The Final February Watson

February 24, 2024February 16, 2024 ~ Michelle ~ 4 Comments

I really love this Roxie kit from B,Wear. Not only does it have a lot of material in it – enough for 3 bralettes – but I really love the Lycra in it. Now I do have to say I had to add finding kits to make those three bras, but still. Lots of fabric.

This most recent bralette gave me the most trouble. Sewing the Lycra on its own was a little more challenging than the other two bralettes. I did my share of unpicking on this one.

Still it turned out so lovely. For this one, as you can see, I used the embroidered mesh to cover the Lycra for the front cradle. I think it looks lovely. This way Em has 3 different looking bralettes to start off the year.

It’s a good thing pink is her favorite color! Here’s the full set again. Hmm, one of those little embroidered flower cut-outs will make a sweet addition to these panties.

Here’s the back view. As you can see, for all three bralettes I used the Lycra for the bands as well. As Em has some sensitivities, I used the Lycra for the frame too. They’re all very soft for her. I really loved this whole kit. The Lycra is really nice, but so is the embroidered mesh. I had to use a few of the left over scraps to embellish this bralette by adding just a few more flowers. Isn’t that darling?

I added one to each strap as well. I love how all three of these turned out.

Here they are all together.

The full set is the most recent, the top right is the second Watson, and bottom right is the first one I made for Em. Do you have a favorite? I do! Which one do you think I love the most?

I think Em’s bra-a-month year is starting off well.

Happy creating!

Another Roxie Watson

February 17, 2024April 20, 2026 ~ Michelle

The Watson is Em’s favorite bra/bralette pattern, so I’m making her another one this month.

Actually I’m making her two more. I know, she’s getting spoiled. But she spoils me right back so it’s all good.

The Roxie kit from B,Wear actually has enough material in the kit for me to get three bras out of it for Em. I’m digging into my stash for the elastics, but there’s lots of the actual fabric.

I also have to say, the Lycra in this kit is the nicest I’ve ever used! It’s so soft and has more weight to it than any other. I really like this Lycra!

Okay, back to Em’s February Watson. For this one I decided not to line the cups with the Lycra – just to give her a different look.

I think this is utterly charming! Here are a few photos of this adorable bra with some matchy matchy. Oh this is pretty. I am in love with this Italian embroidered mesh. I have some more in my stash. I think it’s time to use it.

I think Em’s going to enjoy her year of being spoiled.

Lastly, here’s a collage showing this new Watson with the previous one – just so you can see the difference with the lined cups and the unlined ones.

The last one will be slightly different again, but you have to wait until next week to see that one.

(And if you’re wondering about pants, I’m still working on them.)

Happy creating!

A Year of Watsons

February 10, 2024April 20, 2026 ~ Michelle

I’m not sure if it was November or December of last year that I began to feel I’d been neglecting my DIL Em. I had thought about sewing for her, but I don’t think I did any sewing for her last year. I decided to remedy that.

2024 I was going to sew a bralette for Em every month. I asked her if she’d want this, and she was on board!

Next was to find out just what she liked best from what I’d made her in the past. Her favorite was the Cloth Habit Watson. I’m sure I’ve said it before, but I really like to sew this pattern. I find the instructions very charming and well explained.

Now to share Em’s Watson with you. Oh this is lovely. The fabric is so soft. It has an Italian cream and rose mesh. It’s very nice. Here it is paired with a simple cotton brief.

The kit I used is such a lovely kit, and it’s still available (at the time of this writing). You can find it a B,Wear. It’s actually a kit for the Madalynne Roxie Bralette – which I also think is just adorable. I’m going to check and see if I have enough fabric left to make this pattern up for her too. I hope I do! Lastly here’s the back view of this adorable little Watson bralette.

Now I don’t think I’ll only sew Watsons for Em, but she’ll definitely have a few of them in her wardrobe by the end of 2024.

Happy Creating!

Such a Sweet Shelley

February 3, 2024April 20, 2026 ~ Michelle ~ 2 Comments

After the beginner class I taught last month, there was enough demand for another class. So I scheduled a Shelley class.

Jeanette had left her Shelley bra set at the store, and I could use it on the display to show just how pretty the Shelley pattern is.

Although this is a really adorable set, I wanted to put my own mark on things, so to speak, so sewed up the cutest little Shelley.

I went through my stash and found just enough lace to go with some platinum duoplex and adorable pink findings kit. This was a quick sew, or at least it felt that way for me. I’m used to sewing a larger size.

Using the form’s measurements (which I got over the phone!) I made up a 2.75 BCD with a 26″ band. I have to say I didn’t do too badly on the size. I think I could go up one cup size to get an even better fit, but this is pretty close.

Here’s the full display at the store. She’s wearing a lovely new Shelley bra, with the most adorable little Veronica panties

Isn’t that the cutest? Just one more photo. I love this lace I used for this demo Shelley. It makes me think of Spring. I’m ready for Spring. How about you?

I’ll be honest with you. I haven’t even looked at my pants pattern this week. I will re-look at it though. I’m determined!

Happy creating!

Beginner Bra Making Class

January 27, 2024April 20, 2026 ~ 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.

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!

Halla Knotty Pants

January 20, 2024April 20, 2026 ~ 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, 2024April 20, 2026 ~ 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.

Have you thought about what you want from 2024? What sewing goals or plans do you have for 2024? I’d love to hear.

Happy New Year, and Happy Creating!

A Quick Look Back at 2023

December 31, 2023 ~ Michelle

I thought I’d do a quick review to wrap up 2023. So, I’ll make it short and sweet. 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!

Bras weren’t all I made this year though. I had to make panties to go with all these lovely bras.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.

Lastly, one final project from 2023. My silk tap pants.

It was a great sewing year!

Happy Creating & Happy New Year!

Copper with Black Roses

December 23, 2023October 22, 2023 ~ Michelle ~ 2 Comments

This week I’m showing you my third beige-ish bra and panty set. This one is the least of the not so basics. It’s actually copper duoplex with a gorgeous sheer lace with black roses. 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?

Here again, I had to use that not so perfect cotton Lycra. Still. I think it’s a great looking set. 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.

What do you think? Is it just a trick of the eye? Or the lace? Does the one pair appear a bit lighter? 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.

What plans do you have for 2024? I’m sure I’ll be making more bras, trying new patterns, and working on some pants fitting.

Happy holidays & happy creating! See you next year.

A Copper Rose Set

December 16, 2023October 22, 2023 ~ Michelle

Last week I showed you my new not so basic beige set. This week I’m sharing my new copper rose bra and panties. Oh, this lace! Love!!

I think it pairs really well with the copper duoplex too. And I really love the copper duoplex color, but… I’ll get to that a little later in the post.

More of this pretty bra first. I’ve decided I’m going to make a bra ham to put into my bra cups so they fit on the display form better. I don’t love the gaping and the peeking of the bean-a-boobs behind the cups.

A pretty new bra needs some pretty new matchy-matchy, don’t you think? I thought so.

And that little teaser above? The one thing I don’t love about copper duoplex is I haven’t found that perfect color match in cotton Lycra. I’ve tried a few colors, but I’m just going to have to accept it’s not perfect.

So here are my new (not absolutely perfect) matching panties. 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.

Here’s the full set. Although, not a perfectly matched color set, I’m still happy with it. What do you think? Do you think the golden lace trim helps pull it all together?