Friday, September 3, 2010

Showing my crotch!

So this is once again Mccalls 5651. First Attempt
As I said with the first ones, I wasn't happy with the overall shape, as I prefer them to be more the shape of the front at the back as well if I'm going for that style of cheeky knickers.
I also was most unimpressed with the construction!

With this trial I made 4 the same, and cut size XL. This time I took a total of 8" off all the way around (2 inches at each side front and back). I used the front pattern for both front and back, and love them so much more.
I also changed the construction of them since I hated how they did the crotch construction.
This time I sandwiched the crotch piece between the front and back, so I had a nice seam, and then stitched the sides of each crotch piece under the picot elastic. It's a much neater finish than having zig zag stitching all over the undies in my opinion.

Picot elastic is my total favourite now! I don't even know if I'm attaching it correctly, but it seems to work for me and looks pretty.
For anyone whos never used it, I sew the elastic wrong side to garment right side, with the straight edge of elastic against the edge of the garment. I stitch this on using a 3 step zigzag.
Then I turn the elastic to the inside, and do a 3 step zigzag from the inside(bobbin thread is showing on the right side of garment). I make sure that I pull the fabric taught away from the elastic so there is no fabric covering/hiding the little scalloped edge of the elastic.
 It is double work, I know, but you do seem to get a gorgeous RTW look in the end. Except where you get a wee bit of fabric poking out from under the elastic that you forgot to trim, woops! You'll see that in the crotch picture.


5 comments:

  1. Oh, I love your way of attaching the elastic! I usually just line up the raw edge of the fabric under the elastic (so that the elastic is showing on the outside of the garment) and zig-zag it on. This way is much neater!

    I also sew on the crotch piece the same way you have. It looks much nicer, and that's the way they do it on most RTW panties.

    Good job on these! I love the fabric you chose. :) I need to make myself more of these.

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  2. That's what I couldn't understand about the Mccalls instructions, why they had such a messy way of attaching the crotch piece, when it really was nothing like RTW.

    The fabric is SO gorgeous, it was a bargain for just a couple of dollars online and I got 4 pairs out of it, so well and truly worth it.

    If the instructions don't make sense about the elastic Heather, let me know and I'll grab a couple of pictures for you of the steps. It just hides that raw edge and looks so much prettier. I think the same method could be used for other types of elastic as well for knickers!

    Off to get dressed for SSS day 3! lol

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  3. Hi,
    This is the first time I visit your blog, actually I discover it by chance. Girl, I love your blog. It is very vibrant and real. I love it. love it Love it. Now I am a follower.
    Any way I invite you to visit my blog, I hope you like it, and maybe you can follow me through my inspirations.
    Marie, and I would love to hear from you.

    Love,

    -Samya :-)

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  4. Hi Samya,

    Thank you so much for your kind comments, it's lovely to hear from you.
    I just popped over to your blog and had a look, what fantastic bags! I love how you do a lot of the embellishments just with machine stitches. It gives them such a lovely edge, they are beautiful.

    Thank you so much once again

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  5. Snuzal,
    Haven't seen any posts on PR, hope you weren't affected too badly by the Earthquake. Check in and let us know how you're doing.

    ReplyDelete