How to Make Sexy String Panties for V-Day!
Em and I were on the phone talking when I was on holiday last week. We were chatting about Valentines Day craft tutorials to put on this site. We both decided, after not very long, that we would not recommend anyone make a mushy card for their boyfriend. A loveheart cake may have him bolting out the door. A romantic framed photo and you may just never see him again (Though marrieds may very well indulge in this sort of present-giving). We realised a while back that men are funny creatures (especially in the first few years – and before they have put a ring on your finger) who like to chase. Who are we to get in the way?
So, we decided to steer away from the how-to-turn-your-guy-off-in-two-seconds presents and present him with something that is much more likely to please him on this special day. Ta-da. This tutorial was born. These panties took such a small amount of time to make and were great fun. So, leave it to the men to present YOU with chocolates, mushy cards, stupid teddy bears holding hearts that say “I wuv you” and hit them where it hurts……You Will Need
The Pattern (Step 1)
Fabric – your choice – tshirt material, leather, vinyl, lace fabric, bright pink fur, whatever you like. If you are a die-hard recycler like we are, cut up your love’s old tshirt and use it for the material. He won’t be angry, we promise.
Underwear elastic – we bought it in bright pink
Ribbon for the ties
Thread for the sewing machine
Scisssors, pins
Sewing machine, overlocker
Step 1
Download the pattern below. Enlarge it to A3 size on a photocopier. This is a size ten Australian pattern. Size ten in Australia is a small. If you are larger, just take a pair of panties you already have and work out the size you need from that.
Click here to download Sexy Panties Pattern
Step 2
When you have printed out the pattern and enlarged it to the correct size, pin the whole pattern piece to the fabric you have chosen. There is no need to leave a seam allowance with this pattern.
Step 3
Cut out the main piece, then cut piece 2 of the pattern from the same fabric.
Step 4
Pin the crotch lining (unless you are making these crotchless of course 
) to the inside of the panties fabric. Sew this with an overlocking stitch onto the panties piece. We sewed two straight lines across (as in photo above).
Step 5
Change your machine to the stitch which is a zig-zag with a broken line. This stitch will allow some stretch.
Place the underwear elastic on the edge of the panties and sew it on using the broken zig-zag stitch. Hold the end of the fabric which is furthest away from you and this will help you guide the fabric through. We didn’t bother to pin it all, deciding instead to live on the edge! When you are sewing the elastic you can stretch it a little with the hand which is closest to you, giving the pants more elasticity and a little more power to grip to your cheeks.
HOT TIP: If it is too difficult to grip the fabric with your hand while sewing you can grip the thread ends with your left hand and gently pull the fabric through – a great little sewing trick.
When you come to the corner of the fabric, fold the elastic around the corners and continue to sew until you have edged the whole piece with elastic.
Step 6
Cut the ribbon into four lengths about 30cm (12 inches long).
With the panties right side facing down, sew the ribbon onto each of the four corners. We just used the same stitch for this and went slowly over them a few times, forward then reversing. It is pretty important that these stay, especially if wearing a skirt (unless of course Britney is more your style. In which case, why are you reading this tutorial? huh?)
Step 6
Add a litte something to the panties by cutting out a pink love heart and sewing it to the front of the panties. We just used a straight stitch for this. We were about to sew the heart on, when one husband (who shall remain nameless) returned home and repositioned it a little lower for us!
You like? Trust me these are a WHOLE LOT skimpier on than the photo here. Unfortunately neither Em nor me wanted to model them and display our bottoms to the world, so you will have to make some and see!
Enjoy! Why not get together with a bunch of girlfriends and have a panty making afternoon? We had a lot of fun and a lot of laughs. These took us about ten minutes to make at the most. Hmm maybe there will be more underwear making around here….
Mia and Em
xxx
Related posts:
- How to Make a Birdie Advent Calendar Materials
- Tshirt Surgery: How to Make a Dress from a Tshirt and a Singlet The Finish
- How to Make a Felted Christmas Wreath Sunday pos
- How to Make a Very Easy Christmas Wreath – Using What You Already Have! The finish
- Customisation: Tutorial & Tips For Transforming Denim Customisin
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
January 27th, 2007 at 10:22 am
those are super cute & look a lot more comfotable than the licorice ones on knitty
January 27th, 2007 at 10:32 am
OKay-these are just the cutest! You said it took only 10 minutes! I am all over this! Panties are so expensive in stores-why not make em myself???? Yep. I am gonna go do that right NOW!
January 27th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
O my gosh, I am SO going to make these! How fun! Oh, can you make a tutorial for a matching cami that can be made in one hour? THese really need a cami to go with them:)
January 27th, 2007 at 11:31 pm
Yes, we already thought of the cami to go with. Hmmm will have to wait and see. We are just soooo bloody busy. I wish there were 30 hours in a day and ten days in a week. We will have to wait and see….
Thanks for the request..
Mia
January 28th, 2007 at 4:12 am
hehe, i’m already laughing. what a great idea!
i’ll have to save the surprise for another date)
i’m diving in my fabric coupon and trim box right now!
