A Complete Course in Dressmaking/Lesson 3/How to make underwear
LESSON III
HOW TO MAKE UNDERWEAR
It's a short step from aprons to underwear. Many of the things which you have learned about aprons you can start right in and apply in making nightgowns, chemises, camisoles and bloomers.
You will pick up needed practice, too, in working on undermuslins. You won't be afraid to test the pattern which you have made yourself in inexpensive muslin. You won't hesitate to turn the seam a new way, or apply a new hand touch or finish the edge differently, if the cost of the material is only the matter of a few cents. Underwear offers one of the best opportunities to become an efficient sewer.
Then, too, you will probably enjoy having a few new pieces of underwear. Every woman always has room for just one more dainty chemise or nightdress. If you are thinking of economy, I suggest buying a bolt of nainsook and tinting lengths of it pink, light blue, mauve and yellow. It will make the prettiest kind of chemises and nightdresses or bloomers, drawers and camisoles, if you happen to prefer them. All it needs for trimming is a touch of hand work, an applique of contrasting color, an inset of white or black net or an edge of filet, crochet or Valenciennes lace.
Batiste is another favorite for underwear that is inexpensive and it offers many possibilities. Medium weight muslin and handkerchief linen is used, too, with satin stitch embroidery or appliqued trimming. If it is midsummer of which you are thinking, voile and mulle also are possibilities.
As you become more proficient you will be likely to want to try your hand at silk. You will find that it will take only a few minutes to make a pattern and run up a crepe de chine combination. You will be able to have two wash satin petticoats for what one ready-made would cost. And won’t it be nice to have a very best set of georgette crepe—nightgown, chemise and knickers that exactly match. Perhaps you know a bride-to-be who would welcome such a gift.
You can put all kinds of pretty little individual touches on the underwear you make. Here are a few suggestions. You will find other trimmings in other of the Lessons that you can use on underwear, too.