Still More Bras

I've been having so much fun playing with bra sewing. Just can't stop.

polka dots 

My latest is the Jasmine bra from Ohhh Lulu. You may notice one of the straps is a bit mucky. I was so excited when I finished this first version that I rushed over to show my friend Jessica in a gully-busting rain storm. Bit of mud; it will wash out.

The Jasmine is a version of what they call a bralette, which, according to the internet, is "A lightweight, simple design, usually an unlined, soft-cup pullover style bra. The breasts are covered but the bra offers little, if any, real support and is suitable for small busts."

I'd say the Jasmine provides a surprising amount of support for such a straightforward style. Plenty for this small bust anyway.

The pattern calls for a two hook closure, but I omitted that and made my versions up as pullovers. I find I usually pull my bras off and on even when they do have closures. So much easier, and so much more comfortable to wear. 

There are only three pattern pieces. No tricky curves, no easing. The cups are two piece with a vertical seam and I just cut the back band on the fold to get rid of the closure.

version two

I can get this bra out of the leftovers from a half yard of jersey that was used to make a baby tee shirt.

close-up of cups with cute raccoons

I made myself three of these bras this last week. Quick, easy and fun. The designer has a Youtube channel with a bunch of nifty tutorials that walk you through constructing her lingerie, including handling all the elastics and closures.

version three

My version three is from some scraps of Day of the Dead jersey. Very soft and comfy.

Day of the Dead jersey

Here's the Brindle & Twig 6 month tee for which I actually bought this jersey.

Baby tee shirt, also from half yard of this soft jersey

One of these days I may go wild and make a fancy lace and satin version of this pattern. Come to think of it, I have some lace up in the fabric closet that might do very nicely.

Awwww, look. We can be twins!

Until then, I'll keep going through my jersey scraps and have a whale of a time.

My pattern review is on PatternReview.com here.

Building My Bra Wardrobe

I'm plugging away towards my long-term goal of never buying another RTW bra again in life. For some reason, bra shopping is my most hated retail excursion. I don't have fun trying them on, I sure don't have fun paying for them and I usually don't have fun wearing them. I've never found an underwire that doesn't stab me in the ribs and the hook-and-eye fasteners always poke me when I lean back in my chair.

The latest entry in my library of bra patterns is the Florence, by Seamwork. They call it a lounge bra, but for me it works great as an all-day, every day bra. They also say you can stitch one up in three hours and I think that's accurate. Or less, probably, once you get the elastic techniques under your belt.

Florence fits a wide range of sizes, from a 33 inch bust up to a 54 inch bust. I cut a small for my 35 inch bust and I think the fit is pretty good. Florence is supportive enough for me; but then, I don't have much to support. The larger busted lady might find this bra too flimsy to do much good.

Front view on mini me

Florence is a pull-on bra, which I love. I generally pull my bras off and on over my head anyway, even when they do have closures. I'm either very lazy or very efficient, I guess.

back view

I made myself two, one in a plum bamboo knit and one in a periwinkle mesh. The pattern is actually designed to work with stretch lace. I might need to give that a try. I think I have some squirreled away  upstairs in my fabric closet.

Florence is the third addition to my stable of bra patterns. Between the Josephine (Ohhh Lulu), the Watson (Cloth Habit) and the Florence, my bra needs will be well taken care of. 

My pattern review is on PatternReview.com here.