I haven’t updated much on how the sewing is going recently, mostly because I was waiting for a couple of very exciting developments.
May I present: my first ever finished bra! Oh man, this has been a long while coming. I’ve been experimenting with Orange Lingerie’s Marlborough Bra for a month or so – mostly with elastic and bits ‘saved’ from old bras. This has been to make sure I’m confident in the construction before I cut into the nice fabric. Well, it was worth it. I have to say, this bra is possibly the nicest finished item I’ve ever sewn – if not for one wonky seam and the lack of a tag, you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between it and a bra bought at New Look. There is, however, one drawback: I made the wrong size! Unfortunately it’s a 40B and I should be a 40D or 40DD in this pattern. The band is a perfect fit though? Fortunately I think this will be the right size for my mum, so my first finished bra is going to be a gift!
There are a couple of changes I have made/I will make going forward:
- I didn’t have any scalloped edge lace, so I finished the upper edge of my cup with bias tape
- In my next iteration (currently in progress) I’ve widened the top of the power bar so that when it folds over the ring of the strap it’s a lot wider – that’s just a personal visual preference, I don’t like the very small connection to the quite wide strap.
- Thinner elastic used on the bottom of the band – the elastic used on this was too wide, and I struggled with space to turn it over under the cups.
All elastics and fabrics (apart from bias tape) come from the fantastic Bra Shop on Etsy – only £1.50 shipping, which considering how often I buy supplies on Etsy and then spend the same amount on shipping it is absolutely fantastic.
I also ventured into the world of underwear making, and I am never buying them ever again. And the pair I made isn’t even finished! I made OhLuLu’s High Waisted Panties, which fit like a dream. They don’t have elastic yet – I’m still waiting for my fold over elastic to arrive – but they’re going to be a fast favourite, given pre-elastic they only took about 30 minutes to throw together. I think I’m going to make a blue velvet pair next, for some slinky excitement.
And finally for the main event: my two new sewing books! Madalynne had a competition a couple of weeks ago to win Gertie of Gertie’s Blog for Better Sewing’s new dress making book. I entered, because why wouldn’t you, and promptly forgot forgot about. Not long after I was scrolling through Miss Maddy Sews and saw her post about the cigarette trousers in Gertie’s earlier book, Gertie Sews Vintage Casual. Now, one of the clothing items I am in need of and want a good pattern for is trousers, and having had a look around at reviews and found the book on book depository, I bought it.
Two days later Madalynne emailed me saying I had won the dress making book! I was so thrilled, and excited to get my hands on this book, so I went back to the original blog post to psych myself up for it. Unfortunately, I noticed the contest was only available to residents of the US and Canada, and of course I live in London. I emailed back apologising for the mix up, but I was not actually eligible. The very kind US publisher then organised for the UK publisher to send me a copy anyway – honesty for the win!
So, now I have in my possession both Gertie Sews Vintage Casual and Gertie’s Ultimate Dress Book. I’ve had a quick read of the second, and my first impression is this would be a fantastic book for the sewer looking to move from make up bags and aprons to dress making – it’s mind-boggling comprehensive. There is so much to learn, and once I have a couple more bras under my belt this will take care of my sewing projects for the next… oh, maybe two or even three years! (I ‘saved’ so much elastic and notions from old bra’s that I’m down to three functional bra’s…whoops)
Hopefully I’ll have some new elastics and fabric in the next week to play with underwear/bra wise, so my next sewing post might even involve wearing a bra!
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