Burda Style For people who sew

If the elastic on underwear is still good, but the fabric is falling apart, you can use this technique to re-make your underwear from an old t-shirt. It took me about 5 hours to make 2 undergarments, not including time to take apart the old underwear. This will probably take less time with experience. Based on time alone, at $20 per hour, these undergarments cost $50 each. But the actual material cost was $0 because I already had old t-shirts and underwear on hand. So if you have spare time, it is a very economical and easy project. ****Please feel free to leave comments with feedback on what about this tutorial was or was not helpful so that I can improve in the future****

Technique Materials

Knit fabric (t-shirt) Old underwear Seam ripper Sewing machine with stretch stitches

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7 Comments

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  Jan 12, 2011, 05.28 PMby Testosterone

  Never would have thought to do this (my elastic tends to retire first – and sometimes in the middle of the day, which has left me in a pair of droopers!). Great recycling project! Super resourceful, is what you are.
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  Jul 9, 2010, 09.14 PMby plookiss

  These are very cute.

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    Apr 11, 2011, 12.12 PMby Mamta Sharma

    Interesting post and thanks for sharing. Some things in here I have not thought about before.Thanks for making such a cool post which is really very well written.will be referring a lot of friends about this.Keep blogging.
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  Jun 21, 2010, 11.23 PMby marninthebarn

  This is so good. And exhaustive, but worth it.
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  Jun 21, 2010, 05.37 AMby marvage

  Thanks for posting. I’ve been thinking about making undies lately and this is a great way to re-use old elastic
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  Jun 20, 2010, 08.13 PMby geree

  Best part about sewing your own undies – because YOU determine sizing, elastic won’t cut into your skin, fit is looser and extremely comfortable. You can use any knit – I like to use new/old tee’s/clothing/anything that strikes my fancy. I prefer to use men’s L-XXL sized cotton knit tees/polo shirts (have nice patterns). l /can make about 3-4 pairs (use sleeves for the crotch pieces. Been making them for about 4 years now. I’ve made them for other people, and also like making boxer shorts (very easy)

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    Jun 22, 2010, 02.30 AMby fabricitis

    Great tip. Thanks.

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  Jun 18, 2010, 10.53 PMby Paula Robbs

  we used to do this all the time

  1 Reply

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    Jun 18, 2010, 11.26 PMby fabricitis

    That’s cool. If you have some ideas that will make the technique feel free to explain how you used to do it and I can incorporate your input into the technique.

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  Jun 7, 2010, 12.37 AMby julia49

  This is brilliant!

  1 Reply

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    Jun 7, 2010, 04.00 AMby fabricitis

    Thanks