Author: Michelle

Bees on Black

~ Michelle ~ 4 Comments

I bought the most adorable bra kit – last year. I bought it before the International Bra Sewing Bee, thinking how fun it would be to make a bee bra.

Bees on Black Bra Kit Black Beauty Bra image 2Isn’t this charming? This is from Emerald Erin’s bra shop. She has it in black, and Latte. Bees on Latte Bra Kit Black Beauty Bra image 1 I love them both. But bought the black one.

I decided to try a little something different with this bra. It’s something I heard on last year’s Bee – some Omega’s are fuller in the center front than on the side. Well, that fits me (pardon the pun). I’m always adding to the center front.

The suggestion was to use one size larger for the inner cup, and one size smaller for the power bar, blending the lines.

I decided to try this with my latest Josey.  Do you ever just love something you’re doing? I loved sewing this bra together. I love the sheer fabric with these adorable bees!I love this. I’m super tempted to buy more of this so I can make it again.

Do you see that pretty hardware on the straps? This is a very old finding kit I bought from Mrs Weaver’s Finest Unmentionables (now closed).

Here’s a closer look at those sliders.They have a bit of a more rounded shape. I love them.

I think my favorite part of this bra is how sheer it is. I really do love this bra. It was a very fun make just in time for the Bee this year.

Happy creating!

Willowdale Take One

~ Michelle ~ 2 Comments

Have you seen the new Willowdale bra pattern? Cashmerette released it this past month.

 

I like Cashmerette patterns, but honestly when I first looked the pattern, I thought I already have a couple of patterns that are similar in style. I wasn’t thinking I’d buy it.

However, it wasn’t long before all I was hearing were great reviews of this pattern. What started to win me over was when another woman who is an Omega shape said she didn’t have to make any changes and it fit so well.

Then I saw this:

Oh! I love this! 

A dear sewing friend also raved about it. I was won over. I decided I wanted to try it.

Aa well, after hearing all those great reviews, I decided to cut into a ‘good’ kit to make it. 

This is some of the platinum duoplex and findings from a BMS kit, and some gorgeous lace from Kantje boord.

I did make a few alterations for my Omega shape, and was very impressed with how well everything still fit together. Unfortunately, even though I did alter the bridge, it was still a bit too wide. The cups fit perfectly though.

I’m actually thinking of cutting it down the middle of the bridge and putting a seam there. It would be perfectly wearable, and I can decide it’s a design feature. Are you ‘going’ to the International Bra Sewing Bee? Jennifer, from Porcelynne will be doing a sew-along of the Willowdale. I’m planning to take that in.

Happy creating!

Freja Take One

~ Michelle ~ 2 Comments

I’m back! It feels so good to be sewing pretties and blogging again.

I have one of the new patterns BMS recently released. The Freja pattern.  It is a really nice pattern. It came together easily, and fits well for a first attempt. I’ve been wearing it, so it’s fitting well enough.This is made from a copper bra kit I had. Oh, I love this color, and I’m rather loving this bra too.

I made my usual alterations for Omega. I’m using a 4.25 cradle, with a 5.25 cup. I removed some of the excess along the wire line at each seam. Overall, I’m really happy with this.

I love the shape of the lace, and the look of the whole bra. This copper color is such a gorgeous color.

Not too much to see here at the back. It’s a tad too long. I’m wearing it on the middle hook and eye, and could probably wear it on the tightest one.

It’s also a tad small in the inner cup. I can adjust both of these easily.

It really showed that I haven’t been sewing for a while when I sat down and started to sew. I broke three needles right off the bat. It didn’t take too much longer for me to get my sewjo back though, and not break any more needles.

   Happy creating!

Drafting at the Stitches Conference

~ Michelle ~ 2 Comments

Again, it’s been a while since I’ve posted anything, but I thought I’d share a little of what I’ve been doing.

