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Sewing Adventures – Hail spot printed mesh Harriet Bra

My goal is to replenish my entire lingerie wardrobe so I have correctly fitting bras that are comfortable and pretty! So it’s another Harriet bra.

This is a printed hail spot mesh that I got from Pitt Trading, it’s greens and purples printed on a white base so I paired it with a white picot, white power mesh back and white hook eye closure. I had planned for the bottom of the front to be white as the print had this wonderful straight line where the print started. I’d decided to use this as a feature so the bottom would be white to match all the trims together.

Unfortunately I used a non stretch mesh as the cradle lining. it’s in a colour that matches my skin tone and normally looks quite invisible. except apparently under this mesh because instead of looking transparent it changed the tone of the hail spot mesh to be much more tan and completely lose the impact of the white line. It now just looked dirty and like I had cut it badly. At this stage I almost recut but decided no at the very least it’s still wearable even if it’s not visually how I wanted.

Because we are currently trying to stay at home and not go out I’m using only what I have in the house to finish off projects. I’m not going out just to get matching elastics. So when I realised I didn’t have enough wider plush elastic for the lower band I improvised. My improvisation included the same width picot as I’d use for the cups and then a decorative topstitch of some strapping elastic in green. Not only did it add strength to that lower band it also helped cover up the non white, white panel at the bottom of the cradle. It works quite well and was a good solution given the situation.

After my disaster sewing on my last Harriet I really wanted to pay attention to my sewing and get a neater finish. I think I did ok at this but always there is room for improvement (I see you non clipped section on left hand side!)

Eagle eyed bra makers will also see there is no lining in my upper cup. I’ve tried this a few times and the non lined section is much more comfortable for me, I also find if I do add a lining in there I can end up with a quad boob look which is not a look anyone wants.

As always I’ve used a mix of colours, fabrics and trims to try and create a harmonious overall colour scheme. Even on a more muted colour scheme like this one I wanted to mix up the elements to bring something else to the style so that it felt more like my style. I’m super keen to make matching knickers for this one because I think it’s going to be a fun challenge.

Pattern: Harriet Bra from Cloth Habit

Fabric: Printed mesh, white power mesh, elastics from at Pitt Trading. Underwires, hook and eye from Underwired.co

Alterations: now that I have my fit working for me I’m at the stage where I can just cut and make which is quite fun

 

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Sewing Adventures – pink lace Emma Slip

This seems to have been one of the hottest summers I can remember, endless days where the heat doesn’t go down at night. I like summer I like the sunshine and being able to go swimming all the time, however, I do like sleeping and lately, it’s been so hot overnight that you just can’t get to sleep. Bedtimes keep getting later and later putting off that inevitable moment where you have to lie on a hot mattress.

Naturally I’m looking to help the situation through sewing. My plan? to make a super lightweight version of the Emma Slip and this pretty stretch lace from Pitt Trading is just the kind of thing I was thinking of.

I’ve made this one to the suggested length for the size 12, I often cut them longer because I like the silhouette that way but this time it’s shorter, it’s the 14 skirt width attached to the 12 bodice and I’ve shortened the cup by about 1cm at the centre front where they cross over. I’m quite high busted (short person proportions) and I was getting a little ripple at that point due to excess fabric so the shortening of the cup takes care of that.

One of the things I really strove for when developing the Emma slip was that it would be a pretty fast make and this one certainly was. The most fiddly bit is attaching the O rings and sliders to the straps.

Pattern: The Emma Slip by Measure Twice Cut Once

Fabric: Pink stretch lace from Pitt Trading

Alterations: shortened front cup, 14 skirt width, 12 skirt length

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New Pattern: The Bingley Boxers

One of the most requested patterns I get is for a version of the Darcy Boxer Shorts but with the elastic covered not exposed. It’s actually a simple modification but plenty of people want a pattern they can just cut and make or they aren’t yet up to doing pattern modifications.

So here it is, The Bingley Boxer Shorts, a classic boxer short with workable button fly. Now available in the webstore for $2.50.

The Bingley Boxer Shorts is a digital PDF pattern, when you purchase you will receive a link to download a .zip file. Upon opening the zip file you will have access to the following

Download includes

  • sizes XXS  to XXL / 6 to 18 – Australian sizing, see size chart for more details
  • pattern includes seam allowance of 1cm/10mm
  • multi page PDF pattern suitable for Letter or A4 page size
  • Copy shop pattern – see file name for paper size required
  • Instruction booklet
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Sewing Adventures: Emma Racer Back Slip in lemon and pink

A sweet Emma in lemon and pink! I actually had made this exact version before but lost the garment in the fire and when I discovered I still had some I knew I had to replicate it.

It’s a slinky jersey knit from Pitt Trading with pink lace trim and pink fold over elastic also from Pitt Trading. I love that their range of lace trims is so large you can always find a colour that is going to complement your fabric choices.

Much like my last Emma I’ve gone for a 12 top and graded out to a 14 bottom half. I’ve also been keeping them at the longest length. I’m just liking the silhouette of the longer line.

As you can see from my photos of all my Emma’s I have been trying hard to get better photos. It’s so much easier when you can shoot outside like I did for my Me Made May challenge. Hopefully with some more practice it will get slightly easier. Right now all I can see is the flaws in me and the photo.?

Pattern: The Emma Racer Back slip and bralet from Measure Twice Cut Once

Fabric and trims: slinky jersey, stretch lace and fold over elastic all from Pitt Trading

Alterations: This version made at the longest length on the pattern, see how it goes during sleep before deciding if I should keep it at that length or not?

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Sewing Adventures – Emma Racer Back Slip with lace

Another Emma! this time with added lace. I really like how this one turned out, I made the variation with the lace and like how the black lace works so well with the darker style print.

