2013-08-12: Bra Tutorial

It's necessary for me to wear supportive bras with underwires.  The good ones are very expensive.

I've found that the expensive ones as well as the cheapos end up with the same problem:  the underwire pokes a hole through its casing and starts jabbing into my body.

When that happens I push the wire back into place, sew up the hole and cover it with a piece of felt.

The stubborn underwire eventually breaks through the felt making it necessary to repeat the repair.

Then I realized that I could use a non-tear material that is actually washable:  "Tyvek*."  (I actually got this idea after watching World War Z.  The humans covered their limbs with tyvek because it protected them from zombie bites.)

These are the steps I take now to repair bra tears.

Notice the yellow underwire poking out of its casing.

I used "tyvek" material from a used FedEx envelope.

Cut a small strip of "tyvek" and a slightly larger piece of felt.

First, I sewed the "tyvek" over the torn portion of the hole made by the protruding underwire.

I sewed the piece of felt onto the bra, covering the "tyvek."  The felt feels more comfortable against the skin than "tyvek."

Here is the finished repair.  The flesh colored felt blends neatly with the bra.

 This repair will extend the life of the bra immensely.  Now the bra is wearable until I wear out the elastic in the back.  Then it's time to go bra shopping again!

The original nonwoven technology.

Since the initial discovery in 1955 that led to Tyvek®, DuPont has been a recognized global leader in selective barrier technology. Lightweight and durable, DuPont™ Tyvek® has introduced new dimensions of protection, security and safety in a wide variety of industries.

June 2013: How to make a wired headband.

Lately I have been wearing scarves in my hair - maybe I'll start a new trend.  Scarves have a tendency to slide off.  So I tried headbands.  They always feel too tight.

In this post I will show you one of my solutions to these problems.


First cut 2 strips of fabric, 32" long by 3.25" wide (approximately).

Trim the ends into a point..

Sew or serge the sides together, forming a tube and leaving a 1" opening in the center.

 

Turn the tube right side out through the 1" opening.

 Cut a 32" length of wire.   I have found that "garden training" wire works the best.  Find it in the garden section of your hardware store, near the trellises. 

Make a loop in each end of the wire.

                                     Cover the ends of the wire with tape.  I used electrical tape.

                                                         

Insert wire into the tube, being sure to go all the way to each end.







You can sew the opening closed if desired.  I leave mine open so I can remove the wire and wear the tube as a neck scarf also.


Put on the headband and gently twist the ends to make it fit comfortably on your head.

July 12, 2012: Little Doll Chatelaine

Finally, I am writing my tutorial on how to make my Little Doll Chatelaine.  Making dolls cheers me up and sometimes I get carried away.  I wanted my dolls to be more than decorative so that they would make good gifts.  I decided to have them function as chatelaines.  A sewing chatelaine is like a handy sewing kit worn around the neck.

First,  I draw out a simple doll shape, about 3" high and 2" wide. 

I cut 2 doll bodies from some scraps of upholstery fabric, a face from a circle of felt.

I use simple running stitches to embroider the face onto the doll. I use a variety of things for the hair - beads, yarn, lace - whatever I have at hand. Here I am using some hot pink rope that I got at a dollar store.

I couch the "hair" around the face of the doll and give her a cute hairdo.  The eyes are little black seed beads.  Eyelashes and a smile may be embroidered on later.

I add strips from fabric remnants for clothes - skirt, apron, top, just tacking them down with running stitches.

Now I sew the back to the front of the doll.

I add beads for hands and feet.

I like my dolls to carry something - a basket, handbag.  These I also fashion from bits of fabric scraps and beads.  I've added a ribbon rose to this one and put a small spool of thread inside.

I cut a small square of wool and encase it in some coordinating fabric.  This is creates the pincushion which I attach to the end of a length of grosgrain ribbon (usually around 30.").  I add some pins and needles.

I attach the other end of the ribbon to the back of the doll.  I add a horizontal strip of ribbon or fabric to hold a small pair of scissors.  Then I add my label.

 The ribbon is then draped around the wearer's neck and voila:  

A handy dandy sewing kit!

 Here is a photo of some of my other little dolls.  The smaller dolls are worn as pins.