Another lingerie set, and a new-to-me bra pattern. This is pattern 2610 for a balconette style bra by makeBra, a Finnish lingerie pattern company. The two pairs of matching knickers are my usual McCalls 2772.
The watercolour fabric is from Fabulous Fabrics. When I made my floral birthday dress last year, I originally wanted to make a lingerie set from the fabric and was talked out of it. Obviously I do not regret making that dress instead; it’s one of my favourites! but that floral lingerie set was still in my head, crying out to be made. I really really wanted realise it, too. So recently I snuck out and sneakily bought 50cm of a different splashy floral stretch knit and quietly made it without showing the fabric to anyone who might talk me around hehehe… Note to self; 50cm is the perfect length to cut out a bra and two pairs of matching knickers.
The makeBra pattern; well, I LOVE it!! I’ve been hankering after a balconette style bra, one designed specifically for a foam lining. I really do prefer a foam lining. All my current bras are made using KwikSew 3300 which is an absolutely terrific little pattern, but it’s not specially designed for a foam lining. I usually forced a foam cup lining on it, found a way to make it happen, but it was always flying against the spirit of the pattern, if you know what I mean.
I bought a paper pattern in one size, which is a money saver. You can get it in a multisized pattern if you’re not sure of your exact size and that costs more. I’m familiar enough with my needed size that I decided to go with the single size and I’m happy to report that it does fit me beautifully and the sizing is spot on.
At the same time I bought two basic lingerie kits; black and ivory. THESE ARE FABULOUS!!!!!
It was a real pleasure, and so much easier, to sew a bra using such high quality materials and findings. Up until now I’d been making my own shoulder straps and underwire casings as per the KwikSew pattern instructions, and using rings, sliders and underwear elastic from Spotlight, which is meh, kinda-ok standard. Hey, absolutely nothing “wrong” with that of course, but now my eyes have been opened to how using proper underwire casings and really nice lingerie elastic is SO MUCH BETTER. I’m talking rtw quality here.
The makeBra website also has this absolutely brilliant video where you can watch someone making a bra. I was soooo impressed at how quickly and easily that girl whizzed up a beautiful bra in the video, I cannot tell you. Gobsmacked. It was a revelation! On viewing that video I realised how difficult I’d been making it for myself, by using less than good quality materials available and “making do”. She didn’t even pin her underwire casings anywhere to sew them on, compared to my homemade, bias-cut, double folded voile underwire casings requiring 7000 pins to hold it evenly in place…. man! Well, now; I know. I didn’t use pins either this time and I think the finish turned out pretty nice!
And her machine… *drool* My poor little old Janome is nowhere near that smooth. But I’m banishing any and all machine envy thoughts. I love my dear faithful little Janome.
I do have one tiny hmph with the makeBra pattern; you have to go to the website to get the full instructions, including elastic lengths etc. I mean, no real biggie, I’ve noted the relevant elastic lengths in with my pattern now, but would it have been really so hard to include that info in with the pattern? What if your internet was down when you wanted to use your new pattern? I would say that is my one pet peeve with modern-day online pattern services: I think when you buy a pattern, you should get with it everything you need by way of instructions, and you should not have to search through some website to find necessary information.
But small grumps aside; essentially a fantastic pattern, went together like an absolute dream. There will be lots more of these in my life 🙂
I cant belive ! It's just amazing ! I want to know how to o the same !!!! Actualy it's seem too difficult for me ! KISS
Me encanta la tela! Y el resultado… perfecto!
Yo lo veo tan difÃcil de hacer…
Un beso, Cristina.
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I am very interested in your comments as I've been exploring this site. I am also looking at the Merckwaerdigh bra (but find I can't pronounce it!). Your lingerie set is divine and I am so glad you held out and made the watercolour version.
Wow – these are seriously gorgeous, Carolyn! I love the slightly different V shape seams on the cup. And I need to watch that video – NOW – because I too have been pinning the living daylights out of my underwire casing to get it to sew on place, and I'm just a little blown away at how good your casing top stitching looks.
Impressive as ever. Very fair review too. Lovely fabric and glad you 'snuck back' for what you wanted!
My oh my, Perfection itself. Jo x
Oh my goodness…!!! I LOVE this. Such a pretty little set. I am so impressed. Seriously, you are starting to make me think I need to give bras a go…
Oh, wow! That set is just stunning. I hadn't heard of this company before, so thanks for the review. I'm really wanting to make a start on lingerie sewing and the idea of a kit to start with sounds ideal….Might have to go investigate!
Oh, this is such a beautiful set! So far I have been able to stay away from lingerie sewing, but this looks very convincing. So pretty.
Your new set is gorgeous! It will surely be a treat to wear this well-made and beautiful lingerie hidden under your outfits. (Also, I like how the kit information you link to says, "The Basic Kit frees you to focus on designing the look of the cup – the funniest part of bra making.")
so pretty
Wow, you are one talented lady – a beautiful set
Caz xx
Wow! Now I know that there's nothing you can't sew! Yay for you!
