Lingerie: White Silk Bra - Take II

As soon as I realised that my last white silk bra didn't turn out how I would have liked, I got to work on one that would.

Lingerie: White Silk Slip and Bra

My on theme sewing for the stashbusting sewalong this month, ok so what will possibly be my only completed personal sewing for May, was a white silk slip, and matching partial band bra. I have been planning a new slip for quite a while. I used the same bias cut pattern that I made a previous slip from about 18 months ago, but wanted one that was a little longer with less flare at the hem. I also wanted it to be more light weight, for which I had the perfect white silk remnant. As part of the lingerie theme for the stashbusting sewalong, I had also planned on making another bra this month, but hadn't put much more thought into it than that, when it occurred to me that I should just make one with the remnants from the slip, and have a matching set, of sorts.

Me Made May 2015 Round Up - Part I

May has been quite a busy month so far for me, with hosting the Stashbusting Sewalong, getting through work sewing, taking daily photos for MMM, and trying to fit in some sewing for myself. You may remember that my pledge for my inaugural Me-Made-May was to wear at least two me-made items of clothing every day during the month of May. Not such a challenge in itself, as that only equates to a bra and one other item. After looking at a few of my photos though, I decided to extend my challenge, to not wear the exact same outfit more than once during May.

The weather in Sydney during May tends to be starting the downward slide into winter. We started the month with a few rainy days, followed by a few warmer days before winter kicked into gear again. I've given you the weather highlights to go with my outfits. So far, so good. No duplicate outfits.

I have listed only the clothes for each day that I made. Where applicable, I have linked to the relevant blog post, or one that has better photos of the item. I had half this post written when I accidentally deleted the entire post (don't ask!), so I'm not sure what bra I was wearing every day, not that it really matters, so if I have just written "bra" without a link, that's why. I also decided after that incident, it might be safer to publish the first half of the post, and finish up the month after the end of May. Hence why this post is Part I.

May 1 - 5

Stashbusting Sewalong May 2015: Why am I stashbusting?

Why did I join the stashbusting sewalong?

I first stumbled across the stashbusting sewalong a few years ago, when I saw another blogger had mentioned that she was joining in, and at the time I was bemoaning the fact that I never seemed to have time to sew anything for myself, but regularly added to my stash. Just, because. I saw it as an opportunity to force myself to do something about actually using up what I had, and getting new clothes while I was at it! I didn't get much time to sew things up in that first year, but it was a start, and the stash only grew a bit, mostly from other people destashing onto me.

In that first year I did find myself unable to make a few things that I had ideas for, as I had nothing suitable in my stash, and I had forbidden myself to buy fabric, so last year I gave myself some more leeway and did go a little overboard on buying fabric, but managed to keep to my goal of sewing twice as much as I bought.

For my pledge this year, I'm not too concerned with how much I sew up, but don't want to see the piles of fabric starting to build up again. As long as I don't end up with more fabric than I started with, it's all good, I will have met my goal.

We live in such a throw away society, that I want to see the fabric that I already have being used, and made into something that will last. If I can re-fashion clothes that have seen better days, even better!

Since the first Facebook group was set up last year, it has been more than just a way of documenting and sharing with others what I've been up to with my stash. Seeing what others have been doing is so inspiring. As well as showing each other what we've been up to, we have been known to share tips on how we organise our (sometimes vast) stashes, and shed light on sewalongs or free patterns that we've tried, and ask advise from each other.

Fellow stashbusters, why did you join the sewalong?

Stashbusting Sewalong May 2015: Lingerie resources on the net

Don't have any lingerie patterns lying about, and not wanting to spend any money on new patterns? I've done some research for you, and have found some free resources for you to download, and some sewalongs too!

Various Lingerie Sewalongs, Tutorials and Patterns

Bra making sewalong from Cloth Habit
I love this sewalong. I read it through a couple of times before I made my first bra, and it totally demystified the bra making process for me. I still refer to it on occasion when I need to brush up on something.

