I remember sitting inside Jo-Ann Fabrics thumbing through pattern catalogs when I first began sewing. I was around 18 years old then and never in a million years did I think that I would be in one of those catalogs. Well, that day came. In August 2016, I teamed up with Simplicity to create 2 lingerie patterns, and in June 2017, I released 3 more patterns! This year, I released my 6th and 7th pattern with Simplicity. I consider myself one lucky lady to have had this opportunity.
What are the patterns? Where can you purchase? Read below!
8228 // Bralette + Matching Undie: Two soft cup bralettes and one undie. The halter bralette has a plunge neckline, scalloped lace edges and a hook and eye closure at the center back. It has channeling at the cup seam (but no underwires) which adds some support. The racer back bralette has a sweetheart neckline with scallop lace edges throughout. The undie is high-waisted with lace side panels. The bralettes are available in sizes 32A through 42DD and the undie is available in sizes XS-XL.
Design Comments: Do you want to get into the world of lingerie but don’t want to dive in head first? This is the pattern for you. The halter bralette is the easier of the two bra patterns and with just 3 pattern pieces, it’s a great sewing project that’ll get you familiar with stretch fabrics, elastics, channeling and more.
8229 // Underwire Bra + Matching Undie: One underwire bra and one undie. The bra is a full band (versus a partial band) and has scalloped lace edges on the top edge of the cups, a hook and eye closure at center back and adjustable shoulder straps. It provides moderate coverage and support. The undie is a basic, high-waisted silhouette. The bra is available in sizes 32A through 42DD and the panty is available in sizes XS-XL.
Design Comments: The 8229 is a bra style that is a classic silhouette with many design and fabric options. The vertical seam on the cups and the underwires make it a great option for women who need more support.
8435 // Henley Bodysuit: Henley bodysuit with a center front snap placket and snap closure at the crotch. Has the option to be long sleeved or sleeveless, or bikini or thong. Available in sizes XS-XL.
Design Comments: Like skinny jeans, bodysuits have unexpectedly become a timeless staple in my wardrobe. I wear them with skirts, shorts, pants, jeans, and even as a layering piece underneath my entire outfit. I’ve made one with a tissue thin knit that I wear as pajamas and I’ve made one with a red and blush pink striped knit that looks fantastic with skirts. The placket can be a little tricky to sew (just a lot of steps that have to be super precise), which is why I created this full tutorial on how to put it together. There’s also a tutorial on how to sew the snap crotch closure.
8436 // Partial Band Underwire Bra + Cheeky Undie: Partial band underwire bra with plunge neckline that provide moderate coverage. The bra also has adjustable shoulder straps and hook and eye at center back. The matching undie is cheeky and low rise. The back almost fits like a thong. The bra is available in sizes 32A through 42DD and the undie is available in sizes XS-XL.
Design Comments: This bra is so much fun to make! The neckline is super flattering too. Newbie lingerie sewists often shy away from underwire bras because they seem intimidating. This is as simple an underwire gets! Just like the 8435 strapless (details below), the design has many possibilities too. The instructions call for a scallop lace, but take a peek at my May workshop. All the students made this bra with a non scallop sport Lycra from Spoonflower. Note to self – need to get more glitter mesh STAT. The undie fits like a thong, so it’s perfect to wear with jeans or pants, because you won’t get a strong panty line and you have a little more coverage.
8437 // Strapless Bra + Thong: Strapless bra with lace panels at front. Has side and center front seams with plush channeling on inside that is encased with plastic boning to add support. Optional silicone backed elastic at the top and the bottom of the bra help to keep it from falling down too. Hook and eye closure at center back. The undie is a simple thong with lace panels which are meant to match the bra. The bra is available in sizes 32A through 42DD and the undie is available in sizes XS-XL.
Design Comments: If you’re like me, when summer rolls around, all you want to do is bust out the sleeveless tops, dresses and jumpsuits. What about those off the shoulder tops that everyone is wearing? Ladies, you’ll need a strapless bra for your ladies. Strapless bras get a band rap; in terms of annoying fashion problems, having your bra shimmy down to your hips is up there with untangling a necklace. Hate, hate, hate! To fight gravity, there are tricks to keep things in place, which have been designed into this pattern. First, the band is narrow-er. Not super wide, but not super skinny. I designed it to be a happy medium between supportive and flattering. Additionally, the seams all around the bra have channeling encased with plastic boning, and the top and the bottom are finished with silicone backed elastic. I really like the addition of the channeling/boning – it elevates the bra from fitting like a bandeau to having structure and support.
Good news for all your visual learners! Click here to watch the full video tutorial on how to make the 8437.
8624 // High Neck Underwire Bra + Cheeky Undie: High neck underwire bra with foam cups and keyhole front opening. The bra has adjustable shoulder straps and hook and eye closure at center back. The undie is a simple, low-rise cheeky style with the entire back panels having scallop lace edges. Bra is available in sizes 32A through 42DD and undie is available in sizes XS-XL.
Design Comments: My 5 other sewing patterns with Simplicity have been basic styles. Not the 8624. This is a much more complicated style and by far my favorite. The foam cups add more support as well as nipple show through. Don’t know how to style a high neck bra? It can be worn underneath a button down with it peaking through slightly, but it can also be a part of your outfit. Show it off underneath a v-neck sweater or tee like this.
8711 // Underwire Bralette + Ruffle Undie: 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.
Design comments: In the 18 or so years I’ve been wearing lingerie, bralettes have undergone a transformation. I don’t remember my mom ever wearing a bralette. A large B or a small C cup, I only remember her wearing an underwired bra. 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 they’re 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, or floating bridge. 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 of these styles to create the design for the 8711.
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: Jo-Ann’s, Walmart, and Hobby Lobby in the US as well as the UK, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa
Timeless Fabrics (UK): Patterns
B,Wear (Sweden): Patterns
Elle-Joan’s (New Zealand): Patterns
Sew Squirrel (Australia and New Zealand): Patterns
The Small Fabric House (Denmark): Patterns
if you’re a vendor interested in selling the Madalynne X Simplicity patterns, email me and I’ll get you all set up!
I offer video tutorials on my tutorial page.
For the 8229 underwire bra – I teamed up with a super talented videographer and filmmaker, Brittany Ann Cool, to create a video tutorial that is available on my YouTube.
For the 8228 racerback bralette – I teamed up with Mimi G. Style to create a video tutorial that is available on her Sew It Academy.
Below are blog posts demonstrating pattern alterations and styling options:
Variation 1: how to clean finish the seams, add stability and remove the racerback to the 8228 (view B)
Variation 2: how to add a ruffle bottom band and halter straps to the 8228 (view B)
Variation 3: two alternative methods to finishing the edges of the cups to the 8228 halter bra (view A)
Variation 4: how to add strappy back detailing to the 8228 halter bra (view A)
Variation 5: how to use non scalloped lace for the 8229
Variation 6: how to sew the 8437 from start to finish
Variation 7: how to sew the center front placket on the 8435
Variation 8: how to sew the snap crotch on the 8435
8624 Sew Along: Day 1: An overview of the pattern, choosing fabric and trims, and cutting techniques
8624 Sew Along: Day 2: Assemble the foam bra cups and front overlay, attaching elastics and more
8624 Sew Along: Day 3: Insert the underwires, adding the straps, and more
How I wear my 8624
Common Pattern Alterations for the 8624
8711 complete guide and sew along
8711 Square Neckline Variation
Interested in learning how to sew the Madalynne X Simplicity Patterns? Learn more (and sign up) for a workshop or schedule a 1-on-1 session.