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How to Draft a Mastectomy Pocket

October is Breast Cancer Month. Every year, breast cancer claims the life or the well-being of someone we know. Studies indicate that 1 in 4 women are affected by breast cancer in some way. But is there something we can do for those women who…

Dancing Queen Challenge Entries

We are pleased to present our Ultimate Bra-making Challenge Entries. September's theme was Dancing Queen, so we challenged you to create dance costumes. Some dance costumes are made from spandex, but others have crinoline and tulle. We wondered…

Ruby and the other Jewels

You met Ruhee Rajan of Rubie's Bras in a previous post, but now it is time to share with you how the bra patterns,  Ruby and the other jewels, Sapphire and Amethyst came to be. In the spring of 2016, Ruhee came in with a molded foam cup bra,…

Be a Breast’s Friend!

The alarming statistics show that the life of every woman, young or old is affected by breast cancer in some way. It may be your best friend, your mother, sister or even your daughter. It may even be you. October is Breast Cancer month and…
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Why Ruby?

The three newest patterns in the Pin-up Girls collection are Ruby, Sapphire and the soon-to-be-released Amethyst. Since I typically name my patterns after women in my life, and these patterns are clearly named after gemstones, some have asked…

Summer Boob Camp

We love Boob Camp, but we especially love Summer Boob Camp. The weather is perfect and we get so inspired by the students that come from around the world to be with us for 5 glorious days. We call that a "sew-cation" but some call it a "play-cation".…

Lacey Days of Summer Challenge Entries

Here it is again - the time when we show you the Lacey Days of Summer Challenge Entries. this time, we wanted to put your creativity to the test as we asked you to work with TWO laces in the same garment. You did not disappoint. Here are some…

Dancing Queen!

When I think of September, I think of school starting up again. But for many mothers, it is also the time when Dance School starts again. So what better way to challenge ourselves in September but with a theme of Dancing Queen? I'm going to…
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Move the Strap on Ingrid

The Ingrid non-wired bra pattern has quickly become a new favourite among our customers. It fits really well on most women without any alteration. However, women with sloping shoulders or narrow shoulders might need to move the strap.  Here's…
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Another Jewel for your Chest

Here's another jewel for your chest - the ever-so-popular Ruby bra pattern now has a little sister. Introducing the latest in our Jewel Collection - the Sapphire Partial Band Bra Pattern. The Sapphire  must be used with underwires as this is…
Sewing Bras Designer Techniques Craftsy Taught by Beverly Johnson y-back with keyhole

Racer Back Ingrid

If you've made our new Ingrid pattern, you will quickly realize that it could easily be adapted to be a sports bra. One thing it lacks however is a back typical of sports bras - a racer back. These backs are often called Y-backs or sports backs,…

Your Birthday Suit Challenge Entries

July's challenge was all about wearing your birthday suit. No, we didn't want to you to appear naked in this challenge, but as close to it as you are comfortable with! Yes, that's right, we wanted you to work with sheer fabrics. There are so…

Lacey Days of Summer!

Ah, summer! I remember the song from the 60s...those Lacey Days of Summer....What? Are you saying those were not the words? No matter, our challenge in August is to make intimate apparel from lace. Doesn't sound like much of a challenge, does…

Disco Ingrid!

Our recent non-wired bra pattern Ingrid has had rave reviews from both testers and the first wave of the bra-making public. However, there are still some who are hesitant to try a non-wired bra, saying it might be too"matronly" looking. We made…
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How to make Hemless Boyshorts

Someone told me recently that some women didn't make their own underwear, because they felt the leg elastics would show as a panty line under clothes. This shocked me for two reasons 1. Who wouldn't want to make their own underwear? and 2. the…

How to Sew Ingrid

Ingrid is a non-wired support bra from the design team at Pin-up Girls. Together we've created a bra pattern with the largest size range on the planet. Ingrid has a lot of pieces, and they all contribute to the engineering of this remarkable…

