In our last challenge of 2018, we asked you to Let the New You Shine Through and add some sparkle and bling to your garments. Did you sparkle in this challenge? Oh yes, you did! Here are the sparkling “Let the New You Shine Through” Entries.
Agnes
Anna
Anna K
This is my ultimate Bling Bikini. Front and Back photo on a mannequin and an actual stage snapshot from an NPC show are attached. The TITLE of my project is “Pacific Northwest Mermaid”. Date of Production: June 2018, NPC Tanji Johnson Classic show
- Base fabric is teal (i.e., blue lycra with green glitter coating).
- It was fully filled with 12-different color Swarovski crystals. The only part of this not having stones are the straps in the back–so that the bra top will snag fit around the torso.
- It is different from a warm water mermaid image. This one is a cold deep sea theme where I live, so there are no coral colors. Patterned after Oyster and Clam shells (abundant in Puget Sound area) with deep Ocean colors such as Emerald Greens, Cobalts, Sapphire, Heliotropes, Bermuda, Capri, and Majestic Blues, and other hues used for color blending to create maximum light reflecting effects.
- The cups were originally modified from Pin-Up-Girls, Three Sister Bikini–Violet pattern. So it is a vertical seam. Vertical seams seem to work well with many large breasts ladies.
- Underlying cups are made of Tricott-Bonded Spacer 1/8″ thick (similar to cut-n-sew foam but this is 4-way slight stretch and much thicker–and gives an instant shaper effect for push).
- Outer fabric is swim suit lycra (called Pindot) that covers the cups.
- For a physique show, the less covering is better, but since it is made for a heavy breast girl, I created a two piece bridge to mock the actual bridge outline (top and lower outlines by using separating jewel pieces–so it opens front.
- Neck straps needed to be doubled to support heavy stone weight and breasts–one with cloth strap of the bra and supported by jewel strings.
- Lower bridge piece is a little shorter than normal bra band measurement in order to rotate up the breasts to gather them closer.
- Torso straps crosses in the back center with a jewel piece from Teacher Beverly’s shop (Crystal Criss Cross 1/2″, https://www.
braandcorsetsupplies.com/ product/cj-small-crystal-bra- bridge-connector-strap- connectors/). - Neck and arm hole lines are altered aggressively to mimic the style requirement by the NPC Committee for women’s top.
- Note: Normal cup style is a triangle top although there is no written rule for NPC rule book. Triangle tops are impossible for big breasts. I have seen ladies glue, tape with tears to tame their girls in triangles in the backstage. In recent years, I have networked with local and national judges to like/allow UW bra tops. Personal consensus seems “nothing is wrong with UW tops” just because I think judges (mostly males) do not know the difference. So I proactively model my UW competition tops on the stage to raise awareness.
Anne
This month I made a shiny sparkly bra, in beige. I can’t say it’s boring! I used a crystal connector in the bridge. The lace has silver thread and a shiny beige thread. I used it for the upper cups, strap extension, and used some leftover strips to decorate the side seams and the back near the hooks and eyes. The pattern is the PUG (Pin-up Girls) classic.
Cassy
Desiree
Attached is my December contribution. No sparkling bling bling but I thought a body in dark red colours would perfectly fit underneath my (also handmade) Christmas and New Year dress.
Thank you all for the Bra-makers challenges 2018, it was an exciting event. I hope there will also be a challenge for 2019 because I experienced it as very inspiring!
Geniene
For the final challenge of the year I made a pair of panties using the Pin-up Girls basic panty pattern (high waist, thigh leg). I used floral brown and pink stretch mesh and a metallic pink jersey. It’s hard to see in the picture, but the jersey has a silver shimmer. After I sewed up the panties I hot fixed crystals in the shape of a butterfly on the low hip of the panty. To be honest, this is the only metallic/shiny/blingy item in my wardrobe and I love it. What a fun challenge!
Karen
Kathleen
Kit
Sonia
Virginia
And now…Sew on to 2019
We hope you’ve enjoyed the Ultimate bra-makers Challenge 2018 as much as we did. We loved getting photos of your makes in our inbox every month! There are sure to be some creative challenges headed your way. Challenges that excite and delight you and challenges that push you out of your envelope. Your sewing skills and fabric knowledge will improve when you try projects you’ve never done before.
Will you accept the challenges we set for 2019?
I have so enjoyed seeing all the entries; such variety, creativity and beauty! I didn’t sew much this year, but loved seeing what you all did! I have only made two bras so far, but I wear them both a lot and have plans for more. Glad to have found you! And sew on…………………….
Re joining the challenge for January 2019 it mentioned that we would receive more information.
I am interested in doing different designs for the back.
I do have volume 1 and volume 2 CD. Is this where I will find how to design them.
Thanks
On each Sunday, I post tutorials on how to do something with the monthly theme. This Sunday is no exception. I have several different backs I will share with everyone. Plus on Wednesday we pull some tutorials from the archives and post them on our Facebook page.
it’s beautiful! perfect Valentine’s Day show n tell for lovers
Wow! What amazing entries! Just beautiful work!