A couple of years ago, during one of our bra-making classes with Jeanette (Sew Uplifting), a class idea came up that sounded great! I was ready to sign up that day.
Not long afterwards, that class became an option and I did sign up. The Bra Dress. Unfortunately, that class was cancelled, and as yet, hasn’t been rescheduled.
A couple of my bra-sewing classmates and I have been talking about how do we do this? We can’t take the class. We’ve been waiting for two years for this now. We want this bra dress. So we’ve been brainstorming just how this would we do this.
I even bought a bathing suit that was on sale last year – just to see how it was made.
This is a swim dress from Land’s End.
Here’s the bra inside:
This isn’t exactly what I had in mind. But I kept it because I really like the swim dress.
Here’s the back band: 
No, this was definitely not what I was thinking. This is a shelf bra that has wires. I’m thinking an actual bra.
So, I kept looking for ideas. I started looking at some vintage ideas.
I saw this great vintage slip on Etsy.
Here’s the back view of the slip.
Again, this is like the Land’s End suit, the back is like a shelf bra. I’m still thinking of wanting the actual bra clasp at the back though.
I did fine two vintage sewing patterns on Etsy too. I think this is the idea I’m going for – a bra built into a slip, then attached to the dress at the shoulders.
Oh, I wish I could see the back of this one. However, this pattern design is very similar to the Elite bra.
I wish I could see the back of this one too. I want to know how these slips fasten.
I’ll keep thinking about this. My draft cup alterations are done, so I’ll share that with you next week.
Happy creating!
The first thing I did after I got her was curl her hair. 
Then I made her a sweet little slip dress with some pantaloons underneath.
I’ve been very happy with her transformations, but there was one thing I still wanted to change. My eyes have some brown in them but overall they’re green. I wanted my preemie baby to have green eyes too.
Yes, they’re a little bit brighter and lighter. She’s just perfect to me now.
This is my drafted frame and the cups from B, Wear’s Angie pattern.
Something I really like about the Angie pattern is how rounded the cups are. They give such a nice shape when wearing the bra too. However, using the smaller wire size and narrower frame, the rounder shape didn’t seem to be fitting into my frame as well.
The back is fine. The band is too. It was comfortable, and stayed in place. However, I’m very disappointed this is not wearable.
Here’s the square I’m blocking right now. It rolls under, and it isn’t actually square.
After it’s all pinned it’s square. Then I spray it really well with water and leave it to dry. I really am enjoying this. It’s wonderful to unpin each square and see how nice it looks.
I’ll be honest. I bought one of these after reading it would help to do a root trace. It didn’t help me with that at all. Not one little bit. At least it didn’t help me at all.
So after a week of watching along, I knew I still needed help. Both instructors were offering one-on-one sessions. I signed up with both of them, and I’m really glad I did. They both come at the process differently, and I think things are finally starting to click.
I can’t even begin to say how helpful this is. Every mathematical measurement is given here for your draft. You put in your measurements and it does it automatically. You just have to refer back to your numbers to do your draft. It’s very helpful.
It’s so lovely! It’s also so very comfortable. Everything about this bra is the same as a ‘normal’ bra – channeling, underwire, but it’s all soft cotton jersey.
To account for the stretchiness of the jersey, the original sewer went down a full size to make her jersey bra. I did the same, and it fits very well. I do need to make a couple of adjustments for my Omega shape, but other than that, this is a very good fit.
There isn’t anything different about the back except I used jersey again. The whole bra is jersey except for the elastics, and the underwire and wires. As well, to keep this very soft and comfortable, I did not stabilize the frame.
I pulled out Catherine (my dress form) for this Angie. She’s a little wider through the back than my white dress form. So I thought the bra would fit better around. And it does.
There isn’t anything different about the back except I did the two stitches to attach the strap elastic again. I do like it better. 
I hope this Angie fits perfectly.
This is a Northcott panel called Angels Above. As soon as I saw it, I really just had to have it. 
The pocket is the same coordinating fabric I used for the back of the apron.
Oh, that’s pretty. I’m very pleased with my new Christmas apron.
Yes. A longline is what she wanted.
Isn’t this pretty? I don’t usually wear white, but I really do like this.
I can’t wait to see it on her. I know she’s going to be a lot happier with more coverage.