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But I have to look online, help! (Moderated by Deepika, Sharon1952)
Posted on: 3/19/10 4:08 PM ET
So I have an odd dilemma. About a month ago I happened to be in the neighborhood of a good fabric store and saw this hilariously ugly, but lovely feeling, silk on the clearance rack (bright red with tightly packed neon green 0s? Really guys? Why would you do that to silk!?) But even 50% off it was still 23$ a yard so, alas, I didn't buy any. But that really, realllly ugly silk has inspired me to make silk boxers for my boyfriend! My problem is my only local fabric store is Joanns, and they're not exactly known for their collection of fine silks... So I turned to the internet! Unfortunately I have no idea what silks would make proper boxers, and I don't want to order 1000 swatches trying to figure it out, shipping's expensive! My research has pointed me in the direction of charmeuse? Maybe? I'm just not confident enough to take the dive. I also haven't found any wild/goofy enough silk to make epic boxers. Does anyone have any advice? Or even links to fabrics?
Thanks in advance for any help!
Thanks in advance for any help!
Posted on: 3/19/10 4:10 PM ET
Not silk, but I use high-quality novelty quilting cottons to make fun boxer shorts for my husband. He now has boxers with our favorite sports teams, sharks, pin-up girls, etc.
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--Michelle
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Blog: http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/
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Blog: http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 3/19/10 4:26 PM ET
In reply to Rybe
I don't really like silk charmeuse for things that people use for daily wear. The reason is that I machine wash and dry all my silks, and charmeuse doesn't take to that treatment very well. It wrinkles, too.
However, I have made boxers for my dh of silk crepe de chine. Now, that stuff is wrinkle-resistant and takes beautifully to gentle machine washing and drying (you want boxers to be able to tolerate washing and drying!). Crepe de chine has a slightly pebbly texture that is cool and agreeable, too. My dh adores his fancy boxers.
For the record, men's silk boxers do not have to be nutty or goofy. Guys understand and respect silk. My dh feels quite elegant in the most recent pairs I made for him of plain black silk, and another black silk with a faint, linear print, almost like a script written in deep maroon. Besides, the bright prints will tend to want to bleed when washed, especially the reds.
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However, I have made boxers for my dh of silk crepe de chine. Now, that stuff is wrinkle-resistant and takes beautifully to gentle machine washing and drying (you want boxers to be able to tolerate washing and drying!). Crepe de chine has a slightly pebbly texture that is cool and agreeable, too. My dh adores his fancy boxers.
For the record, men's silk boxers do not have to be nutty or goofy. Guys understand and respect silk. My dh feels quite elegant in the most recent pairs I made for him of plain black silk, and another black silk with a faint, linear print, almost like a script written in deep maroon. Besides, the bright prints will tend to want to bleed when washed, especially the reds.
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Elona
Posted on: 3/19/10 4:29 PM ET
In reply to Rybe
Quote: Rybe
Unfortunately I have no idea what silks would make proper boxers, and I don't want to order 1000 swatches trying to figure it out, shipping's expensive! My research has pointed me in the direction of charmeuse? Maybe? I'm just not confident enough to take the dive.
Unfortunately I have no idea what silks would make proper boxers, and I don't want to order 1000 swatches trying to figure it out, shipping's expensive! My research has pointed me in the direction of charmeuse? Maybe? I'm just not confident enough to take the dive.
You don't need 1000 swatches to know what they feel like, just one of each type. Most places charge a nominal fee for a swatch, with little or no shipping.
Just for example, I have the silk sample set from Dharma $6.99 and free shipping which provides a nice cross-section of different types and weights of silk. NAYY, just a satisfied customer.
BTW I think charmeuse would be fabulous. Good Luck!
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Tess
"I am a degenerate art supply junkie" - Jane Davenport
“I base most of my fashion taste on what doesn't itch." - Gilda Radner
"I am a degenerate art supply junkie" - Jane Davenport
“I base most of my fashion taste on what doesn't itch." - Gilda Radner
Re: Im on a quest to make silk boxers (posted on 3/19/10 5:32 PM ET)
Elona, I'm not really making these boxers with the intent of daily wear. They're just a fun novelty thing. My bf usually wears boxer briefs anyway, he's actually not a huge fan of boxers for daily wear. He'd probably wear silk boxers for bumming around the apartment, in which case I would like a funny print just so I can giggle at him. Is Crepe de Chine nice and...um, silky? Or soft I suppose. I swear all the ones I've felt have been kinda crisp and seems like they wouldn't make good boxers! But I'll defiantly look into it if you've had success! As I said, local silk selections I get to feel are a wee bit limited.
