Bloomers!

So I guess what they say is true: When you wear sexy underwear, you're tempted to show them off. Here I am in my skivvies on the world wide web.

I am in love with these, made from the Colette Patterns *free* Madeleine Mini-Bloomers pattern. My version may not be "sexy"—made in gingham stolen from the boy's stash and some thrifted ribbon—but I feel luxurious in them, partly because I usually sleep in sweatpants or leggings and I see these more as ridiculously adorable boxers for the ladies. These will be a godsend in the dog days of summer. I want more in different colors. My friends have already put in their requests.

When it was first released, I didn't pay the pattern much mind, dreaming instead of skirts and dresses and other projects beyond my level. It was cold in February, I wasn't inclined to run around mostly naked. But then there was all those adorable versions in the Flickr Colette Patterns pool, and envy set in (what a reliable motivator!). I'd also given up on a vintage shirt pattern where I could not get the collar or the sleeve to attach without major bunching and was re-introduced to my sewing limitations. Sigh. I needed small projects to keep me sewing. Reduce frustration. Amp up motivation.

And that's what I really love about this pattern: it makes me feel like I can sew. It certainly did not take me an hour or two, as the pattern says, and the elastic and ribbon took me forever, but I will never forget to clip those seams again! This review at the Scrapyard was particularly helpful. As she did, I sewed all the casings first before threading in the elastic and ribbon.

If anything, they will come in handy during the Me-Made-May challenge. More on my version of the challenge soon, but if I find myself at the end of the day in May and haven't worn anything handmade, I can always reach for these cuties.