Costume, history, research, fabric, construction........

The Princess Chemise

Posted on March 12, 2015 by akamissupton

So off we go again… so the formula is to start from the underneath out… I actually started the Edwardian Ribbon Corset way ahead of even deciding to research and make this, it got parked because I could not take pictures of the corset without the Chemise and Bloomers…. and so my quest continues…

Frances Grimble comes to my aid again…..

She does it again with another amazing book “The Edwardian Modiste” by Frances Grimble. http://www.lavoltapress.com/EdMod-page.htm

“The Princess Chemise” or “The Princess Slip”

Reference Image from: The Edwardian Modiste” by Frances Grimble. Available here: http://www.lavoltapress.com/EdMod-page.htm

The Edwardian epilogue of my quest begins with this thing of beauty. The fitted style of this Chemise makes complete sense, comparing it to the Victorian version I have recently completed. The volume of bunched up fabric around the waist must have been very uncomfortable all gathered up underneath your corset and then all the layers of the outer clothing to think of as well.

Also the Edwardian corset shapes were in my eyes more extreme round the waist,
taking into consideration my great grandmothers wedding dress which had a
18” inch waist measurement!!!!

“Note to self… Must ask my Mother… Where is this dress? I need to know”

“Drafting”

Back to the the task in hand…

The pattern cutting instructions work on a Scale measurement system.
4x Measurements are needed:

(1) Bust = 88cm
(2) Length of Waist = 41cm
(3) Waist = 68cm
(4) Full Length Measure = 136cm

The using the Bust, Length of Waist and lastly the Length of Skirt scales we are all ready to begin……..

Reference Image from: The Edwardian Modiste” by Frances Grimble. Available here: http://www.lavoltapress.com/EdMod-page.htm

The Bust scale = 89cm scale, rounded up from Bust measure (1). Length of Waist measure = 41cm (2) which you x 2 = 82cm scale….. and then finally the Length of Skirt. As the instructions state; Bust and Length of waist scales are used to draft as far as the Waistline. To select the Length of Skirt scale for the vertical measurements from the waistline to the bottom of the skirt. Take the Full Length Measure (4) – Length of Waist measure = 41cm (2) = 95cm measure. This makes the Length of Skirt Scale 94cm rounded to the closest scale in the back of the book. The bust scale is used for all the horizontal cross-lines.

To summarise the final scales taken from the back of the book:

Bust Scale: 89cm
Length of Waist Scale: 81cm
Length of Skirt Scale: 96.5cm

I use Adobe Illustrator to draft this, firstly I worked out what each unit is on each scale is by using a metal ruler (I found it was easier to measure a few and then divide into the single unit) This is then times by whats on the instructions, for example (see below):
5D (across) = 45 x 1x Bust Unit, then 2F (across) = 23 x 1x Bust Unit…..
and so on and so forth.

If I were drafting this out onto paper, follow the books instructions and photo-copy and join the scales together and use as a Tape measure. There are 4x pieces, which you cut 2x of each, seam allowance for a change has been added (1/2 Space Seam).. HORRAY!!

Reference Image from: The Edwardian Modiste” by Frances Grimble. Available here: http://www.lavoltapress.com/EdMod-page.htm

I completed all four parts as instructed which took time but got totally into it in the end…. A lot of number crunching into a calculator. The result looked ok BUT!!!! the waist… was it correct?

So to check I measured all 4 parts at the smallest width of the Waist, making sure I take away the seam allowances, added together = needs to be Half the Waist.
Thank the heavens I did… It was small… Phew!
(1) I grouped these together…
(This is the beauty of using a vector based programme like Adobe Illustrator)
(2) Then scaled as a grouped object to what the halve Waist should be.
(3) Un-grouped each piece for each part.

I then enlarged at the waist, using each part as shown below:
The blue was the size from the 1st draft. The Pink is the desired measurement.

Taking this in mind I thought it was wise to check the bust in the same way and this was absolutely fine with a nice extra bit more.

