Sequin & Velvet Bra Collection

I'm just going to start by sating I love this collection.  As in head over heels.  This collections was inspired by this set by Ohhh Lulu.  I had sequins left over from a pencil skirt I made (which I apparently haven't blogged!) and when I stumbled upon Sarah's set on Pinterest I knew I had found its calling.  Then what I found navy stretch velvet on my last trip to East Coast Fabrics it was serendipitous.

As you can see I made two bras and two sets of knickers with this combination of fabric.  Can you tell I'm a little obsessed?  The bras are a Watson Bra by Cloth Habit and a Jasmine Bralette by Ohhh Lulu and the knickers are Grace and Betty both by Ohhh Lulu.

I had myself psyched up for these being awful to sew, thankfully the process went smoother than I had expected.  I pinned a lot, which is something I never normally do, and I do think it helped.

Jasmine was the first piece of this set I made.  I find this pattern really easy to sew, I think that its mainly due to the fact there are only four pieces that need to be sewn together to end up with a completed bralette.  

There were a few more pieces for this Jasmine, purely because I lined the sequins so I could enclose the seams.  Lets face it sequins on skin are scratchy,  To get all the seams enclosed I followed these instructions in the Watson Bikini Sew Along.  Obviously these weren't crotch seams but I've used this method a number of times now and it always pays off.  It gives a much nicer finish than exposed seams.  I didn't enclose the side seams but I'm not too fussed, I don't see this bra being worn all the time, it's definitely not an everyday bra.

I think this is my favourite Watson to date, but I'm not really sure I want to commit to that.  I mean it's hard to compete with this one and this one. Once again I made my standard 38A, in the longline version, however this one seems a little snug, still wearable, but a little tighter than normal, though I think I know the causes of that.

I think the snugness of this bra is due to a few factors.  Firstly I removed all give in the front of the bra by lining it with one way stretch mesh.  The bands are also lined with powernet as I did not think the velvet would be able to cope with the constant stretch.  The closure is also only two hooks in length not three and I honestly think that would make all the difference in the world. I plan on changing it when I can get my hands on one.  I have to order them online as no one in town seems to stock them.

The other change I made with this version in the addition of some boning along the side seams.  I've found my other Watson longline tends to ride up so the addition of boning should prevent this.Thankfully this was an easy addition but I do think it also contributed to the snugness of the band.

My favourite bit of this bra is the little rosette in the centre.  I think it makes it.

Grace by Ohhh Lulu was actually the first underwear pattern I bought.  While I've since discovered other patterns I love more this one will always hold a special place in my heart.  I used the same method as I did for the Jasmine Bra to enclose the seams.  The trickiest bit of this whole set was actually attaching the fold over elastic, it really isn't prefect, especially over the sequins but overall I'm still happy with it.

Until I tried the Watson Bikini I would have sworn Ohhh Lulu's Betty High Waisted Knickers was my favourite underwear pattern.  I think it still is to a degree.  Thankfully these turned out as I had expected and I'm pleased I chose to add them to this set.  I love the feel of high waisted underwear and a longline bra.  I think it might be my favourite combination so there was no way these weren't being included in this collection.

You probably deserve a medal if you made it to the end of this post.  There were just too many photos and I couldn't pick.  I hope you love this little mix and match set as much as I do.  I can't wait to break it out sometimes.

I now just need to come up with my next epic project.  So far its a quilt for a wedding present in May next year, so I have heaps of time (famous last words!). I'm also keen to try another Marlborough so we will have to see what inspiration hits.

Emma :)

Bra Patterns - Watson Bra by Cloth Habit and a Jasmine Bralette by Ohhh Lulu

Underwear Patterns - Grace and Betty by Ohhh Lulu

Fabric - Sequins about 18 months ago (for $10/m) from Spotlight, Velvet from East Coast Fabrics

Elastics & Hardwear - Stash a mix of Lincraft and Booby Traps

Watson Bra Set

 

 I made my first Watson Bra last week.  It's safe to say I'm converted!  I love it!  I made a 38A and am very happy with the fit.  I did take my own measurements and make a 40A but as soon as I tried it on I knew it was too big in both the band and the cup, thankfully going a size down fixed all those issues.

I made the longline style of the pattern.  I really love how it gives you both options in the one pattern, it makes it so versatile and really gives you so many options.

I really like how simple the back of this bra is.  Random note - This white closure only has two hoots, but I have a black one of the same brand and it has three.  Weird right?

As you can tell, I used my current favourite fabric, the same one I used to make my Emma Romper last week.  I'm so sad I'm nearly out of this fabric, but there will always be more fabric!  I'm also pretty impressed with how much I have got out of just over a metre of fabric.

I also made a pair of high waisted knickers to give me a matching set.  I hacked my Betty Knickers Pattern (from Ohhh Lulu) by tracing the sides onto the back piece and inserting lace at the join between that piece and the front.  I couldn't let the last little bit of elastic lace that I dyed. I am quite please with how they turned out.  

I am also really digging the high waisted undies and the longline bra.  I feel quite sexy wearing them if I'm honest.  And that is always a nice feeling.

Overall, I highly recommend the Watson Bra pattern especially if you are just starting out in bra making.  It is a really well written pattern, giving complete instructions, right down to stitch length!  I can't wait to share what else I make from these patterns!

Have you ever found a fabric that you just can't get enough of?

Everyone Deserves Pretty Knickers - Betty Knickers

As I've mentioned before I'm a little in love with Ohhh Lulu's patterns and creations, I've already used her Grace Knickers pattern a few times before.  This time I used her High Waisted Betty Pattern with some nice results.

 

The pattern is similar to Grace in the way that they have panels of stretch on the sides. The major difference being obviously that Betty is high waisted. In the interests of full disclosure  the instructions weren't particularly comprehensive there were enough to work out what needed to be done

I'm going to be completely honest and say I've never own or worn a pair of high waisted undies before but I think I'm a little in love. I probably wouldn't wear them to work everyday but for something a little different these are amazing. I'm actually really digging wearing them under high rise jeans.

For my first pair I used a cotton jersey (given to me by a friend) and mesh for the outer panels. While the fit isn't perfect (I cut an extra large) I'll probably try a Large for the next pair if using stretch fabrics. I'm hoping that that will help with some of the fit issues and make them a little tighter fitting.

Using the cotton for the main panelling feels amazing. I plan on making more than one pair out of this fabric for sure!

I used a Ric Rac elastic around the leg holes and fold over elastic for the first time ever on the waist. I'm not sure I attached the elastic correctly and I stuffed up by putting the join at the front not the back, thankfully a bow distracts from it.

Overall I do recommend this pattern. The fit is good and the high waist is a thumbs up in my book. I'm planning to make many more, especially out of Jersey!