The fabric was picked up at the Sydney Spoolettes first fabric swap of 2018 (2nd from the top in this photo. It was smallish but you need so little for this pattern that I knew I could make it work. It’s super soft and the original owner said she got it from Knit Wit in Perth.

It’s slightly firmer across my stomach where I’m lopsidedly swollen after surgery but am not worried as thats something that is unique to me and not the pattern fitting incorrectly.

Since my last version I’ve sized down the bust area to a size 12 but kept the body at a 14 but apart from that no other changes.

One of the reasons I wanted to do a racer back slip is that I am a very wriggly sleeper. Normally slips fall off my shoulders and I get all tangled up in them. This narrow curving back fits perfectly and stops the slip from moving off me as I wriggle in my sleep. A great solution that also looks flattering.

I also got to use my overstitch machine for the hem, was very exciting. Am still in the early stages of knowing all the ins and outs of the machine but so far very impressed.

Pattern: The Emma Slip by Measure Twice Cut Once

Fabric: Sydney Spoolettes fabric swap 2018 and black fold over elastic and lace from Pitt Trading

Alterations or changes for next time: None

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Everyone Deserves Pretty Lingerie Week is Back!

It’s that time of the year again, the annual Everyone deserves Pretty Lingerie week! I started this week years ago to encourage everyone to make pretty knickers and it’s since grown to encompass all things underwear and lingerie.

So I encourage everyone to take a look at their lingerie supplies, patterns and wardrobe and decide they need something a bit pretty, something nice and go out there and make it this week!

I’ll be popping onto the blog all week with different bits and pieces from pattern releases to sharing of new makes of my own.

Blog yours too or if you are on instagram keep an eye out for the #everyonedeservesprettylingerie and #everyonedeservesprettyknickers hashtags to see what everyone has been creating.
Happy Sewing!

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Sewing Adventures: another lingerie set

Not content with giving my friend one matching set of lingerie I thought I’d add another not quite a set to her parcel.

After the success of sewing the Delphine thong I decided to try another one, this time in a soft stretch lace and without the additional back coverage.

The lace from Pitt Trading is so lovely to work with but was so soft that the very end of the plate on my sewing machine was catching ever so slightly as it went though.

A quick fix was to use some wide washi tape to cover the plate and hey presto! Snag free sewing.

I really I thought the thong would pair perfectly with a plain black satin bra but as I was running out of time to get it finished in I cheated a little. In my teaching bag I often have samples of pieces that are not quite finished so I can show students diffferent steps along the way. A bit of a rummage through the bag and I found this black lace triangle that only needed a little bit of finishing off.

Together they make a nice not quite matching set.

Pattern: Delphine thong by Ohhh Lulu, my own pattern for the triangle bra

Fabric: Laces from Pitt Trading, elastics and trims from my stash

Alterations: None

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Sewing Adventures: Euler bra and Delphine thong

Recently a friend was lamenting the lack of cool lingerie that covered the tummy and yet still looked youthful. Naturally I knew I could sew a solution and because it was for a friend I knew I’d make her a matching set.

The Euler bra by Sophie Hines was an obvious choice as I’ve made it before and the shape is so modern it automatically makes any set look very contemporary.

It also gave me a good excuse to buy the Delphine high waist thong by Ohhh Lulu  I’d seen it on instagram and liked the shape, plus I thought it would fulfill the covered tummy option my friend wanted.

The Euler went together with no problems at all, I did add a touch of lace trim to the cup seam just to make it match the knickers a little more. The fabric is a sensitive jersey from Pitt Trading. Elastics and trims from my stash.

Delphine was easy to sew once I checked the instructions! I went with the added lace covered back and initially had the thong pinned in the wrong section. That looked odd so I checked the instructions, realised my mistake and once I had it attached in the right place it all went together well. It really is a lovely pattern and I was so pleased with how  they look.

I really like the lace across the back and think its super flattering as well as a great way to use up smaller lace leftovers or splash out on a small amount of a very fancy lace.

Pattern: Euler bra by Sophie Hines and Delphine Thong by Ohhh Lulu

Fabric: burgundy sensitive Lycra from Pitt Trading, lace from Pitt Trading, elastics and trims from my stash

Alterations: added lace to cup seam of Euler Bra

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Sewing Adventures – The Georgiana Knickers

To say that 2017 has started with a heatwave seems to undersell just how hot it has been in Sydney. I don’t mind hot weather as mostly I can escape it by staying in during the hottest parts of the days, going swimming and walking on the shady side of the street. Heat at night is a whole other thing. I honestly don’t think I’ve slept properly in weeks it’s been so hot overnight.


So I’m looking for every ounce of coolness that I can get. With an hour or so spare today I whipped up 2 pairs of woven cotton knickers using my Georgiana knicker pattern. They are quite fast as all the edges are done using the roll hem function on my overlocker. I love the neat finish my Bernina 800DL gives on roll hems.

They are bikini cut so sit on the hip but have plenty of fullness to the bottom ensuring full coverage. The woven cotton however is delightfully breezy and cool and the perfect thing for this hot weather.


The patterned fabric is part of my stash busting efforts for the year as well. I had this top


Cut out for ages and half made. It was one of the free Peppermint magazine patterns. It just looked weird on me and so I never finished it but I loved the fabric.

Laying it flat I placed the Georgiana knicker pattern over it and cut them out. You can just see some extra seams on the front where I had to add side panels to make it work. A great rescue from a piece that had been condemned to the bottom of the stash.


Fabric: spots from the stash, patterned fabric rescued from a top that went badly. Original fabric from Pitt Trading.
Trims: plush back elastic from my stash
Pattern: The Georgiana Knickers available in the shop
Changes: added extra seams to the front of the patterned pair to be able to fit the pattern onto the top.