Muslin to muscle!

After a few attempts at completing the drafts, I realized that ACTUALLY using muslin fabric was a horrible idea. Too flimsy, stretches like crazy and not enough support- even if it's double layered. It should have come to me sooner to use a more durable fabric. In dressmaking, one should use a fabric that mimics the fashion fabric closely so you can visualize the final product better. When I finally construct these bras, I will be using a firm but thin foam for aided support, wider elastic on the band and the strongest powernet I can attain at the non-fashion house level. Until then, I decided to use drill, a thin, strong denim weaved fabric to mimic the strength of the foam.

Drill is sometimes used as a substitute for coutil in corsetry mockups or as a strentgh layer in the finished corset. If it's good enough for corsetmakers and can withstand steel boning, all the yanking and pulling and the pressure of the body within, it's good enough for me.

The many creases and wrinkling on the muslin just lets how flimsy it is be known. When I tried on one of my mockups, everything just sssaaaaannnnnkkkkkkk..... Lol! It was as if I didn't even make any up turned curved seams!

See the diagonal weave pattern and the thicker fibers? Yes it is coming undone at the edges but that's after much manipulation. I have yet to try this on since I have yet to finish the construction of the first drill prototype. I'm hoping that the drill will do as I wish and hold everything in place.


Besides it being a test run for my future bra, this drill prototype will give me an inkling on how my corset prototype will fare. Yeah another staggering project on the horizon. I can't seem to think singularly with my projects. Always thinking how my possible triumph will assist my next venture.

It begins with necessity

I haven't written on this blog in quite some time. The highs and lows of life have gotten in the way. But now I choose to focus on what inspires and makes me happy. Anyone close to me would tell you I have an obsession with my boobs. They're naturally large, in charge and past the end of the ready-to-wear spectrum of lingerie.

Did extensive research on specialty lingerie companies that carry small back-large cup bras. Found out companies in America don't accommodate someone as voluptuous as I am nor do their staffs believe someone can be this size without cosmetic "assistance" (simmering anger at this assumption). Looked into international companies- found Bravissimo, who carries ready-to-wear Panache, Cleo, Fantasie, Curvy Kate and so much more. So happy! Then I outgrew all of their brands. Through a wonderful new friend Georgina Horne of Fuller Figure Fuller Bust, I learned about Ewa Michalak, a Polish company that custom makes bras. Check out their site. They are beautiful, artfully done and well made. Ordered some of their designs- and I was still too big!!! Cut off from the possibilities of plunge, half cups, oh so pretty colors and MATCHING UNDIES! DO YOU KNOW MANY COMPANIES USUALLY CUT OFF THE PRODUCTION OF MATCHING UNDERWEAR TO THEIR BRAS AFTER THE CUP SIZE TOPS A CERTAIN VOLUME? Despair...
 
Then it dawned on me. Why can't I just make my own? If Ewa Michalak can put these gorgeous pieces in larger sizes on the market, I should at least be able to chug out some for myself. So now I'm drafting, re-drafting and re-re-drafting my first bra pattern. My excitement is growing with each day. Soon I will have a well fitting, non-ugly, uplifting, sophisticated, "better than I can get in a retail store" bra. YEA ME! Looking for information on bra construction proved to be difficult. It seemed to be that the situation dictated still only wanted to accommodate smaller cup sizes. I found that the idea of copying then adding to my last best fitting bra would be my best bet. Then Beverly Johnson and her Bra Makers Manual came into my life. Nothing better than a good book to further things along. So much information to absorb. So many corrections to make. And now my drafts are getting better. So close! And now to amass the materials to make the final product. Pictures will be here in the future chronicling my progress.