Monday, October 8, 2012

MakeBra #4800



I've been admiring the lovely bras being sewn in the blogosphere, especially by P'thrifty and when StephC posted about sewing them from makeBra.com I was really interested, the idea of making bright, pretty bras that fit is very exciting!

I wasn't sure on the sizing, originally I measured up as a 95C which didn't seem right so I remeasured in front of a mirror to check that the tape measure was parallel to the floor and I measured up as a 95G which also didn't seem right as I'm a 16E in Australian RTW. I ordered the multisize pattern for the #4800 cos I figured I'd rather get all 3 and pay one postage than have to reorder if I got the wrong size! (BTW, if anyone is a 95G or 95F I have a pattern and underwire I can post out to you, just email me  :)

Annelle recommends making a trial bra so I did that with the 95DD and it was pretty close, I did pin some out in the cup, mostly a wedge at underarm side and a bit from the centre seam. 

I am happy with the fit now and I must say its the best fitting bra I've ever had! Its definitely a full cup bra and fits similar to my sports bra. But I have to admit I really struggled with the instructions, its written as if you have sewn bras before and as a complete beginner I ended up unpicking every part of the bra at least once, sometimes a few times....I got caught out with the foam lining, I thought it would be covered on the inside and outside but its meant to be left exposed so I had to unpick the cover so the smooth side would be on the inside. The top of the band is meant to be finished when you sew the elastic to the bottom of the band as well which I couldn't find in the instructions either.

I hate the fold over elastic too! It was so hard to fit over the thick edge of the foam lining, I noticed on my RTW bra that the cup cover and lining are sewn right sides together then turned right side out, so that the cover wraps over the edge of the lining and no need for fold over elastic (similar to this) so that's what I'll be doing next time!

I nearly didn't finish this, the stitching is so dodgy and the white foam lining looks so weird in the black bra. But I wanted to be able to wear it around for awhile to check the fit before I make another one. Already I know I added length to the end of the strap instead of the middle which means the straps are way to far apart and I used a wider elastic on the bottom of the band which now wants to flip up so I'll be using the recommended size next time.


I didn't stretch the fabric tight enough over the cups too so there is some excess bunching a bit.


After I spent ages unpicking and resewing the bra I finally searched for tutorials (yeah I was a bit slow this weekend!) and found some fantastic ones here that I really wish I'd found earlier! Even though the makebra has the foam lining (which I really like), the tutorial that Sigrid has would still work really well, in fact I'm planning on printing out the pdf for next time I make one!

So, I will be making another one and I do recommend makeBra, great customer service and quite reasonable prices but read the tutorials and don't make the same mistakes I did!

24 comments:

  1. Wooh ooh ooh!!! From pants straight into bras...such an adaptable sewer you are. This looks great and I am sure will become a favourite for you. Just think, no more struggling in the change-rooms trying on bras...

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    1. Thanks Judith, I hate bra shopping! We don't have any specialist stores here anymore so its only target/kmart and their range is limited to say the least!

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  2. You are the goddess of practical sewing at the moment - me not so much - but I'm sure we both have fun!

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    1. Thankyou! I love your wiggle dress, I've got to start making some frosting soon!

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  3. Suzy, I am impressed! This looks fantastic, cannot believe it's your first bra. I ordered the same pattern (#4800) after I saw it on StephC's blog. I hope to get to it this week, so I thank you for your review. I feel like the bra would be more comfortable with the inner foam covered - what are your thoughts on that?

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    1. Thanks Andrea, I like the foam lining because of the shape it gives me (I've never liked unlined bras). The cup is very comfortable, but I used a not very stretchy fabric on the band plus the straps are way too far apart on the back so the band isn't that comfortable. I'm going to get some tricot knit/lingerie knit for the band on the next version.
      Can't wait to see your finished one!

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  4. For a first attempt your bra looks great,I shall have to check out the website, I especially like the straps.
    Louise

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    1. Thankyou, the straps are nice and wide and padded, I hate having spindly ones on a bra.

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  5. It does not look bad. But I trust you to perfect the fit as you have done with your trousers. I am now preparing myself for even more sewing envy because I know you will start whipping them out like no man's business. lol. I had looked at her website ages ago, but I wanted to try bra making with patterns that did not take long to get to me, and which I had more reviews to read. I bought the Kwik sew 3300 and two from the Bra Makers. I still have to try them. but I will. I am not letting you leave me behind on this one. lol

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    1. Thanks Dibs, trust me though the stiching is pretty dodgy and the fold over elastic looks like the cat chewed it up! I hope you make yours up soon, I've seen some really nice ones from that pattern.

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  6. The queen of practical sewing indeed! Love it. Good to read about your experience - I measured myself up on their website too and felt NQR on the sizing. Cheers for the link to Sigrid's site - I must have missed that one! I will get around to sewing bra's eventually... maybe after I've finally started on that pants block? ha!

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    1. The sizing is hard to pick and with getting it posted from so far away it sucks to pay postage and wait for a couple weeks then get the wrong one! It easier to adjust the patterns than I thought though, the band is very easy to adjust bigger or smaller and if the cup is similar size its easy to pin it out to suit yourself.
      I'm actually a bit sick of practical sewing at the moment and have just started a version of V8333 after suffering total sewing envy of yours!

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  7. This is looking fantastic! I can't believe it is your first attempt- epic work :D

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    1. Thankyou! Theres a reason why there is no real close up pics though, the foldover elastic looks seriously dodgy!

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  8. Suzy what a fantastic job you have done with your bra, and you are right, Sigrid's tutorials are a god send. Now you have your first one under your belt there will be no stopping you. I always have one of the bras I made in front of me when making the next (helps me).

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    1. Thankyou, your's are always so gorgeous and professional looking and yes, Sigrid's tutorials are fantastic! Thats a great tip about having one in front when you are sewing them, it might have stopped me makign stupic mistakes like sewing the hooks and eyes on the wrong sides and back to front, lol!

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  9. Wow - I am really envious now - you have mastered the pant and now moved on to bras... A great job. Cant wait to see what you come up with in the future

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  10. It looks really good. I am so impressed that you made a bra that fits straight up. I have tried making bras a couple of times but can't seem to get my head around it. This sounds like a good pattern.

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    1. Thanks! The trial bra really helped with the fit and I think the foam lining is probably a bit more forgiving than doing an unlined cup.

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    1. Thankyou! But it really is pretty dodgy up close!

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  12. Gah, what are you doing? I have enough projects on the go as it is but I have to keep seeing lovely, perfect fitting bras that others are churning out and I don't know how long I'll be able to hold out.

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    1. Theres so many pretty bras being made isn't there, I love all the lace ones that are on the blogs!

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