STOP PRESS……
As my journey continues and I learn more things along the way, I sometimes have a moment of joy when a brain wave idea comes out to be correct… One morning on my way into work, I remembered a friend of mine using Excel spreadsheet to do mathematical calculations….. basically with a bit (actually a lot) of brain bending and a few tutorials later I set up an Excel spreadsheet so next time I want to make this garment this file will work out all the figures and calculations for me… Now that is a very grand thing. WOOOOO!!!

“Construction”

I printed out all the pieces joined together for the toile. I decided to use a medium weight cotton which will be similar to the cotton I want to use but not as expensive, also I decided not to do the full length, stopping below the hip, just to save time and material. I then marked on each piece what it was and also the seam allowance, just with a few dots and waist line.

Making the toile is also a great way of checking the neckline, making sure it not to low and covers up all that it needs. I was rather excited to see how it all fitted together, to check the opening on the front, looking at all the images and the pattern above, this starts below the hips. I will then need to think about adding a placket, which is not included on the pattern.

Well here we go and I am very pleased indeed… IT FITS!!!! The armhole need enlarging slightly but the back is fits perfectly, the neckline is great, though I might enlarge these front panels so there is a bit more gathering. Overall except for the arm holes that is the only thing I need to alter!!! PHEW…WOW… This then equals a very happy lady indeed.

© akaMissUpton 2015

The armhole depth I take down only on the base as I don’t want to ruin the shape of the shoulder strap on the Back section, so I only reshaped the Front and Back Side sections. I then trimmed this back ‘only on one side’ so if not quite right I can redo again… then re-tried this on. When happy I transferred onto the digital pattern.

© akaMissUpton 2015

Next I began to think about the Placket.
And for those who don’t know… This is what a placket is….
Also in the back of the book there is a handy explanation which is well worth a read.

As the toile is good to go now I will practice the placket on it, another reason to make the toile. When finished I felt the test placket was too wide as I was thinking ahead again, I want to use small mother of pearl buttons and feel that the width of the placket could be just too wide, also the pattern seam needs to be changed at the bottom. I found the placket very awkward to fit, the indented seam is just not needed. I decided to make another small test using these instructions; http://off-the-cuff-shirtmaking.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/tutorial-shirt-sleeve-placket.html “Thank you very much Pam Erny”. This is the best I could find to explain the world of Plackets, though this is for a sleeve the technique is the same. “A message to Pam” Keep up the grand work. Thank you!!!

Buttons and Trimmings

I first headed straight to my mothers and then dived into the huge button tin she has. There was a wealth of what I am looking for but unfortunately not enough as I am estimating I will need at least 10-12 so Boo hiss!!!! BUT….. “Brain wave”

When you are in love with this sort of Jazz, you are always grateful for all contacts and this one was a complete gem!!! I remembered a colleague at work mentioning his mother and so….DA DAH! I introduce to you… The Vintage Button Emporium What a fantastic find this website is… Thank you so much. Got some seriously good work going on here and what a prompt service! Check out their tumbler page.. So I now have enough..

I will be using flat felled seams following the Victorian petticoat I made for the bustle project. You could also use the French seam method but I like and feel that the flat felled technique is the best to achieve a lovely flat finish, with the added benefit of all the raw edges being concealed. My only bugbear with this is a lot of pressing is required but hey I really think its worth it. Practice on the toile any techniques, then when you come to make the end garment you have a better idea and gained some confidence.

My mind moves onto the top of the front. I could keep this plain and very simple or should I follow this through to the bitter end. When it comes to lace I always suffer as I can never find what I want, you always have in your mind what you what, but can never find it… And my in experience buying online is such a gamble (would love to be proved wrong). The quality or feel is so important, but there is so much tat, so you end up wasting money and stuck with the stuff. So for the lace front, I resided to the fact that this was going to take some time… Must not rush and try all places again that I can think of… They went as follows;

Esty; If you have not discovered this website yet… Welcome!!!!! and another word DANGER!!!! https://www.etsy.com/search?q=lace%20trim&ref=auto1 When searching I entered ‘Lace Trim”

ClothHouse; https://www.clothhouse.com/shop/things/ The website does not sell Lace but one of the two shops does. You want No.47 but while here why not check out the other shop further down Berwick Street.

