Pattern Review: Jordy Bralette by Emerald Erin

Hello, my lovely sewing friends! I have done something new. I feel like I have climbed Mt. Everest or swam the English Channel. I have faced my fears, and, I must admit, I feel a little proud. I made a bralette.

In the area of the country that I live, find a bra, let a lone a bralette, in my size...well, let's just say my options our limited. As I was bra shopping the other day, looking at the three offerings in my size, all only in nude or black, I thought to myself, 'Girl, you can sew. Why don't you try to make one?'. Now, I am not knocking a good foam cupped, unwire bra in nude. That is a need in my life, but I am just a touch extra and I wanted a couple undergarments bits to reflect just that.

As you know, I have made many different kinds of garments and even mastered couture, but this tiny support garment had me shaking in my boots. After looking a quite a few different patterns, I decided that Jordy Bralette by Emerald Erin was probably the most straight forward and came in my size. So, I purchased the PDF pattern and grabbed one of her complete kits while I was at it. I got the Gatsby Metallic Lace Kit in Pink with White trims. Once I saw this in person, I do with that I had gone with the Latte as recommended. The pink has a dustiness about it that I think would pair a little nicer with the Latte colorway. Alas, it is not the end of the world and I might just have to make the bra again in with the Latte trims. However, I do really have my eye on her bee kit. That one makes its way into my dreams.

The shipping was out of country, so considering that, it came at a very reasonable speed. It was inside that was so beautifully organized. The fabrics has their own little protective bag, the trimmings had their own and the webbing and elastics also had their own. Now, you might be thinking, what is the Oregonian saying "Three Plastic Bags!" is beautiful. Don't fret, I liked that it made everything neat and organized and I intend to reuse the good quality plastic bags in my own stash at home.

On to the cutting. This was the only place that I questioned Erin's very good instructions. She has a stretch direction marked on the pattern, however for this fabric, it would have made the pattern run sideways instead of up and down. At this point, I went and looked at the promo pictured, and since the pattern was going the correct up and down flow in the picture, I decided to do as she did and not as the pattern said. After that little dance, it was bra making time.

I cut out the 30FF. Erin, has a great measurement guide to help to find the correct size for you to cut out. It is a very similar measurement experience if you have ever been sized for a bra at Nordstrom's. The difference being you do it to yourself in the comfort of your own home. The bra came together easily and quickly and the instructions were very clear for a bra making novice like myself. I made one change and made it a cross back. This felt more supportive and I felt like I go a slightly better fit. I did have a few errors in fitting that after the finish, I had to go back and correct. Next time, there were a few things I would do cleaner. Overall, I was super impressed that I have a wearable, usable bralette. Through out even the sewing process, I kept thinking "I hope this is wearable". It is not only wearable, it is freaking comfortable. Emerald Erin, my hat is off to you and I will definitely be a return customer.

Happy Sewing!