kids clothes, sewing with knits

knit undies: take two

My second round of making undies!  I first want to say that I made the original undies almost 2 years ago (pattern by That Darn Kat includes both boy and girl versions – Pink Chalk also carries the pattern).  They were amazing.  The fit is hands down the best part of making your own, they don’t sag or stretch out.  They got worn constantly and held up extremely well.  I didn’t have to make anymore until now, and that’s only because they were just getting outgrown!

If you’re looking for a great project to start sewing with knits, this is the one you should try!  It’s small enough, that if you mess up it’s not that big of a deal.  Plus when you finish a pair, and see your kids wearing them, it’s the cutest thing ever, seriously.

Natalie is almost 7 now.  She definitely has her own opinion on things.  She said she didn’t like the center panel on the smaller underwear I had finished for Emily.  So I modified the pattern a bit and made it to just have side seams, ta da!  Big girl underwear.  I’m proud of them!  I jump around and do a little dance every time I finish a pair!

And maybe I just need to make some for myself, have to you seen this tutorial over at Very Purple Person?  I quick made my own pattern from an existing pair and I’m excited to try it out!

I think it’s good to note that both of the size 4 (smaller) underwear I made were the exact same, just chose a different binding fabric.  The pair that I made with the ribbed knit is much looser because that particular knit didn’t have as much stretch recovery.  Good to know in the future!  I definitely recommend using a knit with a little spandex or lycra in it, they are nice and stretchy without being bulky like a ribbed knit would.

42 thoughts on “knit undies: take two

  1. Amber says:

    I bought that pattern too and love it! The center panel is small enough on the pairs I’ve made that I cut cute patterns from old baby clothes (onsies, sleepers, pjs). Is the polka dot and stripe on the binding two way stretch? I haven’t been able to find any two way stretch in patterns, and those are so fun.

    1. Anna says:

      The polkadot is a four way stretch, with some lycra or spandex in it. The stripe has a little less stretch recovery. Check Sewzanne’s, fabric.com, Girl Charlee, Hobby Lobby, Hancock Fabrics. There are a lot more but that should give you a good start!

    2. Anna says:

      Check out The Fabric Fairy, too!

  2. Sabs says:

    Really cute, I want some for myself!

  3. Jeni says:

    These are seriously way too cute! That dachshund fabric puts me over the edge!!

  4. Carolyn says:

    These are ridiculously cute and good to know that I can easily alter the pattern in the future if I want to take the center panel off. My favorite part about this pattern is that it is the perfect way to use tiny bits of left-over fabric!

  5. mle says:

    Too cute!

  6. gail says:

    i love this pattern too! your modification is great, they look so pro! i wish i could find some cute knits like that, too 🙂

  7. Vanessa says:

    I so need to make some of these! Turns out Syd is allergic to the “tagless tag” printing that apparently all underwear have these days so she’s been wearing them inside out 🙁

  8. These are so adorable!! It’s been impossible for me to find undies that will fit my girl right. Maybe I should try making some, however knits scare me!

    ps I still have a box of yarn for you! I’m embarrassed to say it was actually buried in my sewing room! I’ve recovered it now and will send it out soon!!

  9. 3Ms +1N says:

    Oh boy those are adorable! And I would totally do a happy dance with each completed pair, too. A finished item in this house is definitely something to celebrate!
    My youngest (2 1/2) just potty-trained herself. I’m pretty sure she needs some of these! 😉
    Thanks for sharing!

  10. kristin says:

    Nooooo stoppit!!!! Underwear are pretty much the only item of clothing I can still buy for E guilt-free (rather than sewing it). Every time I see undies made with this pattern, though, my resistance crumbles a little.

  11. Cliodana says:

    awesome! where do you buy your knit fabric? Maybe i’ll give a try for my triplets boys!

    1. Anna says:

      I got these from a combination of SewZanne’s, Girl Charlee, Hancock Fabrics (my local shop), and Hobby Lobby! Fabric.com is always a good resource too!