Kleins; http://www.kleins.co.uk/ Please take a visit to this shop, the staff are so, so helpful. They sell a vast array of an incredible amount of items, too many to explain.

John Lewis Oxford Street; http://www.johnlewis.com/inspiration-and-advice/sports-crafts-leisure/sewing-and-dressmaking Though the good old glory days of John Lewis Fabric and haberdashery department are long gone…. It still stands as a very good place to go and get all sorts items. I know they sell lace here… You never know!!!

MacCulloch & Wallis; http://www.macculloch-wallis.co.uk/Category.aspx/FineLaces This shop a great favourite of mine and set over 3 floors, I find it very hard not to fall down a few rabbit holes and get my mind thinking onto possible future projects.

VV Rouleaux; http://www.vvrouleaux.com/ I nearly forgot about this
beautiful shop!!! I even love trying to find this place, tucked away, just off
Marylebone High Street.

I have in-fact without realising it, I have given you an afternoon London tour!!!… All of these shops are within walking distance of each other. There are a many more but I think this subject deserves its own complete attention and story… so I am going to park this for another day. Get back on track… LACE!!

Well to my utter delight the hunt was not in vain… Drum roll please…… And the winner is…… Kliens. I splashed out a bit I must admit but things are worth doing properly, and I wanted to add a couple of rows on the ruffles.

I am a firm believer if you are putting all the effort into a project whatever it may be, you should give your work justice, what I have learnt by my bitter mistakes, is to do your research and to think carefully before purchasing anything, you don’t always have to spend a fortune, get samples if you can. You want your pride to shine out of what you have just made.

“Main Construction”

I am at last heading towards the climax of this story. With the pattern altered under the arms, I swapped the pieces around a bit so I could add some balance marks, to make joining all final pieces together easier. I also lined them up a bit so I could look at the bottom hem… I am still hoping the length will work as well as the rest of the pattern did.

The next task is to think about the ruffles.

The book does cover this but as always I wanted to see what else I could find…. so with a bit of digging on-line, I came upon these two equations.
http://historicalsewing.com/how-to-calculate-yardage-for-ruffles and http://historicalsewing.com/ruffle-calculations-for-height-differences Thank you Jennifer Rosbrugh, this is absolutely what I needed. You have a great and wonderful site here… Please carry on with the marvellous and excellent work and I will definitely be back.

Looking again at the picture from the book, there is one long ruffle. Which starts at the knee and is then edged with another ruffle of wide lace, but I want to make this into a smaller plain ruffle (all will become clear later on). Once I have worked you the length of the large ruffle, I used the formulas from the above links to work out how much more fabric I will need, please have a read… Just follow the links.

I reprinted this out and rejoined together.

The larger ruffle then has two rows of lace insertion. Another BIG thank you to Louren. The amount of work that has gone into this…. Fantastic.

@akaMissUpton2015

I decided on fabric before I started, as I have already made the drawers from a pattern I brought ‘Edwardian Undertings’ produced by Folkwear This is a great American website which covers a fantastic range of eras, a company ran with a lot of passion.

I thought about using a soft flowing cotton but for my modesty I opted for the same cotton I used on my Victorian Dimity Bustle project, from The Cloth House along the ever changing Berwick Street, Soho in London, No.47…. So off I trot, 1st checking how much I had left over. This is another mistake made by myself constantly, before buying anything check your own stash at home. As making things becomes a part of your life, you purchase bits along the way… Then you get home and realise you have already got it!! so again take your time.

Though this has been a very long while in the making … This has been a really good learning project, the list of things explored has been especially beneficial to the greater cause, I have found some great websites along the way!!

