Shapewear. Do you bother wearing shapewear? Would you make shapewear? Well it was a slow news day when this article came up last week. So I reacted to this ‘celebrity secret’ in a sewing way.
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| Control brief with tummy panel on the left and shape shorts on the right |
If you’ve sewn activewear, shapewear is easy enough to achieve. Jalie 2572 has been in my pattern stash for a while so as I’m sewing a bunch of activewear at the moment, I thought my current sewing skills could handle sewing shapewear.
I was curious about the techniques and fit so while these test pieces look ‘questionable’, they do fit. I used size ‘T’. This control brief has a stretchy powermesh body and a more stable power mesh tummy control panel. I follow Jalie’s suggested seam sewing method and it worked wonderfully. I only needed a normal sewing machine to finish these pieces.
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| Tested the shape shorts with some stash fabric. |
The shaping shorts are made from poly/lycra that was in my stash and swimwear elastic. So now I need to get the right FOE picot elastic, powermesh and matching lace in nude and black colours to take this to a more useable/wearable make (on my sewing notion shopping list). These patterns don’t take long to sew together.
Mum used to wear ‘steppings’ or a girdle when she was a social butterfly in the 60s and 70s. Now we call these ‘shapewear’.
…Then the day after I made these two test pieces, I felt compelled to make the waist cincher in the stash poly/lycra fabric. No boning sew into it but I did sew on the tummy panel. Just a straight size T with a firmer tummy control powermesh panel.
So I then wore my Burda wrap dress to work with the waist cincher on.
At the beginning of the day, the base of the waist cincher kept rolling upwards so I placed my ‘hose’ over the top of the cincher and the ‘rolling up’ stopped. All day I had this cheeky smile on my face because I didn’t let a soul know what I was testing/wearing. I mean – would you? #Not likely.
At the end of the day my torso and lower back felt well supported I could still eat normally and breath normally.
So my notion shopping list has now expanded to include boning.
And this all started because of that news item.
velosews.com 
I was JUST looking at this pattern on Jalie. It's listed under soon-to-be-discontinued. I have been curious about how they sewed up. Thanks for sharing!
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What a great idea! I find RTW shapwear really restrictive and if I leave them on too long they give me a tummy ache, I'll bet making my own would be a great improvement. Thanks for the review!
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Hi Kathy. That's right. This pattern won't be available in print copy once the current print runs out.
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You're welcome. I get the same tummy soreness from RTW versions as well.
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I always wear Shapewear under my dresses – aside from covering up VPL, I always stand and sit up straighter when wearing it. I've never thought of making it though – I love seeing all the things you make Maria!
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I wasn't too sure about this post so I'm glad you've enjoyed it Kristy. I did get to buy some more notions so I hope to have some prettier versions soon.
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Interesting post. I've often wondered but about sewing – the rtw ones never fit right and therefore are more uncomfortable than they need to be. I would not have thought that you would have much that needs shaping, with all your toned muscles, but I guess everyone is allowed a secret!
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Thank you for the compliment. I do wear the shape wear when I want a sleeker look. As did my Mum and she was very svelte.
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I have this pattern but have been so unsure as to what fabric to use that it's put me off! I don't wear shapewear as I find it uncomfortable and thought making it might be a good idea. Some I have bought rolls down at the waist and up at the legs and that drives me to distraction – I've never been sure if that's due to fit, fabric, or whether it would happen anyway due to style. Looking forward to future posts.
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I was surprised how the waist cincher rolled upwards and not from the top down. I thought this may have been because the base wasn't quite the right width. Hopefully adding the boning will help.
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I didn't know this pattern existed. I want to make my own waist clincher/back support now. Thanks for the idea!
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You're very welcome. I don't know why I waited so long to use this pattern.
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Came back to say I just went online and ordered it. I can see the possibilities already..shapewear made to fit or longer leg pants for a relative of mine who gets thigh rub in summer…
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I think you'll get a lot of use out of this pattern. I've now bought some pretty stretch lace to use on the leg hem. Let me know when you have a go at making this pattern. I'd love to hear your take on it:)
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This looks like a useful pattern. Having lost 10 kgs in 8 weeks I'm not keen to get back into shapewear, but like high rise underwear to prevent VPL!
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Gail, I bet I won't recognise you next time I see you!! Congratulations on your weight loss:)
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Well, certainly if you have a moment like Jennifer Garner's, your shape wear will be lots of fun to look at!
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The idea of making shapewear never crossed my mind before, though I have been thinking of trying to “take in” some shapewear I bought that was too big. It sounds like your “real deal” will be very pretty!
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Oh I hope so…
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May it only be JG who flashes her shape wear.
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I had never even thought of making shape wear! You are kicking sewing butt and taking names, Maria!
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Thanks Amanda. I'm avoiding bra sewing…
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Hi there. I love this! I was thinking of making some shapewear using a bike shorts and costume pattern combo. Don't ask. I think this will be a much easier way to go. BTW-just caught up on all the sewing you've been doing. Fantastic work!!!
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I didn't know this pattern existed but then not sure I would have thought to make any. Of course now it is a different story!
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