Strawberry Love

I'm digging online fabric shopping.  It's the only place around here I can get quality bra-making and swimwear fabrics.  Tampa doesn't have a fabric store that sells printed nylon spandex for swimwear. The nearest store that sells swim fabrics is 36 miles from my house and it can take more than an hour to get there.  They have a pretty good selection of basics but only a few prints.  I love to go there for the adventure of it, I like to touch the fabrics, but it's disappointing to go home empty handed. Conversely, it's exciting to receive packages in the mail.

Nylon Spandex Swimwear Fabric

Nylon Spandex Swimwear Fabric

I made the cutest swimsuit for my daughter using the fabrics that I purchased online.  The modified Y-back was inspired by her favorite RTW bra.  I layered the print, powernet, and lining fabrics then sewed them together along the edges before I cut the keyhole.

Modified Y-back before Keyhole Cut

I need to remove 1/4" from the armhole because I decided to use binding for the edges instead of elastic.  Sew a zig-zag stitch next to the original line of stitching to be removed and save yourself from a headache later.

Zig-Zag before cutting off the seam allowance.

Remember to remove seam allowances from the edges that will be bound.

Remove Seam Allowance for Binding Applications

I call this bikini Strawberry Love.  The high-waisted bottoms with heart buttons and rear seam are made from the Pin-up Girls, 3 Sisters Bikini, Violet pattern in a printed denim nylon spandex. The bikini top is a PUG Classic in foam covered with the cutest heart and strawberry printed nylon spandex.  This is the first time I used foam and it got a little squished.  The bikini back was self-drafted and features a modified Y-back with a keyhole opening inspired by my daughter's favorite ready-to-wear bra.

Strawberry Love Bikini

Modified Y-back with Keyhole

Peachy Floral

Today's bra is a peachy floral Shelley from Pin-up Girls.   I made this one for a friend.

Peach Floral Shelley

Peachy Floral Shelley

Peachy Floral Shelley

Peachy Floral Shelley

Still Playing with Shelley

Yes, I'm still playing with my Shelley pattern from Pin-up Girls.  Frankly, it's the only pattern that has a great fit for me.  Let's have a look at the beautiful lace from Bra-makers Supply.  I've already got it cut and mounted on ivory powernet.

Back of Upper Cups and Back Band

Front of Upper Cups and Back Band

I've been tweaking the bra frame and band to get that narrow no band look because a super narrow frame and band means no band rollover.  

Bottom Band Sewn Approx. 3/8" from Wire Line

An Inside Look at the Bottom Band before Thinning

Thinned Bra Frame and Band

It looks like I could shave another 1/8" from the frame and get a partial band look.

  Look.  No band rollover.  Beautifully mirrored pink and ivory floral stretch lace.

Thin Band and Mirrored Stretch Lace

If you're thinking something looks wonky, well, you're right.  Something is wonky, it's me.  The left side of my body is different than the right and it is shifted upward at least 1/2".  Because of this asymmetry, I make two different sized upper cups. In my case, mirrored lace will never be perfectly mirrored.  To make the best of the situation, I choose to focus on the neckline edge and making sure it is mirrored as closely as possible.

Bra Hook Replacement

Forget repairing that broken bra hook, you can't twist it back into shape, it just doesn't work.
Replacing broken twisted bra hooks is easy.  First, you'll need to purchase a new hook set from a bra-makers supply or re-purpose one from another bra.

Twisted Broken Bra Hook

How to replace broken bra hooks.

1.  Remove the broken hook set with a seam ripper.

Bra Hook Sets

 2.  First pass.  Open up the new hook set and sew to the bra back.

Basted Bra Hook Set

 3.  Second pass.  Close the hook set, enclosing the bra back and top stitch.

Finished Bra Hook Set

Tweaking my Shelley

I haven't been as unproductive as my lack of January posts would suggest.  Holy cow, I've been busy mending, tweaking, sewing, and quilting.  Let's talk tweaking.  First, I added a pink glissenette mesh lining to the upper cup to reinforce and protect the stretch lace from finger poke through.  Then instead of using a 3/8" strip of duoplex as an upper cup stabilizer, I used a piece of 3/8" plush back elastic.

3/8" Plush Back Elastic and Pink Glissenette Lining

Next, I thinned both the right and left bands to the narrowest possible width allowable.

Thinning the Right Front Band

Thinning the Left Front Band

Here is the finished thinned front band.

Finished Thinned Front Band

Here are the tweaked glistening upper cups. 

Pink Glissenette Lined Upper Cups
Now you can't poke a finger through or see through the stretch lace.

Bra-A-Week Challenge #3: Classic White

Entry #3 in the 2015 Bra-A-Week Challenge is a no frills plain and simple Pin-up Girls Classic white bra with white findings.

Classic White Bra

JensWare Classic White

 TIP:  Remember to Stay-Stitch and Clip the Curve

Stay-Stitching Clipped

TIP:  Leave an inch of wire channeling folded over for comfort.  

Wire Channeling Folded Over for Comfort

Bra-A-Week Challenge #1: Bluebird Blue Beauty

I'm back and I've got lots to share.  I've been busy learning a new skill, bra-making.  I took two Craftsy classes over the summer and boy do I have the bra-making bug.  I've made so many bras that I've lost count.  I've joined the already in progress 2015 Bra-A-Week Challenge. So you'll be seeing a new bra each week until I either run out of fabric or ideas.

