The Acacia Pattern

 

Ever since I made the knickers kit offered with Simply Sewing issue 9 I have wanted to wanted to learn more about this area of garment making. The Acacia pattern, a low rise bikini cut underwear, is the perfect pattern to learn from using different elastic types( regular 1/4'', picot and fold-over elastic) and knit fabric. The knickers kit pattern uses woven fabric cut on the bias.

Elastic Types

Regular Elastic- this elastic is flat and is sold in various widths,  I used the 1/4' elastic for the striped pair. Once sewn in you cannot see it. It cost me .99cents per yard.

Picot/ Lingerie elastic- This elastic has one pretty scalloped edge and one straight plain edge. I ordered this elastic online from Porcelynne. I paid $5 for 5 yards. I used this elastic on the polka dot pair.

Fold- Over elastic- Fold -over elastic has a line down the centre that you fold over the raw edge of the fabric. I purchased this elastic precut, 1 yard per packet. I brought two packs at $2.99 each. I really needed 3 packs, to get 2 leg and 1 waist length, but I did not realize this when I made my purchase, instead of going back out to buy more I simply joined 2 pieces to get the length I needed. I used this elastic on the white pair.

from the top- regular, picot and fold-over elastic

 

Fabric

All fabric is from fabric.com. The striped fabric is left over from a previous project, its a cotton poly blend. The other two fabrics are all cotton jersey knits. The white fabric is organic and super soft.

 

 Megan Nielsen gifted the Acacia pattern to her newsletter subscribers last Christmas. Thank you Megan, its a great pattern. The instruction are clear, the project easy to sew. I consider it a wonderful project for a beginner or anyone with too much leftover fabric sitting around. This is also the first time I printed and used a PDF pattern, the whole process is so uncomplicated i will not hesitate to buy and use PDF patterns in the future.