Introducing Ingrid

We've been asked many times for a pattern for a non-wired bra that would not only support, but flatter the larger bust. A bra that does not rely on underwires for support, and one that could have a front opening, such as a zipper or hook and…

Take Pride Challenge Entries

Our theme for the Ultimate Bra-makers Challenge this month was Take Pride. We challenged you to use the six rainbow colours of Pride to create your own intimate apparel. You had fun with this challenge! Here are the Take Pride Challenge Entries…
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The BCD Method of Measuring Explained

The BCD Method of Measuring Explained When I first started designing bra patterns, I was faced with a dilemma - what sizing system should I use? Some patterns want you to take the full bust measurement, the high bust measurement and subtract…
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Sew Simple Bralettes

Recently I was asked to do a book collaboration with Nancy's Notions. I was thrilled beyond belief as I'd been a fan of hers for over 35 years!. The book would have 32 pages of how to instructions and photos for 6 projects plus a pattern. Sounds…

Your Birthday Suit!

When someone suggests to you that you "wear your birthday suit" what do you think they are suggesting? That's right - they are asking you to get naked! But this challenge is not about that at all  (good heavens...NO!) We are asking you to work…

8 ways to wear a Bralette

Bralettes have become the biggest small thing in the lingerie world.  It's no wonder - they are super comfortable, easy to wear and easy to make. But did you know how versatile they can be? I recently wrote a book called Sew Simple Bralettes…
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A Ruby for your Treasured Chest

Our newest pattern, called the Ruby, is a foam-lined bra with offset vertical seams. Because it is foam-lined, you may not be familiar with the construction techniques peculiar to foam. Denise recently made her version and she happily shares…

Take Pride!

In June, we take pride in a group that is often overlooked. That's people with "other" sexual orientations, including the gay, lesbian and bi-sexual community.  (Honestly, I don't care who anyone sleeps with, as long as they can sew!) But…

Behind the Scenes at Nancy’s Notions

One of my fondest memories was of my mom and I stopping for our lunch at work, then taking some time afterward to watch Sewing with Nancy on public television. That was one of  few sewing shows available to us on the east coast of Canada and…

3 ways to make a corset

If you are making a corset or waist cincher for the first time, you might follow the pattern instructions and think that's all there is to it. But did you know there are at least 3 ways to make a corset? That's right - three different ways to…

Hop to it Challenge Entries

Once again, we present our amazing and talented customers and their  Hop to it Challenge Entries. I must admit,. that the end of the month was getting closer, and there were very few entries! However literally, the last day, and ...poof...we…

Shape Up for Summer

How would you shape up for summer? Some would be exercising, or gardening. That's not what this challenge is about. Last month's challenge was all about activewear so we can't use that theme again. The month before that, we did swimwear, so…
sheer bra cup lining FL-1 beige from Bra-Makers Supply hand shown

12 uses for Sheer Cup Lining

Sheer Cup Lining is useful stuff. It is light and see-through and stable as well. I am sure you use it for lining cups (after all - that's its name...) But there are many uses for Sheer Cup Lining that you might not know about. Here are 12 uses…
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Change your Bralette into a Nursing Bra

One of our staff members is out on maternity leave and she had a great idea to change her favourite bralette into a nursing bra. This is a great idea, Christine and we thank you for the photos you took of the inside of the garment. Here's how…

March Challenge Fashion Show

Our theme for our March Challenge was Splash into Spring, for which we asked you to make swimwear of any type, colour or fabric. I can't believe how many of you had never tried making swimwear prior to this month! That's what a challenge is…

Hop to it!

Have you entered our Ultimate Bra-makers Challenge yet? Well, ladies, hop to it! Our challenge for April is to use an activewear pattern and make it using performance fabrics such as Maxine, Supplex, Wickable fabrics or Active Cotton. You can…

An Easy Cover-up

Picture yourself at the beach in your lovely new swimsuit...but you would like to walk along the beach to take in the sunset. Do you take your walk in your swimsuit, bikini or monokini? Or do you go back to the hotel room to change? Here's the…