Mini Review ~ Ava Panty by JMB Pattern Design
Ava Panties made in organic cotton knit from the Nellie Joans x Miss Maude bra making kits.
I think I may have found my new favourite knickers pattern. You know the one - where you put them on for the first wearing and just go 'Ahhhhhh.'
I made two pairs and mixed and matched the pattern variations to fit what fabric I had (left over from making a Watson bra from the kit.)
Mini Review
- Pattern Designer: JMB Pattern Design
- Briefs Type: Mid-high waisted, fuller bottom coverage
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Size Range: Waist circumference of finished panty is between 57cm and 89cm (JMB has a customised measuring system)
- Time frame: A very quick sew.
Value for money:
$18NZD approx. is on the higher side of an average price for a briefs pattern. For this you get 3 variations in the main pattern plus a bonus 'lace back hack' pattern.
Clear Instructions:
Yes! The instructions are very crisp and clean with a nice layout of clear diagrams and written step-by steps. The different variations are clearly sequenced and extra information on which stitch types to use is included.
JMB Pattern Design has created their own measurement system and rather than a numbered size range there are named categories such as, 'Beautiful' 'Stunning' and 'Goddess.' This pattern has you take your high hip measurement and then reduce this by 25% to find your 'size.'
Accurate materials list:
There isn't a suggested amount for fabric nor lace. If you are purchasing fabric specifically for this project then I would recommend printing your pattern and laying out the pieces to determine how much fabric you require pre-purchasing.
Clear fabric recommendations:
There is a small list of suggested fabric and some brief notes on adapting the pattern to accommodate different fabric stretch percentages.
Matching set potential:
Like I did, you can mix up the variations to suit your bra. This pattern would work best if your bra was also in a stretch fabric, I don't think that substituting in a stable knit/woven bra fabric would work for these briefs.
Variation possibilities:
There is a nice amount of variation to be had from this one pattern. I ended up mixing Variation A with the lace back hack and then made Variation C replacing the fabric bands with fold over elastic. Variation C can also be made as a bikini bottom and there are full instructions on how to line the briefs with swimwear lining.
Invisible panty line:
This would totally depend on the chosen style and elastic application - the lace back options would sit smoothly under trousers.
Conclusion:
I love the cut of this pattern. For myself, on the daily, I prefer wearing a brief with a lower cut leg and more full bum coverage. The fabric band is very comfortable and sits nicely below my waist. My version with the fold over elastic is definitely a more brief style (given that the widths of the fabric bands aren't there) and is at risk of showing my bum crack, but the leg lines and crotch width is still adequate so the lack of fabric bands didn't effect the design too much.
A little bit more information around the fabric choices and stretch percentage could be quite useful, particularly for beginners.
With the alternative measuring system I wasn't completely sure I had my size right and looking at the finished garment I thought that it looked a bit too small but they actually fit perfectly. I'm looking forward to making bikini bottoms from this pattern.
Materials used:
Variation with lace back and fabric waistband: Cotton knit and lace left over from the Nellie Joans x Miss Maude kit. 50cm of extra 'Orchid' lace, 12mm lingerie elastic in 'Peach' x 1m
Variation with fold over elastic: Cotton knit, lace and peach powernet left over from the kit. Fold over elastic 16mm off-white x 1.5m