Tess, thanks for the tip! I may have to order that, it'll be great for reference in the future.
Tess, thanks for the tip! I may have to order that, it'll be great for reference in the future.
Posted on: 3/19/10 5:43 PM ET
In reply to Rybe
Two summers ago fabric mart was selling bundles of silk from a tie manufacturer. I bought several of those bundles. Some fo those silks ended up in work for my clients. Some of the silks ended up as boxers for my guys.
My sons love wearing them. They all go through the washer and dryer.My cost was just a few dollars a yard so I don't mind washing them in the machine.
Mostly I used silk jaquard prints for the boxers. I also made myself a couple of night gowns and some half slips out of the same silks.
silk twill is lovely to use as well. I think that you are right, you can wait until one of the internet sources are trying to get rid of silks and then get enough to play with.
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My sons love wearing them. They all go through the washer and dryer.My cost was just a few dollars a yard so I don't mind washing them in the machine.
Mostly I used silk jaquard prints for the boxers. I also made myself a couple of night gowns and some half slips out of the same silks.
silk twill is lovely to use as well. I think that you are right, you can wait until one of the internet sources are trying to get rid of silks and then get enough to play with.
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sarah in nyc
https://sewnewyork.blogspot.com/
https://sewnewyork.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 3/19/10 6:22 PM ET
In reply to Rybe
My dh only uses his silk boxers for lounging around the house, too, but he likes looking good when he's doing that.
Real silk crepe de chine is never crisp. It is extremely drapey and soft, with that very slight pebbled texture I mentioned, which seems to make it surprisingly wrinkle resistant.
You can read more about it here.
In spite of the fact that most silk instructions tell you to dry clean, remember that silk was invented waaaay before dry cleaning, and crepe de chine likes to be washed in water.
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Real silk crepe de chine is never crisp. It is extremely drapey and soft, with that very slight pebbled texture I mentioned, which seems to make it surprisingly wrinkle resistant.
You can read more about it here.
In spite of the fact that most silk instructions tell you to dry clean, remember that silk was invented waaaay before dry cleaning, and crepe de chine likes to be washed in water.
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Elona
Posted on: 3/19/10 6:37 PM ET
Hi,
You might try Fabricmart silk twill
It's kind of wild, and pretty cheap. Might be a good start.
Good luck, I hear it's slippery.
M1khaela used it for a maternity dress :
M1khaela's review
You might try Fabricmart silk twill
It's kind of wild, and pretty cheap. Might be a good start.
Good luck, I hear it's slippery.
M1khaela used it for a maternity dress :
M1khaela's review
Posted on: 3/19/10 8:18 PM ET
I have made silk boxers many times, also I make silk panties. They wash just fine on the delicate cycle and then dry on the delicate cycle. Charmeuse is my favorite, but I have also made boxers out of tie fabric from the remnants table at vogue fabrics Evanston. Easy, fun, cute.
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Fabric Purchased in 2011: 37 yards
Fabric Sewn in 2011: 0 yards
Current Contest Moderator: Lined Jacket
Current Contest Participant: Mini Wardrobe
Fabric Sewn in 2011: 0 yards
Current Contest Moderator: Lined Jacket
Current Contest Participant: Mini Wardrobe
Posted on: 3/19/10 8:59 PM ET
In reply to novicesewist
Quote:
Good luck, I hear it's slippery
Good luck, I hear it's slippery
No problem. If you intend the boxers to be washed, launder and dry the slippery silk before construction--but then lay it out flat on a sheet, spray it to death with spray starch, let it dry again, and even without ironing, it will have a pleasant, rather 'papery' hand, very easy to work with. When the shorts are complete, just toss them into the washer to remove the starch.
-- Edited on 3/20/10 5:45 PM --
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Elona
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