How is a Bra like a Slipcover? In other words, what do a bra and a slipcover have in common? 1. They are both expected to fit over a curved and shapely surface. The skill needed to cover a curved surface in fabric is needed to make both bras and slipcovers. This skill sets the […]
Four Ways of Measuring How exactly do you measure to determine a bra size? There are four ways of measuring that I know of and each one has its merits and pitfalls. Let’s go through them one by one. Method 1 – Rib Cage and Full Bust This is the method used by bra fitters in […]
Stockholm in the summer is one of my favourite places to be and with good reason. Not only is the weather warm (but not sticky) and the people friendly (love that Swedish accent!) but Stockholm (the Venice of the North!) is home to the European Bra Summit, and I am teaching there for the third […]
We here in the North are knee-deep in our “favourite” winter pastime, which is of course shoveling snow. This winter, Mother nature seems to be particularly vexing, as she is dumping snow every second or third day. Enough, already! Are you ready for a little sunshine through the snow? I know I am! There have been mixed reports […]
Can you believe it is time again! Time once again for the THIRD tri-annual Bra-makers Ahoy cruise. If you haven’t cruised with us before, set your sights to March 6-16 as we go to….drum roll here…. the Canary Islands! Yes, we sail on the beautiful Norwegian Epic on a luxurious, informative and restorative ocean cruise! […]
Let’s say you buy a bra and when you wear it, you get a rash. Taking the bra back to the store may not be possible or even successful. You want to complain directly to the manufacturer. How do you find out who they are? By reading the garment label, of course! By law, a label HAS […]
Fabric Magic – Trick 1 Have I got a neat trick to share with you! It’s like fabric printing MAGIC! PROBLEM: Duoplex, our go-to main bra-making fabric is plain-Jane fabric, even though the colours are gorgeous when made up. I wanted pattern, colour and prints! Sorry, duoplex…but you weren’t getting my mojo going anymore! SOLUTION: Print […]
I am sure there are few things worse than sewing up a pattern you love, in a size you know fits you – only to have it NOT FIT at the end! Grrr…very frustrating! But when that sewing project is your very own perfectly fitting bra pattern – it’s even worse than frustrating! It’s like you […]
Here I am back in beautiful Denver, Colorado for a few days. It’s like the Return to Oz for me! I assumed the weather would be much colder than ours but I was pleasantly surprised. It is mild (for winter weather) and I may not have to wear my big clunky winter snowshoes…er..boots. This is what the […]
Another Boob Camp finished yesterday! This was the last Boob Camp in December 2014 and was a full house. You know what that means – it’s time for our Digital Fashion Show! Usually on the first two days we start off with the basic bra, then by Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning, they are ready to […]
Craftsy Black Friday Sale – I am so excited to share the news that my Sewing Bras: Construction & Fit is the TOP-SELLING sewing Class at Craftsy! yes, we have broken all sales records and it’s only been two months since the class launched! Thanks to all of you who have purchased the class! If […]
Once Upon a Time – Waist Management Today Judy, Rochelle and I went on a road trip to see an exhibit called Waist Management – a history of unmentionables showing at the Peel Region Art Gallery, Museum and Archives (PAMA) in Brampton. We paid the admission fee of $3.50 (I am a senior now I guess!) […]
My Three Sisters It’s been a hectic 2 months here at the Enchanted Castle, with the recent launch of my Craftsy Swimwear class, plus I have had a special request to make a bikini pattern. We’ve have been working very hard to test these suits to make them fit and flatter. So without further ado, here is the latest Pin-up Girl […]
Nifty Notions – the Sewing Edge I like to borrow nifty notions from our quilting sisters – today, it’s a great little gadget called the Sewing Edge. It is used by quilters to keep that 1/4″ seam allowance. Well, guess what? Bra-makers can use it too! The Sewing Edge is a simple piece of PVC (or some […]
Exciting news! My Craftsy bra class launched today! It is aptly called Sewing Bras – Construction & Fit. Some of you may recall a couple of months ago I went to Denver. What an exciting time I had for the filming. Craftsy set me up with the best crew ever – they are so professional! They made me […]
Great news everyone! My Craftsy class ” Sewing Bras – Construction & Fit” is scheduled to launch on Tuesday September 23rd! As a special promotion, we are hosting a Craftsy Class Giveaway. Yes, it’s free to enter. Just click on the link below and you will automatically be entered in the contest. A lucky winner will be chosen at random by Craftsy on […]
A new Pin-up Girl in the line of sewing patterns! The #2509 Ova-Bra Slimmer that you can wear over (ova) your own great fitting bra to smooth away those lumps and bumps and make your clothes fit and look fabulous. Check out the options! Two body views – one hip length so you can tuck it in […]
The new crystal collection has just arrived! Stunning pieces of Austrian cut crystal in really good designs, suitable for beachwear, clubwear, formal and cocktail dresses and bodybuilding competition wear. Does that last one surprise you? It shouldn’t. Bodybuilding is big business and those ladies need to show some sparkle too! Here’s the newest crystal line-up. […]
It’s official! The article in the Costco Connection magazine about the Fairy Bra Mother is out. You can read all about it here or in the magazine which is sent to all Costco members. On page 64 (way at the back..lol) But still…Costco Connections!
