My New Pattern with Simplicity: 8711 Underwire Bralette + Ruffle Undie

As popular as bralettes are, they have a fair share of critics. Yes, they are super adorable. Supportive? Now that’s where the arguments starts.

I’m a young 30-years-old and in the 18 or so years I’ve been wearing lingerie, bralettes have undergone a transformation. A large B or a small C cup, I only remember my mom wearing an underwired bra. Never a bralette. I also only remember bralettes being in the junior’s department, unless it was a sports bra type of bra, in which case it could be in the women’s section. In my early 20s, bralettes became a thing. Trendy. Made from colorful lace, super sheer materials and straps the size of spaghetti, bralettes were designed to be pretty, not functional. Most were unstructured, unlined, and downright unsupportive. But their comfort level was appealing. Women are busy nowadays and want a bra with the ease of a bralette but with the support of underwire. Bra companies have responded and have beefed up their bralettes to be supportive AF.

The 8711 is my attempt to offer just that – to combine the ease of a bralette and the support of an underwire bra. It is based on 2 of my favorite me-made styles. The first, Edena, which has an interior frame. Sewn in October 2016, I still have and wear it daily. That rule about getting rid of your bras every 6 months to a year? Psshhhttt! Didn’t follow that!  My second favorite me-made is Taryn, which has a continuous monowire. I combined both styles to create the design for the 8711.

8711 UNDERWIRE BRALETTE PATTERN DETAILS

The 8711 is an underwire bralette with an “interior frame”, called a “floating bridge”, that holds a continuous monowire for support. The monowire combined with bust darts creates a bralette that gives shape and doesn’t flatten. The bralette also has a hook and eye closure at center back and adjustable elastic shoulder straps. Underwear is a low rise style with 3 tiered flounces on back.

The bralette is available in sizes 32A-42DD and the underwear is available in sizes XS-XL.

8711 UNDERWIRE BRALETTE WORKSHOP

Need a little guidance and want to learn how to sew the 8711 in person? Good news! I am hosting a Bra Making with Madalynne workshop in San Francisco that has spots open. Click here to sign up. The workshop here in Philly in just a few weeks is sold out.

WHERE TO BUY THE 8711 UNDERWIRE BRALETTE + RUFFLE UNDIE PATTERN

My Webshop: Paper patterns as well as lingerie kits
Simplicity US online: Paper and PDF patterns
Simplicity UK online: Paper and PDF patterns
In stores: Joann’s, Walmart, and Hobby Lobby in the US as well as the UK, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa

European vendors will begin to sell patterns in approximately 4 weeks.

*if you’re a vendor interested in selling the Madalynne X Simplicity patterns, email me and I’ll get you all set up!*

SEW ALONG

To keep everything in one place, I created a guide that contains a sew along as well as more information about monowires, grading the 8711 and tips for sewing lingerie. The pattern comes with instructions, if you’re like me, I’m a visual learner and need pictures. The success of this pattern depends on how well you sew it, and I want to set you up to knock your 8711 out of the park!

Click here to download the 8711 complete guide and sew along