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 ...
tutorial
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
PFAFF creative icon™ Embroidery 101
I've sewn jackets, I've sewn skirts, I've sewn blouses, I've sewn t-shirts, but when it comes to embroidery, I've had very limited experience. Hardly, if any. Madalynne Studios is stocked with PFAFF machines – the passport 2.0™, the ambition essential™ and the quilt expression 4.2™. The brand's newest and top of the line machine, the creative icon™, was the newest addition late last year, and it was an opportunity for me to learn a new set of sewing skills. Just like lingerie, the idea ...
Should You Iron Lingerie? Using BLACK+DECKER™ Light ‘N Go Cordless Iron
Ironing -it’s an essential step in sewing that can transform a me-made garment from looking handmade to professional. About halfway through a Bra Making Workshop, usually after the first seam or bust dart is sewn, I get the question, “Do you press seams in lingerie?” It’s a great question and I wish the answer was crystal clear. Different fabrics, different trims, different silhouettes - it all determines whether or not I press. However, I have a few tips and suggestions that I want to share with you as well as a ...
How To: Using my PFAFF coverlock™ 4.0 to Sew Lingerie
Ask a car enthusiast what his or her dream make/model is, and they may say Porsche 911, Suburu’s WRX STI or some other fancy-schmancy, super fast car. Ask a sewist what his/her dream machine is, and they may say a coverstitch machine. For a long time, that was my answer. Coverstitch machines are used in the industry on everything from t-shirts to sportswear and lingerie, but the options for home sewists are scarce. Very scarce. So, you bet your butt that I was super excited that as part of my sponsorship with ...
