We believe that one of the greatest forms of self-care is handcrafting beautiful me-made clothing as a gift to yourself. And sewing your own loungewear or lingerie really is the cherry on top when it comes to taking the time to make something special and unique to you. That’s why we’ve invited Meg Fleshman of MEGMADE Sewing to help us ring in a new season of #braugust, an inclusive month-long celebration of handmade lingerie, with her guide to choosing the perfect Spoonflower fabrics when crafting the undergarments of your dreams. Just getting started with making your own lingerie? Keep your eyes on #braugust2020 to see what sewists around the world are making all month long!
Meg: August is also known as BRAugust among many makers of all skill levels, so what better time to make intimates with Spoonflower fabrics than a month celebrating everything lingerie and lounge! One of my favorite things about BRAugust is that it encompasses so many types of garments, from casual sports bras and boxers to delicate lingerie and nightgowns. There are so many ways to interpret lingerie and loungewear, and equally many ways to use Spoonflower fabrics to put your own custom spin on handmade intimates. Let’s take a look at three fabric options, plus some pattern ideas for a variety of lingerie and loungewear, no matter your personal style!
Cotton Spandex Jersey
Axis Tank Bralette by Sophie Hines|Kaye bottoms by Seamwork
Heart-Shaped Glasses by kapotka
If you’re looking to make casual intimates or loungewear, Cotton Spandex Jersey is where it’s at. With a soft and stretchy blend of cotton and spandex, it has nice recovery for snug-fitting items like bralettes but its still a great choice for leggings, joggers, and even lightweight sweatshirts. Cotton Spandex Knit can also be used to make everyday underwear! What’s more, its also a very user-friendly fabric with minimal slippage or stretching while sewing, making it an awesome all-purpose fabric for a variety of low-key loungewear garments. I’m all about comfy clothes around the house so I used the Cotton Spandex knit to make the Axis Tank Bralette by Sophie Hines and the Kaye bottoms by Seamwork for a cute and casual sleep set.
My Cotton Spandex Jersey Pattern Picks:
- Undies + Period Undies by Muna & Broad
- Movie Night PJs by Sew a Little Seam (available in men’s and children’s sizes too!)
- Virginia Leggings by Megan Nielsen
- Fraser Sweatshirt by Sewaholic
- Como Trunks by Thread Theory
- Olivia Bralette + Knickers by Designer Stitch
- Axis Tank Bralette by Sophie Hines
- Kaye bottoms by Seamwork
Looking for just the thing to pair with your me-made intimates? Meg’s Organic Cotton Knit DIY robe is a good place to start!
Satin
Black Beauty Bra by Emerald Erin | Verity Knickers by A Thing of Beauty Lingerie
Climbing Roses in Blueberry by kaileyhawthorn
For decades, intimates and satin have gone together like peanut butter and jelly. Satin (which actually refers to the type of weave, not just a fabric) has been used for slips, bras, boxers, pajamas, and other various under-things that drape and skim over the body. Spoonflower Satin is a polyester fabric making it much more affordable than historically silk satins and subsequently a great option for recreating vintage inspire lingerie and loungewear. I loved the idea of combining the vintage feel of satin undergarments with contemporary fabric printing technology to create a floral satin underwear set. I made a Black Beauty Bra by Emerald Erin with a coordinating pair of Verity Knickers by A Thing of Beauty Lingerie (a free pattern!) for a touch of undergarment glamour. Satin can be quite finicky to work with but stick with it; the silky feeling of handmade intimates is worth it!
My Satin Pattern Picks:
- Suki Robe by Helen’s Closet
- Bailén bias dress by Pauline Alice
- Lydia Knickers by Measure Twice Cut Once
- Boxer Shorts from Peppermint Magazine (a free pattern!)
- Lisbon Slip by Seamwork
- Peridot Bralette by Ohhh Lulu Lingerie
- Black Beauty Bra by Emerald Erin
- Verity Knickers by A Thing of Beauty Lingerie
Organic Sweet Pea Gauze
Calvin Wrap Dress by True Bias
Delicate Branches by innamoreva
If natural, earthy fabrics are your thing, check out the Organic Sweet Pea Gauze for your me-made nightwear. These days its virtually synonymous with cozy baby blankets and swaddles, but with the right designs, Sweet Pea Gauze becomes a soft, breezy, pampering fabric perfect for adult loungewear and intimates.
For a warm-weather nightgown that felt comfortable and feminine, I used the Sweet Pea Gauze to make the Calvin Dress by True Bias, a slip-style dress with a wrap bodice. Normally the Calvin dress has long ties that wrap around the waist, but to better suit it to sleepwear, I tacked one wrap front on the inside of the side seam, and placed ties at the waist to secure the other wrap front. Because gauze has so much mechanical give I’m able to slip the dress on over my head without needing to untie it, however, I can see the wrap and side tie being a useful feature for breastfeeding wearers.
My Organic Sweet Pea Gauze Pattern Picks:
- Pipit Loungewear Set by Common Stitch
- Lahja Dressing Gown by Named Patterns
- Whitechapel Pyjamas by Alice & Co.
- Night Garden Set by Sew to Grow
- Fifi Pyjamas by Tilly & the Buttons
- Sophia by Evie la Luve
- Calvin Wrap Dress by True Bias
Lingerie, sleepwear, and loungewear preferences are unique and personal for us, so how neat is it that our favorite styles can be further personalized with a favorite design from Spoonflower! As you plan your makes, I also recommend getting yourself a Sample Pack which includes a swatch of all of the substrates (including wallpapers too!). These swatches will help you to familiarize yourself with how each fabric feels, how colors print, the weight of the fabric, and even give you some insight on the stretch content which is so helpful when making snug-fitting knitwear. Each Sample Pack is $3 USD with free shipping, and I’ve found it to be an incredibly helpful tool in my goals to branch out and try more of the fabrics offered with Spoonflower.
It has been such a pleasure to share my lingerie and lounge makes with you today, and I hope you’ve been introduced to some new-to-you patterns and designers, as well as some new ideas on how to incorporate a variety of textiles into your handmade intimates. If you make some loungewear or undergarments with Spoonflower fabrics and want to share them, make sure to tag your posts with #spoonflower, #spoonflowerapparel and #megmadesewing so we can celebrate your me-mades!
Don’t miss Meg’s guide to choosing the right knit fabric for your handmade garment, including tips on choosing the perfect design.
About the Guest Author
Meg is the maker & mama behind MEGMADE Sewing. Having been sewing since childhood, Meg now creates handmades as a way to stay connected to who she is while knee-deep in motherhood. Never in one place for too long, she and her family of five currently call the Washington DC area home. For more of her latest makes (and love of pink!) follow Meg on Instagram.