Friends, it has been a wonderful ride and it’s time for a wrap-up. I love season finales. You know, the kind of plot ending where all the characters–even the ones who mysteriously morphed into into their evil twin two seasons ago–return to the screen for one final blow-out episode. Plot loopholes be darned, closure is good for the heart.
My finished bras!
This bra fits me like a dream. If you’ve been following along you’ve probably picked up on all my little (and not so little) alterations. I altered my cup to a vertical seam. I also used shorter underwires, lowered the neckline about 3/8″, and widened the straps in front–more of a demi style. My bra is made from mostly stash materials that I dyed to match the pale grey-green lace. (I’m really into blushing mints right now!)
My friend’s bra is made from Elan 645 using a bra kit from Fabric Depot Co. I made some alterations to her cup seams to fit for a softer look and lengthened her band a bit–both around the body and lengthwise for a longline bra.
Some highlights from the Flickr group and beyond…
Carolyn made Kwik Sew 3300 in a lovely blue marled knit and cream lace. And she’s a fellow knicker-making fanatic. You can read about these lovely laceys on her blog Handmade By Carolyn. Thanks Carolyn, for your amazing participation and encouragement!
Michelle joins me in a passion for collecting bra patterns. She started out with Danglez DB3 but decided she’d be better off trying Sewy’s Rebecca bra (above). Rebecca is a fantastic pattern, especially for larger cups. Michelle also informed us that Bra-makers Supply was about to release a new pattern called Shelley–as of today it’s available here. For those Sewy Rebecca fans and others who need the option of a side cup piece and multi-seaming–this one’s gonna be a big hit. I just know it. Hop over to Michelle’s blog to see a she drafted a Shelley-type bra from her Pin-up Classic pattern.
This is Mirza’s stunning black lace and red-trimmed bra from Pin-up Girls Classic pattern. You can see more gorgeous pics and read her review en le français on her blog Let’s Tweed Again. Oh Mirza, what a delicate beauty!
Ginny finished her first bra and isn’t it so beautifully made? This one uses a matching kit from Summerset on Etsy–more on her blog GinPins. I just love the ornament idea!
Melissa of Fehr Trade got the kick to revisit her bra patterns and made this decadent bra from Elan 330. In her post about this set, she also included a great tutorial about a way to finish off the top of a cup with multiple layers.
Kazz went on a bra-making spree, y’all. Here’s her post about this set. I think I’m going to have to pull out all my black lace now because wow. Wow. She took the “Hack Your Bra” idea to heart and is just killing her Elan 645 pattern with all kinds of styles–bustiers, longlines…
Did you make a bra and would you like to share? Let us know in the comments! Understandably, I got behind on all my blog reading, so I may have missed you if you blogged about it. If you were a secret sew-alonger you can email me, too. I’d love to hear about your project and how it went.
Over at the Flickr group we had quite the fitting expedition. I’m even in the process of custom-drafting a bra for someone! I really want to thank Norma Loehr and her generosity in answering so many of our fitting questions. And there were many!
It was such an honor to host this sew-along, chat with many of you, and I hope it inspired y’all to keep on at it! You caught the lingerie bug, didn’t you…
Note: All photos here are © their owners.
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I’m speechless. Marvellous results ! I applaud you all and thank you because this keeps the rest of us motivated. Special thanks to the adorable host that has been really suportive and concerned about all our fitting or style tribulations.
Amy, as Cole Porter used to say: you are the top ;o)
Awww, I can hear him singing now. Thanks!
Wowee! I’m just blown away by all these pretty bras (and panties too)! Well done ladies, I’m so so so in awe of you all!
Amy, the minty lace bra is just exquisite! You have me dreaming about minty toned undies :D. And your lucky lucky friend’s bra is just wonderful.
Really really love the contrasting red picot trim on Mirza’s lacy creation! Awesome!
I’m absolutely swooning over Melissa’s and Kazz’s amazing sets — swooning and drooling that is :D!
