April Fool's Day - A Surprise Post...

Hello everyone,
Yes, I have a cheeky smile on my face, because today is April Fool's Day. And this post looks like it is going to be about a t-shirt, but no, I'm actually doing my first post about lingerie. I've just completed my first bra, and was not going to post my opening picture showing me in a bathroom selfie, wearing my first bra attempt:

I've actually change the picture a bit, by using photoshop - this is a water colour rendering of my original photo, which was a little too candid for my liking!
The pattern I used was one I stashed some years ago, with the idea that one day I would be made enough to attempt to make these things! It's Kwik Sew 3594.
As you can see, it has been drafted by Kerstin Martensson, so it is a nice little make. Before I made this bra, I watched a Craftsy course called Sewing Bras: Construction and Fit, by Beverly Johnson. This class really takes you through the materials and steps needed to make a bra.
I had already purchased a few odds and ends a few years ago - elastic, closures, and so on. I used a cotton lycra knit for the band, and scraps of cotton jersey for the cups and self fabric straps.
Now, I do not always learn things easily, so I had a bit of a practice run with pink scraps:
Now, the stitching across the bust and down the centre of the front is my adaption - I used a stretch stitch here, you are supposed to use a straight stitch. But as I was playing around, I wanted to see what this stitch would do. Yes, a poor student of technique I know, but I love the idea of this stitch for use somewhere one day!
I'm glad I did this practice, because I hadn't quite got the gist of what Beverly had shown us. So then I did my first practice run to completion.
Measuring and fitting a bra is quite complex. I could be a 32A, 32C, 34A,34B or 36A depending on a number of factors - you can use high bust, full bust, underbust and cup depth measurements. In the end I plumped for 34B as a starting point. It has come out a little too large, I think too deep in the lower cup, and I could take a tuck out of the centre of the cup. The band feels right. So I think I should try an A cup, but stay with the same band size. However, the bra is quite wearable, and just oh so comfortable, so I think it will be worn in the evening when I want to wear something comfortable. I also need to test how it wears for a day, and how it stands up to wash and wear.
I'll quickly show you what the bra looked like - and bear in mind that I am a beginner, so this is not my greatest work:
I find that this is very fiddly sort of sewing, but I sort of enjoy it, as I often get what I call fragmented time. Much of my sewing is done 5 minutes here, 5 minutes there, which is not a very enjoyable way of sewing and gets frustrating. So I think sewing little things like this will actually be good way for me to keep a sewing rhythm. I think I would also get fed up doing little seams for a long stretch of time, but a small run while having morning coffee will be really nice way to tackle this sort of sewing. And ordinary garments can be done when I have half hour blocks.
So, with this plan in mind, I have purchase bits of similar stretch and weight cotton jerseys in different colours, along with lots of elastics, casings, closures etc from a supplier in Australia called - wait for it - "Booby Traps". They are the number one in Australia for lingerie supplies, but I have not found this on any of the blogs I have read about bra making.
And next week I will tell you about the striped t-shirt :)
Bye for now,
Sarah Liz
Well done! My first attempt was terrible. It sat in the naughty corner while I made simple trousers. Then it fell it into the bin while I made a simple tshirt. I may eventually blog about it..
ReplyDeleteVery nice first bra, Sarah Liz!
ReplyDeleteLooks good. And it's comfortable too! I haven't tried - no plans to do so at this stage but I did buy that class a while back. Fitting is the key.
ReplyDeleteIt's David's birthday today so we're out and about
So Professional looking ! I admire your ambition. I've thought about making bras because I'm hard to fit but can't seem to take that step !
ReplyDeletePretty good first attempt.. I'm impressed. I think it's the sizing that puts me off starting. I knew about Booby Traps since the '90's when they used to have a stall at Paddington markets of all places. I'd be interested to hear your opinion of their supplies.
ReplyDeleteThis doesn't look like a first attempt. You did such an amazing job. I'd love to be able to make bras some day, but I'll certainly need a class first. Yours came out very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWHat a wonderful job , Looks fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI have never sewed bras...and don't think I will. [I think too complicated for me]..lol
Happy sewing.
ps-- Happy April Fool's Day..
DeleteThats amazing! I wouldnt know this is your first attempt. I think I would find bra making too fiddly! You've done a great job. Oh! And your tee shirt is fab. One of my favourites of your makes so far!!
ReplyDeleteVery impressive for your first bra and I've attended a class at Bobby Traps but haven't blogged it.
ReplyDeleteLooks fantastic and well-made!! A most successful first step in lingerie making I'd say. And what a great play on words there!!! :)
ReplyDeleteLooks really good to me! You have inspired me to make a bra for myself too. It is one of those projects that seem to terrify me. But you have definitely encouraged me to do it!
ReplyDeleteI have to hand it to you Ms. Sara Liz! Your first brazier turned out great. I have been thinking about venturing out, and will this year. I have several patterns, just want a basic good bra, and knickers. Love your top too!
ReplyDeleteFantastic job. I have to get that pattern. Thanks for sharing the details. Well done!
ReplyDeleteYou did a very neat job. Love your new bra and looks easy to wear too :)
ReplyDelete