beautiful set. Dyeing with grass from your garden really intrigues me.
So, everything including shoes and unders. This truly is a complete outfit. Well done Carolyn!
You did it!! I am so glad that your curiousity got the better of you, it somehow seems completely Carolyn that you have a full outfit. They are very wearable looking!
These are really the sweetest woolen undies I've ever seen 😉 (I have to admit I haven't seen very many but I guess you could still top the list of all the unseen ones.) I'ms o looking forward to the hat and coat 😉
Tee hee these have made me smile. I am sure no one begrudges you a cotton gusset! I have a old needlecraft book with directions for knitted undies! You are doing so well with this challenge and making us all think a little more about where our clothes have come from.
So sweet, these undies! They are so lovely, the yellow colour brings in a fresh tweak and they look subtle although being woolen! 🙂
They're very pretty. I've seen a number of woolen bathing suits from the twenties in various museums. Maybe you should think of this set as beachwear!
Oh wow you certainly did take the challenge all the way. Amazing.
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