In keeping with my pledge to wear as much ‘me-made’ items of clothing as possible every day the next item on the agenda is obviously this. Kwik Sew 3300 bra pattern. It comes multi-sized in A,B,C & D cups and has good, clear instructions. There are two versions, one with a lace top cup  and one with fabric.  Both versions call for underwiring. I am not a big fan of underwire bras, but reading various sewing blogs and reviews on bra making, this pattern seemed popular and had good reviews on its level of difficulty [basically ‘easy’] so it seemed ideal for a first time bra make.

I got the pattern before I got some of my bra making essentials, such as plush elastic and fastenings, but I was eager to go ahead and have a go. I didn’t have the underwires, and although on the bra making sewalong sites they say you can do it without, have a look at Amy’s sewalong at http://clothhabit.com [ and I believe Carolyn didn’t use them in hers  – http://handmadebycarolyn.blogspot.co.uk ], believe me it makes more sense with, particularly in any size over 34.

My first try out without the necessary doodads was OK, ~it fitted [somewhat] but a bit of a pigs ear really, I didn’t have the right elastic and I misunderstood part of the pattern instructions! [so much for ‘easy’ – but I have to say it was me -not the pattern]. Not really something I would be proud to show off.

 My next, proper, version was much better, I had the stuff and I almost followed all the instructions and where I erred it was on the side of enthusiastically trimming all the seams, when of course you need the seam allowances on some  parts because of the underwire channelling! Just beware if you are making it for the first time, only trim the seam allowances that the pattern tells you to!! It gets awfully fiddly if you don’t.

I’m not displeased with the results. It fits, it  looks OK if you don’t examine it up too close ~ but not really good enough for me. So I shall keep on making these until I get one absolutely just right, beautiful fit and good to look at too. Fortunately they don’t take up too much fabric or room in the lingerie drawer. I would say ‘watch this space…’ but I don’t know when I will get to that stage. We’ll see. Photo’s up tomorrow ~ I finished too late and the light was too bad for taking photographs today.