Beginner Bra Making Class

January 27, 2024January 23, 2024 ~ Michelle ~ 4 Comments

January also saw a Beginner Bra Class at Central sewing.

I had eight women sign up, so we had a full class. And everyone left with at least one bra completed. Some of the ladies finished two bras and left with a well-fitting bra and pattern.

We had sizes from 2.25 to 7.5 in the class. So a very varied class size-wise. But something I’ve learned is size doesn’t matter when it comes to fitting. Women of all sizes have problems finding a well-fitting bra.

I have to say this was a dedicated group! On my way in to teach the first day, I went by a sign showing the temperature. It was -42 Celsius! If I hadn’t had a class, I would not have left home that day.

The class had only been over for one day when I received an email from one of the students. She had finished a bra on her own. The next day she sent me a second photo of her second bra she’d sewn. I’d say she’s off to a great start! Isn’t this gorgeous? She made this using her adjusted pattern, and a really lovely kit from Margieb.ca.

As if that bra isn’t gorgeous enough, she also made this bra.This is another lovely kit from Margieb.ca.

I think she’s done wonderfully! She has a well-fitting bra from class, and two ever better fitting bras she’s made on her own. Well done!

I have another class later in February, so I’ll let you know how that class goes as well.

You know what I’m sewing next, don’t you? Yes, back to pants, but I’m already missing bra-making seeing these lovely makes.

Happy creating!

Halla Knotty Pants

January 20, 2024January 19, 2024 ~ Michelle

Well, I’m working away on my 2024 sewing resolutions. I’ve finished one pair of pants. Do they fit? Yes, but I still want to make them fit a little looser and more flowy than they fit at present.

For my first pair I made the Halla Knotty Pants. Here’s a photo from their website.

Don’t you love that knot feature? These pants really are a favorite of mine. I really love the little side slit that can be left open or tied at the ankle. It’s such a fun little detail – but I will admit it is much better suited to summer than winter!

Here are my Knottoy Pants. What I’ve learned so far for fitting pants is, I need to lengthen the rise, adjust for full thighs, and a sway back. But I’m getting there!

This material is a gorgeous 12 oz cotton Lycra from Funky Monkey fabrics. It’s a great winter weight fabric. Here’s the side view of the pants. You can see at the bottom I have them tied up. It was too cold to have them open. You do not want to know what the temperature has been like here!

Here’s a close up of the opening and the knot. It would work wonderfully in a drapey fabric, but as you can see it works in a CL as well.

Lastly here is the back view. I do like these, but I really want a more flowy drapey look. So I’ll be working on making a few more adjustments to these – but not so much for fit. More for style this time.

Happy creating!

Welcome 2024!

January 6, 2024December 31, 2023 ~ Michelle ~ 4 Comments

Welcome to a new year! I really do love a new year with all the potential opportunities we have ahead of us.

What plans do you have? I have many sewing projects that have been waiting for me, so I’m thinking I will start with some of those. I have too many pretty bra kits and patterns to stay away from bra-making for too long though. Hmm. Maybe one project and one bra?

One of my first goals is to get some pants to fit well. I have a big challenge though. I have a condition called Lipedema. It’s not nice. It’s painful, and causes me to gain weight on my lower body. This has caused a 15-inch difference between my waist and hips.

At present, I’m only able to find elastic waisted pants that will fit me. But I would like to try and make pants too. I’m sure I’m going to need elastic in the waist still, but a plain front might look dressier. Or an actual pair of dress pants! I can’t tell you the last time I wore a nice pair of dress pants.

So I’m looking at something like the Largo Cargos or the Duet Trousers by Love Notions. I’ll let you know how this part of my journey goes. So that is one goal I have for 2024.

Another goal I have is to make a doll. I’ve already bought all the supplies I need for one. I just have to sit down and actually do this now.

Here is the site that has inspired me: MayaWaldorfDoll on Etsy. This beautiful doll is from her site. So lovely, and so inspiring. I’ll share more resources for doll-making later.

Lastly, I have a few Laura Heine collage quilting projects that have been waiting for me. I love this! It’s so charming, and reminds me of the villages both my mother and father were from.

And lastly, these adorable stockings. My thoughts are if I get started on some of these non-bra projects sooner rather than later in 2024, they have a chance of getting completed!

You all know my heart is in bra-making. But I’ve bought these other projects, and they’re sitting waiting for me. It’s time!

One last comment. Do you remember the matching undies I made for my son and DIL last year?

Well, the kids were over for dinner for Christmas and took me aside. Then they flashed me their matching hips! They had on their Christmas kitten undies! I never expected to see them wearing them.