Barrett Bralette by Madalynne Intimates

Pattern: Barrett Bralette by Madalynne Intimates

From the website:

Pattern Overview: The Barrett is a sporty femme pull-on bralette (no hooks & eyes) that has adjustable shoulder straps, a triangle opening at center front and a wide elastic band at the bottom. It has a forgiving fit, and is meant to be an everyday basic style with a twist via cool fabrics and novelty hardware. Intended Bra Makers: The Barrett is a soft bra, meaning that it does not have underwires. The amount of stretch your fabric has and the firmness of your elastics will play a big role in the amount of support your bralette provides. The pattern is available in sizes XS-XL and is intended for small to medium cup sizes – cup sizes AA-C. The pattern is free (download link at the bottom of the post)! Date Sewn: 08/02/2020 My measurements at this time: 36 high bust, 38.5 bust, 32 underbust

I am a 32-34D in ready to wear bras. I know this pattern states it is drafted for an AA-C cup but I thought I would try it out anyway.

Size used: The pattern size chart states to use size XL for my bust measurement so that is what I traced and cut. THEN when I was reading the sewing instructions, buried in paragraph it talks about using the size for your band as what you would use. WTF.  My pieces already cut out, I wasn’t too pleased. My Band size is an “XS” according to this paragraph, yet my bust size is an XL.  I was confused. I sewed the cups according to the pattern and then used my wonder clips to clip the back band to the cups and tried it on.  Clearly it was going to be too big. So I recut the band to the Small size – thinking XS with my cup size wouldn’t work.  Then I cut 1/2” off the side width of the side cup (where the band and side cup meet) because I had to make that smaller somehow and I had already sewn the cup front and side together.  I really feel like this whole size chart and then band size should all be clearly laid out and easy to find. Instructions: Were they easy to follow? No. Honestly they were not. I read them all first before even tracing the pattern and was very confused. But I went line for line as I was making it and I got through it.  The style of the instructions are not like any I've used before.  Normal pattern: sew A, then b, then c, etc.  these instructions talked about why you would sew something a certain way, THEN told you sew A. Some parts I feel it talked about step C before even getting to sew Step A.  I can't explain this well enough but it was weird to read. I could follow the instructions, but it was difficult. Plus there are not clear pictures on what to sew and how to sew it. I get this is a free pattern, but step by step pictures would have been helpful. Fabric: Diamond Crochet Lace Knit Mint, it is 65% Polyester/35% Cotton and said it had 25% stretch but when I did my own stretch test it was more like 50% one way and very little the vertical way.  I purchased this mint lace from fabric.com in Feb 2016 for $5.93/yard.  I used so very little for this, maybe 1/4 yard.    For the lining I used Stretch Lining - Lt. Weight (Nude) I purchased from Spandex world in May 2017 for $5/yard; It is labeled as 100% Polyester - Fabric Weight: 4.5 Oz/Sq Yard.

I used some pink picot elastic (1/4”) for most of the trims. I used a pink “lace look” fold over elastic (foe) for the underband because regular elastic always bothers me there (allergic to latex) but for some reason foe doesn’t.  I also used foe for the straps.

For the bra strap rings and sliders I used these clear ones from Amazon.  I like them because they were cheap to buy, work great, wash well, and came to me fast. I used the 10mm size. Thoughts: I liked the look of this pattern so I thought I would give it a go. I've sewn sports bras and swim suits plenty, but this was my first "real bra" sewing. It looked easy enough for my first time with no wires or back hooks. I think it turned out cute looking. The keyhole front that I thought was so cute doesn’t lay correctly on me.  I think I need about 1/2” taken out of the lower center V where the keyhole is. This would help it lay more flat there instead of buckling.  Is this because I went with XL cups and not the width of the S band? I'm not sure. Is it the height that needs to be shortened on me instead? I don't know.

This bra took me a long time to sew. I started it at 10am and finished about 4pm. I did have a short break here and there but for the most part it was just bra sewing time. The pattern states that it could take an hour to sew. Ha!  6 hours for me, which could probably be shortened to 4 hours now that I know what I’m doing, and I'm not a new sewist.

Wearing the bra, the cups are comfortable. The straps are adjustable so the right length.  The band is the right tightness. However it’s that keyhole that causes all the problems. Between the buckling up there and the constant folding up underneath my breasts; it is annoying to wear. The foe sits about 1/2” lower than where my breasts end and crease. So it tries to constantly ride up into that crease – I hope that makes sense.

