I made a bra! A real, underwire, lace bra. I have written a bit about the bra-making workshop I attended on Instagram, months ago, but haven’t properly blogged about it. I guess I’m old-school because I feel like it’s necessary to blog about the big stuff. And, this lovely bra-making workshop with Madalynne definitely counts as big stuff. The workshop was a Christmas gift from my mom who generously and kindly listened when I hand-selected exactly what I wanted. Bras have felt like one of the ‘final frontiers’ in sewing a handmade wardrobe and, if I’m being honest, pretty intimidating. So, I knew I was going to want to sew it with an expert in the room. I had no idea I was going to get a fully indulgent, immersive experience in a room full of awesome women. It was downright glorious!
Madalynne is the queen of bra-making and has an amazing selection of bras to choose from but I knew I wanted a workshop that would teach me how to make a classic, lacy, underwire bra. So, I decided on the workshop that involved creating her pattern Simplicity 8229 (the kit is available here).
Madalynne is not only a skilled sewist of fiddly lace fabric and a master of sizing bra cups she is also a warm, generous, funny person. Her personal story is really fabulous and she does tons to give back to the people around her who are building their own businesses. She’s an all around inspiring person to be around and it’s lovely to see how much success she has enjoyed.
She puts so much care into the workshops as well. Along with a leopard-printed two-tiered cake (hello!), we enjoyed a full gluten-free meal and refreshing lemonade on a stunning table setting. She purposely keeps the workshops small so there is plenty of time and room for questions. It was an all-day indulgence into my sewing practice. Truly the perfect gift.
On top of spending time with the sparkling personality that is Madalynne; I got to laugh and create with this tremendous group of women. It’s a 7-hour workshop, y’all. 7 hours of making, eating a meal, having cake and chatting with people so deeply interested in sewing that they chose to spend a Saturday making a bra. You get to know each other and connect over an intense love of sewing. How fabulous, right?!
Plus, I experienced an amazing first. As I was introducing myself I mentioned that I sell kits for making shoes and someone chimed in, “I just bought one!”. Sure enough, I had just sent Carly a kit. I nearly cried. I was so excited for a spontaneous connection over my humble espadrille kits. Talk about warm fuzzies.
Madalynne and I got a huge kick out of thinking about Carly in her bra and shoes and nothing else. We cracked each other up. The idea took root, however, and by the time I left that afternoon we planned on a collaboration. So, make sure to check on Instagram tomorrow for something fun. 🙂 Here is a hint: Madalynne recently release some bikini kits. Wearing only a bra and shoes is a bit silly but wearing a me-made bikini and handmade shoes is next-level awesome! Wink. Wink.
All the photos are courtesy of Madalynne and her assistance Shayla (who is getting a fashion degree) because they are multi-talented like that.
Melody Srygley says
Crazy fun! (And a photo of your finished product?) BUT. Did you ever blog the black hoodie? I think not. Wink. Wink. I too have an espadrille kit – that hid on me – and I pulled it out for your sew along. (THANK YOU for that!) Can’t wait to see the big reveal tomorrow!
Melissa Q. says
I’m wearing the bra in the final photo! Over my clothes but still!. 🙂 So excited you are on the espadrilles train! Yay for sew-a-long!