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 ...
bra making
Eep! Crotch Linings Explained
We have serious things to chat about today, and by serious, I mean crotch linings. Crotch lining is like the word moist. For some, it's NBD to say. For others, let's just say it doesn't roll off the tip of their tongue. Personally, I think it's better than saying genital lining. Perspective people. So I'm here today to clear the air on crotch linings as well as giving a quick tutorial on how to sew the crotch lining on the Noelle underwear, the basic but super feminine high-waisted undie. You can download the ...
Sewing Machine for Lingerie: Using my PFAFF Passport 2.0 to Sew Bras, Bralettes, Undies + More
I’ll get straight to the point and won’t write a wordy, embellished introduction. You don’t need a fancy sewing machine for lingerie. Although Madalynne Studios is stocked with PFAFF’s Quilt Expression 4.2 and Ambition Eseential, it’s the PFAFF Passport 2.0 that almost all my students use at Bra Making with Madalynne workshops and that I use for my personal sewing. Even my sewing home girl Evie La Luve across the pond and Tailor Made Shop use a PFAFF Passport for their lingerie sewing. Although not a Passport, Ohhh ...
Bra Making Tutorial: How To Sew Picot Elastic
Sewing lingerie is a whole different genre of me-made. Getting the hang of the fabrics and trims takes time, practice and a lot of error. Believe me, I was bad for a long time. With my students, I see their projects make a leap from somewhat messy to professional when they get the hang of sewing elastic. Many cannot wrap their heads around the fact that elastic is first sewn on the right side, then on the wrong side. So today, I’m doing a quick tutorial on how to sew picot plush elastic. Please note that this ...
Shop Madalynne 5 Favorite Bra Making Supplies + More
Having the right tools is just as important as having the right fabric and trims. The blush pink metallic stretch mesh in this Barrett bralette kit and this Raquel bralette kit is gorgeous - so soft, the lightest shade of pink, and just enough sheen to make it special - but without Odif's 505 spray adhesive, which is my secret weapon in almost all my sewing - it's a b**ch to sew. No really, the biggest b**ch you've ever met. Because no one sees or knows about your supplies when a project is finished, it's easy to ...
What’s it like to get a custom Madalynne Intimates? Here’s the scoop
I met Alisa Kahn, a local Philly lifestyle blogger, when I wasn’t wearing my lingerie hat. Some of you may know, some of you may not, but before Madalynne Intimates was my full time gig, I was the photographer, graphic designer, blogger for URBN, which encompasses the brands Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, Free People, BHLDN and terrain, and handled all internal communication and PR for all brands. When I first left, I was a freelance photographer while I got Madalynne up and running. I don’t take on photo gigs ...
Video Tutorial! Using Scallop Lace for the Barrett Bralette
Can you believe that it's been a little over year since the Barrett bralette was released? Thirteen months later and it's still going strong! Since the day it came out, I've loved seeing all your variations, and one of my favorite has been using a scallop lace. If you follow the directions, the Barrett is finished with picot elastic at the center front neckline. Today, I’m going to show you in a new video series how to use a scallop lace so that it has a decorative edge at the center front neckline. In just a few ...