Date: 7/3/09 3:24 PM

I love skirts and dresses. I like how they look on me, I like their femininity, the fact that they can be very cool in this summer heat etc so I would like to be able to sew more of them. The problem is, my thighs chafe if I don't wear something underneath the skirt or dress. This defies the purpose of light, summery clothes but it's either that or be unable to walk for days.

Anyhow, how do you get round this? Is there a lightweight, breathable alternatives to pantyhose/shorts, etc?

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http://sewjune.blogspot.com

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Reply to JuneHawk
Date: 7/3/09 5:06 PM

Giving up pantyhose when I retired, I found I have this problem at times, especially when it's humid. I make a mixture of cornstarch and a little baking soda and put some on my thighs before I go out. The cornstarch sticks to my skin and the baking soda helps to keep me cool. That's about as "lightweight and breathable" as you can get. I love my skirts and dresses!

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"Well-behaved women seldom make history"--Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Living life vicariously with seven sewing machines...and counting...

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Date: 7/3/09 5:10 PM

I'm wondering the same thing. I've been thinking of very lightweight rayon jersey shorts. Fitted (like a cut-off thighs) to a bit below the chafing area. Wonder if it would just bunch up and become all wrinkly and sweaty?? Ugh. I have read this little trick of sprinkling a bit of cornstarch on the chafing area. It works! (For a time - then you must reaply).

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Date: 7/3/09 5:18 PM

I have made several pairs of shorts out of muslin from a pajama pants pattern. I prefer muslin because it's cheap and after a few washings, very soft. The key to avoiding the bunching is that the leg width has to be somewhat narrow, narrower than regular shorts.

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Date: 7/3/09 5:22 PM

I like skorts. One of the pair I purchased from Land's End has a light-weight jersey short under the skirt. Years ago there were also half-slips that were not slips but pants. Those should be easy to make. That may be what Andreahg is talking abou.

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Kathryn

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Date: 7/3/09 7:04 PM

I make myself what I call "anti-chub-rub shorts" for that purpose. I made my own pattern through trial and error; really they're just stretchy shorts like for cycling, but made of cotton knit and in colours that blend with my skin. They have probably zero or slightly negative ease, and I like to put stretch lace around the leg openings, which keeps them from rolling or bunching up. The other thing that I do that I feel clever about is I make them without inner-thigh seams, so there's nothing there that can chafe. I know where my camera is and tonight is laundry night, so I should be able to find some and post a picture.

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Tricia
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The advantage of being a beginner is, nobody has told you "That can't be done." This is also the disadvantage of being a beginner.

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Date: 7/3/09 7:53 PM

I've had some shorts like Tricia, and the skorts that are a full skirt with shorts underneath are very nice too. But another product you might check out is the chafing relief gel that's made by Monistat. It has silicone in it - sounds weird, but I put it on my inner thighs when I'm going to do a lot of walking in a skirt/dress and it makes a big difference. I buy it at drugstore.com (NAYY).

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Reply to JuneHawk
Date: 7/3/09 8:03 PM

Oh sorry ..stumbled in this thread by mistake..I thought you were was something related to having a DH.. But the answer is cornstarch..you might try something made for use on diaper rash too..but cornstarch will work as someone already said..unless the problem was caused by DH..

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Reply to JuneHawk
Date: 7/3/09 8:12 PM

Try Body Glide - it prevents chafing, although you will have to reapply it every so often if you're walking a lot.
HTH

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Shannon


http://www.hungryzombiecouture.blogspot.com/

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Reply to tr1c14
Date: 7/3/09 8:58 PM

I have been thinking about making a flesh colored liner like you describe to wear under light colored summer bottoms but did not know how well it would work. I don't have the chafing thing but was thinking something along this order would be cooler than the lycra things I sometimes wear to prevent show through. We used to call the wide legged versions of these pettipants- which was a slip to wear under gauchos or culottes. Gee that brings back memories.

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