Oh! What’s that I spy? A new pair of lacy undies? Let’s take a closer look…
Why, it does appear to be an exquisite pair of undies made from Cloth Habit‘s free online Rosy Ladyshorts pattern and a black and pink stretch floral lace designed by Anna Sui with black lace trim, both from Mood. I also cut up an old black cotton tshirt to make the lining.
This pair of ladyshorts marks my first foray into lingerie making. And, I’ll admit, it wasn’t without its bumps and scrapes. Making underroos is harder than it looks!
On the hanger these ladyshorts looks so discrete…
Until a bit of light shines through them. These ladyshorts are racy! Vavavoom!
Even up close you can be quite taken by their charm. Look at the scallops of lace trim dancing around the perimeter; aren’t they so alluring? But, I’ll let you in on a little secret. They were a pain to sew on. The comfortable fit of these ladyshorts is due in part to the excess of fabric in the body that needs to be eased in to the bands at the leg openings and around the waist. The instructions implore you to ease the body into the bands – not to stretch the two to fit while they’re in the machine – which, at least for me, made for a lot of wayward pins in slippery lace.
And, as for that beautiful Anna Sui lace? It’s inside out. I went back and forth and back and forth about which side was the front, and I chose the “neat” side. When I went back to the main image of the lace on Mood’s site, after much of the lace trim had already been attached, I discovered my error. It’s still gorgeous, mind you. But, the pink doesn’t pop like it should. So, another pair of these little shorts will be in my future, right side out. I need the practice anyway!
The stitching is a little more obvious from this close up. I serged the main seams of the body using a narrow three-thread seam. I then stitched the lace bands on using the zigzag suggested in the pattern instructions and aligning the seam midway through the narrowest part of the lace trim. Finally, I traced around the interior scallops using the same zigzag. Sounds simple enough, right? Hopefully after a bit more practice, making lingerie will go as quickly as it sounds like it should!
This post can also be found on Mood Sewing Network. Additionally, I used my MSN allowance towards the purchase of the lace fabrics.
Sew Well 
Very pretty! That delicate fabric does look like it would be a lot of work! Matching bras anytime soon? =)
Hopefully soon. I wish I had time to join Cloth Habit’s bra making Sew-Along!
So pretty! I just made my first pair of lacy panties too. The Rosy Ladyshorts are on my to do list.
Wow, those are fab! I’ve been looking at that pattern but not sure I’m ready to venture into underwear yet.
Lovely! I am eager to try my hand at lace undergarments but am still working on the tried and true cotton variety right now. But, your lady shorts are inspiring!
They look great! A few more pairs and you will be a pro 🙂
Those are just so lovely, so very delicate but you are right, they get full points in va-va-va-voom category.
Love that reveal with the light coming through! That’s a gorgeous first pair of lady shorts, even if the fabric is the wrong way…not that anyone would be able to tell!
That fabric is so perfect for the lady shorts!
Very pretty. Bra to match? Slip?
Hopefully one day. Right now it’s on to a polkadot dress that’s another MSN/ BurdaStyle project. Always something on my sewing table!
Super cute fabric! Well played on your first pair of lady shorts!
Beautiful, Amy! I might have to get me some of that fabric, too. I’m a little nuts for nice lace right now. After doing it a couple of times, you won’t need pins as much to sew in the trim but it is harder when the trim is more scallop-y like that (I’m still practicing and my fabric goes wayward, too!).
I figured practice would help. Wish I had time to join your Sew-Along so I could make a matching bra! One day…
These are so, so cute!
So pretty and so comfy!
Oh, such lovely undies! 🙂