Since my last post, I have to say that I have worn my new bra a few times, and it’s wearable. It’s not pinching all the time. I think the Flexi-wires are helping with that.
After my last post when I planned to work on my draft some more, things went in a different direction. I went to my sewing room planning to draft up a hybrid cradle. Then walked out again, It was time to do a root cast. No more getting close, or thinking I had the correct shape. Out came the masking tape. I was making a root cast.
I taped piece after piece after piece on myself. I wanted it at least four layers thick so when I removed it, it didn’t distort at all when pulled away from my skin.
I got it. Now to test this against all the wires I have.
Here it is with the Orange 38 wire. This is the wire I thought was closest to my shape, and it’s not totally off. However, it’s not exactly the same either.
This was so odd because when I traced my root with a wire and compared it to the different wire shapes, this was the closest in size and shape. Below is the photo I took of my root trace over the Orange wires.
However, after wearing this wire, I can tell you it’s not the right wire for me.
Next up was the 38 XL wire from BMS. This is the wire I’ve been told more than once is the correct wire for me. However, like the Orange wire, I knew from wearing this wire that it wasn’t correct.
I didn’t have to see this wire-root comparison to know this wire wasn’t the right size or shape. I knew this wire pinched on the sides. Again, this is not the right wire for me.
A few months back when I was working on my wire trace, I bent a BMS 38 XL wire out to my correct size.
So, of course I needed to see how this wire would compare to my root trace.
This is about as good as it gets. My only hesitation with this is I’ve heard the wires aren’t always as stable (can break) with washing and wearing after they’ve been bent. I had to bend it a fair amount. So, although this is an option, I still had one other wire to try.
Here’s the Flexi-wire.
Hmm. About the same as the bent wire above, but I don’t have to bend anything. It will flex and take my shape.
I did try the 38 Flexi-wire too, but it’s just a bit too short for me, but as you can see, the 40 Flexi-wire is the better fit.
If you’re interested in reading more about bending wires, and what can happen, Jennifer (Porcelynne) mentions that in her recent blog post.
Now to take that root trace, and draft a cradle for exactly my shape.
Happy creating!
When I saw the wire, I realized why it was hurting so much!
One has an orange end, the other a white end – but no color on it at all. All my wires have a bit of color on the tip, so I have no idea where the wire might have come from.
I may try these in my draft next.
The good news on version III is I have the bridge width for the bottom correct now. The top on this needs to narrow a bit though.
I’m noticing that they are a different shape. Part of my problem all along may have been the shape I’ve been using.
Oh! I like how thick these wires are! They look SO supportive!
This photo is the one that got me really thinking about the actual shapes. So rather than compare wires to wires, it was time to look at my trace again.
Still, I wanted the experience of doing a root trace with copper wire. And I’m very glad I did.
This is pretty close. I’d say it would be an exact fit – except for the upper part of the wire. This would explain why I felt the 38 wires were pinching me.
My trace is smaller at the bottom, but it matches the width at the top of the wire.
And I have my perfect wire! And I have a whole bunch of 38 Extra Long wires, so this will be very handy to do so I can still use them.








































