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‘Captain Underpants’ Boys Briefs – Momma Quail Patterns

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Why buy scratchy, stiff undies when you can sew your son some handmade underwear? I'm sharing the handmade boy briefs I made with the 'Captain Underpants' pattern from Momma Quail Patterns. Perfect thing to sew for boys, and uses up fabric scraps easily!

It’s been a while since I sewed anything for my son, but now I have a whole set to share! He figured out the potty and got out of diapers a few months ago, but it seems that all the cute “character” underwear stops after size 4t. I pestered my dear pattern designer friend Amy to see if she had any undies up her sleeve (figuratively) and she whipped out this whole amazing pattern! I helped test, sorta, which means I got a copy of the pattern for free, but all opinions are my own.

Why buy scratchy, stiff undies when you can sew your son some handmade underwear? I'm sharing the handmade boy briefs I made with the 'Captain Underpants' pattern from Momma Quail Patterns. Perfect thing to sew for boys, and uses up fabric scraps easily!

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Details, from the pattern listing: “There are options for a working fly, a closed fly, and a two-piece fly for a little extra room in the men’s sizes only. There are also instructions for adding a potty training panel for sizes 12 months to seven years. — This pattern is split into two size sets: boy’s 12 months to 14 years and men’s 32 to 46 – all sizes are included in this pattern.”

You can buy the pattern on Etsy* – and don’t forget to use Ebates* when you shop so you get cash back!

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You can tell that the white binding set is a little smaller; my son had a growth spurt in between me sewing a tester pair, trying things on, and actually assembling. I ended up adding some height to the rise for the second set I made, with the black binding. The one thing I’d do differently is to use the waistband elastic instead of the folded over ribbed knit, Amazon has a few options*. handmade boys underwear how to (5)  handmade boys underwear how to (7)

The pattern is super thorough; all the seams are soft and enclosed. I used my serger and my coverstitch (machines listed here) which took FOREVER with all those tiny curves. I should’ve just used my regular sewing machine. For the next size up I think I’ll do the faux fly – I’m not sure why I felt compelled to do the “real” fly opening when my son never uses them on his RTW pairs. It looks really professional, but was not worth the extra effort and time for my 3.5 year old.

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I normally list out fabric sources, but all but one of these are from one-off fabric sales that aren’t available now. The exception is the green/blue bus fabric, which came from the scraps of this fun hat and pants combo!

It took me months, literally, to take these simple pictures and share them; my son loves them and always snatched a pair from the pile! These were a great way to use up smaller pieces of knit, I’ll have to add it to my list of ways to use up knit fabric scraps. Next time maybe I’ll sew myself some undies – or sew some of the reversible Just Chillin’ sweats* to put over these undies, for Fall.

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Emily G

Saturday 16th of March 2019

Why would you recommend using non-FOE? I only have a regular sewing machine. You would suggest just using that instead of using a serger?

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Tuesday 19th of March 2019

A regular sewing machine will be fine if you use ballpoint needles and a stretch stitch. Are you referring to this sentence "The one thing I'd do differently is to use the waistband elastic instead of the folded over ribbed knit"? I didn't use FOE - I folded the rib knit over at the waist like I did the other edges. It just didn't feel as snug as a waistband elastic like I linked there, which seems comfier!

susan

Friday 5th of August 2016

Well, you did it again Stephanie. I want these without the fly front for myself. Adorable!!

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Thursday 11th of August 2016

Susan, that is a great idea!! Thanks for the kind words :)

Mariana

Friday 5th of August 2016

Hey, Stephanie, these boy briefs look awesome. Having coverstitch machine is very handy, no matter the time, if the finish looks great, it's worth it. It should be easy to use fabric from an old, or small tee (if it's child tee, imagine the front graphic used at the back piece of the briefs) - will be great;) Thanks for sharing! Mariana

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Thursday 11th of August 2016

Thanks Mariana! Upcycling t-shirts is a brilliant idea, I love it!

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