I guess the time has come for me to talk about my underwear on the internet.

I’ve mentioned before that I really like vintage underthings. They are just so comfortable and pretty. Ok, maybe stockings/garters and girdles and corsets aren’t comfortable (though functional). But silk slips, kimonos, tap pants, bralettes, camisoles, bed jackets… they are all so wonderful for lounging around the house. My dream is to one day have a vast collection of vintage and reproduction silk bits for wearing around the house while I knit, sip cocktails, or read in bed.

So these are my new tap pants. Aren’t they sweet? The pink silk is one I picked up in New York when I was there on business a few years ago. I made a dress with it maybe a year ago which didn’t turn out very well, but I had just about a yard left over and sitting around. It was enough to make these beauties.

The delicate lace at the hem is from the big supply of pretty lace my nonna gave me. I just adore it, it’s so simple and fine. I wish I had spools and spools of it.

I really adore the yoke on these, it’s a great cut. There are two pleats in the back, a handmade bias trim waistband (this was by far the most time consuming thing about them), and it closes at the side with a continuous lap placket and snaps. I definitely would make these again.

The pattern is from this book, Women’s Wear of the 1930′s [sic], which is a book I think aimed at costumers. It includes many patterns taken from original 1930s garments, all to scale so you must enlarge them and grade them to the right size. And there are little or no instructions. This was the first thing I attempted out of the book, and it went together easily.

I’ll post more pictures (and maybe later more finished projects!) from this wonderful book very soon!