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Press and Peel a new Bra

Here at the Saskatchewan Stitches Conference, we were lucky to have a student in our class who found a new way of cloning garments. When we combined that method with some bra-making ingenuity, the results were nothing less than spectacular!…

Grabbing life by the Bells

I am back at St. Peter's Abbey for the 13th annual Saskatchewan Stitches Conference, a wonderful retreat for those whose live to knit, sew and quilt. This is my room again this year...I see they redecorated my room with new textiles! Our daily…

Bra Summit Give-away!

As I prepare to go once again to beautiful Stockholm to the 3rd Annual European Bra Summit, I have some news about a Bra Summit Give-away! If you book your classes before June 6, your name will automatically be entered in the Early Bird Bra…
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Swim Week and Master Swim – Digital Fashion Show

We just finished up Swim Week and Master Swim class here in Hamilton. That means it's time for the Digital fashion Show! What a great bunch of swimsuit makers we had this time! In Swim Week, they started with the basics, a tank or princess…
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Corset Week Digital Fashion Show

It's our Corset Week Digital Fashion Show once again. Corset Week ended yesterday and  you know what that means - you get to see what the students achieved in their exciting week of sewing. We had an unusually small group, but such enthusiasm…

Sewing Bras: Designer Techniques

Hello Everyone! Great news! My second class in the Sewing Bras series on Craftsy has launched! Sewing Bras: Designer techniques is the one to watch if you have wanted to know all the tricks to make your bra a designer original! You'll be…

How is a Bra like a Slipcover?

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…

Four Ways of Measuring

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…

Stockholm in Summer, Anyone?

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…
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A little Sunshine through the Snow

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…

Bra-makers Ahoy 2016!

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…

Garment Label Must-haves

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…

Fabric Printing Magic

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,…
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The Trouble with Elastics

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 -…

Far, far away – the return to Oz

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…
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Boob Camp December 2014

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…

Craftsy Black Friday Sale!

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!…
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Once Upon a Time – Waist Management

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…
three sisters bikini pattern PB-3009 from Bra-Makers Supply line drawing shown
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My Three Sisters Bikini Pattern

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…
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Nifty Notions – the Sewing Edge

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…

Craftsy Bra Class Launched

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…
Beverly Johnson Teaches Sewing Bras Construction Fit Craftsy Title Card

Craftsy Class Giveaway

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…

A New Pin-up Girl

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…
large crystal bra bridge connector strap connectors from Bra-Makers Supply

Crystal – like catnip (sort of)

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…

The Costco Connection

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…
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Digital Fashion Show – Boob Camp August 2014

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…

Blast to the Past – Slipcovers

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…

A Visit to an Enchanted Garden

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…
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Once Upon a Time and Far Far away – Sew it Was

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…

Steampunk Heaven

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…

Far,far away – home again

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…

Far, far away – ready for my close up

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…

Boob Camp July 2014 Digital Fashion Show

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…