Author: Michelle

A Gorgeous Margareta

~ Michelle ~ 2 Comments

I was really happy with the alterations I made to my Margareta pattern. Things fit before, and honestly after so many years struggling to fit my Omega shape, I was really weary of more alterations. So I was accepting good.

But better is better. This is a kit I bought last year and I just love it! It’s a teal color with ivory floral lace. It was a kit of the month in January or February, and I’d been saving it. I used some of the lace along the power bar. I love this look. The solid color behind the lace just gives it a really different look. The upper cup is sheer, but the power bar is detailed as well. The kit came with ivory power net, and an ivory findings kit.   The ivory looks lovely with this teal color, and of course the lace is ivory, so it all goes together very well. This kit didn’t come with a bow, but it needed a bow! You know me – it has to be bow worthy. I’m going to need to stock up on bows.

I’m thrilled with the shortening alteration I did, and I already have my next bra cut out.

If you’ve been where I was, don’t give up! Sometimes changing the pattern you’re trying will help, sometimes it’s just one more little alteration and you’ll be really happy with your bra-making.

Happy creating!

A New Pistachio Margareta

~ Michelle ~ Leave a comment

With the very happy alteration to my Margareta pattern, I just had to make another one right away.

I used a lovely Pistachio kit from B,Wear. This is the Midsummer bra kit, and I love this color.   I have to tell you, when I opened this kit. I wondered what the stable fabric was. It is so soft! Then I realized this is the new soft Nylplex B,Wear is carrying. It’s lovely!

Okay, enough about all these other wonderful things, here’s my new bra. This is the Margareta, again. And I’m thrilled again.I adore this color! I have looked for a cotton Lycra the same color. I did find some that’s a bit darker, so I think some matchy-matchy will be next on the sewing table. The power net in this kit has a sheen or glimmer to it. It is very pretty.   

The power net looks lovely with the shimmer of the straps.

Yes, I’m very happy with this. It turned out as lovely as the first Margareta did. So far this pattern is winning the favorite pattern for me. We’ll see what happens when I revisit the Freja, but for now I’m thrilled to have a great fitting pattern.

Happy creating!

A Tweak to My Favorite Patterns

~ Michelle ~ 4 Comments

I’ve been happily sewing a few of my favorite patterns with my Omega adjustments and wearing them for a few years now.

About a month ago I decided to look at these bras on me and evaluate them and see if there was anything I could still do to improve the fit.

It turns out there was.

I mentioned it a few posts back. I decided to shorten my upper cup just below the strap attachment.     This alteration did help, but I took a critical look again, and realized I could do more. I could take more out.

I took my three favorite patterns: Margareta, Freja, and Angie and deepened the alteration.

I tried the Freja first. It was better, but I still want to work on that one a bit more.

Next up was Margareta. I decided since I wasn’t happy with how the Freja turned out, I would skip a few things on the Margareta – like the gothic arch, and finishing the channeling at the center front and sides.

However, I was so happy with how the Margareta turned out I didn’t want to take it off for photos! I did finish those channelings at the front and sides and took photos for all of you.

I’m thrilled with this and how it fits. I’m so glad I decided to take that critical look at my fit. This is so worth the changes! I adore this kit as well. It’s from B,wear. You can find it here.      

Yes, I’m really thrilled with how this alteration turned out, and I know I’m going to want to sew a whole new bra wardrobe now.

I thought you might want to see all the alterations I’ve made to the original pattern. Here are the Margareta pattern pieces with the shaded out parts on the pattern pieces. They include both my Omega adjustments and the new shortening adjustment. So, if you’re not completely happy with how your bra is fitting you, take a critical look and make one adjustment at a time.

Happy creating!  

Jean Jacket Transformation

~ Michelle ~ 2 Comments

I recently bought a jean jacket on clearance. Actually, I bought two of them. The price was just too good not to get two and then transform them both.