I've wanted to make this pattern forever so I'm glad I tried it out.

Thanks for reading!

Kristin

Jalie 4014–Coco Bra

Racer Back View

Pattern: Jalie 4014 – Coco Bra

Date Sewn: Nov 2019. I was a tester for this pattern

My measurements at the time: Bust 39, Waist 32, Hip 47.5

Size used: Straight X

Alterations: None! Wahoo!

Fabric for Bra #1: Racer back view fabric was a thicker, brushed yoga knit with thicker navy cotton lycra. I used the yoga knit for all layers in front and it made the bra much too tight and compressing. The original pattern stated you could use main fabric for all layers, The released pattern no longer says this but to use swim lining or mesh.

The picture below was from November when I made the bra.  I have lost about 15lbs since then.  The band fit a lot better in this pic because I made it for those measurements. However, I can barely breathe in this picture, lol. My yoga knit, while amazing, is way too compressing and thick to be used as all layers.

Pants in above pictures are my Burda Style 11/2007 #122 Yoga pants I made back in 2017

 

Criss Cross View

Fabric for Bra #2: Criss Cross View I used a brushed yoga knit with blue athletic poly knit. I used swim lining for the inner 2 layers and it worked great. Much better fit. I would suggest something like mesh, swim lining, or a stretchier less compressing knit for the inside layers. This bra feels great. You can see the band is a little loose in these pictures because I lost weight since making it.

Thoughts: I love this bra! I love the style and the fit once I used the right fabrics. As I mentioned above, the first bra was too tight because I used the main fabric for all layers, which was just too much. After I used less thick of fabrics the bra fit great! The band fits perfectly (or it did when I first made it for my larger measurements). My 14yr old wanted to steal these after I sewed them up. I think I need to make her a couple now.

Inside of Criss Cross view on right with swim lining.

In RTW bras I am a D cup (32-34 D to be exact).  I do feel the first bra was more supportive if you were doing something like high impact aerobics or something that caused a lot of bouncing.  But I don’t do anything near that so I like the second bra better because it does support me and still allows me to breathe.  The shorts in these pictures are my Patterns For Pirates – Palazzo shorts I made in 2017 (the have some fit issues but I wear them nonstop. I am also a size bigger or so than when I made them).

I was going to wait and edit my photos to hide any lumps and bumps, but then I got to thinking, no. No I will not hide any imperfections.  I’m a real human and I will post real, unedited photos. I’ve had multiple stomach surgeries and pretty massive health issues. I can’t hide that fact so I will just let them be shown as is.

Jalie has now added a tutorial on their blog for sewing these.  You can find the racer back here and the criss cross here.

 

Thanks for reading!

Kristin

October makes for K ~ Ottobre and Jalie, etc.

Before October exits and November begins I wanted to document my makes for Miss K this month.  I refer back to my blog posts often when I am making things so it is handy to have all my info here. 

Ottobre 04/2007 #31 ~ “Tunic Top”



Size: I used a size 146 for height and 152 for width. I knew K would not like the belt on this tunic so I left that off.

Construction: I had trouble gathering the waist because of my drapey, thin fabric so I ended up getting few gathers and just shaved the sides off by 1.25 inches each so the bottom of the tunic wasn’t so huge. 



Outcome: I used really expensive custom knit fabric that K “had to have and loved” for the bodice.  After I made this top up she informed me that she hated the sleeve cuffs.  So I sat and unpicked both sleeves, cut new ones, sewed them on, and just hemmed them.  After all this work she tells me the top is too babyish and will not wear it.

Fabric: The custom fabric is normally $25 per yard but I bought and sold some to make my Fat Half $9.79, it is called “Bunny Tea” and was ran by Sweet N’ Charmed; I purchased it in July 2014.  The solid pink is a soft rayon type jersey knit with a heathered look; I purchased it from Fashionfabricsclub in Jan 2015.  I used 1/2 yard, $1.98.  The yellow is ribbing material. We’ll say that small bit cost $0.25.  Total for the now pajama shirt: $12.02

Jalie 3461 ~ Eleanore

Size: Before my troubles with the Eleanore pattern I had already traced and cut out a pair for K.  This girl only wears yoga pants and hates jeans.  I thought I’d give this pattern a try on her.  I used a size “Q” for her but shortened it by 2 inches.  The size falls in her exact measurements.



Construction:  I sewed these after my failure with the pattern and hoped that they would fit.  I sewed them with 1/4” seam as directed, but this left no room for adjustments.  These sew up fast and great.  I loved the instructions.  I had no difficulty with them.  Then I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best.



