I haven’t been sewing this week, nor last week. In fact, much of my summer sewing was all geared to getting ready for teaching classes. Yes, I’ve started holding bra sewing classes.
The whole time the Bra Bee was on I was sewing 22 fitting bras. The rest of the summer was spent finishing those bras and getting ready.
Twenty two bras! I learned to sew them assembly-line style.
My classes are at the same store where I took my professional classes: Central Sewing Machines.
However, I’m not at the same location. I’m teaching at the West End store.
It’s a treat it is to teach in this store. They just had their grand opening at the end of June. It’s a beautiful new facility. One of the best features is the classroom is on the main floor. 
First thing when you enter the store, there’s a mannequin advertising the bra and panty classes wearing the tiniest bra and panty set.
At the back of the store is the classroom.
The classroom was all set up and ready for us! We had our fittings there behind the screen.
I’m starting the classes with the PUG Classic pattern. It a basic pattern, so a good place for beginners to start.
Four women signed up, and I was happy they all left with well-fitting bras.
One woman was really having a problem with her fit. No matter what we did, her bra wasn’t fitting. After two attempts with alterations both times, and the end of the class nearing I suggested flexi-wires. Once we put the flexi-wires in her bra it fit her perfectly. It was amazing the difference the wires made in her bra fitting.
Another woman was also having wire troubles. We shortened a wire for her, but it’s a lot of work to cut them, file them, and then put the heat shrink tubing on them. We also tried the flexi-wires for her. They fit into her bra perfectly, and she was happy with how comfortable her bra was.
I’m already looking forward to the next class!
Happy creating!
Here’s my croquis wearing the line drawing of the dress. One thing about trying on clothes this way is it won’t account for any adjustments I make to the pattern. I won’t be using one size. I’ll be blending sizes together to get a better fit.
I’m still not sure about the shape for me, but it might be one of the most comfortable dresses I ever make. I definitely think it’s worth trying.
To be honest, I’m still not sure. I think it falls somewhere in-between the two colors. And I like them both too, but I decided this was closer to coral.
I used a peachy colored elastic on the legs to match the copper of the cups and band, but I wanted the rest shades of coral.
Oh, I still like my KS2286s. They have a bit of a ’80s vibe to them, they’re still adorable.
Oh, just as adorable!
Here’s the full set of matchy matchy.
Just lovely.
Oh, it’s another love for this. The lace is so delicate and so pretty.
I had everything for this bra from a leftover kit, well everything except strap elastic. So I had to use beige, which doesn’t look quite so light and different in person.
Above is the Freja bra I made.
Back to the Josey II. Here’s the back. I do have to say, I prefer copper over beige. It’s a warmer richer color.
The colors are so rich and vibrant.
This looks like an adorable hipster, but it sits much higher on. 
I looked around, but I couldn’t find the color of lace I wanted, so I dyed this lace using Burnt Orange acid dye. It turned out perfectly!
You see, that’s a full coverage back. What the pattern shows is definitely not quite what you get. Still, these have been a favorite of mine for years now.
Oh, I think these are cute.
You can see these have full coverage too, but they sit a little lower over the leg.
That is some perfectly matching matchy matchy.
Bra Builders is still carrying this lace too. You can find it 
Yes, I love this. It’s such a rich deep color. The color is one of their Legacy colors: Burnished Copper. I think it pairs with lace beautifully.
Here’s the back.
Oops, I see some threads I missed snipping. (smile)
Isn’t this the most lovely material? This comes from B,Wear.
Oh, I really love this! This fabric is is very similar to duoplex, but is a bit firmer. The lace actually comes in three colors. Pink, blue, and a mint green. Oh, they are all so pretty!
It would have been a dream come true if there had been matching power net too! However, I had some light pink in my stash that I was happy with. White would have worked as well, but I preferred the pink.
I loved using this light blue thread to match. This was a happy solution because lavender thread didn’t quite match. It was too purple. Gray didn’t match either – it was too gray with not enough purple in it.
Isn’t this charming? This is from Emerald Erin’s bra shop. She has it in black, and Latte. 
I love them both. But bought the black one.
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).
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.
Oh! I love this! 
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.