I don’t wear a lot of denim. I just don’t love it. But I was out shopping/looking with a friend and she took me to her favorite store. I fell in love with a jean jacket there.

I don’t know that I love the jacket. It’s the embroidery I love! It gave me ideas to do something similar. As well, the $300 price tag was a definite no-love.

So with that in mind, and then seeing the clearance. I bought two jean jackets for less than the price of one at regular price.

  It looks a little washed out, doesn’t it? Well, not for long. I also love this style, so was happy to play with it.

I bought a big pot, and some dye that would work with this fabric. It isn’t 100% cotton. 

I wanted a big pot to make sure the jacket would be submerged.

And the results: Oh! I’m so happy with this! SO HAPPY! It turned out beautifully.

I was so happy, I immediately started on the second jacket.

This one is teal blue.      I think they both look great! I was kind of thinking one might not look as good, and that would be the one I’d do some embroidery on, but I can’t decide now. I love how both of them turned out.

I’ll let you know which one ends up with some flowers. Which one do you think?

Happy creating!

Testing the Gunsan Pattern Take Two

~ Michelle ~ 9 Comments

There were a couple of changes to the Gunsan pattern, and I was happy to try again.

The first draft fit my friend perfectly and when I asked her if I could make a second test of the pattern for her, she said yes without hesitation.

For this one, I had to pull a kit out of my stash. Making my fitting bras has used up all my scraps. I gifted my friend the Sabine bra kit for this bra. Isn’t that a pretty kit? It’s prettier in person.

Here’s my second version of the Gunsan pattern.   I do wish I’d had a bit of a lighter thread color, but there is a bit of a violet sheen to the lace so I decided it was okay. My friend loves this bra. This is so pretty.

I used the sheer cup lining in the kit for the frame. 

   I did run into one problem when laying this out. The power bar was a little bit longer than my lace.

Then I remembered a great tip Emerald Erin had in a blog post a long time about. She drew the pattern part that was off the lace and then cut that out with a seam allowance and sewed it onto the existing cut out lace piece.

Here, read about it here.

It worked perfectly. You can’t even see where I joined the lace. It gave me the extra inch I needed and it really worked perfectly. Thank you Erin for that great tip.

One last view of this lovely new pattern. I don’t know if further changes were made to the pattern, but it’s been released now, and I can’t wait to try it for me. Next for me to to start altering it for Omega.

Happy creating!

Testing the New Gunsan Pattern

~ Michelle ~ 10 Comments

B,wear posted about a new pattern coming: Gunsan. I was fortunate enough to be able to test the pattern. It’s a lovely pattern!

It’s a darted one-piece cup. I was so excited to try this new pattern.

I made a decision before starting this bra. I LOVE to test patterns. I really do. But honestly, with all the alterations I need, it’s not fair for me to sew it for me. It’s not fair to take the pattern and make all the changes, and then give feedback.

So, I decided I would test the pattern as it is, and make it in my size – without any changes. Then I could gift it to my friend who’d had surgery last year. We’re the same size, but she doesn’t need the alterations for Omega. It was a win-win this way.

   I used the Patricia bra kit from B,Wear.  This is such a pretty kit.

Here’s my first make of the new Gunsan pattern. Another decision I made before starting was to not mirror the lace. (Shh. Don’t tell my friend. She doesn’t know about these things.)

Rather than trying to mirror, I made sure the larger motifs along the upper edge were in the same places and it gives a symmetrical look to the bra still.

My friend loves it. She was sending photos of her new bra to her mom and sister. This really is a lovely pattern. It’s nice to find a darted cup in a larger size.

And lastly, just so you can see how very delicate and sheer this lace is, I’ve laid it on my sewing desk for a photo too.      Stay tuned. There’s more to share on the Gunsan pattern.

Happy creating!

Em’s October Bra

~ Michelle

I saw this lace and knew it was for Em. After sending her a quick photo, she confirmed this was perfect for her.

This lovely butterfly lace comes from B,Wear’s shop. Isn’t this lovely?