Michelle’s Sewy Rebecca is divine, and I must make that pattern after seeing hers! Perfect for a busty girl like me, I think.
Envious of Carolyn’s heathered & lacey set too. Very!
Amy, I’m thrilled to have participated in the sewalong, and learned lots — thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm for lingerie sewing 😀
Thanks for bringing the champagne, Ginny! Amazing job.
What a great tutorial this has been. I particularly love the Elan 645 midline bra. Retro and gorgeous!
Thanks Kristin! I just have to wrap for her now, because she keeps looking at it on my blog!
these are just stunning. i was lamenting my lack of time to join up, and now i’m lamenting it all the more. maybe i don’t feel my ittie bitties deserve it? i should look into that.
really, really gorgeous, and amazing that you can MAKE this. seriously.
haha, well I looked into it. Not a moment goes by that I find it totally ironic I’ve gotten into this whole bra obsession! It is pretty amazing that we can make these things. Aren’t we always shocking ourselves?
Wow, they are all so gorgeous!! Mine is still in bits. If only I didn’t have to work and run a household as a single mum….blah, blah, but I am determined. This coming weekend for sure. I hope….
Thanks Vicki! Hope you find some time. Sometimes just little amounts each day add up. Me on the other hand–my laundry is out of control now so I have to get back to house business!
What an awesome tutorial you have given us. I have wanted to make my own bras but was afraid to start on one. You have given me the courage to get started. I am so hard to fit and now I think I can do it myself and not have to buy expensive ones. Thank you again! You are the best!
Great! It really is possible. And FUN.
All of you are very talented, you should be proud. These are very lovely and look so well made! And I love it that they are all your own and fit each of your own bodies. Great instructional, Amy! I’m sure it will be useful for many generations to come.
Thanks girl. I’m with you, I am just in awe of the individual beauty and style each woman possesses.
Stunning collection! You all done good! I’m still stuck in the fitting mud but at least I think I know what to do now. I hope. I’m sad that the new Shelley bra came out so soon after I already got the Classic because I SO want it. Hopefully I can pull off an adaptation.
Thanks again, Amy! This has been so helpful and the impetus I needed to try, try again to get it right.
I’m sure you can adapt. It’s similar to how Amy changed the seam line from horizontal to vertical, but instead of moving the main seam line, you’re adding two – one on the side to create a power bar (and it goes through the upper & lower cup), and then splitting the remainder of the lower cup.
Oh wow, these are ALL amazing! They all look so perfectly finished. I wish I could have joined in but I was away for the first part of the sewalong. I will definetly have to come back for some tips when I jump into bra making 🙂
What gorgeous sets! I’m sure there’ll be loads more once people have a chance to go through all your wonderful posts, too! I’m looking forward to making more – I started on my second stash of lace, sewing up a cami and thong first, but a bra is next on my menu!
What beautiful bras! I just love seeing the surprise of being able to make such prettiness. Well done ladies!
I loved this whole experience – other than my late night melt down (which dh reminds me will happen late at night when I’m trying to do something). I think everyone did such beautiful work, and am amazed that some of you did this on your first try! Well done!
Thank you so much, Amy, for hosting & leading this! Thank you, Norma, for sharing your valuable experience with us. It’s been great!
Wow. Just wow! I’m completely stunned by all these beautiful bras and panties!! What am I doing sitting on my ass? I should be sewing bras, dammit!! Definite inspiration post!
Amy you did a really amazing job on this sew along – I’ve been following along with every post, filing away all your great information for future use. And thank you for bringing Norma into the conversation as well – both of you shared SO much of your knowledge with us, and I know we’re all so grateful!
Thanks Sallie. I just know you are gonna rock out some crazy cool bra in the near future.
The bra sew along was fantastic Amy. So much very kind help from everyone. I finished up with a great bra and the incentive to sew lots more. For those of you who are still to try – the fitting is the tricky bit. The sewing is the easy bit. My bra was worn straight away and is still in the wash so I don’t have pictures yet. They will be on Flickr (under Sew Sometimes) very soon.
