The Loveliest Margareta

~ Michelle ~ 2 Comments

Do you ever save a piece of lace? It’s just so pretty, you save it for that perfect project?

Well, I’ve had this lace for a few years now. It’s just so pretty. But it was time to sew it up, and I have to say it’s made the prettiest Margareta. This lace has a story too. I think it started with Karin (Braphoria), then Maria who bought the company next. Then MargieB bought it. However, once I saw it, I knew I had to have it.

Still, I think it’s lovely for a well-traveled lace.  Oh, those shades of blue are lovely. The shading detail in the sheer mesh behind the embroidery.

I really do love lace.   And I think I really love this bra! It’s so pretty!

I think I need some navy cotton Lycra now for some matchy-matchy. I’ve made a few adjustments to this pattern, and I think this just might be it, but looking at it in photos, I might need to re-look at how the sides are fitting.

I was also thinking of trying Prima Donna’s downward hike on a bra again.

I think I’ll go check my stash to see if I have any navy CL.

Happy creating!

Em’s April Watson

~ Michelle

It was time. I had to sew Em’s bra for April. Being a little pressed for time this month with all the fitting bras, I didn’t try a new pattern for her. No, I went back to the very charming Watson bra.

We went through some of my stash and Em picked this mesh and lace. I hope she loves this one too. I had a little bit of lace left over, so I cut out the flowers and added those to the frame on one side.     On the other side, I had the flower coming up the side of the cup as well.

Of course to finish a pretty bra, I add a bow. This is a very light weight bra. The mesh is very light, and so is the lace. As Em doesn’t need support, I’m not adding it behind the frame or in the cups.

However, the lace is non-stretch so there will still be a little support.  

This should be lovely to wear in the summer or warmer months as it’s so very light.

After my class next month, I hope to venture into other patterns for Em. Do you have a favorite light-support bra or bralette?

Happy creating!

Colorful Margareta

~ Michelle ~ 2 Comments

When I was sewing the fitting bras, I was sewing them in size groups. So all the sizes equivalent to the PUG size 2s were sewn at the same time, and then the those equivalent to the size 3s, and etc. Although the Margareta uses European sizes, I was still able to sew the equivalent sizes in groups.

So, when I was sewing up my first Margareta, I decided to sew up my second one as well.

Even though the two kits I was using were very different, I was using the same color finding kits for both – pistachio green.

You saw this last week.  Now to show you my new Margareta, also with the lovely pistachio findings. Oh, I love this kit. This is the Colorful February bra kit. I just love it!    Isn’t this lace so pretty? As I mentioned last week, this fits really well. There’s just one adjustment I still need to make. This bra has the channeling laying side by side at the top of the bridge and I just don’t have enough room for that.  I love having a new pattern that fits so well.

I still haven’t shown you Em’s bra for April. I’ll do that next week. I’m off to alter my pattern for the Margareta bridge.

Happy creating!

Neon Garden Margareta

~ Michelle ~ 8 Comments

After sewing all those lovely Margareta fitting bras, I really wanted to sew a Margareta for myself. So I did just that.

I used a kit that has been in my stash for a few months, and unfortunately is sold out at Bwear.

This was their Neon Garden kit. I had used some of this lace for Em’s March bra. And I purposely didn’t try to match the lace motifs so there would be enough left over for me.

I’m glad I did.     Before sewing this up, I knew I’d have to make a number of changes to the pattern so it would fit me.

I did my Omega adjustments: I lowered the bridge, lowered the side of the frame and narrowed it. I took darts out of all the cup seams so it would fit into the now smaller frame. Lastly I took 1/2″ out of the upper cup depth.

I did sew up a quick mock up and was pretty sure I was really close. So I broke out the pretty lace. If you look closely, this lace isn’t matched either. There just wasn’t enough lace left to match. So I made pretty cups with an all-over pattern. There’s only one more adjustment I need to make for this to fit perfectly: I need to narrow the upper bridge. Everything else was great.    This is so pretty!

Next week I’ll share another lovely Margareta.

Until then, Happy creating!

Storing and Transporting my Fitting Bras.

~ 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

~ 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

~ 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

~ 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

~ 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

~ 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!