It's been SEW hard to keep quiet about this one, and we can't believe it's finally here! So let us shout it from the rooftops... It's our pleasure to introduce our first underwear sewing pattern, the Iris knickers, along with a brand new online workshop. The Iris knickers have been created in collaboration with our favourite lingerie designer Evie la Lùve, and the workshop is taught by the lovely Hannah herself! The Iris knickers are available in TWO size bands: UK 6-24 and UK 16-34 - yay!
Learn to sew your own undies with this multi-style knickers pattern and helpful online workshop. A pleasure to sew, and a perfect scrap busting project, you can whip them up in no time at all on a regular sewing machine. Once you’ve made your first pair, you’ll be hooked (just ask any one of us Buttons)!
Let's meet Hannah, the lovely lady behind our new fave pattern...
"I began sewing clothing and lingerie in 2008 and went on to study fashion at university, to take my passion for design and sewing to the next level. For as long as I can remember I’ve loved lingerie, and one day the penny dropped that I could combine my passion for design and sewing, with my infatuation for lingerie, and haven’t looked back.
I love sewing clothing, but sewing lingerie is my absolute favourite thing to sew. You can create something beautiful in a short period of time, using small amounts of beautiful fabrics and laces, what’s not to love!
Sewing lingerie has given me so much joy for many years and I love to share that with other people. My business is all about giving anyone who wants to learn, the skills and the patterns to create their own beautiful lingerie. I offer patterns with loads of variations, from simple silhouettes to patterns with cut-outs, lacy and strappy details, making them approachable for beginner sewers and more experienced sewers alike."
- Hannah Bullivant - Evie la Lùve
Excited to learn all about Iris and our brand new workshop? Of course you are! Grab a cuppa and let's go...
THE DESIGNIncredibly versatile, Iris is a mix and match simple jersey knicker sewing pattern design that includes a choice of low, midi and high legs and waistlines so you can create your favourite fit. You have a choice when finishing the leg and waist openings, you can use either fold over elastic or narrow stretch lace depending on your style, or even a combination of both. There are 36 possible combinations you can choose to make with this pattern - wowza!
They’re super fun and satisfying to sew, a perfect scrap busting project, AND you can whip them up on a regular sewing machine in no time at all. Once you’ve made your first pair, you’ll be filling up your drawers with handmade undies ASAP!
Not only that, but in the accompanying online workshop, Hannah will be showing you how to make the most of this simple knicker sewing pattern by showing you how to add style lines, lace overlays, how to add bows and ruffles, as well as using a different type of elastic.
The Iris knickers are available in our new UK 16-34 size range, which has a whole new size chart, going up to a 134.5cm (53in) waist and 155cm (61in) hip, with different proportions to get the best fit. The most noticeable difference in the proportions from our current patterns is that the tummy is slightly fuller (the bust differences aren't relevant for Iris).
If you want a little more help picking which size range is best for you, check out this blog post which guides you through the differences.
THE WORKSHOP
Want an extra helping hand navigating exciting new lingerie sewing skills for your Iris knickers? Sign up to our online workshop, Learn to Sew Knickers today and learn with Hannah, the designer behind Evie la Lùve, and a knicker sewing pro.
Through the easy to access video lessons, Hannah will take you through all the steps to sew the Iris knickers, along with how to create multiple hacks to get even more out of your pattern with all kinds of gorgeous possibilities. You can watch the videos from home whenever you like. The Learn to Sew Knickers workshop is the perfect way to start your sewing lingerie journey - you'll be whipping up gorgeous pairs of undies in no time!
For confident beginners and beyond, Hannah will walk you through every step. While Iris is a simple knicker pattern, consider this your introduction, not just to making knickers, but also as a stepping stone to making other lingerie items like soft bralettes and maybe even ultimately an underwire style bra (#goals), if you wanted to do that in the future.
A lot of the techniques and information in this workshop such as sewing with elastics and laces, are the same as those you would use for soft bralettes as well, which means, once you have the knickers under your belt, so to speak…. You are well on your way to making a matching set - dreamy!
You're in great hands with Hannah!
Haven't taken an online workshop before? It's like participating in a structured sewing course, but with loads of added benefits! You can see the sewing up close, and pause and rewind the videos as many times as you like, with no deadlines. It's the fraction of the cost of attending an in-person class, plus it has the added benefit of being super convenient as you don't even need to leave the house to do it. With the world being a bit topsy turvy at the moment, and face-to-face sewing classes hard to come by, our online workshops mean you can bring sewing classes to your sofa :)
THE SEWING PATTERN
Need some guidance using PDF sewing patterns? Fear not! We have a handy blog post with a full tutorial for piecing your pattern together and a list of places to get your pattern printed and sent straight to your door!
FABRIC AND SUPPLIES
Luckily sewing knickers means small amounts of fabric, or you can even reach for your stash of fabric scraps and get crafty - bonus! Iris works in light- to medium-weight stretch knit fabrics with 40-60% 4-way stretch and good recovery, such as jersey, scuba, stretch mesh and stretch velvet. For the crotch lining fabric you'll need a small piece of cotton or bamboo jersey, or a jersey with similar natural content. If it's your first time making knickers pick something stable like a cotton jersey to begin with - you can use something a bit more luxurious once you feel a bit more confident!
When you're looking for your knicker fabric you need to ensure your fabric has good 4-way stretch, meaning it stretches up and down and across with a good stretchy fibre content like spandex. It’s also very important your fabric has good recovery, meaning it stretches, and then returns to its original state, without having been stretched out and becoming baggy or distorted - nobody wants baggy pants! The ideal amount of stretch needed in your fabric for the Iris pattern is between 40-60%.
The type of elastic you need for the Iris knickers is called fold over elastic, often abbreviated to FOE, also known as fold over binding. This is a very stretchy type of elastic found in widths of 15 mm (5/8in), and, less commonly, 20 mm (3/4in). It will most likely have a shiny side and a matt side, but also can be found, less commonly, with two matt sides. It's all good!
There are different types of stretch laces used in lingerie making, coming in varying widths and used in different areas for different purposes. The type of lace needed for the Iris knickers is called narrow stretch lace or a stretch lace trim, and we can use this to finish the leg openings and waist opening. It’s really important that you pick a stretch lace that has a good amount of stretch, between 40-60%, the same as your fabric, for a good fit.
Check out the fabric requirements and supplies list on our online shop for more details.
Excited to make the Iris knickers? Grab the pattern from our online shop today, or sign up for the online workshop. You'll be a knicker sewing pro before you know it!
Nothing makes us happier than seeing all your lovely Tilly and the Buttons creations and progress shots, so please share your makes with us on Instagram @TillyButtons & @EvieLaLuve using the hashtag #SewingIris so we can swoon over your creations.
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Author: Hannah Bullivant & Abi Dyson
Models: Averil de Souza and Andii Melody Mae
Photographer: Jane Looker
Video: Filmed by Jane Looker and edited by Hannah Bullivant & Abi Dyson
Hair and makeup: Julie Wong
Samples: Sewn by Hannah Bullivant
Averil's samples:
1. Blue stripe with mid-rise & mid leg
2. Black with low rise & high leg
Melody's samples:
1. Black floral with high rise & mid leg
2. Pink with mid rise & low leg
