Halloween is over - these past few weeks and next, I and I'm sure you are eagerly awaiting the upcoming long weekend when we get to put on our OOO email, gram up our turkey dinner on IG, enjoy long, tryptophan-induced naps, watch football like we know what the he** is going on, and have a momentary sense of calm before the storm that is called Black Friday, Small Biz Saturday and Cyber Monday. There's no reason why we can't replicate that momentary bliss that is that is Thanksgiving a few days early. That was my ...
inspiration
TUTORIAL: Noelle Underwear 3 Ways – Basic Bikini, V-Back and Thong
Simple - yes. Versatile - also yes. In mid September, I released the first of three online lingerie courses with Creativebug. For the inaugural class, the project was a high waisted underwear. I was super stoked to release the class, but a part of me felt like I was teaching how to boil water. Sewing the Noelle is just a handful of steps - simple as boiling water. However, one of those steps is sewing elastic and sewing elastic probably takes up about 60% of my lingerie sewing. Maybe more. So, it's essential to ...
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 ...
Book Review: How to Become a Lingerie Designer by Laurie Van Jonsson
The thought of becoming a designer can be daunting. At least it was for me when I left corporate to pursue Madalynne. All the aspects of running a successful clothing line, from finding inspiration to putting together tech packs and sourcing manufacturers. Where did I or you begin? I was fortunate in that I had many contacts from working for a large retailer that when I made the leap to entrepreneur, I knew what to do. Sort of. I don't think anyone can be fully prepared. I recently discovered Laurie Van Jonsson. ...
What I Made: A Madalynne X Simplicity 8435 + Noelle Bikini
When I designed the Madalynne X Simplicity 8435 strapless bra pattern, I always thought it would make a great bikini top. It took me a while, but I branched out of my normal lingerie sewing to whip up an 8435 bathing suit this summer. I may have been the whitest thing Brigantine Beach has seen, but I didn't care, because my bikini was handmade. Woot woot! Fabric and Trims: Strapless Bikini Top: All pieces: Black, white and blue floral polka dot Lycra for the main fabric, and white and blue floral stretch mesh ...
My New Sewing Room Reveal
It was just this spring that I gave you a peek into my condo when it was featured on Apartment Therapy. Well, a lot has happened in that short amount of time. I moved and have a new sewing room to show you! First thing is first - Madalynne Studios, the space where I teach workshops, lessons and such, did not move. This is my home sewing studio and office. Even though Chatueau Madalynne was a great place to live, it was time to move on. I was basically living at Ryan's place and hadn't slept at my place ...
What I Made: A Vintage Inspired Dress
Just before Memorial Day weekend, I whipped up a bathing suit using the top pattern to the Madalynne X Simplicity 8437 and the bottom pattern to the Noelle. Unfortunately, it ended up raining and we didn't get to go to the beach as Ryan and I planned. This weekend, we made plans to go to Brigantine. Again, I whipped up something to make, and again, it rained out. Ugh! When we finally go to the beach however, I'm going to have one killer bathing suit and dress to wear. This all started 2 weeks ago on Memorial ...
