Friday, April 9, 2010

Not for the Faint-Hearted...

I have been sewing underwear recently.... no need to avert your eyes just yet...there will be no modeled pictures..not in this post and not without prior warning!

Firstly I made an underwear set for my nephew's fourth birthday...




Both are from Ottobre 4/04. I hope they will fit him...I made both size 116cm.

I have also made myself a new bra..I bought a pattern and a kit a while ago and made a few practice bras and then one really well fitting bra...then the inevitable happened...I got too full of myself and made a total wadder! (That's what I understand they're called!)
Anyhow...I have since dusted myself down and tried again and I'm so glad I did. I made another almost perfect bra. I used the Pin-up Girls Linda Pattern and this fabric. It is amazing the different styles and shapes of bra that are out there, and how they fit and why they fit. I had a think about it and decided that I needed a bra with little or no band on the bottom, under the wires. I have a little ridge..(read..roll of fat) at that point which makes bands uncomfortable on me.



I now have two well fitting bras, that are very comfortable ....if only I could find the first one I made! I think it lost when we changed to our new bedroom.



I wear a 38DD(38E) (80E) in RTW but ended up making a 36E(80E). Not an "extreme" size but, believe me the choice gets limited once you go above a C cup.



I also made knickers to match..( knickers in this part of the world are panties, that word "panties" makes me cringe for some reason!). I bought a simple pattern, nothing fancy, It is a Danglez pattern and I have made the "skimpier" version. They offer very good coverage..I'd say the bigger ones would give Bridget Jones a run for her money!


I will take a photo of the finished bra and knickers when I get a chance..

Heather has been a huge help to me...she makes amazing underwear for herself, her daughter, her friend and her mother! And she's a tonic! It's seldom I don't laugh at least once when reading her blog.



So without further ado...Some knickers I made last night....





Now all I need is some more supplies to make a bra to match.....


BEWARE: Lingerie making is highly addictive!

I will try and tell people wher I get my supplies at the end of each post...enabling is what I think it's called!

Vest and boxers: All fabrics from Dots'n'Stripes Pattern from Ottobre 4/04

Knickers: Main fabric from SewFabrics Pattern and elastic and lace all from Elingeria

14 comments:

Nicole said...

I can't wait to see a picture of the bra and knickers! I've never tried making them myself, but seeing your black and white knickers, maybe I should. And I'm sure your nephew will love his new underwear!

Melissa said...

I love the boys things you made! very manly :)

I'm also inspired by you - making your own bra! Wow! I think I'm built like you are on top (*nothing* like you on the bottom, judging by the knickers on the grid, lol! I'd have to lay mine on the floor and stand on a chair to get them to fit in the pic). I'll have to check out that pattern, because spending over $80 per bra leaves me with only two (and they're almost two years old...happy birthday ratty lingerie!)

Great job, and thank you for listing your sources!

Millie said...

Thank you both...

Nicole- The knickers are easy-peasy, really..well worth doing. I will get the others photographed and see what you think. Not modeled I would like remind you!..(well maybe a link to the bra modeled, to show the fit?)

Melissa- I was wearing nursing bras until very recently..I bought them almost 2 years ago.
And the knickers I am about to burn are cheap, huge ones I got to go above my C-section scar after the twins were born almost 2yrs ago!
I would say to you to examine how your favourite bra is made and buy a similar pattern.

Heather said...

The undies set looks great! I really like that Ottobre pattern. I made some for my son but he's grown out of them! Your knickers are so cute! The striped fabric will make a fun bra. And you're so very welcome for all the assistance. It's been my pleasure! ;-D

said...

How cool is that! You are a star, making a bra - amazing!!!

Congratulations, great!

Millie said...

Thanks Heather..I've made my son, maybe 4 pairs fo the boxers before..He loves them. The striped fabric should be fun, as you say, I will use it as a challenge! It has been lovely to know you a bit better, through all the help you've given me.
I forgot to mention the underwear you've made for your husband and son...How could I have forgotten!!

Nina...You're very kind! Thank you.. I just took a chance that I might be able to make a bra..Getting a good fit is the hardest part, I was quite lucky. I only made one that was too big. The second one was a good fit, so I've stuck with that pattern in that size.
Elingeria has great tutorials on the German version of their site, you should take a look. It is interesting to see how lingerie is put together.

Joy said...

Wow, I admire you for making bras since they seem the most daunting to me. I don't know if I'll ever tackle those!

We call knickers "undies". Much better than panties!

Millie said...

Thanks Joy..Bras really are not difficult. Precision is needed, however. I am not a very precise sewer, I tend to just hope for the best! I have to work really hard to be exacting with bras.

As for my panties comment, I didn't mean to be so critical...Sorry everyone, but it is what my mother calls them, sometimes. I think it makes me feel like a child again, in the swimming pool changing rooms!

Dina said...

Wow!! making your own bra! that is fantastic well done

Millie said...

Thanks Dina...That's very kind of you to say...

Ana said...

I've always wondered about making underwear for myself. I imagine it's a good way of using up small scraps, especially for bras, and you could use fabulous patchwork cottons. Did you use jersey for the bras or woven cottons?

ps. I agree, Millie - panties is a terrible word! I'm a 'knickers' or 'drawers' gal meself. But perhaps that's a bit too much information...

Millie said...

Ana..I used special lingerie lycra. So no, not woven. It has a bit of stretch, but only a little. For bigger busted girls, the bottom part of the cup needs to be reinforced.
The black and white stripe fabric is a 4 way stretch jersey, which, if I make a bra will need lots of stabilizing for certain parts. It will be a challenge!
Thanks for the support on the panty issue!

Alissa said...

the little boxers are hilarious! so cute!

Millie said...

Thanks Alissa..Nice of you to say so. My almost 6 year old son has several and loves them.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails