Elodie Briefs Strappy Pattern Hack

When I design a pattern, I try to offer four style variations.  Sometimes I'll have ideas for more variations, but, for a number of reasons, I can't include them all in the pattern.  When I was working on the Elodie Briefs I had more ideas for lace overlays, which will be used for a new pattern in the future, and I also had an idea for a strappy option that uses elastic along the sides instead of the side panels.  The pattern was already long enough, so I decided to offer the instructions here as a pattern hack.  I hope you enjoy.

What You Need

• Elodie Briefs pattern
• fabric
• gusset lining
• fold over elastic (FOE)
• ruler or tape measure
• calculator

Prepare the Pattern Pieces

For this pattern hack you will need all the pattern pieces except for the lace overlay.  Trim 1/4" off the leg openings, as described on page 8 of the pattern, since we will be using fold over elastic.

Cutting Instructions

Cut out the Front, Back and Gusset from the self fabric, and another Gusset from the lining fabric.  

Sewing Instructions

Attach the Gusset and Gusset lining to the Front and Back, as described for Style D Step 7 on page 13 of the pattern.

Finish the side edges of Front and Back with FOE.

Cut the waist elastic, adding 1/2" to the length indicated on the elastic lengths chart.  Fold in half with RS together and sew 1/4" seam.  Finger press seam open and sew a bartack over the seam to help it lay flat. Trim away excess elastic.

Find the centers of Front and Back and mark with pins.  Fold the elastic in half and mark with a pin.  Align the seam in the elastic with center Back, and the halfway pin with center Front.  Pin elastic, stretching slightly across the Front and Back. [In the photo below, I have the FOE flipped RS up; you will actually be pinning the WS of the elastic to the WS of the fabric.]

Sew the first pass of FOE, securing only to the Front and Back.

Sew the second pass, folding theFOE all the way around the waist.  While sewing over the sides, where there is no fabric attached, stretch the FOE slightly while sewing.

Determine the side elastic lengths: mark the seam lines on the side seams of the Side Front and Side Back pattern pieces.  

Overlap the pattern pieces on the seam lines, aligning the top and bottom.  The pieces will overlap in the middle.  Measure the left edge of Side Front and divide into thirds.  Measure the right edge of Side Back and divide into thirds. 

Measure the length across the top two marks, then across the bottom two marks. Cut two pieces FOE each length.

Fold over each of the FOE pieces and sew closed with zigzag stitching, stretching slightly while sewing.  With the same measurements used to mark the 1/3 lengths along the Side Front and Side Back, pin the FOE pieces to the Front and Back.  With WS up, overlap the side elastic with the finished edge 1/4" and attach with a bartack or zigzag stitching.

Cut the leg elastics, adding 1/2" to the length indicated on the elastic lengths chart. Attach to the leg opening in the same manner as the waist elastic. 

Now you have finished your strappy Elodie Briefs! Enjoy!