Hi All,
This week I thought I would do something that I have been completely neglecting this year. I have not made any panties to go with my bras, let alone sets with garter belts! So I thought I would take two of the beauties that I’ve made this last month and turn them into sets, because they really deserve it!
I chose the Black Beauty bra, because I thought I could do something super sleek and cool to match with the look of this bra.
Then I chose The Parisian, so I could have a super pretty and girly set! All of the ruffles and bows!
The true inspiration behind these sets, and my motivation, are all the beautiful sets from Miss Maddy– if you haven’t seen them then make sure you check out her blog- some serious lingerie envy happening! And now I can say that I’ve joined the matching sets club! I even went out and bought some thigh-highs to go with these garter belts!
I’ll show off the Black Beauty set first, and I think it goes without saying that I will not be modelling anything for you this week, I’m not quite that bold, and there is no way that I’m getting out of my flannel pjs this morning to take pictures in sheer lingerie sets! lol!
For this set I drafted the garter belt to be a little bit lower than my natural waist, and to have a cross-over detail in the front, to match the overlapping powerbar in the bra. I used a single layer of bra tulle for the garter belt, with fold over elastic and a hook and eye closure. The front of the panty is also a single layer of bra tulle, with power net for the back of the panty. The panty are a very cheeky style, with a seam up the back and a fairly snug fit, but with the gentle fold over elastic on the leg they actually don’t cut in hardly at all, so I don’t think they would show through clothing too much. Although this will not be an everyday set lol!
I LOVE this set, to me it’s so sleek and cool. I can’t wait to wear it!
Then the next set I made was for The Parisian, and of course this one had to be more pretty and romantic and parisian! I wanted it to feel as delicate as possible to match with the bra!
This set was all about the pretty and the ruffles. This garterbelt sits at my natural waist, and is made with a single layer of bra tulle, fastening with a hook and eye in the back. I finished the edges with 3/8″ band elastic, and the garter straps are 1/2″ strap elastic. The panties are made with a single layer of tulle also but with TONS of extra width to gather into these ruffled panties, which I think are just the cutest things in the whole world. I made them so the elastic is sewn 1/2″ from the raw edge of the tulle, and the raw edge is left as a ruffle!
And of course bows, bows in the center front, bows on the garter strap attachment, all of the bows all of the places <3 <3
I was actually surprised at how long it took me to make these. They weren’t particularly challenging, but by the time I decided what I wanted to make (forever) then drafted the patterns and figured out how I was going to make them, I definitely could have made another bra! I need to make more panties!
I really don’t know which one of these sets I like more. I think I’m naturally inclined to say that the Black Beauty set is my favourite (because I’m not usually a frills kind of girl) but the frills are really growing on me. How about you? which set do you like more?
And now on to all of your lovely bra makes this week!!
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First we have this beautiful bra from Angela of My Little Sewing Dreams!
Angela made this bra using the Marlborough pattern from Orange Lingerie and cut and sew foam covered in microfiber and lace! Super pretty!
Angela even made two cut pair of panties to go with this bra! Make sure you head over to her blog and check out more about this gorgeous set!Â
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Next we have a bra from Réka of Red Heels!
This is the second bra that she’s made using the Maya pattern. This time she made it in this gorgeous deep red silk satin- how luxurious!
I love the rich style of this bra! Make sure you head over to Réka’s post to read all about this bra and sewing with silks! I personally can’t wait for an atonement inspired green silk bra- I think I need one myself!!
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Next we have a lovely foam cup bra from Anne!
Anne made this foam cup bra to go under a holiday outfit this year. She needed a black bra, but wanted to spice it up a bit with this brown lace- it did the trick- how cute is this!
She also made some handy modifications, cutting the cup to bring the straps in closer to go under her dress, and finishing the edges with some fold over elastic! Very lovely!
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Next we have a beautiful swim set from Maddy of Miss Maddy Sews!
Maddy made this set using some beautiful designer swimwear fabric she found at her fabric store, and the Boylston pattern from Orange lingerie and Grace Panties from Ohhh Lulu. How cute is this set!! I’m super jealous- not only of the suit, but of your Australian Christmas on the beach- how I long for the beach!
I just think this is the coolest swimsuit ever, I love the fabric and the styling! Make sure you head over to Maddy’s blog to read all about this beautiful bathers set!!
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And last but not least we have a pretty bra from Jennifer of Jensware!
Jennifer made this bra using a wicking fabric, duoplex and beige findings, using the Classic pattern from PUG patterns. Very simple pretty!
