How To Make Your Own Period Underwear! Part 1: Fabric & Alterations

Period knickers convert? Fancy making your own eco-friendly pants for that time of the month?

 Following lots of requests, we're going to show you how to DIY your own period pants using the Iris knickers sewing pattern, thanks to this guest post by the pattern's designer, Hannah of Evie La Lùve. If you'd like to learn more about making your own underwear, Hannah teaches our online video workshop Learn to Sew Knickers, with video lessons packed full of tips and tricks. 

Over to Hannah!

Period pants have become increasingly popular over the last few years and while they may look like they require some magic fabrics and specialised equipment to make them, it is possible to DIY them! Making them yourself means you can create something tailored to your needs, whether that’s wanting to completely replace your disposable products for a more eco-friendly option, to use doubled up with a menstrual cup or tampons or for some comfy knickers to wear on those ‘due on’ days.

ORDER THE IRIS KNICKERS SEWING PATTERN - SIZES UK 6-34

The Iris knickers sewing pattern is perfect for adapting into period pants, especially as you can choose your leg and waist heights to suit the coverage you want. You’ll need to use FOE to finish the leg openings but a narrow stretch lace trim can still be used for the waist opening, which you may find more comfortable, particularly with the aches and pains that go along with periods for a lot of us!

So how do they work? These period pants have two additional layers of specialised fabrics that sit between the lining and main fabric at the crotch area. They’re designed to wick moisture away from your body, absorb it and then stop it leaking through to the outside of your knickers and beyond.

Choosing your fabric

The first new fabric you will need is your absorbent material. There are a few options for this. I’m using a quilted bamboo ZorbⓇ but you can also use cotton ZorbⓇ, bamboo/cotton/hemp fleece or microfibre/bamboo/cotton terry towelling.

The second new fabric you will need is your waterproof material. You need a polyurethane laminated fabric, often referred to as a ‘PUL’ fabric. I’m using a bamboo fleece PUL material, which on the front (if you look closely) looks like a soft plush bamboo fleece, and on the back looks like it has a layer of clingfilm adhered to it. This is the waterproof barrier that will stop moisture from leaking out. 

Tilly's Tips For Perfect Buttons

Here at Tilly and the Buttons, we love to encourage and support newbie sewists and something we hear again and again is that some of you out there avoid certain sewing projects because of buttons and the fear of sewing buttonholes. Well, we're here to change your mind and to show you that buttons don't need to be intimidating and can actually be rather satisfying to sew - trust us!

So please enjoy this round-up of Tilly's tips for perfect buttons, every time you sew...

Let's go right to the start, shall we? So you've got your lovely sewing project in front of you and you've reached the point where you need to start sewing your buttonholes. Eeek! 

Before you start stitching, double and triple-check the placement of the buttonholes because believe us - you don't want to unpick buttonhole stitching (unfortunately speaking from experience...)! These will be clearly marked by lines on your paper pattern, usually down the centre front pattern piece, and can be transferred onto your fabric with chalk or a washable pen. If you need a refresher, check out Tilly's recommended marking and cutting tools HERE.

With your clearly marked buttonholes, let's get to the main event, stitching the buttonholes...

Sewing For The Season - Autumn!

Want some drool-worthy inspiration for sewing all the cosy, autumnal things? Sure you do! It’s Abi here (you may have seen my spring and summer sewing inspiration posts and vlogs this year too), I feel like I spend the majority of my year thinking "oh that would be perfect for autumn" - it's just such a satisfying time of year to sew and there always feels like there's a buzz online for sewing some snuggly new makes!

So here I am with my own autumn sewing plans and loooads for inspiration from the high street along with dreamy fabric picks. Grab a cuppa and enjoy this little lot...

SHOP OUR AUTUMN SEWING PATTERN EDIT HERE

Rock 'n' roll neck

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Roll neck tops are back in a big way. From fitted styles perfect for layering or slouchy styles ideal for snuggling up in. Whatever your roll neck preference we've got multiple styles to suit you! Go relaxed and retro with our classic Coco top, modern and oversized with Nora or try our fan-favourite Freya (from Tilly's book Stretch). 

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One of the perks of sewing your own clothes is that the possibilities are endless. Take Nora for example, you can use snuggly cable knit jersey fabric or even fleece-backed knits for something toasty (or check out this STUNNING Nora top made with teddy fabric!), or use something lightweight to layer her up for all your Autumn outfits. 

Scrap Busting Iris - Join our Instagram Challenge!

We knew sewing knickers was going to be a great scrap busting sewing project. Just seeing the shapes of the Iris knickers pattern pieces in all the various styles you can whip up, you just know they're going to fit in somewhere when you cut out your next jersey top!

#ScrapBustingIris

Inspired by Tilly's own scrap busting Iris knickers made using leftover fabric from her Tabitha T-shirt dress, we're celebrating matching our knickers to our outerwear with an October Instagram challenge encouraging you to get creative with your fabric leftovers and sew yourself some matching undies!