I haven’t done any sewing, and I am missing it. My energy is coming back, so I’m thinking sewing will happen soon. I have a wonderful new BMS pattern, and a great kit from B,Wear to make my own Dreamcatcher knockoff.  However, before I started work on fitting a new pattern, there was the Stitches Conference.

I’ve linked the Haus of Stitches because so many people said they didn’t know about the conference, or Beverly teaching at this conference. Sign up for the newsletter and you’ll hear if she’ll be doing this again next year.

This year the Stitches Conference offered in-person classes, hybrid class that were both in-person and online, and there was one class that was online only: Bra Design and Draft with Beverly Johnson. As soon as I heard about that class, I said to my husband that I would have loved to take that class. He said, ‘Why don’t you take it?. Sign up.’ I jumped on that opportunity!

It was great! There were 16 of us in the class, and even though I’ve done drafting before, I still picked up so many tips. It inspired me to break out my pencils and paper and get some drafting done again.

Hopefully, next time I write, I’ll have some sewing to show! Happy creating!

A Little Enabling

~ Michelle

Hello again! I had a friend contact me saying, ‘it’s been a while since I’ve seen a blog post of yours.’ Well, sadly, I got sick at the beginning of February, and was still sick when March rolled around. I’m mostly better now, but my energy hasn’t come back.

So, while I’m not sewing, how about I show you a few new patterns.

There’s this adorable Garter Belt Collection from BMS.  

Today I saw today two new patterns from BMS.

The Freya bra pattern, and the Frieda partial band pattern. I’m excited about the Freya pattern because there is a RTW bra I’ve long admired. The Freya Dreamcatcher bra. Oh, I like this. 

Well, it just so happens that B,Wear’s April kit of the month is this exact fabric!     I know one of the first bras I’m going to want to sew when I get some energy and sewjo back. Until then, I’ll happily buy another beautiful bra kit, and a new pattern that work towards my goal.

Happy creating!

Modified Sweet Sixteen Again

~ Michelle

I’m really happy with my modified Sweet Sixteen (Sw16). It’s very comfortable, and definitely supportive enough for around the house.The only thing I want to change on it is there isn’t enough depth at the center front to give any separation for me. I need to add to the pattern there.

So, I pulled out my modified pattern, and have added more depth to the center front.

Two more changes I’m going to make are to add channeling, and to gather and stabilize the center front.

I loved the powernet for the whole bralette, so will do that again.

Here’s my Twice Modified Sweet Sixteen.

I love the floral design. I think I’m going to start looking for patterned powernet.

You can see on the front where I gathered the center.

One thing I would do differently next time is to work on that tape sewn over the gathering to be centered. It’s slightly to one side because the seam folded over. I think next time after I sew the gathering stitches, I’d pin the center front open, then gather. Then I could sew the stabilizing tape right in the center.

Lastly, here’s the side view. Oh, I really love this power mesh.

I have lots more to show you, but we both have to wait. I’ve been testing some patterns, but can’t show anything until they’re released.

Happy creating!

A Modified Sweet Sixteen

~ Michelle ~ 2 Comments

I’ve been thinking of making a modified Sweet Sixteen (Sw16) bralette since last summer. Monica Bravo talked about how she modified this pattern to be ‘more supportive’. I wanted to try some of her suggestions.

The first thing I wanted to do was change the cradle of my Sw16 to match the wire size I use. I’d been thinking about this hack for a couple of days, and I kept thinking the Watson cradle in my size might work perfectly for this.However, after looking at the two patterns, the cradles are different enough that I decided not to try it. So I hacked my Sw16 cradle, and redrew it.The next thing I had to do was put back the amount of space I’d removed from the frame. I added that to the back band. It’s looking much more like a bra pattern now, rather than a bralette pattern.

My pattern was ready, so it was time to test this out. I wanted a soft stretchy bralette, but when I saw this powernet, I decided to make the whole bra in it.Isn’t this powernet lovely? I bought it from B,Wear.