This is her friends favourite working bra, and I’m not surprised, it look so comfortable! Such a great friend! Make sure to head over and check out more about this bra over on Jennifer’s Blog!
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Wow!! Another week of such stunning submissions! I’m so excited to see so many beautiful inspiring bras and bathers! And so close to Christmas!
As always, don’t forget to check out the Pinterest board, and pin all of your lovelies over there! And if you’re on Instagram and posting your lovely makes- don’t forget to add in #braaweek!!
You can go here to grab a challenge button and don’t forget to send your bra for next week to bra.a.week@gmail.com by Friday for the next Sunday post!
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How is your week going? Are you all ready for Christmas?
lots of love <3
xo
erin
Lovely sets! I think I prefer the black beauty, but I am strictly a no-frills kind of girl myself…
One thing I noticed though: Did you finish those lovely garter belts? In every photo, I see very long straps but no sliders or clips…
I have made and worn (both RTW and me-made) garter belts myself because I prefer stockings and garters over pantyhose and based on that I feel I have to point out that yours might not stand up to all-day functional wear. Garter belts for that purpose are usually cut to fit at the waist, they are a bit more substantial and a six strap belt is better than a four strap one for keeping those stockings under control. Alternatively, you can go for a girdle-like design which means you barely need straps at all (I made one which has a shape similar to a girdle but is just made from lycra, you can see it in this post: https://petitmainsauvage.blogspot.nl/2012/12/suspense.html). This style works much better under pencil skirts.
And metal clips are essential (plastic ones just break after a while).
Thanks for the tips on garter belts! These ones are definitely not for long-term or everyday wear, just something fun. I didn't finish the ends because I only had one set of garter clips (I use the metal ones too!) and I hadn't decided which one I wanted to wear first, while I wait for my order of more clips.
I'll have to check out your post, and I might look into more foundation wear in the future!
Gorgeous, gorgeous! I love them both, and while I generally love frills and lace, that black set is to die for as well.
Thanks Evie <3<3
Stunning sets, both of them! I really can't decided which I like more – I am definitely usually very much a pink and frilly kind of gal, but the black set is undeniably sophisticated and sleek – needless to say, both are definitely inspiring some makes on my to-do list now! And I'm so flattered to have been an inspiration too 😉 I am very very nearly ready for Christmas now – only a couple of presents left to go – and super excited (partly for the weather – Christmas Eve and Day both expected to hit a top of 36 degrees celsius here in Melbourne)!
Thanks Maddy! 🙂 I think more sets are in my future too!!!
I still have a couple presents to make, I'm thinking some flannel bralettes are in the future for my sister and mom 🙂 But I wish we had the weather for bikinis instead! One year I'll have a Christmas in Australia on the beach!
You are an inspiration! These sets are so gorgeous!
Thanks Leah 🙂 you make me blush 🙂
Wow, amazing sets 🙂 Really extraordinary.
I love the one with ruffles, but if I might say (as I struggle with the same issues always) does it bother you that the gusset is different coloured?
Im quite clueless when it comes to my lace French knickers which have all kinds of colours but if I don't line them with white, black or nude, I just can't sew there a matching gusset. This is really annoying. Every RTW always have the color-matching floating gusset and I just feel like it looks strange when I pair a pink lace with white gusset, its sometimes look like a panty liner and makes me frustrated…
Thanks Réka!
And yes it does bother me a little that the gusset lining doesn't match. I don't think it will be too apparent when it's on because it's not an overly long gusset, but it would be nice to have it match. That is one advantage that the lingerie companies have, because they are making thousands of the same set. Looking back I think beige might have been even better than white on this.
These are really beautiful sets!!! I've recently taken a few Craftsy Classes and have not put my newly learned skills to work yet (feeling a little intimidated!). I can't wait to start my first one! Your inspirations keep me motivated to moving forward! (I just need to get rid of the scary cat syndrome!)
Thanks Myra!! I'm so happy I could inspire and motivate you! YAY for new bra sewists! I can't wait to see what you make! I promise it's going to be fun!! and addictive 😉
Both are gorgeous, but for me, the frilly set is tops! That panty look like it really took some figuring out: I never would have thought to have the frill included – quite an amazing design feature. All the others are beautiful and Maddy's bikini is also beautiful. I have a bra cut out (after 6 months of no bra sewing) – just a test I'm busy with – and hope to have it sewn by the weekend. I really need to sew some sets, but my supplier is closed until 11 January – it sucks. Might experiment with some of my scraps…
Thanks Ilna! And sorry I missed this comment- I do quite like the frill too- it too A LOT of fabric to make such cute little panties! Good luck with your next bra!