Yes! Good advice, too–I still wear my first bra. It’s not cute, it doesn’t fit perfectly but did I get crazy about making more!
Thanks a lot for this sew along. It inspired me to try making a bra that fits. I didn’t join the sew along because I found it a little late. I just finished fitting my bra! I’m having some difficulty finding the right fabrics to make one, so I’m postponing it until I find an alternative.
Your bra looks beautiful! It is truly encouraging and inspiring!!
Keep at it Renata! And I’d love to hear about it when you get there. There are many who are still fitting. And I know some had to start over with another pattern after realizing they needed a different starting size. Lots of eye-opening fitting, to be sure.
Thanks so much Amy, I think we should pop the cork on the champagne and celebrate, look at all this talent, never did I ever think I could make my own bra, I’m super chuffed. Thank you for your guidance and Norma’s advice I’m in awe and crushing on your blushing mint, just gorgeous.
Thanks so much Amy! You are so generous and inspiring. All of the ladies are so talented and Norma is amazing to also share so much. Your gorgeous bras have me wishing you would launch a line of lingerie patterns. I am so surprised to find that I was able to make a reasonably good bra, thanks to all of the tips and techniques submitted by all. It was such fun.
Seeing all those wonderful sets is why I finally decided to have a go and make a bra and Amy your Sew-Along was just the motivation I needed. The information you, Norma and others have shared both here and on the Flicker Group has been fantastic, so much to learn. Still trying to get the fit right, hopefully soon I will be able to make my first wearable bra.
Wow, Amy, your blushing mint bra is so utterly beautiful!! The dye turned out absolutely perfect, and I just love the rouleau straps, they are ultra adorable. Your friend’s bra is so pretty too; I hope she loves it as much as we in the sewalong all love our new bras, and and appreciates the gesture… Brava!!!
this was a great sew along Amy and I thank you for hosting it!
Fabulous results!
I was a late starter to the sew along & I’m still fitting my toile. Thank you very much for hosting the sew along. I am still following the posts & hope to complete my first me made bra next week.
Amy congratulations on an amazing informative and invaluable sew along. I might not have joined you this time, but I hope to try making my own bra soon. And all of the results are gorgeous!
Hello Amy,
Thank you so much for this first class sew-along !
You’ve been very helpfull and generous to share your knowledge with us.
Unfortunately, I’ve been very busy these last 2 weeks and I’m not able to participate to the grand finale…But I’ll have a break in a few days, and I want to finish my first bra then.
I’ll post a picture in the flickr group.
Thanks again !
Well I went to Fabric Mart and I now have my bra bits to head into making a set or two.
February is my month to work with lace so here I go…
Your posts will be my main resource.Thank you so much.
Cheers:))
OMG, you are so talented. They are beautiful pieces. Look forward to seeing more styles of yours.
I really am so impressed with your makes as well as all the others.
They really look professionally done!
Wow – amazing work ladies. Really beautiful and hopefully fits.
Hi.. I sent a request to be added to the Flickr group if it’s still open.
Tnx for ur ideas.they were vry usefull & rare ideas.but I also like a bra without elastics under the band.cant I sew a bra without an elastic for band?
What an educational and generous tutorial you have created. The sets came out so nicely. Putting this on my December bucket list.
Thank you Jillian. That’s so kind of you! And best wishes on your bucket list 🙂 (Mine’s a mile long for the holidays!)
I just made my first bra ever today, a Watson using a kit from Blackbird, and I am completely hooked! I’ve been reading all through your site about bra-making tips and searching for lovely bra fabrics for what feels like hours. The mint bra you made for this sew-a-long is just stunning! Is that a pattern you drafted for yourself or one that you purchased (if purchased, would you mind sharing where? If self drafted, would you ever publish it for purchase?) Thanks for such a wonderful treasure trove of resources and information on bra-making! I can’t wait to make more!