Sunday 27 August 2017

Madalynne Intimates, Sierra Bra


See-through fast became one of my buzzwords for 2017, and with so many sheer items in my wardrobe it was about time I made some underwear worth looking at.


The Sierra Bra is a free PDF sewing pattern from Madalynne which you can download from her website. Here you will also find a sew-along split into three sections to help with putting he bra together. Day one, what you'll need in your stash and cutting out. Day two sewing together the pieces and Day three adding your straps and closure.


Sounds easy eh?! And it is if you pay attention to detail. I've been lucky enough to have a week off work and the house to myself, so I was straight in there and got finished in a day.


Fabric wise, I squeezed the outer bra out of the leftover lace from Sew Essential from my last Simple Sew make and the lining from some power mesh I've had in my 'underwear stash' for ages. I had a bit of a lace and elastic spending spree on Amazon one night when I was feeling sorry for myself and got hold of this lovely stretchy lace trim which I used instead of Picot elastic.




Other notions required are strap elastic for the halter neck strap with hoops and sliders, and hook and eye tape for a classic bra closure. I chose to install an optional strip of elastic to the underbust just so it would grab a little more to my body. The bra fits so well though that I didn't really need it. As Madalynne explains in the sew-along, the compression is what makes this work as a bra. Bigger busted ladies might struggle a little with it but does the job perfectly for me.


Strap-wise I was a massive cheat and used a bra strap I'd been saving off of an old bra. The slider still in place, all I had to to was attach through the loops to the strap area on the bra. Madalynne tells you how to make your own slidey strap with a slider at each end for changing the length. I also recycled the hook and eye tape off a bra and used this at the back. I'd never attached a bra closure before so this was pretty exciting. I unpicked all the previous stitching around the edge of the tape to open up the two sides, then sandwiched the back of the bra between the tape. I held my breath and zigzag stitched around the edges and just like that it was attached!! Only thing to look out for is getting everything the right way round! Check day 3 of the sew-along for some handy tips in getting this right.


I absolutely love the Sierra pattern! And as a free download there is really no excuse. Once you've got all your stash you are away! This was my fist time using a lining in an undergarment and I just adore how professional it instantly looks. The design is unusual, but extremely comfortable. A great excuse to all that lacey stuff out that I've been saving!


x

Location: Bolehill Quarry, Derbyshire
Currently listening to: Good Day Sunshine, The Beatles

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