… the sign of the scorpion.
Scorpio was always going to be the difficult one. I literally had zero idea what to do, right up until about last week. Googling scorpion images I did see some rather cool designs for scorpion tattoos that I quite liked. Which led to doodling stylised scorpions and thinking that I could do some printing, and then the practical wardrobe consideration that some of my older lingerie sets are starting to get to the end of their life, underwires starting to work loose, picot edging on some pieces starting to unravel… Boom, decision made.
I forgot to take many pictures of my design process … but these are two of my preliminary sketches for my scorpions. My final design had seven writhing scorpions, which I applied to the fabric first one way and then the other, to lose any obvious repeatability in the print. Ahem, probably a completely unnecessary thing to do considering the tiny pattern pieces in lingerie!
The fabric is a sandy coloured cotton jersey, bought as a huge roll at the Morrison remnant sale last year. The set used but a teensy portion of this! I wanted the scorpions’ colour to be sort of variegated, not flat; so I used two colours, an apricot-y pink and a yellow-y mustard, put down on the screen in unmixed blobs. The marbling turned out to be real subtle. You can just see it if you squint a bit 😉
To economise my print, I first laid out my pattern pieces in the most fabric economical layout I could, and roughly marked each piece out by dotting about a centimetre outside the cutting lines of each, using a purple water soluble pen. This was to ensure that I covered each pattern piece with my print fully, as well during the printing process I cut out some pieces and printed them separately to achieve better placement of the print.
Patterns: the bra is KwikSew 3300, modified to have a foam cup insert
as described here. I left the straps plain and unprinted because I’ve got a couple of bra-strap-revealing summery tops, so a nice unobtrusive beige strap is just the ticket. I left off the sliders because the only ones I could get were brilliantly snowy white. which would have looked
awful. So I just went with a plain strap, with a length of the lingerie elastic sewn between the back and the strap providing the wearing ease. Both pairs of matching undies are the bikini portion of McCalls 2772, a pattern I’ve used a lot for undies. I used unprinted self fabric for the panty liners but it blends in so perfectly you can’t even see them in the picture above!
I usually use 1cm lingerie elastic on my lingerie.. and when I went to get some more of the pale yellow, Spotlight only had the 1.5cm width; aaagh!… so I had to use this wider stuff on the upper sections of the bra. Oh well (shrug) you can only see that it’s wider on the inside!
You can probably also see the hand pick-stitching around the perimeter, my version of under-stitching that secures the bra lining to the foam cup. I don’t know if this stitching is necessary or not?but I just don’t like the idea of the foam cup not attached to anything, possibly floating about in the wash. I stitch it all together, just in case.
I did make some teeny mini-bows using orange-y mustard coloured ribbon, and trialled sewing them on the set as decoration, but took them off. That scorpion print is plenty busy enough already!
This undergarment set came out beautifully! I love your Scorpio designed fabric. I have Kwik Sew 3167 camisole and panties that I'm going to attempt. It will, theoretically, be easier than this one as it does not have underwire or padding.
What a credit to you Carolyn – the fabric, the colours, the sewing . Making undies must be so fiddly…
This is so lovely! You did an amazing job! I'm not yet at the skill to make bras, but I cannot wait until I feel ready to tackle the task! 😀 This makes me even more excited to do so!
Carolyn, when are you giving up your day job!!?? Your fabric printing skills are amazing.
thanks Gail… and I wish! 🙂
You are a whiz at making underthings!!
Amazing printing and love this set!
It is great looking.
I absolutely love this design – the undies are too nice to hide…
knowledge to make her lingerie always impresses me! I would like to know do the same.
Incredible! You are so talented! LOVE LOVE
Wow, I can´t believe that you printed the fabric yourself! I looked at the pics and then: wait, the print is handmade, too. Beautiful! Could you wear the set at the beach to show off?
Wow, Fantastic! That print is awesome! You certainly make beautiful undergarments!
Oh to make my own underwear – a distant dream. These are brilliant and they are so well made and finished – AS EVER!! Jo x
Scorpios are hot and so is your project, LOVE the result! You're so creative and it's flawlessly made as usual.
Beautiful and fun as always! You must hear it all the time, but you're so creative and inspiring. I have to keep myself from writing that exact same comment over and over about everything you make since it's always the first thought to pop in my head!
I'm so impressed that you make practical underwear so beautifully. Why you would want scorpions on your underwear is beyond me, but to each his own.
That's my sign!!
WANT.
I agree with Gayle–when are you giving up your day job??
Your fabric is gorgeous! I love your design for this scorpion. Really, it's wonderful. If you ever feel like printing it onto a couple of yards of fabric and then mailing it halfway across the world, I happen to know a gal that's enamored with the design and would turn it into and awesome dress or shirt, or skirt, or something! (but not underwear. that seems to be the only thing I don't sew. yet…) I think this is my favorite print you've done yet!
what a great idea to use elastic with the strap instead of sliders. I will definitely remember that when I try to make undergarments one day.
How amazing to not only make such a perfect bra set, but to also have printed the fabric yourself.
thanks Sheree 🙂
so fantastic! love your fabric printing.
Wow! I´m a scorpio myself and I´m in love with that print. Very,very stylish and fun. Your lingerie look always terrific!
I haven't seen any astrological signs in a while. The print looks so fresh and fun. I am inspired. Thanks for alway sharing your patterns with us.
Your lingerie making skills amaze me, and to think that you printed the design on the fabric too. You are so talented.
Very very pretty!
I so love this set… and I love the print too; stylish scorpions on your underwear is a great idea!
This is one of my favorite of your printed fabrics and the way you positioned your scorpions looks really nice. Perfect for your lingerie project.
Girly, Lovely as always! I purchased that Kwik Sew Bra pattern and someday when my life slows down whew, I am going to make it! I bought lace to try the boy short type undies made from the wide stretch lace. Your Scorpion fabric you did is fantastic!
Very neat job on the fabric printing – although when I first saw them, I thought they were small lobsters. Just couldn't imagine Scorpion underwear, even knowing that the theme was Scorpio. You can do so many things that I would call you a true Renaissance Woman.
Love your scorpion print! Fun, but I think will get lots of wear, with the neutral straps. You make the best handmade underwear on the web.
Your undies turned out awesome, the scorpion print is soooo cute! Love it! Very neat job!
Oh, Carolyn, this set is so beautiful! If I make lingerie one day be sure that I'm going to use this post as a reference.
I love the scorpio design!
Ooh, I like your print! I thought it was just an abstract at first glance, I love things like that when they make you look twice.
The forum is a unique and interesting
sell your artwork
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