(even though me and my love won’t be able to spend valentine’s together
January 28th, 2007 at 7:06 am
Oh so sad not to be with your love on V-Day and every day. But yeah the knickers are fun!
Mia
January 29th, 2007 at 10:16 am
I love it when people call them knickers.
My girlfriend in High School sewed me an extremely elaborate present for Valentine’s Day. Her mom had very strongly urged her NOT to give them to me, but she did anyways. Its 15 years later now, and I haven’t run away from her yet.
But, yeah, these knickers would have taken her about 20+ hours LESS time than the gift she made for me, and, sadly, I would have been much more thrilled by them.
January 29th, 2007 at 10:06 pm
[...] Valentine’s is fast approaching and I used to despise the superficiality of the holiday along with all the mushiness involved with doing something romantic for a loved one. Of course, this was all before I had a boyfriend. Now that we’ve been together for nearly 5 years (in June), I’ve developed quite a romantic and creative soft spot for February 14th. Every year I try to create or plan something “new” and “imaginative” only to face the challenge of having to outdo myself. Ah, god, I would love to date me. I found a few great handmade Valentine’s gift ideas: over at One Hour Craft, a tutorial shows how to make a sexy string panty which is a great idea for couples and singles (imagine a “Love Stinks, But Not My Lovebox!” embroidery). Mighty Goods suggests The Moleskine Small Info Book for Travel, a small and discreet journal that lets travelers record every detail of their trip. My mystery Valentine’s project is currently under way, once completed I’ll post the results but I can tell you right now, he’s going to like it. [...]
January 30th, 2007 at 7:11 pm
Now this is a Valentine’s Day craft project that I can really get enthusiastic about. Great idea!
January 31st, 2007 at 6:50 am
That’s a great idea! For those of us without an overlocker/serger, could a different stitch work instead of the overlocking stitch? Maybe a regular zigzag stitch or a stretch zigzag stitch?
February 1st, 2007 at 9:51 pm
Ok, this is a fabulous idea! I don’t work (I’m a stay at home mommy) therefore, I have no money! Of course, Hubbie gives me spending money when I need it, but these panties will be something special, since they will be handmade by me, and not purchased with his money. I’m going to use one of his cool tee shirts which sports his business logo on it to make my fundies! He has a bunch in the closet, so he won’t miss one! I can’t decide if the logo should be on the front or the back? Oh, decisions! I’m so excited to get started!
February 5th, 2007 at 6:34 am
I love love love this pattern! Even more, I love being able to choose my own fabric, pattern, and decoration.
Oh, and you guys hit it right on – I know my man will appreciate these fancy panties more than most anything else! ;0)
February 5th, 2007 at 6:57 am
[...] My friend Allison and I decided to get together for an afternoon of crafty goodness and we thought the OneHourCraft sexy Valentine’s Day string panties tutorial would be a good place to start. [...]
February 5th, 2007 at 7:14 am
I’ve made the panties: http://www.planetjune.com/blog/knickers/
Thanks for the inspiration, Mia and Emma!
February 9th, 2007 at 11:05 am
[...] Then, as much as I dislike Valentine’s Day, check out this idea from my new favorite blog, One Hour Craft …. DIY PANTIES! [...]
April 28th, 2007 at 11:22 pm
Oh I am just looking back over my site and i still love these so much! Em you are the best twin sister craftynut in the whole wide world.
Mia
April 30th, 2007 at 12:36 pm
This pattern is a million kinds of awesome – I am SO going to sew some of these, thank you so much for posting this!
May 15th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
Thanks for the pattern, my friend and I want to make lots of knickers in different styles ie lady-boxers, bikini style pants, big knickers! all sorts. Any more patterns or links would be appreciated.
Thanks
November 23rd, 2007 at 10:00 am
So, was there an answer to June’s question?
That’s a great idea! For those of us without an overlocker/serger, could a different stitch work instead of the overlocking stitch? Maybe a regular zigzag stitch or a stretch zigzag stitch?
December 11th, 2007 at 3:50 am
WoW they’re some Cool knickerzz lmfao !
LY X X X
January 25th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
i loooooooove this!!
i think the shape is awesome, i’m sooo making this, and probably use one of his t-shirts, i don’t think he gets angry, right?
i love this web!!
saludos desde Chile
July 15th, 2008 at 9:53 am
[...] found a few great handmade Valentine’s gift ideas: over at One Hour Craft, a tutorial shows how to make a sexy string panty which is a fantastic for couples and singles (imagine a “Love Stinks, But Not My [...]
February 5th, 2009 at 6:55 am
I’M EXCITED!!!
Next step, RUFFLES!
July 6th, 2009 at 10:01 am
Hmmm, sounds really awesome, but where does one purchase underwear elastic?
July 7th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
At a fabric store. Ask the lady at the counter and she will show the way!
Mia xx
April 25th, 2010 at 11:50 am
I would love to make your Comfy Thong but the link to the pattern PDF seems to be broken. Could you please send me a link where I could get it?
Thanks.
Cora
P.S. I LOVE your site!!
April 25th, 2010 at 11:55 pm
Thanks for letting me know I will try to find it within the next few days!