I’ve only made one set of lingerie before, but here I am already starting to make experiment. I wanted to know if making a pair of bra from ordinary fabric without stretch is possible, so I made this yesterday after finishing Sidra’s jeans.
Floral tube topYou know, sometimes you make something that looks good but somehow you never wear just because you never feel like wearing it. It’s the case of this tube top that I made about a year ago. I think I wore it once after that. It looks good, but maybe I just don’t feel too comfortable wearing something that leave my shoulders completely bare. So I decided to cut up this top for my bra experiment.
The pattern is the same as my first bra, Pin-up Girls Classic Bra #1230 in size 30B. The top has pretty embroideries on the edge that I use for the upper cup. I added about 0.5 cm to the length of the upper cup to anticipate the non-stretchiness. Other than that, there was no pattern alteration.
The band was cut on bias, but I did line it with powernet to make it stronger. I use bra notions kit in jeans blue from Merckwaerdigh at Etsy, it has enough supplies to make one pair of bra and panties, not including fabric. I also use underwires, salvaged from my old bra. It does give the bra more shape.
The finished bra is not as smooth as bra made with lycra. With all those embroideries, they are not suitable to be worn under T-shirt. But they look very pretty and surprisingly comfortable! I don’t know if it’s because I don’t have too many things to support, so maybe things will be different for the more well-endowed ladies. I think the bra would be perfect to be worn under thin loose blouse or with the floral straps peeking.
I also made a matching panties. The pattern is from a Japanese pattern book that I borrowed from local library sometime ago. The panties are cut on bias, so they are stretchy. I love this floral set! The fabric definitely wanted to be a pair of bra than a tube top!
The band is cut on bias and lined with power net.
Matching panties, cut on bias.
A couple more panties that I made before. The white one is made completely of stretch lace. Very easy sewing. It has high waist and is very sexy, leaving half of the lower butt hanging out. They are not very comfortable for me, but I guess there are people who love this style of panties.
The pink one is made with lycra and stretch lace. They are originally in white, but I dyed them red which resulted in this pink colour. Maybe I should let them soak longer for the red color. I also found out that my body doesn’t like working with dyes and chemical, I was coughing a lot when using the dye. Note to self: use mask for next dyeing project.
Bra pattern is Pin-up Girls Classic Bra #1230 from ElingerieA
Floral panties pattern is from an old Japanese pattern book
White and pink panties pattern is Merckwaerdigh Mix30
28 Comments
I sew from time to time but have never considered making my own lingerie! It looks like it takes a lot of patience and skill that I don’t have, I’m very impressed. Creative and beautiful!
I’m so impressed with this lingerie! It’s so much more beautiful than anything I see in stores.
Wonderful set!
I really love your blog and drool over each and every own of your project!
I have a question: What sewing machine do you use, I plan on acquiring a good one, this time!
Hi Estelle, you can read about the equipments I use in the ABOUT page.
Basically I use a Janome Equle CP 4850 for all my sewing, I don’t have a serger :)
Thank you for the info! I’ll look into the Janome available here, I remember trying one out, it felt effortless and tear free compared to mine.
oh how adorable! :) and cuter than store bought pieces!! :)
these are extremely lovely lingerie to make and own!
i would have to commend you for the patience involved in trial&error as i nv fail to get frustrated when my paper pattern didnt work at first.
Wow! It’s not easy to sew lingerie. Although I’ve been sewing for 15 years I have never even tried to do that. Respect.
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BTW Greetings from summery Poland :)
Great set, love the combination of the fabric with the blue notions!
Thank you for the comment! There’s still a lot that I have to learn and your blog is such an inspiration for lingerie making!
This set is just beautiful Novita. And you didn’t even have to go shopping for fabric! I liked your original tube dress but you have changed it into something really special. Maybe you’ll never go bra shopping again. You’re inspiring me to give it a go!
That is amazing!
It looks so proffesional!
I like the idea of the straps showing,since the straps don’t really look like for a bra, since it looks like tank top straps! :)
So pretty and inspiring!
Your new set of lingerie is the cutest undies I’ve ever seen! I LOVE what you did! Some smart executive at a clothing design studio should hire you instantly!
mmmm, so cute:)
Please use a mask! It’s not the immediate cough that would be a real problem :-(. Once won’t give you cancer, but you really don’t want to make a habit of it.
More likely, you used fiber-reactive dyes like Dylon on this? If you’re dyeing nylon (not polyester, which you shouldn’t attempt at home) then you need acid-based dyes. Also need a mask when mixing, but will take up beautifully on wool, silk, animal fibers in general, and nylon. Look up instructions on Dharma Trading’s site..
I love it! I wish I could do at least one of the wonderful things you do! Have a nice day :-)
How cute! I love the floral fabric and I think having the strap peek out from under a blouse would be very sexy. Great job!
I love the bias cut panties!! I want to make some!!May i know the old Japanese book name or even better, do you have a picture of the cover?? Thank you :)
I borrowed the book several months ago and traced the pattern, but I didn’t remember to take notes of the title. I’m very sorry! If I found the book again, I will definitely update!
Ooh, very pretty! I really like it.
Esther.
Wow. I’d really really like to be able to sew a Liberty of London lingerie set one day… You’re very close to that, I’m starting to get a little envious!
More seriously, you might be my new sewing model now…
Those look really GREAT!
I have a little tip for dyeing fabric. If you can, do it outdoors. I use a camping stove on my porch and an old pot. One time I dyed indoors without knowing about the horrible, weird smell.
Thanks for posting so much on your blog. (^-^)
I should have thought about it! Thank you for the tip :)
gosh i love beautiful lingerie!
it’s official now… you are my inspiration..
really salute you for sewing the bra & pantties. never thought it could be done.
Very beautiful…I’m inspired :)