Today I'm showing off my first entry in the 2015 Bra-A-Week Challenge.  

It's a Pin-up Girls Shelley pattern from Bra-makers Supply in Bluebird Blue Duoplex
with white powernet, white findings, and a fun white floral stretch lace.

Pin-up Girls Bluebird Blue Shelley Bra

This bra is a real beauty.  The blue and white combination works.

JensWare Bluebird Blue Beauty

I just love this stretch lace, with its white hearts and flowers outlined in blue.  

I decorate the back band with lace when I have enough to spare.

Right Back Band

TIP:  Sew two rows of stay-stitching along the frame bottom.

 Clip to, but not through, the top row of stitching every 1/4" along the curve.  

This makes sewing the curve more like sewing a straight line.

Bottom Band Stay-Stitching

Dr. Maite Casanova

Dr. Maite Casanova

Dr. Maite Casanova is the very best dentist in Tampa and Temple Terrace.  She is compassionate, caring, and gentle.  Her chair-side manner is outstanding.  You'll feel at ease, informed, and pain free after your visit.  Keep on Smiling.  See Dr. Casanova, she's a Super Dentist.

Jen's Super Simple Chili

This is a very basic Super Simple Chili recipe that can be made in one giant soup pot.  It's best after thickening overnight in the refrigerator, but I'm sure you'll enjoy it right away.

Chili Recipe

JensWare Super Simple Chili Recipe



To download the recipe, click on the pot of Chili and goto my recipe box.

Pineapple Upside Down Cake from SCRATCH

This is my All-Time FAVORITE Pineapple Upside Down Cake Recipe.  It makes the YUMMIEST cake ever.  To make it Even Better, mom adds drained crushed pineapple.  If you want my recipe and step-by-step instructions for Mrs. Henry's Pineapple Upside Down Cake, just clik on the link below to jump to my website where you'll be able to download and save the recipe.

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

From SCRATCH

YUMMY! :)

Click on the cake above to goto the recipe box.

Fan of Smiles

Fan of Smiles

Inspired by Peter Max and my wonderful dentist Maite Casanova

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

for making me smile.

JensWare Fun2Wear Wonder Woman Costume

Wonder Woman Swim Costume Debut
JensWare 2009

The Fun2Wear Wonder Woman Swim Costume is an extremely complex and stunning re-creation in heavy weight swimwear fabric.  The costume includes a headband, bracelets, utility belt, cape, basque, and panties.  It was a labor of love, nine months in the making, and more hand work and challenges than I had originally anticipated.  My Fun2Wear Wonder Woman Swim Costume is beautiful and was definitely worth the effort. 

Wonder Woman Swim Costume Cape
JensWare 2009

Wonder Woman Cape:  The stunning fully lined patriotic red, white, and blue crepe back satin Wonder Woman Cape features over a gross of hand beaded and appliqued stars in three sizes and colors on twelve yards of fabric. WOW!

Wonder Woman Swim Costume Accessories
JensWare 2009

Wonder Woman Headband and Bracelets:  The beautiful golden leather look accessories are fit for a Superhero.  The headband and bracelets feature red beaded and appliqued stars.  The headband has a covered elastic band and the bracelets snap closed with two nickel-plated brass snaps.

Wonder Woman Swim Costume
JensWare 2009

Wonder Woman Costume:  The authentic looking Wonder Woman Costume is a two piece swimsuit and belt combination constructed from heavy weight swimwear fabric lined with power net.  This Fun2Wear costume keeps your assets supported and securely in place, while moving with you. 

It's a swimsuit! So, Get Wet!

Wonder Woman Swim Costume Golden Eagle
JensWare 2009

Wonder Woman Basque:  The red basque is to-die-for, showcasing an amazingly detailed hand-pieced leather look golden Eagle applique' with beaded eye.  It is lined, underlined, boned and has a built-in long line underwire bra with waist stay and two sets of bra hooks and eyes.  The center back zipper features a snapping zipper tab cover flap with a beaded star applique'.  The basque hooks to the panties and snaps to the belt.

Wonder Woman Swim Costume Utility Belt
JensWare 2009

Wonder Woman Utility Belt:  The golden leather look utility belt is adjustable and attaches to the golden leather look Eagle with a nickel-plated brass snap, hooks to the panties, and buckles in the back with two sets of hidden hooks and eyes.  It features a snap or magnetic closure for convenient lasso containment.

Wonder Woman Swim Costume Rear View
JensWare 2009

Wonder Woman Panties:  The fully lined blue panties have a center back seam, wide waistband, high cut legs, and offer moderate coverage while featuring more than thirty white beaded appliqued stars.  The basque and the utility belt both hook to the panties.

Wonder Woman Swim Costume Final Fitting
JensWare 2009

BEWARE:  This swimsuit is complex in construction and it takes 2 people to put it on and take it off.  I overcame many challenges while working on this costume and it turned out beautifully. 

Jennifer Moriarty
Custom Quilts, Costumes, and Instructional Materials
JensWare

WARNING, Prepare for Sticker Shock:  The Fun2Wear Wonder Woman Swim Costume is expensive to reproduce.  It is labor intensive, complex and the material costs are great.  Tempt Me.

If you would like to explore my Wonder Woman costume in greater detail, be sure to visit my other sites and postings by clicking on the following links:
JensWare.net Fun2Wear Costumes
JensWare Shutterfly
JensWare Burda Style