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.
As if that bra isn’t gorgeous enough, she also made this bra.
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!
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!
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.
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.
The year started out with Josey, but then I tried Freja and love it! There’s also the Brenda Brief pictured here, and it’s a really lovely panty pattern.
My Frejas included a silk bra, and all of these lovelies as well. One of them turned out to be a surprise favorite of mine.
A few more gorgeous Freja bras. Another favorite or two in this grouping.
Here’s one last bra that didn’t fit into the collages. So pretty!
Lastly, there were the tops I made when I took the TomKat Stitchery fitting course. 
I’m still working on the pants part of the course.
It was a great sewing year!
As soon as I saw this lace, I put the copper finding kit aside. I knew this bra needed black findings! And I love it. 
And you know I made a matching set, don’t you?
It’s interesting that the golden lace seemed to lighten the look of this CL. In the same way, the black lace seems to darken it as well.
Here is the set together. 
Lastly, here’s a collage of my three ‘beige’ bras and panties. 
It was fun to sew them all together and complete my bra wardrobe for 2023.
I’ve decided I’m going to make a 
That lace trim is a really pretty golden color. The trim on the leg is actually the same lace trim that is at the waist – I just followed the curved design in the lace and made my own scalloped narrower lace for the leg openings.
Above you can see where I followed the design lines.
What do you think? Do you think the golden lace trim helps pull it all together?
I love this lace. It’s so pretty. So delicate. I think it’s lovely with beige duoplex too. 
A lovely new bra isn’t enough though, is it? I need some panties to match, am I right? 
Again, I’m using the House Morrighan Clover Boy Brief pattern. 
Here is my new beige set together. 
Next week I’ll share my next set.
I knew right away they’d match perfectly with that kit. 
The green is the perfect pop of color.
I chose to only use the Pistachio on the upper part of the bra. My frame is sheer cup lining and power net, so I wanted to keep it looking black. If I’d been using duoplex or nylplex the pistachio wouldn’t have shown through, but it really did show through the sheer cup lining.
This bra has such lovely rich fall colors. I’m very happy with my new make, and I’m still loving the Freja pattern.
I really love this Pistachio color! I was looking through my lace to see what else I had that would go well with it. 
I still have some of this 
I think this will match perfectly with the pistachio color too. But not with the burn orange this time. Basic black always works.
And I have decided my favorite panty pattern is the Clover, so I naturally pulled out my favorite pattern. 
Oh, I think these are cute!
And of course the back view. 
I had thought these would go really well with my bright bra, but it just so happens they also go well with my platinum bra! 
These coordinate very well, but just for fun look at these panties with the platinum bra. 
That little bit of purple in the lace makes this matching more fun, and a bit less matchy-matchy.
This sleeveless tee has all my adjustments. And it fits quite well. If I want to improve it even more I’ll add 1/4″ to the gaping neckline adjustment, and 1/2″ to the sway back one.
Along with the side view I captured some ghosting in the lighting. The pretty pink bra peeking out is my favorite Prima Donna Milady that I bought and is too small. Still it’s getting use on my display form and is inspiring me.
I noticed putting it on the display form that my back and its back are different! The alterations I made caused it to fit just a little more awkwardly. Ah, it’s for me not the display.