Tuesday, November 10, 2015

1940's Bra Sew-Along - Sewing the real thing.


Hi there lovely readers. I hope I'm posting at an o.k. rate for you. It's been a strange week and I've been unfortunate enough to have a headache for 5 days now. I went to the doctor today just to be on the safe side and everything is fine - I'm just one unlucky girl this week...
For today's post we're going to sew our actual bra together now! In our last post, we went over lining and facing options. Now that we've squared that away, and you've faced your pattern pieces (if you so chose) we'll put together our bra in the exact same order we put together the test muslin.


This time though, as we sew each individual seam, we're going to stop and press the seam allowance a certain way, then top stitch it in place. This will give us that lovely 1940's look, as well as securing our raw edges.


So we start by sewing pieces A and B together along that tricky curved seam, and then press the stitches as sewn without opening them up. This will set the stitches. Then open pieces A and B, and press the seam allowance UP onto piece A.
Now you're ready to very neatly top-stitch 1/8" from the seam on piece A, as done below.


Now stitch both center front pieces together and press that seam open.


Top stitch again 1/8" from the center front seam on EACH side.

Then sew piece C to the lower edge of pieces B, press the seam allowance DOWN, and top-stitch 1/8" from the edge on piece C.


Now you're ready to attach the back of the bra, pieces D, to the side seams.


Once you have, press the seam allowances outwards to piece D, and top-stitch again.


And voila! You have the lion's share of the sewing done! Next, we'll talk finishing edges and adding straps.

Happy sewing,



3 comments:

  1. Hi Anna,
    I hope your headache has passed, that is super draining to be in pain; especially for five days. I just wanted to clarify - after basting our lining/top fabric together we sew our pieces A+B and then top stitch... so is there a raw edge still inside the bra? Could I see a photo of the inside of your bra please? Just trying to figure out how I'm going to put mine together - I'd like to conceal the raw edge within the bra if possible.

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    1. Hi Brooke, that's a good question! I have updated the lining/ facing post to include an answer to your question and the photo that you requested. It sounds like you might want to go with the fully or partially-lined option instead of facing. Here is a link to the post: http://afewthreadsloose.blogspot.com/2015/11/1940s-bra-sew-along-how-to-face-pattern.html

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