Five reasons to start sewing your own underwear

Why I Make My Own Underwear

Making my own underwear is about comfort, longevity, and control over what I wear every day. After years of trying to find underwear that truly met my needs, I realised that store bought options always involved compromise. Sewing my own underwear allows me to prioritise comfort, choose better materials, and create pieces that actually work with my body and wardrobe.

Below are 5 reasons that I believe making your own underwear is well worth the time and investment.

You can make it from the materials you want

This is the number one reason I make my own underwear.

I love merino wool underwear because it is extremely comfortable and highly absorbent. Unfortunately, most merino underwear available to buy is limited to very basic briefs or sporty styles that do not suit how I dress or what I need day to day.

Merino wool feels soft on the skin, runs cooler than cotton, wicks moisture effectively, and naturally prevents bacterial growth better than cotton or synthetic fabrics. By making my own underwear, I can enjoy all of these benefits while choosing styles that actually suit me.

You can choose the style you like

For everyday wear, I want underwear that works with my clothing rather than against it.

I often wear high cut, wide leg trousers to work as I dislike visible panty lines. Because of this, I prefer a high cut thong style, which is rarely available in merino wool but easy to make when sewing for yourself.

Making your own underwear means you do not have to choose between comfort and style. You can create underwear that suits your body, your wardrobe and your preferences.

You can customise the fit

Comfort depends heavily on fit, and fit is highly individual.

By making a sample from a pattern you like and adjusting it to suit your body, you can achieve a level of comfort that is almost impossible to find in mass produced underwear. Small changes to the rise, leg openings, waist tension, or gusset placement can significantly improve how underwear feels throughout the day.

Once the fit is right, the difference is noticeable.

You can choose a better gusset material

The gusset is an area where many mainstream brands cut corners.

I have found that gussets in store bought underwear often wear out quickly and can develop odour even after only a few uses. This is usually due to poor quality synthetic blends that are not designed for long term wear or repeated washing.

Choosing a high quality, 100 percent cotton gusset can dramatically improve breathability, comfort, and durability. When you make your own underwear, you decide what materials are used in the most important areas.

Making your own underwear can be very affordable

There may be some initial costs such as a sewing machine, thread, fabric, and trims. An overlocker is optional. Once you have these tools, or if you already own them, the cost per pair becomes much lower than buying underwear in store.

For example, I can purchase merino jersey for around $60 AUD per metre and make approximately five pairs of underwear. In comparison, a single pair of merino underwear often costs around $45 AUD.

You can also repurpose old T shirts, leggings, or any 100 percent cotton jersey already in your wardrobe. With a good pattern, there is no limit to what you can create.

Final thoughts

Making my own underwear is about choosing comfort, quality and control. Sewing allows me to select better materials like merino wool, create styles that work with my wardrobe, and adjust the fit to suit my body rather than compromising with mass produced options. From selecting breathable gusset fabrics to reducing long term costs, handmade underwear offers durability, practicality and everyday comfort that store bought pieces rarely deliver.

I hope you have been inspired to try some new and interesting fabrics. Happy sewing!