Im learning how to see right now. I’ve just someone some bags and pillows so far, but I really want to make clothing. I’ll start simple, but I’d eventually like to make the things that (imo) are the hardest to get as a trans woman: panties, bras, and pants. Have any of you made these? Do you have any resources or communities you recommend?
Not yet, but I’m learning to sew so that I can make my own clothes! The only things I can find in my style just don’t fit or have terrible colors and patterns. With parametric patterns I can make anything I want tailored specifically for my body shape, and I don’t have to spend money I don’t have on things made in unethical abusive sweatshops.
The best resource I’ve found so far is https://freesewing.org. It’s a community based around a piece of software for creating parametric sewing patterns. There aren’t many patterns there yet, but there’s two patterns for underwear and one of the people involved has a youtube channel with some great tutorials https://invidious.perennialte.ch/channel/UCvknI22P32FxprncDmtpWpw
As a matter of fact, i used the Uma design and adapted it to become a gaff underwear. I still have to contribute this new design to the website, but it works well
I haven’t made new pieces yet, but I’ve had similar thoughts. I started with mending and altering current pieces, both masc and femme clothes, to fit my body better. That’s helped with learning differences between their construction.
I’d been out of doing that for a while but meaning to get back into it, now that I’m done with moving stress and seem to be at my new baseline fat distribution post being on progesterone.
If I find any resources in returning to that, I’ll try to post. Would love to see what others have come across.
Specifically, I would love to make/find boy shorts style underwear with just enough room to fit myself comfortably without being too bulgy. (I prefer to not tuck)
Yeah! It super stressful for me to go to the store and get women’s patterns and cute fabric tbh, but it was good practice and I’m glad I did it
Probably should. All the clothing quality has been going down from my perspective.
I also want to get into this!! I’m over six foot, and like 75% legs now that I wear my pants in the right spot. Buying pants is quite literally impossible on a bad day, and compromising on a good day. I do have a few YouTube creators for making your own underwear, but I’ll have to track them down later. Please remind me if I haven’t done that in like a day or so. The one I’m thinking of does mostly lingerie, but she might have videos of more basics further back in her catalogue.
I love to sew my own clothes and have helped various friends with uncatered body types (super short like me, tall, or just someone with measurements not in line with the current beauty standards), or going through significant body shifts (transition, pregnancy, weight flux, etc), and I highly recommend historical patterns for their adjustability if your body is still fluxing a lot!
Here are my favorite adjustable patterns:
Adjustable skirt with huge pockets: https://youtu.be/6xHOnS4fK2c Adjustable pants with pockets: https://youtu.be/NHkDScy8Gig Adjustable split side dress: https://youtu.be/dh9yK-d2AwE
And then my favorite place for patterns in general: All of the patterns are free and the instructions are wonderful: https://www.moodfabrics.com/blog/
I’ve not personally tried making a bra yet, but corsets actually function as a bra and are adjustable and super comfy if you make them yourself: https://youtu.be/alQGJQzRRFo https://youtube.com/shorts/8FMyCRVy0a4 https://youtu.be/7uybjWZOrCo
Bra and corset maker: https://youtu.be/NywAieZ804o https://youtu.be/fcsqDMPaTUk Just explore this channel it’s a treasure trove! I can’t wait to make my own bra!
Underwear things: https://youtu.be/-ng1KH88vJ8 https://youtu.be/u3LXfc0q8vU
Pants are my favorite, and they’re way easier than they seem!
Good luck and enjoy your sewing journey!!! It’s not a science, just play and don’t be afraid of screwing up!
Start with pillows, learn how to do curved and straight lines. Highly recommend using thrifted material as it’s more affordable and you feel less bad if you mess up. Also buy a used machine as new ones are GARBAGE
Also this is my favorite sewing channel because she made me realize someone as chaotic as me can do it too: https://youtube.com/@micarahtewers
Have fun ✨✨
Edit: don’t forget to press your seams with an iron for a more professional look and I highly recommend French seams if you don’t have a serger, just add half an inch to each pattern if it doesn’t already ask for that. https://www.seamwork.com/articles/sewing-french-seams
