Our newest Lounge & Lace Collection patterns are here and we are so excited! The Sabrina Shorties are available in both youth and women’s sizing. They are the perfect addition to your intimate collection 🙂

Sabrina is a knit boyshort style underwear. They are QUICK to sew with lots of finishing options so you can use what you have on hand. There is no front or back seam and the crotch is fully enclosed for a very COMFORTABLE fit! Choose from low, mid, or high rise (youth only has mid rise). There are several waistband style options to choose from, including: knit waistband, enclosed elastic knit waistband, lace waist, or you can use waistband elastic for an exposed elastic waist. Finish the leg line with knit bands, lace, or picot elastic. Make them for simple everyday wear in cotton lycra. Perfect for little ons in dance, cheer, or gymnastics. Plus, make them for special nights with stretch mesh and laces for yourself!

Of course we had to show a few simple hacks to give you even more options 🙂

Simple Bow Hack

 

This is an incredibly sweet and simple hack. Just adding a ribbon bow to the front. I like to add a bow, not only because they’re cute, but it helps little ones easily identify the front and back. My kids always want to dress themselves from a young age, but even at 6, my son struggles with getting his undies backwards! This easy hack will help with that if your little one struggles too. You can also use if you just want to add a fun little detail to your shorties.

You’ll need some 1/8″ or 1/4″ ribbon. You can use satin or grosgrain, either will work. Use a lighter to heat seal the edges, or you can use fray check.

I like to tie my bow right from the roll. I find it easier than trying to tie a smaller cut piece.

After you’re happy with your bow size, cut the bow tails. I like to cut them at an angle. Then heat seal the ends with the lighter, or you can use some fray check on the ends. Last, stitch the bow in place with your machine or by hand. Tada, that’s it!!

Athletic Hack

I wanted to create a simple athletic hack for anyone who’s looking for the perfect workout short! These are so wonderful because since there is no front or back seam, and the crotch seams are enclosed, so they are insanely COMFORTABLE for exercising. You can use this hack for yourself or your little one. If they are in gymnastics, dance, cheer, volleyball ,or your’re just looking for something to throw under a dress or top, these are great. Plus , they are SIMPLE.

All I wanted to do was add a little length to the shorties to make them just right. So, grab your knit leg band piece and make the leg band 3″ tall. That’s it! You can use your waistband piece if you’re using the Women’s Sabrina for the new height. Then, sew them up like normal. You can also take a 1/4″ seam when attaching the leg band; this will give a little more length too.

Done! Now you can squat all day in your new shorties 😉

Picot Waist Hack

If you have picot elastic on hand and want to use it for the waist, you can! When you cut your picot, you’ll use the elastic/lace waistband piece.

Follow the tutorial for the first 3 steps.

When you get to step 4 and sewing the side seams, you just want to sew just ONE side seam. Then, mark the center of your picot elastic.

Follow the steps on adding the picot in the written pattern tutorial, or here on YouTube.

Once the picot is attached at the waist, stitch the other side seam. If you used lace or picot on the leg line AND used a serger, make sure to thread your serger tails back through the seam. Or, topstitch the side seam or create a bar tack to hold the serger tails in place. That’s it, you’re done!

Swimsuit Hack

If you’re looking for a boy short style swim bottom, Sabrina is perfect! You can use swim knit with no other modifications if you’d like. However, I prefer a fully lined swimsuit, as does my daughter. If you do too, this hack is for you!

You’ll want to cut 1 front, 1 back, 1 crotch, 1 waistband, and your leg bands in your main swim fabric.

You’ll also need to cut 1 front, 1 back, and 1 crotch in a swim lining.

Now, time to construct. The construction is very similar to the tutorial, but we’ll be adding in a front and back lining piece. Lay your lining crotch flat, right side up. Place your lining front wrong side up (so the lining pieces are right side together).

On top of those two lining pieces, layer the main front piece, right side up. Last, layer the main crotch piece, wrong side up (so the main pieces are right side together). You should have 4 pieces layered together. You’ll want to BASTE this seam before stitching. Just trust me on this one, it’s not fun to seam rip swim (ask how I know…).

Next, we’re going to burrito roll the back crotch seam so it is also enclosed. Open the front crotch seam, so the crotch pieces both right side up. Roll the front pieces out of the way. With right sides together, align the back liner to the crotch liner. Baste in place.

Now, layer the main back piece on top, right sides up, aligning notch and raw edges.  Then wrap the crotch liner around the pieces. The main back piece and main crotch should be right sides together. BASTE through all 4 layers, then stitch in place.

Then pull right sides out. Both crotch seams should be enclosed.

Now to enclose the side seams. Lay the back pieces flat, aligning the raw edges of the lining and main back piece. With right sides together, match the main front to the back pieces.

Flip all the pieces over so your lining pieces are facing up. Then wrapping the front lining around the crotch seams, align the front lining to back lining. Right sides should be together. You should have all 4 layers together now. Lining pieces right sides together and main pieces right sides together. Stitch along side seams.

Flip the front lining toward the main front piece, enclosing the seams. Baste along the waistline and leg lines and treat the lining and main as one piece.

Add your leg bands and waistband. Note- you can enclose swim elastic in the bands (per tutorial) if you prefer. My daughter thought the leg bands were too tight with elastic. She prefered both waistband and leg bands without elastic.

Enjoy your suit!! It not only looks adorable, but will be comfortable with all the side and crotch seams enclosed.

We can not wait to see all your beautiful Sabrina shorties sewn up!! Please tag me on Instagram if you make a pair @madeformermaids #sabrinaspattern #madeformermaidspatterns OR post in our Facebook group. Happy sewing!!