Making underpants

[pear-shaped]

I've been wanting to make underpants to match some skirts I've made for my dd. I made my first and only pair without a pattern. This is what I came up with (at the left of that picture), which I think is good for a first attempt, but I had a lot of trouble with the leg holes. I don't think they're tall enough. I tried to guess their shape from looking at some underpants dd already has, but that didn't really work, Any tips on how to shape leg holes?

I'm also wondering whether there is some trick to sewing a casing for elastic around the leg holes. I just folded the edge over, but it was really hard not to get any puckers. Am I missing something?

Thanks!

[jessicafairy]

No experience but a resource:
http://www.supernaturale.com/articles.html?id=70

[sabrinat]

When you say "underpants" do you really mean bloomers or do you mean underwear? If you mean bloomer there a bunch of patterns available that have bloomer patterns with them, if you mean undwear I might check You Can Make This.com and get the TDK ones. The rise is a bit low too me, but you can change that easy enough.

[pear-shaped]

Lol, I thought I wanted to make bloomers, but when I looked around online, all the bloomer patterns (free) I found had legs, which isn't what I wanted. So I thought, maybe I'm wrong, and what I've been calling bloomers aren't really bloomers...but I guess they are! So it is bloomers that I'm looking to make.

I agree about the rise. I was surprised about that because I thought I'd measured dd well, but I guess things like that happen sometimes when you're not using a pattern.

I just haven't had any luck finding a bloomer pattern that I like that's also free. I did find quite a few that weren't. I think I'll just have to buy a good pattern and consider the money spent an investment.

[sewchris2642]

The KwikSew book, Sewing for Toddlers has a panties/bloomers patterns for light weight wovens. http://www.kwiksew.com/Catalog/Book_Toddler.cfm And the book comes with everything for sizes 1T to 4T--dresses, nightgowns, pjs, overalls, jumpsuits, pants, shorts, t-shirts, rugby shirts, sweaters. You could really just buy the book and not need to buy any other patterns until she outgrows the biggest size. Then just buy the Sewing for Children pattern book and you are set for several more years.

[pear-shaped]

Thank you for that recommendation! I've been planning to buy a couple of sewing books when I visit the U.S. this year. I'd seen that one on amazon.com and was considering it- now I will definitely buy it!

[Faliciagayle]

If you have a pair of bloomers you don't mind deconstructing, you could rip the seams, take it apart and trace that shape to use as a pattern.

There are a few ways to make them (IME the ones as part of patterns aren't the same shape as the ones that come with store bought dresses). You can google for a free soaker or diaper pattern, adjust the rise, and add your elastic all around the waist and legs. It's pretty much the same shape and you just end up with two side seams.