This post is part of Dress Up Party. For contest rules, full details, and schedule, please click here!
Today’s post is from Melissa.
When it comes to sewing garments, I gravitate toward dress and tops patterns. Sewing a cute dress or top is fun, but I don’t find myself reaching to wear those items daily. Now underwear… That is something that I do use daily. It is also a ready-to-wear wardrobe basic I with which I struggle to find a decent fit for me. After reading some rave reviews for the Scrundlewear pattern by a Stitch Upon a Time, I decided that the time was ripe to make my own fresh pair of underwear.
The pattern is sold as an instant-download PDF from The StitchUponATime Etsy store.
This pattern is very versatile as it includes sizes from XS – XXXL which will fit pant sizes 0-26.
There are many options for the style of underwear that you could create: two different styles (briefs and boyshorts) with four different waistband options, two different leg band options, and three different trim options (faux fly, lace and ribbon bow)
It is handy that each of the sizes are on different pages. This way you only print the pages that you need for your size.
From reading other reviews of this pattern and details from the pattern designer, I decided that the option with the cotton/Lycra waistband with no elastic was the right pair for me. As for the sizing, I read the sizing for my hip measurements on the Etsy site but noticed that was absent from the pattern instructions. So I did go back and forth from Etsy to the instructions to determine the right size for me.
The fabric I chose for the front, back, and liner was Sara Lawson’s Jungle Avenue Dotted Boulevard Knit in Black. I recycled part of a heather gray t-shirt for the leg and waistbands. Since this pattern does not require a lot of fabric, it is a effective way to use up smaller scraps of fabric from the stash or to upcycle other knit garments.
The Scrundlewear pattern is advertised as a quick-to-sew pattern. The pattern instructions even go as far as to mention that it should take a half an hour to one hour to sew a pair. I find the time estimate to be a bit misleading, especially if this is your first time sewing from this pattern or if you are a beginner to sewing with knits. If you factor in the time to tape together the pattern, cut the fabric, and set up your machine and notions, the first pair may take a bit longer than the time given. The directions are clear to follow and include plenty of photos to guide you through, which does help. I would not call this a beginner pattern, however. Someone sewing this would have to have some experience sewing curved pieces and knowledge of sewing with knits before taking this pattern on. Having a serger is not a requirement to sew this pattern, but is definitely a plus.
Time estimates aside, I was pleased with how well these panties came together. In the end, I had a very comfortable pair of undies without any pattern adjustments.
The pattern designer claims, “After wearing a pair of Scrundlewear, you won’t want a store bought pair ever again. The wide band option is so comfortable, you can barely tell you’re wearing them.” So I put them to the test. I have worn my Scrundies under jeans, under skirts and under workout gear. I even wore these when ran a 12k race! I would have to concur. These undies are comfortable, they don’t show visible panty lines, and they don’t ride up! I am sold. I would reach for these over a store-bought pair. The fit is so nice that I want to make my own swim bottoms now. The possibilities are bottomless.
I need a pair of boy shorts! My favs are worn out!
Give this one a try! You won’t be disappointed.
Thank you for reviewing my pattern and I’m flattered that you chose it for your entry! Your undies turned out great too!
When Sara asked me to pick a garment sewing pattern to review, I knew I had to give this pattern a try. I love my undies! And thank you for drafting, testing, and writing that awesome pattern! It is a holy grail pattern of mine now. 🙂
That means a lot to me <3
oops, I was logged into the wrong account ^
I LOVE this pattern. I can’t wait to get enough sewn up to ditch my store bought undies.
Me too! I am too plotting and sewing my Scrundlewear takeover. 🙂
Love the material you chose for your undies. Appreciate your frankness about the time it took to make them.
Thank you! I hope Sara loves me enough to appreciate that I chose her fabric for my first pair of handmade undies. 🙂 I needed to be honest about the time it took me for the first try. The instructions are well-done and am so happy with how they turned out.
I love my scrundies too! I have been replacing a pair or two a week. Out with the retail crap and in with the scrundies. Never again retail undies for this lady
I’m loving the idea of using this pattern to use up knit scraps, I was just complaining about what a bummer it is to toss scraps – vs. with quilting where I am used to using every little bit !
It took me way longer than the time estimate, but I find myself getting faster and faster at it. Now I can make them without looking at the instructions but for the first part – I can never remember the order of WSF or RSF on the first step. I think I’m beginning to get within the 30 minute time estimate.
One piece of advice for those who are new to sewing undies: make sure the fabric you use for your bands has good recovery. I’ve heard that the heavier cotton/lycra fabrics tend to have the best recovery. Use the little stretch scale in the pattern to test how far your fabric stretches, and if it returns to the original or stays stretched out. I ruined 3 pairs by not using good fabric for the bands, so they stretch out within a half-hour of putting them on. Hello, wedgies!