Just before I finished this project the wonderful people at Wardrobe Unlocked published an article on this very same subject. I have mentioned this amazing website before and will again say its worth every penny!! The excellent article is written by Julia Barrett, titled “Mrs Pretty Part 4 – Slips and Petticoats”. They also run another website alongside called Foundations Revealed Support them please!!!

© akaMissUpton 2015

So here we are I have reached the end!!!!!!! Wow… My main comment on this petticoat is the way it makes me stand, it gives the beginning of the shape that we associate with this period. I also love the way it rustles when I walk. The length is also border-line but with some heals it will be prefect. All round I am extremely happy!!! I would finally like to thank everyone again I have mentioned in this post. 😀

“L’Art Du Tailleur” 1767

Posted on October 20, 2014 by akamissupton

There are such days like these that fill my heart with joy… I was lucky enough to be able to purchase a pure piece of history. Although this book is available online and digitally http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k108876j. I am now a very proud owner of an original dated 1767. “The Art of the Tailor” François-Alexandre-Pierre Garsault (1693-1778).

This post will be a short one, I just wanted to share my excitement of this absolute thing of beauty. To be able to hold a book like this which is dripping history. I will come back to this era in more detail in the future, that I do not doubt. I have a few other posts on the go at the moment, drafting in the background, so must make sure I do not get pulled down that rabbit hole and side tracked as I have done this year…. All soon will be revealed 😀

Something Blue

Posted on April 27, 2014 by akamissupton

“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue”

A dear friend is getting married and her sister has asked me to make her some wedding day Knickers. So combine some tradition and a gift,
I have some beautiful pale blue silk…. Perfect!

I developed this pattern a while ago and it has been trusted and well used over the years, much to my friends delight of getting custom made knickers for a present.
Off we go!!!

Construction

1: Using a chalk pencil I draw around the template pattern on the right side,
making sure I mark the centre mark where the gusset joins.

I also extend the sides but again making sure you mark where the finished seam will go.
Taping down the silk to the cutting matt also helps keep the fabric straight.

2: All pieces cut out Front, Back and Gusset in the Silk and then 1 x Gusset in Cotton.
When I developed this pattern, I brought this brilliant pattern from Esty
https://www.etsy.com/transaction/12733998 Please take a look…

Not only was this a great help but it gave me the idea to cut up a T-shirt to use the fabric for the Gusset. At the time I was struggling to find the correct thing to use,
also T-shirts are available in so many colours.

3: Now here comes the hard bit… This still baffles me so I take great care.

Matching up the centre markings, I put the silk back and gusset right sides together.

4: Then on the back I add the cotton gusset, pinning these three parts together.

Basically the three layers should be:

Cotton gusset right side up.
Back silk section right side up.
Gusset silk right side down.

This might help!

5: Sew together.

6: Next, fold back the cotton gusset and roll the back section inwards, with the silk gusset down as shown below.

7: Lay the front section onto the silk gusset.

8: Rollover the front section as shown, fold back the cotton gusset, pin then stitch. Be careful not to pin the top of the front.

9: If all has gone to plan when you turn this inside out, the seams are all in the inside.

10: I set up the over-locker for a three thread rolled edge hem, then over-lock on the chalk line.

This is what you end up with 😀

11: Now for the sides… This also adds the elastic at the same time.

Add the two Leg elastic pieces on the bottom and the Top as shown, then over-lock in place.

12: Tie off the overlocked treads. Fold back the seam and top-stitch as shown.

13: Next for the Elastic. This technique is called “Divide and Conquer”
Basically you fold half-ways and pin on the fold, again fold half-ways and pin,
8 should be enough. This is needed on both the elastic and the Leg.
I found when making these its easier to do the two Legs first and then the Waist.

14: Then you match the relating pins and join together, as shown.
Try to get the pin centrally in the elastic as this will help the next stage.

