I think it's a misconception that washing your intimates is difficult. What's so hard about filling up a tub or a sink and letting bra, bralettes and undies soak for 30 minutes? How long does it take to throw your intimates into a washing machine, put detergent in, and press the start button (I always hang to dry though - the dryer is the ultimate sin and where most of the damage occurs.). We wear the heck out of our underoos - they deserve some TLC! when I'm a good girl and make a pile throughout the week and ...
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Yes or No? Pre Washing Lingerie Fabrics
Yes or no - should you prewash lingerie fabric? In March 2015, this question was asked on a Facebook forum: “Do you prewash lingerie fabrics? Personally, I don’t, but I’ve read different opinions. What are your thoughts?” A few comments that were received: “I do, to be on the safe side. I’d be devastated if after all the hard work put into making a bra and all the expensive bits and pieces used, things went wrong because the fabric shrank or distorted.” “I don’t pre wash synthetic fabrics. I never had a bad ...
Using the Maris as a Nursing Bralette
Breasts can take on a life or their own when a mom is nursing. They can get swollen and hard if a mom hasn't fed her little one in awhile. Just finished nursing? A mom's breasts will become smaller and soft again. Nursing bras are designed to accommodate the literal ups and downs of breastfeeding with three things in mind - comfort, flexibility, and easy access for feeding with pull-down or push-aside cups. While the Maris is not a nursing bralette per se, it can and is being used as one by many sewists. Join ...
Madalynne’s Guide to DIY Swimwear + Maris DIY Bikini Kit
It's here, it's here! After many months of being inside this winter and quarantining, my favorite season is finally here. Being from Florida, I live for the heat and *slight* humidity. Just a touch, but not enough to make my hair frizzy. Priorities folks. The time in between Memorial Day and Labor Day is my favorite - late sunsets, hot morning runs, grilling... and bikinis! Or one-pieces if that's your jam. Have you been sewing bras and undies and are now wondering if and how you can use your lingerie patterns to ...
Introducing the Maris Bralette + Panty PDF Sewing Pattern
I am so, so, so excited to finally release Maris, a brand new bralette and panty PDF pattern! Over the past several years, it's been both challenging and rewarding to work with a range of women - from AA cups to plus size women, full busted women. women who have pace makers, women who have undergone mastectomies, etc. From sewing hundreds of bralettes, there have been a few things that regardless of size or body shapes, works. The Maris is a culmination of all those "best of" sewing and patterning into one style ...
Sticker Mule Review: Affordable Custom Printing for Small Businesses
Before this year, Madalynne didn't have a storefront and the majority of sales came from the webshop. When I say majority, I mean like 99.8%. So, basically, close to all. Since I can't meet each and every customer in person, it's extremely important to me to make an impression as soon as he or she receives their package in the mail. I believe that extra care a business puts into their packaging, even when it cuts into their margins, is a way to say "We care" and, "We're not just here to sell you something". ...
What Needle + Thread To Use For Sewing Lingerie
Okay, so you've got your fabric, lining, elastics and notions for your next lingerie project. You've cut out your pattern and figured out what elastic should be used where. If you're a good sewist, you've read through the instructions already. If you're a sewist like me, you said to yourself, "I'll figure it out along the way" :) Then, you sit down at your sewing machine and this pops into your head - "Oh sh**!? Do I need a special needle and thread?" Heck yeh, you do, and in today's blog post, I'm going over the ...
What Causes Wedgies and How To Fix
If you count yourself as one of many women who won’t wear a thong, for reasons like you don’t like having a thin piece of fabric between your butt cheeks all day long, you’re not alone ;) But what’s the point of wearing “regular” underwear if it gives you a wedgie all day long? Isn’t that pretty much a thong? There are several causes of wedgies. It could mean something is too small - when fitting pants, a clear indication that the rise, or crotch length, needs to be increased is if the seam starts to creep into ...
5 Tips When Sewing + Fitting The Barrett Bralette
There is no doubt that while on lockdown or stay-at-home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Barrett bralette was the most sewn Madalynne pattern. It's easy to know why - on average, it takes between 2-3 hours to make, so it is a quick project that you can whip up in a morning or an afternoon. Also, it doesn't require a serger - all you need is a sewing machine with a straight and zig zag stitch. Plus, there's a video tutorial on Creativebug for sewists like myself that need video in order to digest ...
Dress Forms for Lingerie
I remember walking into Eckburg Hall at Savannah College of Art + Design for my first "real" fashion course. I was in awe - all the industrial sewing machines lined up in classrooms, giant drafting tables with equally giant rulers on top, fashion sketches littering the hallways, and dress forms scattered throughout the entire building. Some were bare, some had works in progress and others had the most creative garments hanging on them that I asked myself, "How the heck did they design that?" For home sewists, ...
