Storing and Transporting my Fitting Bras.

April 20, 2024April 18, 2024 ~ Michelle ~ 4 Comments

This is just a short post to share how I’m storing my new fitting bras.

My previous set of fitting bras were all stored in plastic zip bags, but after a couple of years sitting in those bags, the bags were beginning to get that old feeling. I knew I wanted something better for that older set, and my new set of Margareta fitting bras.

Off to Amazon I went to browse to see what I could find that would be better than plastic bags.

I found a couple of things to share.

First off, I found these great hanger clips.

These work perfectly! There are just the right number of clips for all the fitting bras to fit on two hangers.

The second thing I found was something to store them in, and protect them when traveling with them. Hanging garment bags.

These were both perfect options.

Here’s how I’m using them. Each bra is labeled by its US size, its BCD size, and its European size, as these are a European pattern. For my own ease, I’ve hung them in the BCD sizes.

Finally, I’ve labeled the garment bag, and the hanger clips for easy identification when I’m looking for a size. I’ll be back next week with a new make.

Happy creating!

Fitting Bras

April 6, 2024April 5, 2024 ~ Michelle ~ 2 Comments

I have a class coming up at Central Sewing at the beginning of May. I’m making a new pattern, so needed to sew up new fitting bras.

I decided to use up all the bits in my stash to do this. We’ll see if I have enough. I’m not done yet. I started with the smaller sizes, equivalent to the size 2s. These little bras have a bit of everything. I decided along with using up my stash, I would use up whatever threads and bobbins I had – just to make the job go more quickly.

I really have to say it was quite fun and very freeing to just grab a thread, or a bobbin and not worry about matching anything. I don’t think I’d do it for a bra I want to wear, but it’s been fun to do it for these fitting bras.

Next were the equivalent to size 3s. And again, just what I had in my stash. A friend was asking about them and called them Frankenbras when she heard they were all different colors.

Here are the size equivalents to the 4s. These look better, don’t they? All nice and the same color.

That is until you see the back! Still, they’re perfectly functional, and I don’t have quite so many bits to store now. All the more reason to buy some more fun things!

Lastly, I thought I’d show you how I organize to sew multiple bras at one time. I’m sewing these all in size sets. So for the most part, I’m sewing four bras at a time.

These are the equivalents to the size 5s.

I print off all the pattern pieces in that size, cut them out and keep each one in a pile. They are also labeled. For each bra, I will sew one thing at a time. So I sew one set up bottom cups together, put it back with the pattern pieces. Pick up the next one and do the same. So all the sewing will be done with the same stitch, either all a straight stitch, or all a zigzag.

It’s much quicker to do it this way, than to sew one bra completely and then sew another one. I’ve all used this approach to sewing for myself say for two black bras, or two pink bras. You get the idea.

Back to sewing for me! Happy creating!

Em’s Welcome to Spring March Bra

March 23, 2024March 19, 2024 ~ Michelle

I’m ready for Spring! How are you feeling? Weary of winter too? We had a few gorgeous very Spring-like days, and now we’re back into winter temps again. Oh, I’m very ready for Spring.

When I was looking at kits for Em for her March bra, I wanted bright and lively colors. Nothing dark. I’d add dreary, but I’ve yet to see a pretty bra kit that is dreary!

So I looked through my kits and actually couldn’t find one that was what I wanted. So I took the lace and elastics from one kit and the Lycra from another and ‘made’ this perfect kit for Em’s bra.

Here’s Em’s March Watson. Oh, I love these bright colors! And the flowers and butterflies too. I even love the little butterfly at the center instead of a bow. But I’m not sure about the flower on the front of the band. What do you think? Here’s the side view. I’ve actually used Lycra from B,Wear again for the whole bra. For the frame, band, and I also lined the cups with it again. The lace is a sheer lace with the floral pattern embroidered on it.

I’ve used green elastics as well, but not for the straps. Oh! Look at that color combo. That is so lovely. I couldn’t resist fuchsia straps with this green and the lace. The straps make everything in the lace just pop! Here’s a closer look at the butterfly and flower above, and with the flower removed below. I really can’t decide which I like better.

