I’ve made a new lingerie set and I think it turned out quite noice.
This little soft bralette design has been bouncing around in my mental wish-to-make-list for yonks. It’s more of a pull over the head, lacy camisole than a bra really; and is a near-copy of a Lovable bralette I used to wear donkey’s years ago. I’ve even kept the original one tucked away in a drawer, just to try to reproduce it one day. That day has come, weeeee! I’m very happy with my copy, even though the lace I used is a bit too wide. It’s such extraordinarily pretty lace though, so that’s an ok compromise in my book.
The reason I wanted to make another one for myself is that the original one really was such a nice thing to wear under big loose tops or something a little sheer. The lace shoulder straps look really pretty if they happen to peep out and don’t really look too much like a “bra”.
Also I wear a lot of white/ivory in summer, so white/beige underthings are always very handy.
It’s super comfortable, and although it doesn’t look particularly supportive, it actually is. Pictured above on poor long-suffering Bessie, that joining seam appears to cut right across her bust in a most uncomfortable way; however Bessie is actually bigger than me. On me the shoulder strap lace comes down and around and sits perfectly moulded underneath my bust and so it’s actually does give a surprisingly good amount of support. I’m fairly fortunate I guess in that I don’t need much, hehehe… well, hey; there’s got to be some advantages!!
I made the usual two pairs of matching undies to wear with it; at bottom is my old favourite McCalls 2772; above it is the cloth habit Watson knickers, which I also like a lot. They’re very similar designs, I like wearing both. The Watson sits lower on the hip and is thus a touch broader in the beam; the McCalls sits at high hip and is is actually cut a bit slimmer. I added some lace scraps to the fronts for decoration and bravely snipped away the poly-knit from behind; something I haven’t done before.
Fabric notes: Clotted cream poly-knit and gold satin ribbon from Spotlight; my hand hovered over the ivory ribbon but on the spur of the moment I honed in on gold! I love how it gleams quietly and luxuriously against cream and ivory.
Ivory stretch lace and lingerie elastic from Fabulous Fabrics. This lace is 8cm wide, and yes; it works fine and is super pretty. I mean, no way was I going to walk away and leave that in the store!!! However my original bralette had considerably narrower lace, 5cm. I still need to keep my eye out for some 5cm lace so I can someday have another go at that perfect reproduction. I think the ideal combination would be 5cm wide lace for the straps and 8cm lace for the cups. But it’s hard enough finding lovely stretch lace even in plain black and/or white/ivory here, let alone specific widths, and in matching colours! The search continues… 🙂
So pretty and delicate.
Gorgeous and the lace straps so pretty if they do happen to show – this style of bra is a lovely idea.
thank you Dilliander! yes, it's a nice style for summer, when you often wear loose flowy things that may show your bra straps inadvertently 🙂
Beautiful and delicate, this set is so pretty! Even better that it is supportive, too! 🙂
Beautiful set.
How great does this set look?! I have never thought about a lace bralet before, but after seeing yours I think I need one too!
Beautiful, as always, Carolyn. Re the lace – try ebay. I haven't liked everything that I've bought once it arrived, but I get a pretty good hit rate.
thank you Mim! that's a good idea, will do 🙂
Absolutely gorgeous and so feminine.
Really really really beautiful!
Oh that is adorable Carolyn, and you know I love a great handmade bra! I really hope you manage to find those elusive matching 5cm and 8cm laces some day so you can make another set!
thank you Andrea! yes, we who sew are ever searching for that perfect lace 🙂
Very pretty Carolyn.
These are great I have the perfect bralette in my drawer it RTW and many years old so is very worn and raggedy. I keep saying to myself i',ll copy it one day. This post is making me want to prioritise doing just that.
thank you Louise, and yes, do!
weeeeeee hehehe.Learnhow to speak for God's sake
That bra is beautiful! The lace is great and I can imagine it would be ridiculously comfy to wear. Oh and ignore negative nancy anonymous above! They clearly had some grumpy tea this morning.
thank you, Kat! 🙂
Lovely! Looks super comfy and like it will be worn a lot. Love the lace detail on the panties – must try that!
The bralet looks great, I quite like the look with the wide straps, I wish sometimes I could get away with something like this.
Such a pretty set. Pullover bras are the most comfortable in my experience, and yours is delightful.
If I tried such a thing it would come out balled and grey and uneven and probably ripped. Best that I stay away from doing this. You on the other hand, such beautiful pieces. I love the wide straps.
What a beautiful set.
thank you very much, dk's wife 🙂
So pretty. Next time you come to Melbourne you must come out to darn cheap fabrics in Heidelberg, so much lace!
That is sensationally pretty. Is there an underwired version of this pattern?
thanks Gail. I don't think this design would work with underwires 🙂
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