  12. Crystal says:

    I have been thinking about sewing some undies for my potty training toddler. I will have to check out that pattern, your’s are so cute!

  13. Martha says:

    These are too cute!

  14. dana says:

    these are too adorable! And SO professional. You are a professional 🙂

  15. KerryQ says:

    My boys would love Weiner dogs on their, um, underwear. Sorry, couldn’t help it. They are soo cute!

  16. Sarah says:

    Soo cute!! Where did you buy your knits? I love the prints and they look super soft and comfy!

    1. Anna says:

      I got these from a combination of SewZanne’s, Girl Charlee, Hancock Fabrics (my local shop), and Hobby Lobby! Fabric.com is always a good resource too!

  17. shelley b says:

    What fun!! Can I ask where you bought your knits???

    1. Anna says:

      Pink Chalk Fabrics has some nice knits, I usually order mine from fabric.com and it’s pretty hit or miss on the quality, but overall I’m pretty satisfied. I had ordered some of the knits in my post from Sewzanne’s probably about 3 years ago. Another great knit shop is Girl Charlee.
      http://www.sewzannesfabrics.com/
      http://www.girlcharlee.com/

      Hope that helps!!! And as long as you’re motivated and excited about it, you’ll definitely go far!

    2. shelley says:

      Thanks so much!!!

  18. Frances says:

    These undies are so cute I can hardly stand it. The polka dots! I have made a couple of pairs of undies for A and they really are so much fun to make, aren’t they!

  19. Cindy says:

    Ohhh Anna, these are adorable! And yes, I remember how cute the first batch was!!:) Just love your work!

  20. Elizabeth says:

    It doesn’t look like she is selling it on her etsy site (that darn cat)!!!! I am bummed!!! This is so cute! 🙂

    1. Anna says:

      Just send her a convo, she’ll just relist it for you! 🙂

  21. Enney Pitter says:

    I agree homemade knickers make little bottoms even sweeter. I love your pattern change and think I will adopt it when we move up sizes again.

  22. 2WeeMonsters says:

    If you decide to take the plunge on making your own, check out Zoe’s pattern on SoZo :http://sozowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.co.uk/p/free-patterns.html

    I really like her pattern. She has a pattern for a camisole too.

  23. Truly Myrtle says:

    Oh these are soooooo cute!! My biggest problem is getting decent stretch knit in fabulous prints. Anyone in the UK reading this with some suggestions for me??

  24. gah! Kids undies are sooo cute aren’t they?! They’re just so tiny! I started making my own because I couldn’t find any at the shops I liked. I’m totally hooked! They’re so comfy and quick to make! Definitely give it a go.

  25. I love this pattern. Such cute undies.

  26. I’ve used this pattern too and love it. Such cute undies with great fit and easy to make!

  27. Monica says:

    Yes!!! Thanks for this post, I have had making underwear on the mind since a friend bought a pack for her daughter at Mini Boden and mentioned how it was a splurge, but it makes her that much happier to be folding laundry. A lightbulb went off….why not make my kids underwear!? Seems like a lot of reward for a small amount of fabric. Then, seeing this and how adorable they are (truly!!!)….gah!

  28. Gina says:

    holy cow!!! these are adorable!

  29. Aaah! These are so cute! Love them, Anna.

  30. feelincrafty says:

    These are adorable!! I love the prints, too! I just need to buckle down and order a nice big pile of knit instead of getting so mad that none of my local shops carry any cute prints for boys!

  31. amandajean says:

    cutest undies. ever! oh, you are good, anna.

  32. kim grayson says:

    do you know if i can purchase a paper pattern of these undies anywhere? not pdf . thanks kim

  33. Diane Stephen says:

    I made tons of these for my little 2.5 YO great niece. The fit is perfect (especially using cotton lycra). I just got done making 14 pair for her with some of her favorite characters. How did you modify the pattern to not have the front panel? Would like to know how you did that.

  34. Sandy says:

    I want to try these so bad. I can’t find the pattern anywhere and the etsy site isn’t responding to messages

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