Sierra Bra

Something a little different today, when I first saw the Sierra Bra (a free pattern by Madalynne) I liked the look of it but I wasn't sure if it would look any good on me or be supportive enough to wear for more than short periods of time. I'm pleased to say I have been pleasantly surprised.

The pattern was really easy to sew up, to be honest the hardest part of the whole process was tracking down lace that was wide enough.  I couldn't find anything locally and had to order online, not that I'm really worried by that :).  I ordered this amazing navy lace from Booby Traps, it is super wide (25cm) and utterly gorgeous! 

The only change I made to the pattern of the Sierra was the strap placement.  The pattern uses a halter strap, however I just don't find it practical, so I just made normal straps and attached them onto the back piece.  I dyed the elastic (Rit dye - 1tsp Scarlet & 1tsp Taupe in 4 cups water) to this peachy colour.  It didn't come out quite as I wanted, I think its too much taupe so if I was trying to dye a peach colour again I would add a little more red.

I mean seriously though I just can't get over this lace.  The scalloping is to die for and it looks amazing on.  Like seriously amazing.  Love, love, love!  It might be rivaling this set as my all time fave.  The only issue is it's a touch too small, like an inch or two, but as I've just joined the gym I'm hoping I can get the fit better.

As you can tell I left the lace unlined, partly because I didn't have any appropriately coloured powernet, only white and nude neither of which would have been ideal for this bra, and partly because I like the lace plain. 

I also made a Watson Bikini.  I think this might be my go to underwear pattern.  Well maybe this and Betty, I still have a thing for high waisted underwear. I made a large which is the prefect size, the XL I made previously had a bit too much height at the front whereas this one is perfect.  I especially adore the scallops at the top, I think they make this pair!

Anyway, I recommend checking out the Sierra pattern if you have a smaller bust, especially as it is free.  I seriously doubt that I'm going to get over my navy addiction any time soon.  Though is there anything wrong with having a navy addiction.  It is such an amazing colour!

I'm sure there will be more Sierras in my future, in fact I already have another one cut out.  I'm also contemplating buying more of this lace, just cause it is that amazing in person.  Time will tell about that though!

What have you been sewing lately?

Emma :)

Patterns - Sierra Bra by Madalynne & Watson Bikini by Cloth Habit

Fabric - Booby Traps

Elastics - Lincraft & Booby Traps dyed using Rit Dye

Red Lace Watson Bra

I posted about my first Watson Bra last week, I promised then it wouldn't be my last and neither will this one!

For this one, I made view B, again in a 38A.  I think I prefer the longline style but that also might be because it is more supportive as the pattern isn't designed for underwires.  Saying that how can you go wrong with a red lace bra?

I used another kit from Susan at Measure Twice, Cut Once.  They are a really great way to get everything you need for a bra, and really well priced too!  It's only now that I've made a few bras I'm starting to look at sourcing all my own materials and creating a bit of a stash.  Until you're ready to commit to making multiple bras I highly recommend a kit.

I think the scalloping on the bottom of this bra is my favourite part.  I think it adds a lovely touch.  The elastic I used has picot edges so I sat it up a little further than normal so the scallop edging would be a feature.

You can see the picot elastic peeking out in the photo above.  The good thing about it being hand made is everyone who sees photos is so impressed that I made it they don't seem to notice any flaws :).

I must confess I haven't made a pair of undies to match yet, but I did find ones at Trade Secret that were too close to pass up.  Sometimes it is just easier to buy some things than it is to make them.

What have you been sewing this week?

Emma

Pattern - Watson Bra by Cloth Habit (View B)

Fabric - Measure Twice Cut Once Bra Kit in Red

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?

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?

Handmade Tuesday #7 - Grace Knickers

No dodgy mirror selfie today :)  Instead there is actually no photo of me wearing my handmade creation today.  That's for one simple reason, what I made isn't really meant to be seen by the general population, at least not on my body anyway!

That's because I made some knickers!  I wanted to sew something a bit different and when I came across Ohhh Lulu the other week I knew what it was.  Sarah not only sells her creations through her Etsy store, she also sells patterns on Etsy and Craftsy!  I purchased her Grace Knickers pattern and found them fantastic for someone who has never sewn lingerie before.  To start with there were only 4 pattern pieces and 5 pieces of fabric to cut and I was able to whip up my first pair in no time at all (I didn't time it but I'd say somewhere between 1-2.5hrs from pulling fabric to wearable).

 

 

The Grace Knickers have a bias cut woven front and back and stretch sides.  In this pair I used a dot poplin from Spotlight and some stretch lace. They finish with a double needle around the legs and elastic on the waist.  I've cut out about another 5 pairs or so and just need to finish them off before I have enough handmade undies to last the week.

 

Have you ever made any lingerie before?

 

Emma