Doctor T Designs

This month the Bra Sewing Community is celebrating BRAugust! It’s primarily an Instagram Challenge to post about Bra Sewing every day, but I’ve largely gone away from posting on Instagram so I decided to do a weekly summary here on the blog, instead of the daily posting just to keep a bit more manageable of a schedule.

The prompts are based on the schedule put out by the Bra Sewing Bee (originally posted in The Hive). Here’s what we’ve got going on this month:

So without further ado, let’s jump into the prompts!

August 11 – Selfless Sewing

When I started sewing lingerie it was mostly to learn the techniques so I could help my sister. Even though I’ve mostly gone towards selfish sewing since then, I’ve made a few things for her and helped her work on a few of her patterns so that she can sew more bras for herself. I’m also experimenting with sewing mens undergarments to expand my repertoire but also to make some things for my boyfriend.

August 12 – Sewing Playlist

Although I do actually have a “Sewing Playlist” with a mix of updated classics and Bardcore, I actually usually listen to podcasts or get caught up on my YouTube Watch Later list while I’m sewing. It’s a real mix of current events, sewing podcasts, and sewing and crafting vlogs!

August 13 – Share something unused from your stash

Last year I did the Bra Builders BRAdvent box, which was an awesome gift-to-self for the holidays. I thought it would give me a lot of materials I would dive right into, but everything sort of became “too precious to use” as I was still sorting through pattern fit and adjustments. I think I’m about ready to use some of this though, because the finished projects will be gorgeous!

August 14 – Incorporate Bees into a project

Ummmm…. there’s bees on the title card image for this post… does that count?

August 15 – First/Early Makes

My first makes were using the Pin-up Girls Ruby pattern. At the time I was really pleased with the finished project, but I don’t wear these anymore because I realize they don’t really fit that well and are very uncomfortable compared to my newer makes. However, I’m still really proud of my sewing and the skills I learned making them!

August 16 – Share how you keep your patterns

Unlike most of my garment patterns, the majority of my bra patterns are PDFs, which I don’t mind because the pieces are so small (I strongly dislike taping together PDFs, so I would rather have paper patterns for larger garments). Digitally, I keep folders of all of my garment types with images of the patterns so I can scroll through my patterns when I’m looking for something specific. I’m looking at moving to tags so it will be more searchable and less scrolling, but I think this might take a while to set up so I haven’t done it yet. I also keep a folder of Bra PDF patterns, with each pattern in a folder with its name and pattern company.

Once I have the patterns printed out I trace them off so I can keep the original PDFs intact. I could probably save paper not printing instructions, but I tend to print them to keep them with the pattern and so I can write notes on them (like how much elastic to use for straps, etc.). I keep these in manilla file folders with the pattern names on them and store them in a fabric storage bin/cube with my other patterns.

August 17 – Inspiration vs. Final Project

Probably the pattern that I made because I was most inspired by work from others was the Aries Bra. I loved what everyone else has made and was really inspired by the versions coming from the 2023 Bra Bee. I tried to do something similar in terms of styling but I still haven’t got the fit working right, so I never wear it, even though it was probably my most “inspired” make at this point.

And that’s it for this week of BRAugust! I’ll be back with more next week!