So, I've said for years that I was not interested in sewing bras. I've made lots of lingerie items, but never a bra. Sigrid's been sewing lovely bras for quite a while now, and I keep looking at them and appreciating them without feeling the need to emulate her activities. Until now. I got help finding my correct size through a fitting thread on Stitcher's Guild, and then realized that all the bra patterns readily available do not come in my size anyway. Sigrid mentioned ELingerieA, a German site, and their Sewy patterns which come in a much wider range of cup sizes. It seemed like a definite possibility. I ordered a pattern and a kit from them, and was very satisfied with the products and service.
I traced the pattern and thought I'd better tape the paper cup pieces together to see if it was going to be pretty close. Well, not even near, so I decided to just trace the pieces for a bra I have. I was very glad to have the instructions from Sewy though, as there are some tricky points that I'm not sure I would have figured out. I also used the bra I copied to make some operations clear.
Since this was a first trial, I used some fabric I already had instead of the kit fabric I ordered. I used a remnant of all-over lace in cream, and backed it with a 15 denier tricot in lavender that I bought years ago with plans to make a robe. I placed the stretchy grain of the lace perpendicular to the stretch of the tricot, negating the stretch, which is what I wanted. I had a scrap of powernet to use for the back pieces, and the scrap I had was so small I had to piece it, which worked okay, but is not as pretty as it could be.
Since the fabric is fairly sheer, I'm doing 'flat' photos only. I can hardly wait to try another one! I can see why Sigrid says this is addictive.
Link to All Photos
You can see where I pieced the powernet on the back piece.
Close up of the cup and underwire placement.
21 comments:
Bravo! It looks great.
Looking wonderful. Nice to know I've inspired you.
Like you, I've sewn lingerie, except for bras. I'm on the fence, but you're pushing me over!
Wow, that's really pretty! You're tempting me...I thought I'd never sew one...
That is really pretty.
Wow Liana...that is beautiful!
I once was really into sewing lingerie...way back in the 80's.
But over the years I lost interest...but with all the little pretties I've seen made lately...hmmm...may get back to it!
What a beautiful bra! I agree, sewing lingerie is highly addictive - and so easy!
Congrats on making your first bra, looks beautiful.
Soon you will have a drawer full of new made bra's.
Am I ever so impressed with your bra. After reading all of Sigrid's review and blog post, now your post. Oh well, I might think about it. Ordering kits from Europe seems expansive thought. I think that when I finish all the pieces of clothes I so much need for the office and to cure my 42 birth crisis, I will give it a try. Thank you for sharing your hesitation and now first steps into bra fabrication. Wonderful !
Nice result for the first try, eh? Congrats to you!
I'm really iimpressed. That really is lovely. So I will have to do it myself as I am having trouble finding bras I like that fit.
That is once I get sewing other things for a while.
That looks truly gorgeous Liana! It's an impressive result for your first one.
I can tell you that I love looking at them but have NO desire to make them! But I'm glad that you've taken the plunge!!! Oh and it's beautiful too!
Lovely. Don't know if I'll ever try it, but you make it terribly appealing... K
Well, I'll NEVER make my own bras. I'm too busy making my own panties and quilts that I'll never make. This is really pretty, you do make me want to do this. Or at least go shopping for some nicer lingerie. When can we expect the matchng bottoms?
And yes, Liana, I'd LOVE some elastic links. You can post them on SG, if you want for maximum enabling.
First attempt? Wow this is great.
I love looking at Sigrid's work, but one of the reasons I haven't been tempted is the lack of patterns in my cup size. I will have to take a look at that site. It is so hard to find a gorgeous bra that actually fits and doesn't cost a fortune.
Wow, this is fantastic! I am amazed that people can sew their own bras, they seem so...complex!! You should definitely be proud of your work.
Um, first attempt? This looks like RTW! Actually, your quality is better than some RTW I've seen. I can't imagine what beautiful things you'll make in the future.
Liana,
I am quite impressed with your final product. Does this custom made bra have the same uplifting properties as a RTW bra? I ask this only since at times I have tried on lovely, upscale bras that look well supporting, but aren't. LOL, I can't remember when "the girls" stood at attention, as they say. That's just the way it is.
But congratulations for a job well done.
Karen aka Karendee
Do you have a favorite pattern for your bras - I also like the underwire and wider back. Thanks. Sue
so glad you tried it - looks great! My personal favorite patterns for large cup sizes are the Bravo 2 pattern from Bravo Bella bras and the Shelly bra from Beverly Johnson at bramakerssupply in Canada.
Laurel
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