How to Sew Panties
Hey y’all, welcome to February, where the theme of the month is What’s Underneath? And to kick that theme off, today I’m sharing a free panties pattern. Or, if you’re one of those people that hates the word “panties” (I’m not), an underwear pattern in my full size range from misses to plus size.
I will admit, I was not on the sew your underwear train for a very long time. Mostly because I could think of other things that were more fun to sew and were also harder to buy than panties. So what changed my mind?
First, my friend Susan convinced me that underwear were a great way to use up knit scraps, which are always plentiful in my studio. And any time I can use scraps instead of throwing them away, I try to do that.
Second, I feel like the quality of store bought underwear has gone down. I feel like I used to be able to buy a stash of panties like once a year and be good, but my last several purchases seem to end up with holes in them before 6 months are up, and it seems to be mostly due to poor quality fabric and elastic. So I figured that I could use higher quality fabric scraps and get nicer knickers for just the cost of elastic.
Once I decided I would sew undies, it was time to figure out a pattern. So I drafted this one, and then decided that grading just the three pieces wouldn’t be too hard and went ahead and made it in my whole XXS-3X size range.
Want to make your own? All you need is knit fabric, elastic and thread plus your sewing machine that can sew a stretch stitch.
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In the video, here are the elastics I used: lingerie elastic, fold over elastic, knit elastic.
The size chart for this pattern is the same as the size chart for patterns in my shop; you can see it here. If you need to make the pattern bigger or smaller, check out this post.
Click your preferred option below to get the free pattern as a newsletter subscriber, or to purchase the pattern for $8 complete with the printable instructions.
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Please note that all my free patterns are licensed for personal use only (no selling items made from this unless you purchase it) and by downloading you are agreeing to this license.
To sew these, watch the video tutorial below. If it won’t load below for some reason, you can also watch on YouTube here.
Glenda
Thanks for the great tutorial – I’m going to stitch me up some panties!
Debbie
Thank you – I can’t wait to try it
Cindi
Thank you for the pattern. It’s nicer than the one I have been using. Homemade panties last so much better than the ones you can buy in the store, and I love going wild with different knit prints. (I often use an old white T-shirt to make gusset piece that’s on the inside of the panties).
sami
Thank you for the idea of using a T-shirt.
Melissa Mora
Just make sure if you use a t-shirt for the sides that it has enough stretch, or you might need to size up.
Lou B
Best tutorial I’ve seen for making pants. Can’t wait to make some for me and my daughter. Thank you ???????? x
Carol
Your video was very timely. I have been wanting to try panties. Thank you very much!
Nicole L. Mack
I was just thinking about making panties last night, so I was so excited when your email appeared the very next morning. This absolute perfect timing, now I can learn to sew knits and panties at the same time.
Thank you, Melly!
Celine
Thank you very much. It ‘s a great idea and a really cute pattern
Eileen
Many thanks. Can’t wait to try these.
liz D
I have used this tutorial to make my own pattern from an existing pair of knickers and your clear instructions have allowed me to make them up! I am most impressed with the gusset instructions, they work!!!!
Thank you
Rosemarie M Buchanan
I cleaned out my closet and found a stack of t-shirts which I hadn’t worn for years. Gave them a wash and looked at them and decided to make my own undies. Twenty pairs later, and voila! I have a drawer full of undies which look professional, are much better quality than the expensive store-bought ones, and none of those t-shirts went to waste. I even sewed together some of the larger pieces left over to make dish cloths and cleaning rags. I love upcycling stuff, and your tutorial made it SO easy! Thanks!
Ray
Thanks for this pattern I have made many panties to match my clothes. I must tell you I will never go back to store bought panties because i feel more comfy in what i made by myself. If ready to start a business with it I will definitely order from you.. ..
Tammy
So glad I stumbled upon this! Your video is really clear and easy to follow. Now to sit down and do it.
Thank you!
Villainesse
I just ran across your great undies video, and when you complained of how quickly store boughts are disintegrating, I was immediately reminded of the fascinating ‘fibers’ lecture in my beginning sewing class last summer. It’s all based on the staple length used to make the fabric.
It used to be that cotton could only be harvested once a year in most regions, while warmer climates allowed a max of two. But with complete globalization, the vast majority of cotton is now grown in China, where fields can produce FOUR cheap harvests! This only allows a very short time for the fibers to lengthen. So, our now really short staple cotton undies have dramatically fewer washes before they are all holes.
Bonnie James
Can’t wait to make some. They look so easy>
Grandma G.
My daughter gave me 2 bags full of t-shirts which I’m using to make her a t-shirt quilt. I’m also using the sleeves and backs to make my own panties. When I told her this, she screwed her face up and said, “e-e-e-u-u-u, that’s gross!” And she’s a grown woman with a 26-year old son! I laugh again every time I make a new pair and think, “I’ll fix her, I’ll have my gravestone engraved with the words ‘I made panties with my daughter’s t-shirts!'”
Sandra Cunningham
Panties from T-shirts. HAHAHAHA! Paybacks, right???
Mary
He, he. Totally going to have to do that with old t-shirts my sister gave me.
Karen
I discovered this a while ago as I too had knit scraps, and was having to deal with the poor quality of underwear that is on the market–cotton that is not snug at all. The knit underwear fits so nicely and really feels good. Organic cotton spandex is especially wonderful, and you can make about 4 small pairs of the best fitting underwear for $6 or $7 (1/2 yard). Buying elastic in bulk is also handy as you can buy 100 yds for about $10. Thanks Melly for sharing this project. Using up knit scraps is the best reason for getting started.
Peg
Melissa,
Want to add a pattern for briefs. My ability to wear the panties version limited by abdominal scarring. I must have elastic above my navel or due to nerve damage there I have pinches and zinging. Therefor must wear “old lady undies.” Help with a little direction.
irene denbesten
Thank you for the multisized pattern and the tutorial. Love your newsletters and your opening “hey y’all”.
irene denbesten
I successfully made the panties. I was wondering how you’d adjust the pattern to make the waist higher. The bikini size is not really for me. Would I just add about 5 inches? How to measure the elastic?
KK
That’s the good thing about DIY. You want a higher waist? Compare the pattern with your best-fitting bought undie. Test with oldest scrap you have. Adjust. In the end you will have the best fitting undies ever. My daughter likes them from the same material as her shirts. So „Blitzer“ (in German) do not matter ;-). Sewing is magic!