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

Lavender Days Bra Set

If you've read my blog more than once you would know by now that I'm a fan of Ohhh Lulu, this set is no different.

I found some stretch lace at my local Lincraft, it had a really good stretch that I've been struggling to find however it was only in white.  Thankfully I didn't really see that as a problem and proceeded to dye the fabric and all the elastics for this set.  I used Rit liquid dye in navy and ended up with this colour.  Thankfully I like it!.

I used the Jasmine Bra pattern (I cut a medium) for the bralette.  It really is nice and simple for a lounge bra.  There isn't much support for a lounge bra it isn't really required.  Saying that it's not something I would wear to work though.

I added bows where each of the straps were attached in order to cover up that they don't look the best.  Thankfully I had the ribbon in my stash already.

You can see how well everything dyed and how well it coordinates.  This is not going to be the last time I dye everything for a bra that's for sure.

I used Ohhh Lulu Alice Knickers Pattern to make the matching undies.  The pattern stated 90cm was required for these but thankfully due to using stretch lace I was able to get the whole set out of  1/2 a metre.  

I used some grey cotton jersey for the gusset, it was close enough to blend as I hadn't thought to dye any.  I used Miss Maddy Sews suggestion and attempted a rolled hem to finish them as I wasn't adding more lace to the edges.  It wasn't disastrous but it sure isn't perfect either.  I'm pretty happy with it as it was the first time in a long time I'd tried a rolled hem.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with these, and even happier I got them the set out of so little fabric!  I'm keen to try a bra with underwires next, I've already ordered some so now I just have to wait til they arrive!

Emma :)

Fabric - Lincraft (Dyed by me)

Elastics - Stash - Mostly Lincraft

Bra - Jasmine Bra by Ohhh Lulu

Knickers - Alice Knickers by Ohhh Lulu

Ohhh Lulu Jasmine Bra

So I actually used the fabric I blogged about in last weeks Sunday Stash.  Let me preface by saying I am in L.O.V.E with the results.

I was really in the mood to sew the other day.  I knew I had no plans and after a very busy week so I got set up in my sewing room with Gilmore Girls playing on my laptop and got stuck in.

Until recently I had never even considered sewing things like bras, undies and lingerie.  I don't know why, they'd just never been on my radar.  I'd seen a few different things on pinterest and they had caught my eye.  However it wasn't until I stumbled across Ohhh Lulu that I was hooked. So far I've made undies using both her Grace and Betty patterns.

I used the Ohhh Lulu Jasmine Bra pattern and honestly can't believe how easy it was.  There were only three pattern pieces, each on a separate page so no taping required.  Plus if you made it unlined you would only need to sew five seams - talk about crazy easy!

I used this bra kit from Susan at Measure Twice Cut Once.  I can't recommend it enough, the fabrics are wonderful and the colour is amazing!

I fully lined my bra with the tricot from the kit, I wanted to give it a bit more structure than just a plain lace bra.  This was still simple enough as I just followed the instructions in the pattern.  Though next time I would make sure that I took more care to ensure that the lining sat better inside the bra.  I feel that in the one I've made the lining is marginally too large, though not enough to stop me being crazy happy with the results.

The details are some of my favourites.  The elastics are brilliantly feminine yet robust enough to survive wear.  The straps have a delicate detail which I love.  

I've got to say it is amazingly comfortable to wear and I now need to make enough to make to have one to wear every day of the week.  Sarah at Ohhh Lulu also released new patterns this week, I think this could be bad for my budget!

Have you ever thought about making a bra or underwear?