Lingerie sewing is so addictive!! Once I get the fit down of a particular bra or undies pattern, I want to make 4,647 of each of them. I sewed up my first bra a few years back and my lingerie sewing stash has multiplied like bunnies since. I've picked up a bunch of stretch meshes and stretch laces from Fabric Mart in recent months, I never need to order more than one yard at a time because these projects take itty bitty bits of material.
My bra is Orange Lingerie's Marlborough pattern. It's approximately a 38B... I say approximately because the pattern is altered for my figure. I've sewn up lots of Orange Lingerie bras before, this was my first go with her undies. You can see my complete journey fitting and sewing up the Marlborough bra from day one-- it started a little over a year ago when the pattern was first released.
The gorgeous stretch floral mesh is a Maggy London nylon/spandex I picked up this summer from Fabric Mart. I paired it up with a luscious purple nylon/spandex galloon lace I had in my stash. The elastics and findings are all from my stash as well, each purchased over time from various shops online. I used a white nylon/lycra mesh knit from Fabric Mart... but I hand dyed it to a slight off- white because it was just too stark against the floral mesh. I also dyed the underwire channel.
I inserted a secret layer of a non-stretch nylon in between the floral and white meshes for my bra. I take a large square of each fabric, enough to cut out all my pattern pieces from and use a spray adhesive to stick them together. Layer 1: the floral mesh, Layer 2: the non-stretch nylon, Layer 3: the stretch power mesh. Once the big pieces are all temporarily glued together, I cut out each pattern piece. Of course the bands need to stretch, so I skipped the non-stretch nylon for those pieces.
These undies are sooooo pretty! They feel so high end with all the pretty meshes and laces!!! I used the Orange Lingerie Montgomery Brief pattern. I cut a size large waist and graded up to the XL for my bum. What's neat about these are the lack of elastic on the back leg, no VPL! It's two layers of stretch mesh and lace from Fabric Mart. The pretty pink ones I used a poly/spandex stretch lace I got from Fabric Mart a while back, but are so other yummy stretch laces found on their site here. I used scraps of white cotton jersey for the crotch liner bit.
I LOVE my new dainty lady things! It's so much fun to sew this stuff up because they are pretty quick to come together. Once I get the right fit with the right pattern for my figure, it's glorious to know that I have the power to make my own high quality lingerie.
Happy Lingerie Sewing!!
Kathy--I love these! I must do this so I thank you for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteThese are really, really pretty!
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful and it must feel so good to be able to tailor them to fit you perfectly!
ReplyDeleteI have that fabric, so why am I making boring beige undies. After seeing these beauties, I am branching out to embrace the high end. Love these.
ReplyDeleteWhere do you get the underwire?
ReplyDeleteI've tried many underwires but have found that Porcelynne's in size 38 works best for me. I pick them up on her etsy shop.
DeleteKathy, thank you for this blog! I have some of those meshes and lace ripening in my stash... maybe I should get to work!. Also thanks for the tip about the weak dye bath. That's a game changer.
ReplyDeleteAwesomely pretty undies (as always make) Kathy!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea for the mesh fabric! I am super excited to try this for myself.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone out there have a link to a bra pattern for those of us with no need for underwire? I actually would prefer a bralette, one that is pulled over the head. :-)
Looking great!
ReplyDelete