Ooh la la Pin Up Sew-Along... What will you need?

I'm so excited by the overwhelming number of you who want to participate in the sew along! The most important thing I want you to take away from this experience is the knowledge that sewing lingerie is NOT SCARY!

"Blue Eyed Monster" Hugh J. Ward, 1930

I started sewing my own lingerie when I was just a novice. No one told me it would be hard so I started with a vintage tap pants pattern and it was still one of the easiest things I've ever sewn!
Think about it... most vintage lingerie is really just a bunch of small pattern pieces, quickly cut out, quickly sewn together and finished off with a buttonhole or two!

There are three simple things I recommend if you're new to sewing lingerie:


1. Use a vintage pattern! Many vintage lingerie patterns will avoid using techniques such as bias cutting, serged edges, and elastic that intimidate many a new seamstress.

2. Avoid satin, silk and lace the first time. Slippery fabrics if you're not really used to them will make a new process that much more difficult for you. Instead use a lovely cotton print or flannel in a playful design. Intend your first project to be for everyday wear and the fabrics and techniques involved will take the pressure off making your first try perfect.

3. Make a muslin! Trust me, I'm not qualified to preach when it comes to making muslins because I nearly always skip that step. I'm lazy. But I ALWAYS make a muslin of my lingerie pattern first; the pieces are usually small and you can make a muslin quickly with no fuss, and lingerie needs to fit really well or you'll never wear it!

Now, on to details. What kind of fabric will you need for the sew along? That depends on two things.

1. What is your experience level with sewing?
If you're new, try cotton. You can always bind the edges with a satin bias tape to make it look a bit fancier. If you have some more experience with sewing, by all means, try some satin, brocade, silk, whatever you like!

2. When do you plan on wearing said lingerie?
If you're planning on having it on for a few minutes of foreplay before it's removed, then go for the fancier fabrics, lace, and trim.
If you plan on using it as an actual long wear support garment while you're at the office or church, then think of what you'll wear it under. Satin is great because dresses can slide over the fabric without catching and sticking. Cotton will breathe better if you're wearing it all day. Keep these things in mind when making your decision.
I'm making mine with a vintage peach rayon satin fabric. A couple of panels will have lace overlay but overall this will be a sexy but serviceable undergarment.
There's a great story to illustrate this point on Annabellebumps.

In my experience, you can make a corset out of just about any fabric, it just depends on whether or not you add boning, or plan on wearing it very long that will decide your fabric plans.

On to notions. Here are a few links to places that you can get garter clips online:

I found some winderful vintage lingerie notions including straps and garter clips at Acme Notions.

Create for Less (has two versions new by Dritz). They also sell several kinds of boning and eyelet supplies.

This ebay search shows several sellers with both new and vintage garter clips

This etsy search shows vintage garter clips (though you have to wade through a lot of horrendous lingerie to find them).

I found my hook and eye tape for the best price on ebay but keep in mind that I can't buy these things where I live so I get nearly everything online. You might have better luck at your local shops.

Have fun shopping!