I am currently in the process of updating my lingerie drawer – turns out I’ve managed to gain a cup size, which means none of the stuff that I originally made fits right anymore. On the plus side, this is right around the same time that everything was starting to get ratty, so it’s not a total loss. And now I have an excuse to make fun underwear, or, as I like to call it – FUNDERWEAR lololol amirite gosh I’m hilarious.
In all seriousness, new undergarments are happening! You’ve probably seen a few in previous Watson makes, as well as on Instagram. I don’t blog too much in the way of lingerie these days, just because the redundancy gets boring (for me, that is), but this one is a little different and fun, which I think warrants a post!
It’s a bralette! But wait, there’s more – it has an underwire!
This bralette is made possible by Simplicity 8711, a collaboration with Madalynne (you can read more about the bra here on her blog!). S8711 looks like a basic bralette, but includes a continuous underwire (or “monowire”) to provide lift, support, and prevent monoboob (which I think we can all safely agree that no one likes. Don’t @ me). The bra includes, um, bra-like features – such as a hook and eye and adjustable straps – but the bralette design looks a bit more low-key casual than a full-on bra.
I actually just discovered the monowire pretty recently – my boss gave me a gift card to Agent Provocateur last Christmas and I have been CLEANING UP when I travel up to NYC. The Essie is my newest one, and my first introduction to the monowire. Btw, do you seen what I mean about having fun lingerie? That shit is FUN.
Soooo anyway, back to the thing I made.
I used a Madalynne kit (the cream & black floral lace) for all my fabric & notions, which meant I didn’t have to source anything on my own. The kit includes enough fabric and elastic to make at least 1 bra, if not an entire set of bra & panties (depending on your size). I was also pleased to see that I received 2 hooks and eyes, so I have an extra for a future bra. I also received 3 monowires – my size, plus one size up and one size down, to really determine which one I needed. The one that was my suggested size fit perfectly, but now I have 2 more for, again, future bras.
The kit comes packed in a beautiful reusable drawer box, which was helpful for storing all my supplies in between sewing sessions (and supplies for a future bra, now!).
Based on the size chart in the pattern – as well as Maddie’s suggestion – I cut the size 32DD. I typically wear a 28E so I was a liiiiiittle apprehensive of this – it sounds really, really off to me! But I trusted and I’m happy to report that this little bralette actually fits perfectly. The 32 band is nice and tight, and the cup size is exactly the size I need. I’m not sure how Simplicity’s grading works in that I’m such a different size, but I would definitely suggest trusting the size chart for the bra.
Instructions-wise, this pattern was easy to follow. There is a pattern guide that you can download if you need additional help (it includes a photo tutorial and more information about monowires in general), but the instructions on their own are perfectly suitable. The only part that wasn’t inherently clear to me was which way to insert the monowire into the bra – it is designed so that the center isn’t completely flat, so I wasn’t sure if that goes flat against my chest or the other way around (the AP bra was no help, as the center of that monowire is actually flexible). I ended up making it flat against my chest, which I hope was right! And speaking of putting that shit in the channeling… LORD, it’s a tight squeeze! Be prepared to wrestle with it a bit, ha.
The bra lined with mesh – there is a lightweight mesh for the front, and a heavier powernet for the band. The ruffle is unlined. Interestingly, the bottom band is topped with strapping elastic – so it’s less stretchy, giving that nice tight fit.
I debated leaving the lace ruffle off, but I’m glad I kept it on! I think it’s a really sweet addition.
I had plenty of fabric and elastics to make the matching panties, so I did! I left off the butt ruffles because I knew those would be useless in my wardrobe (most of my pants are pretty tight in the butt) – and also, I’m just not a butt ruffle type of girl! The ruffles are sewn on top of the back, so it was easy to omit them.
The panties are fully lined with the lightweight mesh, and I added a piece of cotton lining to the crotch (this was the only thing not included in the kit; but I had some in my stash so no problem there). The pattern is, again, true to size if you use your measurements + the size chart, however, I was not thrilled with the elastic lengths. They were WAY too tight. Like, gave me massive amounts of muffin top (I may not be the skinniest girl in the room but man you gotta squeeze me quite a bit to get some muffin top). I unpicked the top elastic and patched a piece in, then re-sewed – which helped, but I need to also do this to the legs. They are very, very tight. I would recommend ignoring the elastic guides and just applying your elastic on freely, with minimal stretching. The guides had you stretch them very tight, which is what causes the muffin top.
I think that’s about all I have to say about this set! I really love the bra; it’s a fun addition to my lingerie drawer. I like that it looks casual but gives the same lift and silhouette as a standard underwired bra. The coverage is pretty solid, in that I could probably get away with wearing this more exposed… I debated including a photo of it on me here, but in all honesty I’m just not that comfortable posting bra shots here. Sorry! There are plenty of shots of women wearing this bra on Madalynne’s Instagram, though, if you are curious. Once I muster up the energy to unpick the elastic from the legs of the underwear, it should be an easy fix to re-sew so they are less tight. The lace is just far too pretty to waste!
Note: The pattern & bra kit were provided to me by Madalynne, in exchange for a blog post. I was not compensated for this post, and all opinions are my own!
LLADYBIRD 
This set turned out great! I’ve been doing a little bra sewing this week, and it always feels like magic!
It really does! Love making lingerie 🙂
Yay! Thanks lady!
Maddie Flanigan Founder + Owner, Madalynne Intimates Lingerie to Buy + Lingerie to Sew! Designed in Philly, Sewn in Brooklyn http://www.madalynne.com // @mmadalynne
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Thank YOU! I had so much fun sewing this 😀
I’ve loved this Bralette since it came out and finally ordered the pattern + kit. Yours turned out beautifully…I wish I’d gotten this fabric combo before it sold out! Oh well😏. As for the sizing…well it put me in a 36DD😳. I’m in the homeward stretch with attaching the straps of my trial version, if it fits…then I’ll bust out the pretty fabric from Madalynne.
Ahh bummer that you missed out on the fabric; it might be one of my favorite lingerie fabrics yet! Fingers crossed that your trial bralette fits!
I love the fabric and style of this set and I learned something new “monowire” . Never heard of it before. Very cute style.
I hadn’t either, but I have really become interested in them! They are so different than regular underwires.
I can’t decide what I like more about this post: the beautiful set, or the Michael Jackson gif. Both are life.
NGL, I cackled with glee at the chance to include that gif. So I’m glad you enjoyed it too haha
Your blog always brightens my day! Love learning about new things. A mono wire, wow, who knew?
Aw, thank you! Happy to hear I’ma little spot of sunshine 🙂
Gorgeous set! How wearable is the monowire? I’ve never seen/heard of that before.
As long as you’re wearing the correct size, it’s just as comfortable as wearing (well-fitting) regular underwires! I don’t really notice a difference.
Lauren, this is so pretty! I think Madalynne’s kits are such a brilliant idea for her patterns.
I agree! She had a good eye and curated some lovely stuff, too!
I love Madalynne’s bralettes, have you heard word on how they do for around the 30G size mark (that’s what I am for the Cloth Habit Harriet/regular in-the-store size). I can understand some give in a bralette, but still a little weary.
I’m not sure! I really only pay attention to whatever relates to my size haha. Best to check the measurements for the pattern would be my suggestion.
Lauren, I’d like to comment on your next post (twill overalls), but it does not appear in the blog.
Hi! That post is on the Mood Sewing Network, I published it to my own blog by mistake.