Bra-A-Week: Week 10

Mar 22, 2015 | Swimwear Makes | 8 comments

Hi All!!

Today I have something a little different- and an announcement!

As you have probably guessed from my hints in the last couple of weeks:

I’m extending the Bra-A-Week Challenge! YAY!!!

11 weeks is simply not long enough to enjoy this challenge with you all! So here’s the new scoop on the challenge:

1. I’m fully committing to the challenge for another 9 weeks! (Until the end of May) After which I will look at my time and see where it should go from there who knows, I might be doing this for the rest of my life lol.

2. I’m going to focus mostly on swimwear. As always, this challenge is open to any bra/lingerie/swimwear, so your goal doesn’t have to change with mine- you can do whatever you want!

3. The only rule that I am changing is that submissions have to be in BY FRIDAY NIGHT. It can get a little stressful to rally all of your submissions and post them first thing on Sunday morning- and I really like to get the post out to you before noon on Sundays for you all if I can (definitely didn’t happen today lol!) But don’t worry if you get yours after the deadline- there’s always next Sunday! and anything that is missed will just be in the next week!!

I’m excited to have you all join me for another 9 weeks, or maybe more 😉

 

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So now- back to my project this week! Which is a bikini top!

This top is based on the Marsha style in the Three Sisters bikini pattern from Pin-Up Girls, and is one of the first projects that I planned for the challenge!

I modified the pattern to be quite a bit lower along the neckline than the original, but kept the twist in the middle- which I thought was a very fun element with the mix-match fabrics for the cup!

I decided to modify the neckline because after I tried it on, I thought it would be a little more flattering with a bit more cleavage 🙂

This is the neckline of the original pattern before I lowered it, and yes, this is me sewing in the middle of the night as usual- texting mom to say- “do you think I should lower it?”

The inside of the swimsuit is a cut&sew foam cup with a vertical seam, and short underwires. To modify the neckline after it was finished I just cut the foam down the the height I wanted and folded the outer swim fabric over the top edge and hand-stitched it down. Not as clean as if I designed it ahead of time- but a very simple fix that looks great from the outside!

 

And my favourite part of this swim top has to be the twist in the middle! so fun!

I did make matching bottoms to go with this suit- but they were quickly ruined by one jump in a hot tub. I used the coral/pink fabric for the bottoms and the hot tub dyed them a muddy purple! But not all-over purple which I could have lived with, but only in the areas which weren’t tight against my body- so in the crevices of the waistband, near the seams, and you guessed it- a stripe up the centre back, which is not really something I can pull off.

 

(me being a beach-babe on one of the most beautiful beaches ever!)

This also had to be the first night of my California trip, and the one pair of matching bottoms to the two swim tops I had made for the trip… so I hung my head in defeat and marched myself to the closest Walmart to buy a simple pair of black bottoms- and vowed never to dunk this top into a hot tub! Lesson learned- do not wear your nice custom swimwear into the hot tub!

Have you ever had a hot tub swimwear disaster?

Now onto your submissions!

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First we have this beautiful swim suit and bra from Christie!

Christie made this gorgeous wrap-style swimsuit in pretty spring colours to get her back in the pool! Super flattering with a built in bra too! Love it!

She also made this simple but pretty ‘Winter Whites’ bra, which is her first ever cloned bra! Great job!

cf_green (at) yahoo (dot) com

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Next we have a pretty set from a new contributor Monique of Lingerie MoLou

Monique made this beautiful lace bra from a self draft, with a plunge front and lace straps!

She also made a lovely set of panties to go with it! what a pretty set- I love that lace 🙂

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Next we have a bra from David of Bonnet Blue

David made this bra with half-triangle cups and a hook closure in the back. Very delicate with a pretty black lace!

David is a freelance lingerie designer, label: Bonnet Blue

dpolrolniczak (at) wp (dot) pl

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Next we have blast from the past from Kerri of Lady K’s Wardrobe Unlocked!

Kerri made this under-chemise from the Country Wives Pattern CW SS-01. It’s for re-enacting times from the early 19th century or the War of 1812.