Outcome: K put them on and actually loved them.  They were a tad snug in the rear but overall fit well, if not a little long.  She wore them to school the next day and was happy.  Then I washed them and noticed the seam in the rear had split open.  There is no way I can unpick the top stitching in this corduroy and not ruin the fabric.  So the pants were worn one time and have now met their sad demise.  I will try this pattern again once I pick up some more stretch corduroy; However, I’ll go up one size for her width wise and double stitch the crotch seams.  I will also scoop out the back a bit to make room for her rear.



Fabric: 1 yard of Stretch Corduroy in Dark Teal.  This had great stretch of at least 30%.  I picked this up in August 2013 from Mill End Textiles before they closed shop. It was only $2.99 for the yard. 




Jalie 3352 ~ Dolman Tee

Size: Last week Miss K told me at 5pm that she needed to wear orange the next day to school.  She has no orange shirts.  I went and looked in my stash and wanted to choose the fastest, simplest pattern I could.  I settled on the Jalie Dolman Tee.  I normally go up 2 sizes in Jalie because the fit is snug so I debated and cut an “O” for the shoulders/bust to a “Q” at the waist/hip.  Well, this pattern runs normal sized so I didn’t need to size up. 



Construction:  This went together fast.  There are 3 pieces for my version: the front, the back, and the lower sleeve part. I used my coverstitch for the hems.  K didn’t want the high/low hem going on so I took the low part off the back and used the length of the front all over.  Well, it is short.  It hits her at the just acceptable mark.  I will make this for her again because she loves the style, but will lengthen it by 1-2 inches. 



Outcome: Miss K loved this top. She liked the style and the fabric.  All her friends loved it at school the next day and requested one for themselves.  The next one I make will be smaller in the shoulders though.



Fabric: The main body is a Fat Half of “Paintstrokes” ITY.  I picked it up from FabricMart in July 2015.  The fat half would be $2.25.  The black is also an ITY I picked up from Hancock's in Sept 2015.  I used 1/4 yard we shall say, $1.60. Total for the shirt: $3.85



Jalie 3355 ~ Sweatpants

Size: I’ve had tons of success with this pattern using the sweatshirt and so I assumed the sweatpants would be great too.  I used Miss K’s measurements and settled on size “Q” after measuring the pattern, too.  I shortened the rise by 1” and the height by 2”. 

Sorry, I have terrible light to take pictures this morning

Construction:  I love the pockets on these pants, they are so cute!  These sew together fairly fast. too.


Outcome: They are huge. Absolutely huge on her, all over.  The width and length and rise overwhelm her.  Miss K and I decided to put them away for next year instead of trying to alter them.



Fabric: 1.5 yards of Berry Pink French Terry, purchased from Fashionfabricsclub July 2015 for $5.93

Bonny Leggings – Made for Mermaids

Size: 12 height, 14 width. 



Construction: These go together super fast.  I taped the pattern and cut it out, cut out my fabric AND had it sewn in 45 minutes. 

Outcome: K doesn’t like them. She thinks they are “weird” looking and tells me they are too tight.  This fabric stretches 70% widthwise and 50% lengthwise though.

Fabric: Neon Orange Active wear I just purchased form Fashionfabricsclub. These used almost a yard so we will say they cost $3.95

Brazi Bra – Stitch Upon A Time

Size: XS with a size 2 band



Construction: This is pretty simple to make.  Through trial and error I found that Miss K likes the 3” fold over bottom band instead of the 5”.  I also have to shorten the straps by 1.5”

Outcome: She still doesn’t like this fabric and tells me it is sort of tight.  However she did wear it all day to school. 

Fabric: Neon Orange Active wear I just purchased form Fashionfabricsclub. This used a small bit of my yard so we will say it cost $1.00.  It is fully lined with the same fabric.

Midnight Slippers ~ Stitch Upon A Time

Oh, I almost forgot.  I started to make Mr. T these awesome slippers.  I will not finish the other one laying there however because they are too small for him *cry*  They fit Miss K but she won’t wear them because... zombies.
 


I printed the pattern at 90% and used the biggest size (per his measurements).  I even placed the zombie face right where he looks in the slipper!  The bottoms have slipper grip.  I was too excited to give them to him.  He can’t even squish his little foot in them, lol.  And this was the very last of the walking dead fabric I had.




And there you have it.  Many fails for K and only 1 success and 1 partial success, lol.  She is such a fickle child.

Bring on November!