Watson sewalong from Cloth Habit
While talking about how awesome Amy is, she released a pattern for a wire-less bra pattern, and has done a sewalong for it on her blog. Amongst the bra sewalong is a post on sewing up the matching undies. The same construction applies to any undies patterns with a front, back and gussett.

Bra Making Tutorials from Madalynne
Some really useful tidbits on bra making and important information to keep in mind when doing pattern alterations. Includes a tutorial on how to convert a full band to partial band bra pattern, and vice versa. I read this a few times before I attempted to do a partial band!

Bra making tutorials by Sigrid

French Knickers sewalong from VeraVenus - link to Day 1 of the sewalong
(Pattern link below)

Slip Tutorial from Sewaholic
Simple instructions included to make your own pattern for a half slip

Bias Cut Camisole from Weekend Designer
Tutorial, including instructions to make your own pattern from your measurements

Slip pattern from VeraVenus (full slip)
Also has a pattern for french knickers, and 50's style big knickers

50's petticoat from Burdastyle
If you aren't already a member, you'll have to sign up to access this, but you can sign in using facebook.

Panty making tutorial from Very Purple Person


Free Undies patterns

Rosy Ladyshorts from Cloth Habit
Pattern and tutorial

T-Shirt undies from Indigorchild
Pattern and tutorial

Amerson undies from Madalynne

Madeleine bloomers from Colette Patterns

Undies and camisole/vest from 'So, Zo'



If you didn't catch the third issue of "Seamwork" from Colette Patterns back in February, it's all about lingerie. Have a read!


Disclaimer:
I do not guarantee the quality or accuracy of these patterns. I haven't used all of these patterns, or tried all of these links. Where possible I have included some extra information for you. Please feel free to comment below with your favourite free lingerie pattern or great sewalong. If you have anything to add regarding the links I have provided, please comment also and I will update the post where applicable.

Stashbusting Sewalong: Announcing the May 2015 theme - Lingerie!

Theme for the month

As promised, I'm taking more of an active role in this year's Stashbusting Sewalong. This year a group of us are guest hosting a month each. With May being my birthday month, I volunteered to host this month, and then realised that I was going to take the plunge and join Me Made May for the first time this year. Oh well, I can do that too, can't I?

So welcome to the Stashbusting Sewalong for May. If you're up for the challenge, the theme for this month is to sew lingerie. Whether you're into petticoats, slips, undies / panties, bras or maybe even pyjamas if nothing else interests you, this is the month for you. I'll be sewing up another bra or two, and I'm hoping to get a silk slip done as well.

I'm looking forward to a month bursting with lingerie posts!

I've done some research for you, and next week will be posting a roundup of some free lingerie patterns that are available to download.

The following week I'll give you some insight into why I am part of the Stashbusting Sewalong, and I'll round up the end of the month with my lingerie sewing from the month, and hopefully some sewing from my fellow stashbusters.


My Bra Making

After years of dreaming about it, I only started making my own bras a little over a year ago. If you've been thinking of bra making but didn't know where to start, here's a bit of inspiration to get you started with a summary of my bra making journey from the start.

Making a bra block
Floral print bra
Broderie Anglaise bra
Cream Silk Bra
Pale Blue Lace Covered Bra
Hand Dyed Bra
Black Bra
Long Line Convertible Black Bra
Cream and Blue Lace Bra
White satin print Partial Band Bra
Mint and White Lace Bra from a new bra block
Blue Duchess Satin Bra

I know not everyone has the background or the ambition to do their own pattern making, but it is possible to make your own bra pattern from scratch, and the link to the instructions that I used for my first nine bras is in my first post above. I have also found this same method as a tutorial, but the images weren't coming up for me. Here's the link to that one for you anyway. The last two bras I made from a block I drew up from the book The Bra Maker's Manual (Vol 2) by Beverly Johnson.

If you already have a bra pattern that works for you, how about having a go at changing the style? It can be as simple as trying out a new strap arrangement, adding / removing part of the bridge or changing the style lines on the bra cups. I have not yet used the exact same pattern twice, although that gets a bit confusing when I'm trying to match up pieces that go together.


I'm really looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with this month, so don't forget, if you're a member of the Facebook or Flickr groups, post those photos so we can all see!