Kerri made this from unbleached cotton- and is planning to wear it under her Recency-era dresses. Wow! Can’t wait to see a picture of that! It does look super comfy too 🙂

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Next is another swim-submission- this time from my mom 🙂

Mom made this swimsuit from the Watson Bra & Bikini pattern for my sister. She used this fun printed swim fabric for the front and lined it with white powernet, which she also used for the back band and little panels on the sides of the bottoms.

 

She used white fold over elastic to finish the edges (although she didn’t get to finish the edges of the legs yet!) And she left the elastic the full width on the top edge of the bottoms- because they are quite low cut! Super cute!

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Last but definitely not least we have this chic bra from Michelle of Michelle’s Creations

Michelle made his bra from the Classic Full Band pattern from Pin-Up Girls, with the addition of a split lower cup. She also modified the pattern to fit her omega shape, with a smaller wire and cradle, and a modified bridge to sit lower and adjust for a flat spot (what a pro!)

And on top of all of that she applied a beautiful lace to the centre front for the ‘butterfly effect’ – wow is that pretty, such good lace placement, it really looks like the wings of a butterfly! And of course she added a little lace to the side too! Make sure to check out her post on this gorgeous bra!

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As always I am totally loving all of your submissions- You guys are getting more creative and inspiring every week! Which is why it makes me so happy to extend this challenge!!

I can’t wait to see what you all come up with in the weeks ahead! Has this given anyone a chance to reflect more on what they like and need in their bra wardrobe? find any gaps? any new loves? Any new goals for the coming weeks?

I’ve definitely found my love of cut & sew foam and fold over elastic! And I can’t wait to get moving more on swimwear! 🙂

As always- don’t forget to check out the Pinterest board, and the Flickr Group if you enjoy those platforms! To grab a challenge button and to send your bra for next week to bra.a.week@gmail.com!!

You can also check out Week 1, Week 2 , Week 3 , Week 4 , Week 5 , Week 6 , Week 7,  Week 8  and Week 9 of this challenge for more amazing bras!

Let me know what your goals are- have they changed? are they the same? How are you feeling coming in to a new season?

Happy Sunday!!!

xo erin

8 Comments

  1. Ilna

    Beautiful bikini, pity about the bottoms. Seems that talent runs in the family because your mom's bikini is also pretty. Monique, what a beautiful lace set!
    I'm glad you are extending the challenge, although one a week is getting too much for me, with everything else going on, BUT I'm definitely going to sew some more (planning to buy the second Crafty class). My hubby said I must thank you for this challenge, because without it I would not have sewn so many pretty bras for myself!

    Reply
    • EmeraldErin

      Thanks Ilna! And don't worry about submitting every week- you can submit whenever you want 🙂 I'm glad your husband is happy about the challenge too 🙂

      Reply
  2. Diana Nuland van

    Yeah, I'm soo happy that the challange is on till the end of May. Your bikini is very lovely, on the beach you look like a Sirene.
    Nice to see all the other challanges too!

    Reply
    • EmeraldErin

      Thanks Diana! I'm so excited about the challenge too 🙂 So much more inspiration 🙂

      Reply
  3. Anonymous

    It's too bad about the hot tub- I had no idea they could ruin swimsuits!
    Good job on the swimsuit top- it suits you better altered, I love your choice of material.
    I also love the white bra and pantie set and the swimsuit with the built in bra. Everyone has done a fantastic job from conservative to sexy- well done!
    Mary M

    Reply
  4. eforshopping

    Erin, Yay! I'm so glad you're extending your challenge. Thank you for all the work you're putting into this, and giving us this inspiring and fun platform. You are creating a community here.

    I love your swim top. It's so sad to hear your bottoms were ruined so quickly. You definitely made the right decision to change your neckline on the top – it looks much better altered.

    Christina's swim top is lovely too. All of these ladies are so inspiring with your swimsuits. Kerri's chemise and Monique's self-drafted bra are amazing.

    Michelle

    Reply
    • EmeraldErin

      Thank Michelle! It is a lot of work- but it's so much fun and I love being able to connect with all of you 🙂

      Reply

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