We've invited Meg Fleshman of MEGMADE Sewing to help us celebrate a new season of #braugust with her guide to choosing the perfect Spoonflower fabrics when crafting the undergarments of your dreams!
We believe that one of the greatest forms of self-care is handcrafting beautiful me-made clothing as a gift to yourself. 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.
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
Kaye bottoms by Seamwork
Axis Tank Bralette by Sophie Hines.Featured design: 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 (93%) and spandex (7%), it has nice recovery for snug-fitting items like bralettes but it's still a great choice for leggings, joggers, and even lightweight sweatshirts.
Cotton Spandex Jersey can also be used to make everyday underwear! What’s more, it's 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
Featured design: Climbing Roses in Blueberry by kaileyhawthorn
Black Beauty Bra by Emerald Erin
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-inspired 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 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
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
Organic Sweet Pea Gauze™
Calvin Wrap Dress by True Bias
Featured design: 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 it's 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 Wrap 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.
Fifi Pyjamas by Tilly & the Buttons
Sophia by Evie la Luve
Calvin Wrap Dress by True Bias
Shop the Featured DesignsHeart Shaped Glassesby kapotkaClimbing roses in blueberryby kaileyhawthornDelicate Branchesby innamoreva
Frequently Asked QuestionsHow can I get familiar with other Spoonflower fabrics?Our Sample Pack includes swatches of all of our fabrics and wallpapers. Get a feel for what your looking for in this bundle.Is it hard to sew your own lingerie?Depending on your skill level and the fabric you are using, sewing your own lingerie is achievable! Sports bras are great patterns for intermediate sewists.How do I sew a robe to match my lingerie?Meg shows us how to make a DIY robe using Organic Cotton Knit.
Want More Guides From Meg?Don't miss Meg's guide to choosing the right knit fabric for your handmade garment, including tips on choosing the perfect design.See the Guide
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.
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