Part of my goal to sew more lingerie this year is to make more bras. I want to really immerse myself in the techniques of bra-making and truly master this skill.

Part of the reason is because I love fancy underwear. I don’t know why, but there is just something about wearing really high quality underthings that makes me feel very grown up. However, fancy underthings come with high price tags. Lacy, silky, pretty bras are also often not the most supportive things in the world, which pretty much kills them for a busty gal like me.

I decided to try out this Pin-Up Girls Classic Bra pattern, because I’d read some good reviews. To make things simple, I decided to get the findings kit to go with it, which is a great way to try it out without spending too much or having to figure out the lengthy supplies list.

The pattern is pretty awesome. The fit is comparable to some of my best bras, and the instructions walk you through every step in sufficient detail. I’m excited to make more! This particular fabric doesn’t excite me in the least, but just think of all the variations you could do with fabric and lace.

(If it looks a little baggy on the dressform’s chest, it’s because she’s a cup size smaller than me.)

The only thing I need to work on a little is the elastic tension. It’s difficult to know exactly how much to stretch as you’re sewing to get the desired fit, but now that I’ve made one I have a pretty good idea.

Anyone else into bra making? I’d be especially interested to know if you have other sources for supplies, lace, etc. I only know of Bra Maker’s Supply and Sew Sassy right now.

You guys remember that one of my sewing goals this year was to make more lingerie?

I’ve been obsessed with the idea of making some pretty bras. These are a few that are sparking ideas right now: bright silks, fine lace, bustier styles, stripes, and color blocking.

I’m going to share a basic bra I made tomorrow, and a review of the fantastic pattern I used for it. There will be a lot more bra making in my future, that is for sure.

Images: Black & Cream, Black & White Stripe Bustier, Red & Gold, Pale Blue, Rust Lace, Raspberry Pink Lace

LA friends, I’m going to be in my old stomping grounds soon, and would love to meet up with you!

The lovely ladies of Sew LA in Silver Lake are throwing a little party and book signing event, and we’d love to see you there. Not only will there be signed books available (of course), but they’re also offering 20% off on all our patterns, plus an extra 10% if you wear your handmade Colette Patterns garment. I’ll also be bringing down some of the sample garments from the book to take a look at. Plus food, drink, and chatting about sewing, what could be better?

Here are the details:

Date: Saturday, February 18th
Time: 6-9PM
Where: Sew LA, 1637 1/2 Silver Lake Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

If you’d like to RSVP (though it’s not strictly necessary to come), we’ll send you a little reminder email beforehand so you don’t forget. You can RSVP on our events page.

Like a lot of you, my biggest sewing goal this year is to buy less fabric. This means spending more time looking at what I already have and figuring out what to do with it.

Lucky for me, I have a lot of great fabric. On the day Caitlin snapped the photos of me above, I was poring through boxes of fabric and found some gorgeous things I’d completely forgotten about! Why hadn’t I ever made anything with it?

My vintage fabrics are especially neglected. I guess I’m a little afraid to cut into them, because they’re so special. I have yard after yard of rayon prints from the 40s, and I love them, but they just sit in boxes.

So I jotted down a few ideas to help me. These are tips for myself, as well as you guys. I’m not an expert in fabric efficiency, by any means. If you have any more tips, add them in!

1. Shop your stash.

Time after time, when I want to make a new dress, I immediately turn to the fabric store to find the perfect materials. Why don’t I first look at what I already own?

2. Start with fabric.

I think another good way to use what you have is to start with the fabric, and let that give you an idea of what to make. Sometimes a particular fabric will really call out what it wants to be. Often times, I buy a fabric thinking, “this will make a great pair of shorts / button up blouse / shirtdress / whatever,” but it goes into a drawer to languish until I’ve forgotten about it completely.

3. Don’t feel (too) guilty.

Ok, I admit, I sometimes feel really bad looking at all the fabric I have and never did anything with. Sometimes, it even makes me a bit anxious and overwhelmed, like I cannot possibly make all of the things that I want to make. That can be weirdly upsetting.

However, I notice that if I look at a fabric and feel guilty about it, it’s really hard to let it inspire me. Instead, I think it helps to approach the stash with a feeling of possibility and excitement.

4. Keep a projects list.

It really helps me to keep a list of upcoming sewing projects I need to work on. If I have a list to stick to, I’m much less likely to buy an awesome new fabric, because I know it has to go at the bottom of the projects list.

5. Keep sketches and swatches together.

Another thing I find helpful is sketching out some rough drawings of what I want to make with a particular fabric, attaching a swatch, and filing it somewhere. Even if I don’t have time to make something with a fabric right now, when I’m done with my current projects, I can pull out my binder of sketches and swatches and get inspired again.

6. Get rid of stuff.

I will admit it. I hold on to things way more than I’d like to. Luckily, I have Caitlin, who is amazing at weeding out stuff we’ll never use. She just recently cleaned out my lace stash, which was enormous. I will squirrel away scraps and fabric until my shelves overflow. I have fabric I bought when I was in my teens. Really, am I ever going to use it if I haven’t cut into it in 10 or 15 YEARS? So… yeah. Needs improvement.

7. Ask a friend.

If I’m stumped about what to do with a particular fabric I have, getting someone else’s input is invaluable. Sometimes they’ll see a completely different sort of potential in something.

Do you guys have any other thoughts on how to best utilize the fabric you have?

Name: Julia

Skill Level: Intermediate

Pattern Used: Parfait

Website: Julia Bobbin

Her post about the pattern: Earn One’s Stripes: Colette Parfait

What kind of fabric did you use? A nice heavy double sided cotton that I purchased from a local store in Melbourne.

How did you decide to reflect your personal style in the pattern? I have always been drawn to vintage clothes because of their smack-you-in-the-face femininity and sweetness which seem to emphasize the female form, while also flattering it. I’ve always been partial to beautiful prints and colours but I didn’t want to overshadow the beautiful design details of the pattern by overwhelming it in a loud print. Instead I chose to use a pretty pin-stripe, taking special care to cut the fabric pieces with the lines going horizontal, vertical and on the bias to work with the features of the parfait but giving it a little extra ‘somethin-somethin.’ There is something immensely satisfying about a dress with different lines. I added bright red buttons to give it that little extra vintage appeal. Turns out blue and white stripes are best buddies with red buttons.

What thoughts do you have about the project? I love the sweet-heart neckline, the high empire waist and the flattering flared skirt. The combination encourages a feminine shape by pulling in at the high waist, skimming past fitted hips and then kicking out to trick people into thinking I am not pear shaped. Genius! I made a blooper on the shoulder straps by accidently putting the straps under the tabs instead of over (Julia!), but the tabs are so lovely I don’t think it subtracts from the overall look. I’m very happy with the finished dress which I think balances sexy, cute and comfortable and looks darn good with a mustard sweater. This is my first Parfait, but will certainly not be my last.

Thanks, Julia!