Seeing as the Watson is my favorite bra to make for Em, this had to become another Watson. I made a lace-edged cup again, and kept the scallops along the bottom as well. I even cut out a little lace butterfly to add as a detail at the center front. Em doesn’t need support in a bra, but she needs comfort. So again for this Watson, I’ve used the stretch lace throughout the bra – including for the back band. There was a little bit of lace left over, and I thought it would be just enough to make Em a pair of panties to go with her new bra. A girl needs her matchy matchy after all. These are the Clover Briefs with lace at the upper edge. I cut out a second little butterfly to add at the center front again.

I’m not sure if you can see, but I had to add a seam to the front of the panties. There wasn’t quite enough lace without seaming the pieces together.

So for the back of the panties, it had to be cotton Lycra. 

   It all still coordinates well, and I think the set looks adorable. Em loved it. And yes, she got it a bit early.

There are a few other projects on my cutting table, so I got this to her first.

Happy creating!

A Delicate Leaf Laced Margareta

~ Michelle ~ 2 Comments

I received the most gorgeous lace from B,wear. Isn’t it beautiful?

It’s a non-stretch lace, so it’s perfect for cups. It would also be great for the frame or cradle of your bra.

I used it for my cups and a strong sheer cup lining for my frame.   Oh! I simply adore this. I adored it when I first saw it, and I love it all sewn up.

It’s almost a blue-black color. The embroidery of the lace is on a gray backing, and together it gives a bluish tint. I’ve really been in a pink mood for a few months, so it was wonderful to sew this beauty up and branch out. I really adore this lace! Just look at the lace edge here. Wow. It’s stunning.

I added a little bit of the lace to the bridge. Unfortunately, with the gothic arch it’s barely visible.  The arch looks off too, but it’s how it’s sitting on the dress form. Can you see the lace detail?

Next week I’m sewing the last of my fitting bras. Four more to finish and I’ll be done this set.

Happy creating!

Em’s LBB September Bra

~ Michelle ~ 4 Comments

I’ve been having such a fun year sewing a bra a month for Em. It is just a treat to sew for someone else, and make such cute little bralettes.

September is no different. I went back to my favorite small bralette pattern – the Cloth Habit Watson. 
It’s perfect for an all-over stretch lace bra for Em. I kept the bottom scallop on the bra again, and also included the scallop along the inner cup edge. Oh, that’s so cute. I think she’ll love it.

Who doesn’t need a little black bra? 

Here’s a close-up of that scalloped lace edge.  And here is the lower edge of the long-line. I have a few plans for the remainder of the year. One idea I have is for a foam cup bra for Em.

I also plan to test a few larger sized bralettes for me to see how they are and what alterations I’ll need to make to them. 

Happy creating!  

     

Simply Sheer Hearts

~ Michelle ~ 2 Comments

How can it be the end of August already? Have you been following BRAugust on Instagram? I’ve been doing my best to post daily. It is fun.

I received this beautiful sheer delight from B,Wear this month, and again, it was one of those I have to sew with this right now.  A sheer Margareta it is. Oh. It’s so delicate. I wish I’d had a lighter colored thread – one that would have just disappeared in the seams. I still think it’s lovely.

I used the lace for all parts of the cups. I used the embroidered hearts for the upper cups, and the top of the power bar. And the sheer part of the lace for the lower cups and the frame. Here you can see just a peek of the hearts along the top of the power bar. Isn’t that sweet? Just so pretty.

Here are a couple of close up of the upper cup and power bar with the heart detail. Those hearts are so sweet. You can see how very sheer this is too. The hearts falling along the elastic wasn’t planned. It was a happy accident of laying the pattern out and having it fit.

I couldn’t resist adding a tiny heart to the bridge.        And I looked for a bow, and there was this little bow I’d made a few years ago. It was perfect. It’s sheer as well. The perfect bow for a lovely sheer Margareta.

Happy creating!