Foundations Lift Us Up

Today I'm writing about one of our essential wardrobe pieces - The Foundation.  What do I mean about foundation?  By Foundation, I mean your Bra, Girdle (can you believe people still wear these?), Shaper, Corset (and some even still wear these regularly), Undies.  It's important to have well fitting foundation pieces so that you start out with the correct fit and silhouette. 

Most of us wear the wrong size bra.  When you get fit into the correct bra size, and flattering bra, then everything (especially the girls) can only go up from there.  For years, I wore a 34C.  And then with proper measuring, years later, I found I was actually a 32D.  Once in the correct fitting bra, I found that I looked slimmer, stood taller and my clothing looked so much better.  If you suspect, you are wearing the wrong size (band too tight or too loose, band hiking up in back, cup cleavage etc.) then go to Nordstrom and get a proper fitting.

Ok, enough lecture.  I talk about foundations because, I am attempting to make a Foundation Garment for my Art Deco Preservation Ball Gown this year.  I am not sure yet, whether or not, I will build the bra, into my dress or make a separate garment to wear again.  I could end up doing both in the prototype process.  AND, I look to YOU now for Support (pun intended) while I do a little experimenting.

First, I'm starting with a 1940's Corset pattern that I purchased from Mrs. Depew on Etsy.  You can find it here.  The cup part is worriesome as now I've grown into a DDD cup, so I'm tracing off my favorite bra cup as a pattern.  My dress will be inspired by a garment from the late 1920's-early 1930's so I may have to alter the silhouette a bit - straighten the torso and soften the cup. We shall see about that. 

I'm sewing the entire first prototype from Swedish Paper which is a flexible fabric-like paper that you can sew.  I'll then do a fitting and make necessary changes and onto my first prototype.  I also need to buy more materials- bra-strap elastic, spiral boning, garter clips, loops and sliders and loop tape for the side entry.  So, back to Etsy I go.  Here are some of my favorite Etsy Shops where I purchase these materials:

Foundation and Underwear Sewing Patterns

Mrs. Depew & Oh! LULU

Bra making supplies & elastics:

ArteCrafts & MarySupplies

As a special treat this week, I'm giving away a fantastic book from my collection - Vintage Lingerie - 30 Patterns based on period garments plus finishing techniques.  I'll pick one lucky reader from our email list, so you have to be a subscriber to win!

And if you are interested in learning how to draft the foundation pattern from the Mrs. Depew Vintage 1940's pattern, I'll be teaching the Class:

Draping in your fashion fabric: Part 1 - Drafting Your Foundation Garment

on Tuesday, February 7th from 7-9pm at The Sewing Room.