How did my experiment work out? Well, I have to say, it worked out rather well.Are you wondering the same thing I was wondering the whole time I was making it? Does it fit? Well, yes it does. The band is a touch too big – I have to fasten it on the tightest hook and eye. That’s and easy fix.

The cups fit as well, but I will need to add to the inner cup to get some  separation.

  However, despite those small issues, when I put it on, I didn’t take it off. It’s incredibly comfortable.

Happy creating!

Starry Nights Collection

~ Michelle

In December, Beverly Johnson sent out a request for testers to test a new pattern of hers. I knew we’d be moving, but I also knew if all I did for the next month or more was pack and unpack, I’d be miserable. I knew I needed a creative outlet too. So, I volunteered, and I’m really glad I did.

The Starry Nights Collection is a great lougewear/nightwear collection. It has three-length options, as well as a capri option.I made the full-length Luna option. I used a beautiful turquoise cotton Lycra, with some coordinating lace on the inner cups.

The cup option I made isn’t show, but was easy to do. Just use lace for the inner cups only on the Luna.My Luna is a bit big for me, but I’d rather have loose for sleeping than tight. However, my mind is full of ideas for how to change this up.

Another change I made was to do two spaghetti straps per side instead of the adjustable bra strap option.  

One idea I have came from the Monica Bravo. She adapted her Sweet Sixteen bralette- like narrowing the cradle for a more supportive bralette.

Another idea came from FB ads. Right around the same time Beverly sent out her tester call, I started seeing ads from Montelle Intimates. I was so surprised because the cups were the same style as the Starry Nights Collection’s.      

Seeing this got me really excited for possibilities for the new Starry Nights Collection. In fact, the day after I finished my Luna, I dreamt all night about making changes, and I woke ready to forget unpacking some more and wanting to get back to my sewing room!

Happy creating!

New Year, New House, New Sewing Room

~ Michelle

We moved mid-December, so I had a big sewing blitz in late October and early November knowing everything was going to get packed up.

Fortunately, the previous owner of our new the house moved out a week before we were to move in. That gave me to time to do some cleaning, sorting, and unpacking in the new house. After the kitchen, my sewing room was my top priority. It was mostly set up days after our move.

I’ll warn you. I’m not all unpacked and sorted yet. But I was able to sew. (smile)   First off is my Singer treadle machine, rather laden down with things still needing to be sorted. Next to that is my Rocketeer. Then piled beside those are a bunch of books that are still unpacked, some storage, and then my cutting table. You can see the fabric left over from my latest project.

My sewing table butts up against my cutting table making a U-shaped work area.Behind the sewing/work area are my storage rack, a small sewing table, and a storage cupboard.   Beside the storage cupboard is my yet-to-be-packed bookcase.

Lastly, I have two closet doors, but the closet space runs the full length of the wall between the doors. It’s wonderful to have all that space!I still need to do some organizing, but at least I’m set up enough to do some sewing.

Happy New Year, and happy creating!

Cornelia Josey Bra

~ Michelle ~ 2 Comments

Have you ever seen a bra kit and it was love at first sight? That was how I felt when I saw the Cornelia bra kit at B,Wear. It was so pretty, and so delicate. I bought it right away.I know most people think beige is boring, but I love the golden tones it has. I think it’s really pretty, and these golden tones paired with pink were beautiful.

I made this kit up into another Josey II bra. I do plan to try a couple of different patterns in the new year though.Here is my lovely Cornelia Josey bra. I love the lace on the upper cup. I loved it so much, I used it on the power bar, and on the side of the bra too.Oh, that is pretty.

The last couple of bras I made I didn’t use a bow. It wasn’t that they weren’t bow-worthy, but a bow just didn’t seem to fit them.This time it was the opposite. I cut out a pretty little green leaf, and it faded into the background. I didn’t like the look of it at all. This shimmery pink bow coordinates so well. It was perfect.This is my last post for 2021. I wish you all a safe and happy holiday season, and I think we’re all hoping for a better 2022.

Happy creating!