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Fancy Pants aka Stretch Lace Panties

If you've never attempted sewing your own panties, I urge you to give it a try. You'll need approximately one yard of lace (more or less depending on your hip size) and a small piece of cotton knit. I prefer cotton jersey.

The panties I'm going to show you today are called Stretch Lace Panties. Sometimes they are called Brazilian Huggers or Hipsters. They take only three seams to sew together. The cotton lining is optional, though I highly recommend taking the extra few minutes to add one.

Here's what your two pieces of stretch lace will look like once you've cut them:

You'll line them up, right sides together, and sew down one of the curved sides. This will create your center front seam.

Here's how the first seam will appear:

Sew the other curved side the same way. With right sides remaining together, line up your seams to sew the crotch area. Cut a small strip of cotton knit (mine is about 6 inches long and 2 - 2½ inches wide) and pin to inside crotch area. I find it easiest to start pinning at the center of the crotch, where all the seams meet up, and work my way to the end of the cotton piece. It should look like this.

Using a stretch stitch or narrow zig-zag, stitch the cotton lining in place. You may find it easier to sew down one long side, remove from machine; and then sew down the other long side in the same direction. Then you will sew the two shorter sides. Here's a completed lining:

Turn your panties right side out, and your finished!

Isn't that simple?!? If you have a pair of Brazilian Huggers, you can use them as your pattern. If you need a pattern, I recommend Jalie 2568 (NAYY). I don't know that I'll ever buy panties again.

Panty Tutorial: How to Sew Underwear,
Making Underwear From A T-Shirt,

Make a Bra

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Comment by Vee on July 25, 2015 at 11:37am: I an considered a senior citizen b my young age, but after seeing this video I will make my own panties and never purchase another pair of panties due to this video. I can do this. Now I am going to kook at the bra video. Years ago I made a taffeta prom halter dress with boning and that is the project I have ever made a lot with making a male velvet smoking jacket for an old flame.

Comment by SarahBeth on July 23, 2013 at 3:34pm: Hmmm. Ok I'll try it and I'm gonna baste it first so I can adjust as neccesary. I'm gonna hit up a fabric store a couple counties over next week. They are having a bi-yearly sale that's really good. They sale alot of lace trims so hopefully I'll find some stretch lace. You know it's amazing how the hubby didn't complain when I told him I was gonna get the supplies and make some lace panties!

Yesterday I was making a different style of panties and all I had to do left was sew on the elastic lace trim and when I pulled it out of the package it had NO stretch. What a way to ruin the fun.

Comment by Larri on July 23, 2013 at 2:15pm: Hey SaraBeth!

That riding up is not fun! There's a couple of things you can do to help eliminate that.

First, I would use your own measurements, and make up a pair of these skivvies. It could be that the RTW pair are simply too big and causing the ride-up. If that's not it, I would:

Measure your crotch curve. Start measuring from the front where you like your skivvies to sit; take the measure tape between your legs to your backside where your skivvies will sit. See if that measurement is the same as your RTW skivvies. Make the necessary adjustments to your pattern by shortening or lengthening the crotch area.

Good luck and report back! Happy Sewing :)

Comment by SarahBeth on July 23, 2013 at 12:02pm: So I'm gonna get some stretch lace and make a pair. I have a store bought pair. The only thing I don't like about them is they are a little loose around my booty so they want to ride up. I was thinking of putting a little underwear elastic around the legs to help hold them over the bottom. Maybe even just from the side to the crotch since the front is a good fit. Your thoughts?

Comment by Patricia W. Tingley on December 12, 2009 at 2:39pm: Larrie, it was your Fancy Panties that got me to this site! I belong to an Yahoo site or two for underpinnings and a member directed us to you.

Thanks for making these snazzy panties. Making your own is wonderful; I thoroughly enjoy the stitching. When I lived in Saratoga NY I had access to the odds and ends of elastic and laces and fabrics from the VanRaelt factory which was bought out by some wealthy big shot and stripped to nothing.

Comment by Larri on December 8, 2009 at 9:43pm: Good questions! :o) Nikki - Measure your hip to determine the size of your panties. You see the first picture? The shorter (at the top) length of one piece is ½ the width of your hip measurement. Most stretch laces that I've found come in either 6 inch or 8 inch widths.Either would work for you, as the panty is made to sit on your hips. The extra width would cover more of your bum. Hope that helps!

Comment by Nikki Hozack on December 8, 2009 at 6:41pm: Oh... one more quick question... what is the width of the stretch lace, and will my size effect the width of lace I purchase. I am a size 0, and I don't want panties up to my belly botton! lol.

Comment by Nikki Hozack on December 8, 2009 at 6:34pm: What a great idea... but how do you figure out your size? any advice?

Comment by Kerri on December 8, 2009 at 12:32pm: I will definitely make these thanks ,they are so simple I have some I purchased for $9.00i will not do that again ....

Comment by Larri on December 8, 2009 at 9:56am: It is 4-way stretch lace. I purchased my lace from Mary Jo's in Gastonia. See my blog for more information.