15: Set a small Zig Zag stitch on your sewing machine, making sure its narrower then the elastic.
Its best to start at the side seam where the elastic is sewn in.

Sew a couple of stitches to start and secure, then holding and slightly pulling back and front, hold at the pin, stretch the elastic till its the flat wilt the fabric. Sew slowly to just over the pin, stop! Then repeat again… Carry on pin to pin until all the way around.

16: One leg finished do the same on the next.

17: Then the Waist and then you are finished!!!

I did find that I needed to add another divide pin on the waist at the side next to the seams,
this part was too long and was a little difficult to stretch.

This silk though pricey it so worth using. Very happy with these and I hope Rebecca will be too.

The Dimity Bustle

Posted on September 29, 2013 by akamissupton

200

Thanks to this most inspiring book, which has arrived in my life.

“Fashions of the Gilded Age” by Frances Grimble.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fashions-Gilded-Age-Volume-Undergarments/dp/0963651757

“The Dimity Bustle”

“Drafting”

The drafting for this book uses a special scale system, which I admit took a while to get my head around, but for this particular pattern its at a 1/4 scale. So using Abobe Illustrator I drafted this out by measuring the book and then x4, I printed out onto A3 and joined together. This would be easily drafted by hand by drawing the downward measurement at 1st: book=189mm x 4=759mm. Parallel at the top 2nd: Waist book=31.5mm x 4=126mm. Then parallel at the bottom 3rd: bottom Hem book= 67mm x 4=268mm. So by joining up these the slopping back angel is achieved. Measure down for the bone channels and mark horizontally. Then you just apply this technique to the side panel.

Looking closely at the drawing, inside there is another 2 panels with ties and buckles, these must help keep the shape of the bustle, laying onto your behind, helping with the elevation. With this in mind I decided to cut x4 of the Side Gore panels to make these Inside Gore panels.

The pattern in the book does not include the Frill or the Waist-band. My back waist corseted measurement is 380mm so take this add on 100mm (50mm each side) and then 30mm deep x2. The frill, I took the Back bottom hem measurement x3 then added 30mm to each section so to achieve a good ruffle, this will need a small band for the buttons, to attach to the Bustle. I decided to keep this Frill plain and not add Lace, I am thinking Pleats.

Now to the choice of fabric… I was very tempted to go down the route of some of the glorious examples I had found, brightly coloured or striped but the beauty of this choice of bustle, it has the removable frill which I can at a later date can change, make the same fabric to match the dress.

http://pinterest.com/pin/98516310569018660/

I already have some good sturdy crisp cotton but its very pure white and feel that the excuse is there to try Tea Dying, I really want a natural antique colour, just off white. Also its always good to use up fabric which you have already, AND I have already put this through a quick wash in the washing machine which saves me another job.

Materials which I need are:

1.5m Cotton – Bustle
Boning channel = 2.1m
Plastic Whale bone = 2.1m
Tipping fluid
Grosgrain ribbon
D Rings = x12
Cotton Tread (natural cotton)
Buttons for the detachable frill x5

“Suppliers”

I have a couple of websites I use for supplies,
also a couple of shops here in London Town.

Vena Cava Design
Great website for Corset and Lingerie supplies but also a fantastic source for Historical Costume Patterns.
I love this website and I have to be very careful when shopping here, far too tempting. Great service and delivery.
http://www.venacavadesign.biz/VCD_shop/index.php

Sewing Chest
UK Mailorder of Sewing Supplies for Bra & Corset Making, Period Costume, Dance Leotards and general sewing.
I have been using this Company for a long time and they have never let me down.
http://www.bramaker.co.uk/catalog/

Cloth House
I love the Fabric from these two branches of this wonderful shop. The range and quality is absolutely fantastic.
The cotton fabric I used for this project was purchased from the No.47 shop and the buttons from the No.98.
http://www.clothhouse.com/home.php

MacCulloch & Wallis
A trusted and extremely amazing place for such a wide range of things, its so worth a very good look.
This is where a I found the D Rings.
http://www.macculloch-wallis.co.uk/

“Tea Dying”

There were plenty of good clear instructions to be found on-line, all which varied from the amount of water to tea bag ratio. One thing I did pick up was to use budget tea bags (my better half would not be happy if I used the good tea bags, I can imagine the look on his face), so this also ends up being very cheap.