Here’s a sweet set pairing Em’s Spring bra with a cute pair of pink panties. And lastly as promised. A couple of photos of me in my new Halla Knotty pants.

I wanted them loose and flowy, and I got them just how I wanted them.

And just a head’s up, I have 2 courses over the next month, 22 fitting bras to sew, and a class to prepare. I’m not sure how much I’ll be blogging, but I’ll try to pop on with some of those fitting bras.

Happy creating!

Halla Knotty Pants Take Three

March 16, 2024March 15, 2024 ~ Michelle

I’ll be honest, it might actually be take four, or maybe even five. I think I’ve blocked a few of them out. But! I’ve finished them and they fit just how I want.

I didn’t want them to be tight. Oh my! No! I wanted them to skim over my hips and my thighs so I’d feel they flattered my figure. And I have that now.

I’ll try to get a couple of photos for you soon with me wearing them, but for now we’ll have to use the mannequin. I made a few more alterations. I added more length to the rise, and went up a size in the hip to get the results I wanted.

As well, I didn’t do the flirty little side opening. I love it, but it’s still winter here. We have a lot of snow on the ground. So I’ll save that fun feature for summer pants. So I now have a great basic pattern for knit pants, with a very fun optional side slit.

To deal the the difference between my hips and waist, I added back darts to the pants. There was just no way the waistband was going to go on smoothly otherwise.

I also used my coverstitch option on my serger for the first time. It worked well, but it’s very different from the other coverstitch machine I had. I had to downsize in our move, so traded that machine as my serger has both functions. It was a bit of a struggle, but I have a few RTW pairs of pants just waiting to be hemmed. I’ll get more practice in soon.

I have to admit, bra sewing is my passion. I don’t LOVE other clothing sewing as much. I’ll be getting more practice though. I’ve signed up for the Cashmerette Sloper School. Sewing up my sloper will be another March project.

Good thing I have a bralette to make for Em this month. I think I need to sew something for me too. Is bra-sewing withdrawal a thing?

Happy creating!!

Ron Collins Class

March 2, 2024February 20, 2024 ~ Michelle ~ 2 Comments

I was looking through the calendar of classes offered by Central Sewing and saw one I just had to take. Pattern Alterations and Body Measurements for the Right Fit. The photo is from the Central website.

This was a great class, and Ron is just wonderful! He took us through a number of common adjustments, and also a few that weren’t in the course material but we either asked about, or he knew we needed.

One example of that was when he mentioned sloping shoulders and looked right at me. What? I didn’t know I had sloping shoulders. Turns out I do have one. Yeah, not both, just one.

I came home and looked in the mirror. Yup. I do. Thankfully he covered that alteration.

Other alterations were FBA, SBA (small bust adjustment) which was something I’ve never done, flat seat, full butt, large arm. There were more too.

The last part of the class was all of us measuring one another and writing down our measurements.

Armed with my measurements, knowing how much ease is in fitted, semi-fitted, and loose garments – all that was covered too. I’m feeling ready to work on my pants pattern again.

Ron even recommended a jeans pattern for me. Pull on style, which is exactly what I was wanting. I’ll be trying the Elenora jeans by Jalie soon. I’ll finish my Halla pants first.

I’ll also be looking at the calendar again to see when Ron is back. I loved his class, and he’s a fantastic instructor.

Happy creating!

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, 2024February 4, 2024 ~ 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. Em and I went through my patterns and picked out a few other styles for her. I’m also going to sew her the Barrette Bralette. the Maris Bralette, and the Sierra Bralette. She really liked all of these Madalynne patterns.

Here’s the Barrette pattern. Lucky girl, I have some of this amazing band elastic to use for this too. She may need me to add a hook and eye in the back, but I can do that.

Here’s the Maris pattern:Em loved this one!

And the Sierra: 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, 2024January 30, 2024 ~ 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, 2024January 23, 2024 ~ 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 (Bra Making Academy) 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, 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.