Beautiful! I always love your lingerie sets!
Absolutely beautiful. If that was available RTW in my size I would buy it without hesitating. I think I really need to learn how to make my own lingerie, must be so satisfying.
Gorgeous set Carolyn. I agree that all necessary information should be included in the instructions.
So professional!!!
Love it! Whenever I finish a bra, I have to stop myself from making another one immediately. That purchased plush channeling is one thing I can't do without. Your set is beautiful!
BEAUTIFUL! I love the print and it all looks professionally made. Bravo!
Just beautiful! I do agree that all info should be with the pattern!
GORGEOUS!
Very cute – and so well made (as usual!) I recently took a one week 'Boob Camp' and learned about bra making. Absolutely amazing. I have to agree with you about using matching findings (elastics/rings/sliders) an actually using the right fabrics and elastics for the job – it certainly gives your creation a really professional look. Next up for me is making the matching knickers/boyshorts – you have inspired me!!!
Gorgeous, love the fabric and your delight with this pattern (except the one omission) has me thinking of heading in this direction. Did my first workshop last month, size not perfect but pretty close.
What a BEE-OOUU-TIFUL set of lingerie. Your faithful Janome has done a good job, even if it struggled. I agree with you about the instructions – unless it is a full internet PDF pattern, it should have instructions. And even internet PDFs have instructions, so worthwhile peeve I think 🙂
Just gorgeous. RTW will never hold any appeal if you can make something like that lingerie set.
Love love LOVE that fabric! This is a seriously gorgeous set, what a clever girl!
So perfect! You've inspired me to go out and make my own. Thank you!
This is rad, Carolyn! I've just had a poke around the website and it is awesome- the idea of being able to buy kits that have everything is fantastic!
Very lovely and thanks for the link to the kits, would love to give it a go sometime.
I absolutely love the look of the watercolour bra, which is so beautifully made. In fact the fabric is so nice it would be lovely in a blouse.
I once sent off for one of these kits – but it never arrived, so I gave up. Good excuse, as it seems to be so tricky to get the bra to look and fit just right. Also I like a specific brand and I don't believe I could get such a good shape from hand made – but of course it should be possible given the right materials. Also I prefer a skin coloured bra that doesn't show, so would probably not make a patterned one myself. I feel I am making excuses in the face of your amazing committment to dressing head to toe, and skin to coat in hand made clothes. Including tights. OK I admit it. I need to tackle lingerie sometime. Thank you for the inspiration!
The fabric you chose is lovely and I can definitely see the benefits of quality notions.
What a beautiful set!
I think I have seen a pattern from MakeBra once before, but I'm glad you reminded me of this company. I went to the site to have a look at the patterns straight away. It's really interesting how they abandon traditional bra seam lines to make the most of the cut-and-sew foam. Maybe I should try one of their patterns…
This is such a gorgeous set and so professionally sewn.
Wow! Your lingerie is going from strength to strength – this set is just beautiful! I swore I wouldn't make bras but I think I'll have to look into that company after seeing what you achieved with their pattern (oh and after many many earlier sets of lingerie under your belt, I know… )
This is so beautiful!! I clicked on it to see where I could buy it and was amazed to find that it was handmade by you! What a talent!
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These are genuinely very lovely. I like the shape but was disappointed to find the pattern doesn't come in larger cup sizes. It's so inconvenient to have this shape for sewing lol! Anyway I always thought your finish was very professional – these are no exception. Impressive non-use of pins!
Wow, very beautiful!
Gorgeous set!
It's awesome:)
Simply gorgeous! Have you thought about making your own pattern? I did mine from scratch using a tutorial I found online, the pattern that I have been using up until now is very similar in looks to this one. I have yet to play around with design lines though (it's on my to-do list!)
I'm being so inspired by your lingerie making. I'm confident with the undies now. Next stop bralette-type bras, then underwire!
Thankyou very much for that link to the video from Makebra. Really helpful.
Oooh! Thanks for sharing the "make bra" link! My body has gone through so many changes, I'm a bit scared to start sewing lingerie, but I've up-cycled two preggo panties and turned them into regular ones. They're my fave undies at this point!
Lovely print! I'm glad that you were able to sneak it in to actualize your floral vision – isn't it interesting how we get creative ideas that stay with us until we make them into reality? It's a good feeling to see something like that come to fruition. I also really like the triangle shaping on the bra pattern – it's unique and looks quite flattering, as well.
Lovely set! I have this pattern in my queue, so it's nice to hear you had good luck with it.
Wow that looks shop bought. I wish I could be there to see the process. I would love to go onto lingerie one day (I will start with corsets and move along from there). Thanks for sharing
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Truly beautiful fabric. Don't think I'm likely to ever make my own undies but you certainly seem to have it down to a fine art!
Absolutely wonderful and I'm glad you got your hands on some good notions. It makes a worlds a difference!
I'm going to check out that Make bra video immediately! You're lingerie is just lovely- amazing fabric!