The tea bag to water ratio obviously depends on the colour you want to achieve. I did some tests is a smaller saucepan with some swatches of my fabric. If colour is too dark, add in some more water one cup at a time, and reheat. If the colour too light, increase the amount of tea bags to water ratio. I started with 1x bag : 3x cups, then added more water, 1x bag : 4 cups. As i only want a very subtle colour, I kept going and ended up with 1x bag : 16x cups = 4 Litres. This volume will be made bigger once I get dying.

Put your material into a large pot and fill with warm water, enough that the material is submerged.
Soak the material in the pot for a few minutes, then remove from the water and set aside.
Measure the water as to your tea bag to water ratio and bring to the boil on the stove, then turn off the heat.
Steep black tea bags in the hot water for about 15 minutes. I used ‘1x’ tea bags to ’16x’ cups of water, my tried and tested formula.
Remove the tea bags and stir your dye with a wooden spoon to make sure the water in the pot is a consistent colour. I would double check and test the colour & darkness of your tea dye again, with a small piece of your material (pre-soaked) and immerse it in the dye for about 10 minutes. Remove the test piece, dry off and then iron it so that it’s completely dry and you can see its true colour, as it will look darker when wet.
If the dye makes the fabric your desired colour, place the soaked material back in the pot. Make sure that the fabric is immersed, and allow it to dye for about 10 Mins (stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, for a more consistent colour and to prevent the tea from settling in the folds of the fabric). Also from my experience with any sort of dying its better to dye each part on a small scale rather then trying to fit the meters of fabric in a pot. Yes I have a big pot but you can gently fold the fabric in rather the squashing it and so to avoid getting patchy, uneven cover and crease marks. I also discovered that the water should be put through a water filter. As a cup of tea the hard water film on the top collects a stronger colour which as you pull the fabric out makes a stronger patch.
Rinse out the fabric with cold water.
Put on a spin cycle in the washing machine.
Iron all pieces to dry, believe me its so much easier to iron when damp.

The tea dying took most evenings of my week as i am also making a Victorian Chemise using a Simplicity pattern#9769, and a set of open drawers using Simplicity pattern#2890, which I want the same colour, but hey all good practice.

What I also found, was to put the water through a drinking water filter. The same happened as when you make a cup of tea, you get a residue which floats on the surface. This then, when you pull the fabric out, makes darker patches, which you don’t want.

“Construction”

The instructions in the book are very good, but I thought all the help I can get is always invaluable. I have a couple of fail safe resources which I trust two which I look at daily and another which I knew had a bustle on-line lesson.

“Daily visited”
http://www.foundationsrevealed.com/
http://yourwardrobeunlockd.com/

Both of these websites have the most wonderful wealth of information that I know of.

Your Wardrobe Unlock’d and Foundations Revealed ran by Cathy Hay.

Please, please have a look, the resource at your fingertips is AMAZING and
worth every penny!!!!

“and then not forgetting…..”

http://historicalsewing.com/classes/lobster-tail-bustle-class

A self paced, subscribed lesson, again there are things which other people can teach you which you can never teach your self…

“I believe there is no one way of doing all things, and sometimes another way could be better suited to you, there is always more to learn”

With the use of all of the direction above…… I compiled these instructions:

Join together Back Panels with a French seam, Press.
Sew on Boning Tape Channels.
Make sure not to sew to the edge on one side, within seam allowance for the boning insertion. Back stitch and reinforce.
Hem edges: Top, Long edge and bottom on Inside Gore panels (I used my roll hemming foot.. am in love)
Hem edges: Long Edge of Side Gore Panels.
Join together and french seam Outside & Inside Gores to Back (french seam), making sure to keep the boning channel open at one end.
Hem bottom edge.
Gather top into waist band.
Finish Waist band and add ties set of D rings.
Add internal ties with D rings.
Make up detachable frill with pleats and button loops (my preference), then add buttons to Bustle.“Note to Self” To make life easier next time…. http://www.beaufrog.co.uk/dressmaking/make-a-pleating-board/487

A couple of pictures to help the above….

