Comfy or Sexy Sets : Kwik Sew 3167
Overview:
I've been saying for some years that I need to make my own undergarments. Why? Well mainly because they are easy and quick to sew. If you learned to sew mask, you can sew underwear. An added plus is I have a ton of knit scraps so that essentially free fabric. And lastly undergarments are pricey, even at discount stores, so they are one of the few things that you can save money sewing.
Now I'm not quite at the point where I want to make my own underwire bras as the cost to make them is close to the cost to buy (on sale and at discount stores) due to the cost of notions and specialty fabrics. Also though I'm sure it would get easier with practice the initial learning curve seems greater.
Anyway, Kwik Sew 3167 is a great pattern to start as it has 2 cami and 3 undie views. I've sewn all of them and each was quick and easy.
Pattern:
Kwik Sew patterns are known for being just that, quick to sew. KS 3167 has 2 camisole views (one knit and one stretch lace) and 4 undies (knit boyshort, lace boyshort, lace high waisted thong and lace v-string).
For the comfy set I used view A though I made some simple modifications. I didn’t have any red stretch lace trim so I sewed a narrow hem to finish all the raw edges. I also added 1/4″ elastic to the top of the cami band and to the waist and leg openings of the boy shorts (not pictured. pictured is the free undie pattern from Melly Sews). My knit was quite stretchy so my straps were too long, but it’s always best to test fit straps and that’s what I did. The extra length allowed me to cross the straps in the back.
For the sexy version I sewed the lace cami and the high waisted thong (view B). This one was even easier because there are no raw edges to finish. I used lingerie elastic here for the straps. Next time I may try to make the adjustable.
Fabric:
This red jersey knit was a large scrap leftover from another project. Seriously this pattern is a great scrap buster. Like I mentioned above it is quite stretchy so I used 1/4" elastic at the waist and leg openings of the undies and to add a little support to the top of the band.
I found this black stretch galloon lace at a local store, Fine Fabrics. It was 7" instead of 8" so the bodice is a tad shorter than intended. The thongs sit a tad lower, but if they sat an inch higher they'd touch the cami so the rise works for me. I don't consider myself short waisted so I'm not sure why that is.
The lingerie elastic is nice as well. Mainly because it eliminates the need to make narrow tubes like I did with the other version, but also because it has some padding that makes it soft to the skin.
The crotch was cut from another scrap of black jersey I had lying around.
Modifications:
None except for adding elastic to the jersey set and crossing the straps.
Summary:
Pattern: Kwik Sew 3167 OOP
Pattern Description: The Misses' camisole and panties are very close-fitting. The View A camisole and boy-cut panties have all outside edges finished with stretch edging lace. The View B camisole and thong-style panties are made from wide stretch lace with both edges finished. The panties have a crotch piece from knit fabric. The View C boy-cut panties are made from wide stretch lace. The View D thong-style panties have a front from lace and the waist and back from elastic.
Sizing: XS-L, I sewed a L
Difficulty: 2 beginner
Fabric Used: comfy - red jersey knit, sexy 7" stretch galloon lace
Does it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope? Yes
Were the instructions easy to follow? Very
Did I make in alterations? a few, mentioned above
Would I sew it again? Yes!
Would I recommend it to others? Yes, if you can find the pattern.