I have been making my own bras for a few months now and I have to say it is super addicting! I started off being very skeptical about the whole thing. Although I have always had trouble finding a bra that fits, I did not think that I would even attempt to wear a soft cup bra in public. No way! I have always been a foam cup, preferably with some padding, type of girl. Yet, I found most of my ready to wear bras rarely fit me in the cup and the band at the same time, and overall were uncomfortable. Even with those challenges I was still convinced I would never wear a me-made bra. Was I ever wrong… pretty much after completing my third bra (my first two ended up being true trial runs) and trying it on I was mesmerized by how well it fit. The bra itself wasn’t perfect! But everything seemed to fit so well that I didn’t even need the foam or push up cups to make me look different. For the first time in my life I was truly happy with my natural form and shape! That experience was liberating on so many levels! Fast forward a few months and now I only wear me made bras and I could not be happier with the fit, support, look, feel … everything! It is safe to say that my lingerie drawer never looked better, sexier and more empowering.
This particular set is inspired by Amy’s from Cloth Habit Peaches and Lace Bra. I fell so hard for the peach and gray color combo that I could not stop thinking about it and I knew I had to get my hands onto something that would resemble it. I tried to find a suitable lace, online and in stores, but I couldn’t find quite what I needed. I stumbled upon Bra Maker’s Supply Let Us Chose the Lace Kit (second from the top) and I decided, why not? If it doesn’t work out, I will use it for something else! I picked gray duoplex for my set and in the comments for my order I asked for peach or warm pink lace if possible. I think the team at Bra Maker’s Supply did exceptionally well! The lace I got in my set was exactly what I envisioned!
I used Orange Lingerie Boylston Pattern for the bra. This is my favorite bra pattern so far! Most of my bras are made using this pattern. I simply can not say enough good things about it! I made minor fit modification to the cup by pinching out the excess across the horizontal seam. It seems like it is a common adjustment for me as I’ve had to do it with all my bra patterns, yet size smaller was too small (this explains why ready to wear didn’t fit well). I’ve also opted not to use the fabric strap and instead I added a tiny strap extension to the upper cup which ended up being folded over onto the cup when I attached the ring.
I’ve used gray duoplex as my main fabric, but I tend not to like how shiny it is. So I actually ended up using the “wrong”, less shiny, side of the fabric as my main side. The bra itself is not lined, as duoplex doesn’t fray and I wanted to try my bra out without lining. I have to say, so far it hasn’t been bad! I do prefer the clean look of the lined bra, and I line most of my bras, but I don’t really miss it in this bra.
It is always nice to have a full matching set of a bra and underwear, but I find that I prefer making bras to making undies. Somehow bras are slightly more challenging and hence more exciting. So I made sure that I made a full set this time. I had enough leftover lace to squeeze out two Kingston Thongs. Kingston Thong has a really cool design where you use folded power mesh on the side and it ends up giving you a perfect seamless look. I loved it! Although I altered the original design quite a bit because I prefer a narrower side on my underwear and I love to use the lace in the back.
I am very pleased with how the set turned out! My only issue is that this beauty is hidden under clothes. Not that I would ever have the courage to go sans sweater in public, even if it was acceptable, but part of me does want to tell everyone “you won’t believe what I made and how good it looks!!!” I guess I’ll have to stick showing my underwear off, sans the model, on the blog and Instagram.
Love,
Anya
P.S. I am leaving on vacation for a week tomorrow, but I have so many makes and updates to share so rather than taking a break I decided to schedule posts for the coming week 🙂 I will likely be quiet on my instagram, but it will seem like I have never gone away here.
I love this set! I can’t wait to take the underwire bra making class at camp workroom social so I can make something like this. I have a couple of watson bra kits though, so I will start there. Nice work!
Thank you! Oh you will have so much fun! I am absolutely hooked on bra making. And if you can make a Watson Bra, you can definitely try making an underwire bra. It is not too much more difficult. I can’t wait to hear all about your class!
I also share the same feeling about non-foam bras, it’s so liberating to wear bras which fit and you feel great in them, and it’s truly addictive to make lingerie! I spent like 7-8 months only sewing lingerie, but now that I regularly make workshops I somehow have a need to make clothes rather. But I still have some beautiful lace in my stash 🙂
Oh and I guess I got frustrated that tulle bra lining is not available in my country 🙁 I don’t mind ordering from abroad, but.. you know, it would be so much easier to just pick everything you need in a little shop somewhere nearby. And with clothes it’s much easier to get your notions and everything you need for them.
It really is! I did a similar thing and spent a few months making purely lingerie. It is so awesome to wear your own lingerie every day and feel pretty 🙂 I feel that I have another lingerie bug coming on here, so I am pretty sure I will be attacking my lace stash soon! Isn’t it nice to have a pretty stash of lace?
Oh no! I completely agree! I have to order everything online. There is nothing in my city for lingerie making, at least I can still find things within Canada so I can save on shipping.