Ta-daaaah!!! This bustle has turned out rather on the petite side but I am extremely happy with the finished result and I feel is very close to the illustration. It would be very easy to make the shape more extreme using the same techniques. The Chemise (Simplicity Pattern#9769) has turned out extremely full, involves a lot of volume of fabric, so being rather small build and frame it feels rather on the large size. It very flattering around the shoulders. The Drawers (Simplicity Pattern#2890) definitely are a winner.

Most of all…. Yippee!!! Victorian Underwear is complete!!!!! 😀

http://the-aristocat.livejournal.com/

Posted on December 6, 2012 by akamissupton

http://the-aristocat.livejournal.com/

This is yet another marvellous blog…. Enjoy.

What a Blog

Posted on June 14, 2012 by akamissupton

What a blog to follow… Amazing!!!!

What an inspiration…

http://bridgesonthebody.blogspot.co.uk/

Welcome one & all

Posted on May 16, 2012 by akamissupton

This is the beginning, with no looking back…

In my quest for everything costume. Making the foundations for the future. Taking the bull by the horns and embracing the challenge I have set myself.

To learn as much as possible…. Whether its era and history, techniques and construction, fabric and materials, all mixed together with my trials and tribulations.

aka Miss Upton

“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue”

A dear friend is getting married and her sister has asked me to make her some wedding day Knickers. So combine some tradition and a gift,
I have some beautiful pale blue silk…. Perfect!

I developed this pattern a while ago and it has been trusted and well used over the years, much to my friends delight of getting custom made knickers for a present.
Off we go!!!

Construction

1: Using a chalk pencil I draw around the template pattern on the right side,
making sure I mark the centre mark where the gusset joins.

I also extend the sides but again making sure you mark where the finished seam will go.
Taping down the silk to the cutting matt also helps keep the fabric straight.

3: Now here comes the hard bit… This still baffles me so I take great care.

Matching up the centre markings, I put the silk back and gusset right sides together.

4: Then on the back I add the cotton gusset, pinning these three parts together.

Basically the three layers should be:

Cotton gusset right side up.
Back silk section right side up.
Gusset silk right side down.

This might help!

5: Sew together.

6: Next, fold back the cotton gusset and roll the back section inwards, with the silk gusset down as shown below.

7: Lay the front section onto the silk gusset.

8: Rollover the front section as shown, fold back the cotton gusset, pin then stitch. Be careful not to pin the top of the front.

9: If all has gone to plan when you turn this inside out, the seams are all in the inside.

10: I set up the over-locker for a three thread rolled edge hem, then over-lock on the chalk line.

This is what you end up with 😀

11: Now for the sides… This also adds the elastic at the same time.

Add the two Leg elastic pieces on the bottom and the Top as shown, then over-lock in place.

12: Tie off the overlocked treads. Fold back the seam and top-stitch as shown.

14: Then you match the relating pins and join together, as shown.
Try to get the pin centrally in the elastic as this will help the next stage.

15: Set a small Zig Zag stitch on your sewing machine, making sure its narrower then the elastic.
Its best to start at the side seam where the elastic is sewn in.

16: One leg finished do the same on the next.

17: Then the Waist and then you are finished!!!

I did find that I needed to add another divide pin on the waist at the side next to the seams,
this part was too long and was a little difficult to stretch.

This silk though pricey it so worth using. Very happy with these and I hope Rebecca will be too.

Something Blue