3 replies to this topic

[nymph]

I have to make a pair of black bloomers for a costume im making,
and i wanted to know what material would be best to use?
if anyone has any ideas,
i was thinking maybe satin but ive heard it will be difficult to do due to the fraying and ive never used it before

and any other tips?
i was recomended to get a pj pants pattern and just crop it and use elastic to draw in the bottom,
but i dont understand how to add the lace...

[Metanoia]

satin would be slippery to sew. My moulin rouge bloomers were cotton. Do you need shine? If not cotton would probably do.

I used a shorts pattern and the elastic lace you get for bridal garters and the like , just sewed it straight on. Saved me sewing in elastic as well as lace

Otherwise I would add the lace first just like you would to the edge of any fabric, then the elastic, otherwise it will be hard to hold the material to sew the lace on cause it will want to gather and scrunch due to the elastic.

[AbsinthAngel]

I make my underpinnings with voile or lightweight cotton. Two reasons, a) the amount of layering for most Historic outfits, and b ) a thinner cotton shows up all the lace, pintucks etc to look so much more girly and delicate!

Edited by AbsinthAngel, 08 March 2007 - 07:51 PM.

[El Presidente]

Nymph, I'm assuming you want bloomers for an anime costume rather than historical repro?

If so, I'd go for the PJ or shorts pattern, making sure there's plenty of room in the bum and thighs, and yes depending on the look you're after, a cotton or poly/cotton poplin would be fine. And as Metanoia says, attach the lace before you put the elastic on. (That's assuming you need to gather the leg bottoms not just leave them loose, like you see peeking out from under the skirt of little Victorian era girls.)

You also need to decide how much of a frill you want on the bottom of your bloomers (depends where you put your elastic) and make sure you make them long enough (between the waist and the elastic) that you can bend over without the bloomers riding up your legs. The Victorian era drawers had really baggy bums for this reason, but if you're using a shorts/pj pattern, take the length measure by holding the tape measure at your back waist and bending forward, run the measure over your buttocks down the length where you want the elastic to be, then add the amount of frill. The elastic will hold the garment at that level, while the amount of ease you just measured will make sure you can sit down comfortably