Lately, I have been seeing a number of sewists make their very own underwear, and it’s really inspiring me-but there’s one element that I don’t want to incorporate in my me-made underwear: elastic.

If you’ve ever made underwear earlier than, you probably know that many ending methods for the legholes and waistline include elastic, either fold-over elastic, picot, and even braided woven elastic band encased in fabric. I don’t know about you, however none of my prepared-to-wear underwear have elastic in the legs-and typically they don’t in the waist either. That is the kind of underwear I like best.

So, where does this go away me? I’m not a fan of elastic in my underwear as a result of it feels too restrictive, however I wish to make my very own underwear. That is the place knit bands come into play for me. I’m going to show you how you can swap elastic for a knit band to complete your underwear!

You’ll Need:

– Fabric

– Pattern

– Tape measure

– Ruler

– Extra paper

– Pencil

Tips on how to Draft and Sew a Knit Band

Let’s do this.

Ensure that your fabric meets the stretch requirements acknowledged in the pattern you’re utilizing. I’m making the Sophie Hines Median Knickers pattern, and it requires 50%-75% stretch.

If you’re using a Seamwork sample, it features a stretch guide to help you see if the fabric you want to make use of has sufficient stretch in it. Here are some Seamwork patterns you should use:

– The Geneva panties are a basic choice, especially if you need to use stretch lace.

– The Kaye shorts are excellent for biker-short model underwear.

– The Dana underwear would work well with a knit band as an alternative of elastic.

– The brand woven elastic webbing new (and free!) Flo period underwear. You can make these without the absorbent fabric if you wish to make a comfy pair of on a regular basis underwear.

Cut your sample out and sew together all the basic items. Here is my constructed garment aside from the leg holes and waist.

Measure the leg opening and waistline to help you decide how long your knit bands should be. My leg holes turned out to be 27 1/2 inches, and my waist is 34 1/2 inches. Next, I will have to do some math.

Ugh, math!? I do know-it’s not my favorite, but we received this!

You want some math because for those who reduce the knit band the identical length because the leg gap or waistline, it won’t have the stretch to mimic the elastic end. You need to search out the right quantity of adverse ease in your knit band to remain in place and match securely-however comfortably-to your physique.

I consulted with Wallis, our patternmaker-and the queen of knits-here at Seamwork, and she advised me to observe a simple equation when making knit bands for closures. Make the knit band 90% of the whole circumference of the opening.

I need to emphasise that 90% is a suggestion and a great place to begin! Depending in your fabric’s recovery, chances are you’ll have to do some testing to get the appropriate circumference. You’ll be able to all the time baste your band to your underwear to verify the match first.

So, since my leg gap is 27 1/2 inches, my equation is: 27.5 x .9 = 24.75. I minimize my leg bands at 24 3/four inches.

My waist measured 34 1/2 inches, my equation is: 34.5 x .9 = 31. I reduce my waistband at 31 inches.

I need my bands to be a bit wider, so I lower them 2 inches extensive, however you may make them a bit narrower or wider. If you have any sort of questions pertaining to where and the best ways to utilize woven elastic band elastic webbing (visit these guys), you could contact us at the website. Try to not go underneath 1 1/2 inches or over 2 1/2 inches. Should you cut your bands too narrow, they might have some extra bulk on the seam allowance. For those who cut them too huge, you may have problems fitting your gusset.

Sew the 2 quick ends of your knit band together. Press the seam to at least one side. Helpful trace: If you’re using a serger, use only one needle to chop down on bulk when serging.

Press the band in half lengthwise.

With incorrect sides together, baste the raw edge.

With right sides together, pin the knit band evenly alongside the leg hole. You will have to stretch the knit band as you go.

A trick to evenly pinning the band is to mark your band in quarters. Then, mark your leghole and waistline in quarters. Stretch to match the quarter markings and pin in place, evenly distributing the band.

Using a serger or a zigzag stitch, sew the knit band to the underwear at 3/eight inch. Stretch the knit band as you go to ease it in. You may see this in motion on this video tutorial for including a knit band on our YouTube channel.

Press the seam allowance in direction of the underwear and topstitch with a slim zigzag to hold the seam allowance in place.

Now repeat that very same process on your other leg hole and waistband and marvel on the no-elastic undies you simply made! Great job!

Taylor Pruitt

UX Designer

Taylor has a watch for design. As the Product Manager for Seamwork, she wants to verify your on-line experiences are fun and elastic webbing pleasurable.