lingerie lovers beware...

Hey ladies! I just wanted to give a little shout out to my girl Maddie over at Madalynne. I know you already follow her blog (right? right?!) because it's awesome and chock full of knowledge that only us sewists can appreciate, so maybe you've already seen the big news...

Maddie is launching a line of lingerie patterns! And the first one, the Amerson undie, is available to download for free! You can get a sneak peek of the rest of the line in this super lovely photo shoot that Maddie put together. 

I actually got to take a peek at the pattern last week and it's, well, gorgeous! And I'm not talking just about the undies themselves. Everything about the design and layout is really beautiful and well-thought-out, and how incredible are Anto's illustrations?! Anyway, go snag yourself a free pattern! I'm itching to try and make these from some silky scraps that have been lingering on the edge of my sewing table for far too long. Now I just need to get my hands on some lingerie elastics... any suggestions?

xx

projects for lazy days

anytime i rush to finish a project by a set date - like my birthday dress - i always end up feeling burnt out afterwards. while i feel like i'm capable of churning out nice results under (self induced) pressure, i never like what it does to my mental state. throw in a busy work week and a whirlwind trip to dallas (my husband had an exhibition opening there) and i'm couch potato fodder.

but after a week or so of avoiding my sewing machine i decided it was time to get back in the saddle. however i was still feeling the mental fatigue and the thought of tackling my next rachel comey pattern had me feeling...meh.

enter my birthday present from my mom and dad (thanks guys!!). many of my favorite sewing blogs have already done some pretty great posts on bra making - in fact it was seeing the beautiful creations by verypurpleperson that first got the old wheels a-turning. after i kept running into posts on the coletterie, cloth habit, and dixie diy that featured this pattern from pin up girls and the mention of "kits" and "quick and satisfying" sewing - i was a goner!

really it was the promise of "quick and satisfying" that sold me. i'm so often drawn to labor intensive projects that get drawn out for weeks and weeks and feel like some epic struggle through the finish line that i forget the joy in starting and finishing a project all in the same day.

when i first started sewing i was all about one day projects. if i couldn't get a new outfit by the end of the day i wasn't interested in doing it! but slowly i got lured in by the process, by the joy in learning a new technique, and frustrated by my sloppy sewing and awkward results. and so i began making muslins to perfect fit (adds at least a day) and integrating hand sewing to finish edges and hems (a couple of hours at least) then i got interested in hand tailoring, and pattern drafting and all of a sudden i have to block out at least a week (2 good weekends and various weeknights) to get something finished!

this first bra was really just a tester. despite the assurance that sewing a bra was easier than it looks - i was pretty skeptical. i've never really sewn with elastic before and i only just discovered i had a three-step zig-zag stitch on my machine! i made the pin up girls "classic full band bra". i think it was amy that said that the finished bra looks a bit "medical" and unfortunately i couldn't agree more! her wise assessment did have me chuckling the entire time i was sewing it up, however.

according to my measurements i'm a 32A. now... i must have done something wrong because there ain't no way in heelllll i'm a 32A!! my entire adult life i've worn a 34C - but somewhere in the back of my mind was a niggling doubt, egged on i'm sure by some glamour article i read somewhere saying that something like 80% of women wear the wrong bra size. so i compromised and cut a 32B. teeheediddlyhee!!!

32B!! pfft!! who am i kidding??!? surprisingly the band fit pretty comfortably - but there was so much top and side boob spillage it was almost comical!! i looked like i was trying to squeeze into a training bra...

so this bra will not be worn - obviously (incidentally, if you have a daughter or niece or something that needs a pink - albeit matronly - bra - give me a holla!) but i am pretty pleased with the construction. all in all the thing looks pretty well made to my eyes! i didn't use underwires for this one (because i had no idea what size to get) but i was pretty amazed at the amount of support just the underwire channels gives! even when my cups runneth over...

i have one more kit. now the decision i have to make is if i make it in my standard bra size (34C) or try something new... like a 32D - since the band on the itty bitty guy seemed to fit okay.

decisons, decisions... if i get a wearable bra out of this second kit i just might treat myself to some pretty lacy kits from merckwaerdigh.

also, i would be remiss if i wrote a post about bra making and didn't link to dixie's awesome big fat list of bra suppliers. seriously indispensable if you are new to this whole bra thing! and even if you're not - its amazing to have all the good stuff in one spot. thank you dixie!!!

aaannd because i'm all about ending my posts with some random pictures - here's me with some longhorns from our trip to dallas. seriously you guys - why are their horns so long??!?

xx

dream job

i just stumbled upon this video on fieldguided of the fortnight lingerie studio at work. it was such an incredible eyeopener, and beautiful to boot, i wanted to share it with you.

MADE IN CANADA from FORTNIGHT LINGERIE on Vimeo.

i haven't been sewing for terribly long so there are still plenty of things that are new to me, and i'm completely ignorant (and insanely curious) about the world of production sewing. i loved seeing the little chain of panty pieces that were made as they sewed each piece in one continuous thread. of course it makes sense if you are sewing the same thing over and over again to do it this way! as someone who seems to always take the "scenic route" with her sewing i'm wondering how i might be able to use this in my own sewing to speed things along...

also, how dreamy does it sound to sew up pretty, feminine underthings all day? i'm sure it could get a bit monotonous (what job doesn't?) but from an outsiders view, this looks like such a lovely work place. fortnight makes the prettiest lingerie. someday i'd love to own one of their lovely sets.

thank you for all your sweet comments on my last post. i know its silly, but i get a bit nervous whenever i post something a bit more personal, or else "new content" for the blog. i love to write about sewing and fashion, and will continue to do so, but every now and then i like to do a reality check. its nice to know that you're along for the ride <3

xx