Kwik Sew: 3300 (Bra)  - Type:Lingerie  | | Viewed 575 times
| 5 more reviews | Review rated Helpful by 2 people Very Helpful by 21 people | | Reviewed by: | Johanna Lu | 
 | About Johanna Lu | | SWEDEN | | Member since: 11/3/03 | | Reviews written: 49 | | Sewing skills:Intermediate | | Favored by: 28 people | | patterns reviewed: 46 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 6/27/09 6:36 AM | | Project Photo: |  | | Pattern Photo: | 
Kwik Sew Pattern Info | | Pattern Rating: | Highly Recommend | | See other patterns in this category: Lingerie | Available for sale on PR: $10.99 (See envelope)  | | | | Fabric: | Microfiber [See other projects in this fabric] | | Related Links | Click on  to add a link |
| Pattern Description:
An underwire bra designed for lace, tricot and power net.
The View A cups are made from lace and tricot, and the View B cups are made from tricot.
Pattern Sizing:
32 A B C D, 34 A B C D, 36 A B C D, 38 B C D DD. I did a 34 A, which corresponds the European size 75A.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes very much so, apart from the design changes that I did.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes they were very easy to follow. All steps are clearly illustrated, and you don't need any prior bra making experience to pull this pattern off.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Like: Most everything really. I was looking for a bra patten that has modern smooth lines and that is also easily to customize. This pattern delivers on both accounts. The fit is great for a small busted girl like me who still needs underwire support. This bra gives the bust a great natural shape, which is what I prefer since I can't stand push-up and other padding solutions, they make me feel claustrophobic! Also the bra is pretty easy to sew, I have only have sewn one bra before (and that was 20 years ago) and I still think the end result is pretty fine. Also it's great that Kwik Sew provides instructions for both a mono fabric and a partial lace option, since they requires slightly different assembly methods.
Dislikes: Just a couple of things really. The pattern instructions would need an update to be more appropriate for today's microfiber/lycra fabrics that are becoming the norm in most bras. The sewing instructions are for old school tricot which is a bit different to sew. For instance don't expect to get a good result using a straight stitch (which Kwik Sew suggests). The seams will turn all bubbly and stretched. I tried both my serger and the classic overlock/stretch stitch on my regular machine and came to the conclusion that the sewing machine option was better since it produces a flatter seam. Also Kwik Sew don't use pre made wire channeling, which seems readily available these days. So no instructions for that either. I strongly recommend reading Sigrid's bra tutorial for a more up-to-date approach to bra making.
Fabric Used:
I bought a bra kit from E-lingeria which was very convenient. Every notion was included and the black microfiber was very soft and plush, but a bit too thick. I used soft power net for the inner cup, with a foldover "georgette" elastic.
Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
A few as always:
- I used a soft power net mesh instead of stretch lace. I wanted my bra to look a little hot  and didn't like the accompanying stretch lace from E-lingeria.
- I made the bra straps like my RTW bras are made i.e, elastic in the back and self fabric in the front.
- I made the straps wider and tapered them in the back to match the width of the elastic.
A photo of the back
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes and yes. Judging from the other reviews this bra works well for bigger busts as well, so this is definitely a winner in my book!
Conclusion:
Now I know what the bra making buzz is all about, it's both easy and very rewarding to make a bra!
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<< Previous Review Next Review >> | Reader Comments | | colourbynumber | 6/27/09 | There is a bra making buzz going on. I do the the clean lines on the style! | | * * * | | dbsewer | 6/27/09 | Beautiful bra. It looks very chic on you. I have been searching for a pattern. I'm a 32F in a European size and it's very hard to find. Thanks for the tutorial links. They will come in handy. | | * * * | | Nancy K | 6/27/09 | This looks like a rtw bra and is really flattering. The question is, does this bra also work for larger busts? They seem to assume that if you are a larger cup you are also a larger band size. The only DD cup is available only in the size 38 band. | | * * * | | Johanna Lu | 6/27/09 | Nancy: Good point. I do think that it's pretty easily adaptable to using a smaller size band, but then again maybe it's better to use a pattern that is properly designed for larger cups with smaller band sizes. E-lingeria for instance has patterns for larger cups with a similar slanted design from other companies. | | * * * | | Nancy Rhodes | 6/27/09 | OH My! great results... now the only thing I can shop for is soon going to be shoes, and I am sure somebody here on PR is sewing those too.
I am very impressed with your beautiful garment and that you are so generously sharing the pic. I am encouraged to give this a go. I will check out E-lingeria for assistance. Thank you sew much! | | * * * | | JoanneM | 6/27/09 | This looks great. I have tried this pattern also and I agree with all your dislikes and likes. Other than elingeria,there are few locations here in the U.S that sell all bra making supplies! Looks great! | | * * * | | morzel | 6/27/09 | Great bra! Clean and simple yet elegant design- just up my alley. Thanks for this good review. | | * * * | | Kaitlinnegan | 6/27/09 | Fantastic bra! Thanks for the helpful review too. I'm not quite up to making my own bras yet..but seeing results like this one...I am getting there! ;) | | * * * | | SigridNL | 6/27/09 | Wonderful result. I've seen a few lately on the lingerie sew along too, and it looks like sizing is good for a lot of different sizes.
Glad you found my tutorials helpful. | | * * * | | kim*brown | 6/27/09 | Perfect fit! | | * * * | | Renee' S | 6/27/09 | Johanna your bra looks beautiful and the fit looks perfect. I hope it's comfortable and feels as good as it looks. I'm going to try this same pattern as soon as my order from Sew Sassy arrives. Once I've made a bra or two I'll think about a kit from E-lingeria, they have some beautiful fabric/lace combinations. | | * * * | | Nancywin | 6/28/09 | Johanna - I recently have made this bra twice and am very happy with it too. I like what you did with the upper cups. I agree, I would have liked to have had instructions for how to do the channeling in the guide sheet. | | * * * | | fuzzygalore | 6/28/09 | Wow, this is the most beautiful bra I've ever seen! Modern indeed..it's a work of art.
You're right about the instructions not reflecting modern materials. But you know, some people were happy that this bra shows how to do without channeling and formal straps and everything, because there are very few places in the world where you can get this kind of thing. Even now that we have the net and therefore some access, it's still not entirely straightforward to have all the notions you need on hand. So a combination of instructions is actually a better balance to cover everyone. | | * * * | | Johanna Lu | 6/28/09 | Thank you everyone for the lovely comments! And for those who are yet to make their own bra, trust me it's much easier than it looks!
And Fuzzygalore: You are absolutely right, I didn't mean that one should exclude the other, only that they should have included instructions for pre made channeling as well. | | * * * | | DorothyK | 6/28/09 | Your bra is beautiful and a perfect fit. I've always felt that, of all things, it probably pays most to make a bra, because you can customize the fit. However, I would never have thought it was actually possible for ordinary mortals to do. Now I might try it. Thanks for your excellent review. | | * * * | | squirrellypoo | 6/28/09 | Yours looks great! I love how you customised it with the power mesh and the self straps. Very hot! :P | | * * * |
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