Boob Camp August 2014 is over! Once again, we present our Digital Fashion Show. This Boob Camp was unusual not because we had “only” two students, and not because they were from opposite ends of the country but because of the sheer VOLUME of work they turned out! In five days, they each produced a […]
Blast to the past Last week I experienced a blast to the past of my former life. Years ago, I was a drapery and slipcover maker, and when my friend Rochelle heard that, she asked me to “help her” make slipcovers for her hide-a-bed. These things are really heavy but we moved it out from the wall all […]
This weekend the staff had a “work social”, and we went to the home of Carl and Joan Konig who own Sew It Was, a most unique collection of antique sewing machines dating back to the mid 1800s. But that is really Carl’s collection, and while he is busy building things to house and display these fine machines, Joan keeps herself busy […]
Once Upon a Time and far far Away – Sew It Was Today was one of the days that will be held in my memory as a really, really good day. We went to Sew It Was, and in my opinion, anyone who is connected to the needle trades owes themselves a visit to this very […]
Love Steampunk? Love corsets whose grommets match the busk and other metal trims? Then you are reading the right blog post! We just received our custom order of antique bronze grommets, size #00, which is a 3/16″ or 5 mm size. I have not seen this colour available in a real grommet with two sides. […]
My time in the Craftsy studios was an amazing time, and I feel like I have been accepted as part of the Craftsy family! As soon as I let you know the class title and the launch date, I will let you know! In the meantime, I would like to thank my acquisitions editor, Eunny […]
I am in Denver this week working on a very exciting project. I submitted proposals to Craftsy last year, but when they called while I was Sweden to ask if I could film a class, I was overjoyed! But as the time got closer, I was worried…was I ready for my close up pictures? Is there that […]
Not only did Boob Camp July 2014 just finish, but it went back to back with a panty class and a beginner bra class. So our Digital Fashion Show has lots on the runway today! I love Boob Camp. It’s a week where you can do what you want in bra-making. We had 4 students, two […]
Just arrived at the store – the four colours of power nets we have been waiting for! These are all the Regular Power net FP-1, 60″ (150 cm) wide, with a blend of nylon and spandex. It is the firmest power net we have for bra backs. It seems like we have been waiting months and […]
Today we went to the Vasa Museum. This was my second time there in as many years but this place fascinates me. The Vasa was a ship built in Stockholm which sunk in the harbour on her maiden voyage in 1628. The Vasa was built in the shipyard in Stockholm and was one of 5 […]
Today was a sightseeing highlight for me. We went into Stockholm and walked along the street. You can see the agrand Hotel at the left with the flags…temporary home to many rock stars who perform in the city. Here’s the Stockholm Theatre along the way. What glorious architecture! It was raining a bit so we […]
Classes are finally over but this is always a bittersweet time….I have to say goodbye to my new Friends but yet I know they are going home with new knowledge and hopefully inspiration to make themselves some beautiful bras. We did a class on style changes and that was a full house with16 in the […]
The Shelley class finished today far far away in Stockholm, with 14 students making my Shelley bra pattern, with a four-piece cup, split lower cup and a built- in power bar. So without further delay, here is the Shelley digital fashion show! First lets have a look at what three students finished yesterday! This is […]
Yesterday afternoon we started a project you may not have seen before. That’s because I have never posted pictures of any finished garments before today. EVER! But today, you will have the surprise I hinted about a few days ago. The students in Stockholm made bra dresses and many of them finished the dress in […]
