Bralette Construction.
Last week, for the very first time ever, I made a bra. You’re probably thinking, “but, wait…you’re developing a line of lingerie and you just made your first bra??? Aren’t you suppose to know how to do that already???”
Spoiler alert: You don’t need to sew, to develop a line. Plenty of (fashion) designers do not sew. They design the line, and then work with others to bring their designs to life. And that’s exactly what I’m doing. My pattern maker will turn my design, from a flat 2D image, into cut outs of fabric that can be sewn together into a 3D garment. My sample maker will then sew those pieces together, and work with me through the development process––to include a ton of fittings and test wearing.
I’ve been back and forth with myself over the right time to start product development. I love research, and think it’s really important. Though I can get lost in research, and not more forward––in fear of taking (the wrong) action. So when I posed the question “should start product development?” to my amazing consultant, Kimmay, she gave me a challenge. First, sew a bra.
My initial reaction was less than excited. I mean, why do I need to do that when I’m hiring someone else to do that? And while I do own a sewing machine, I haven’t used it in years…and I was never amazing with my skills. The more I thought about it, I knew this was the smart way forward. I knew that taking on this challenge would only further my understanding of what is a deceivingly difficult garment to construct.
I borrowed a machine from my grandmother’s friend (mine’s in storage at my parent’s house, and I’m currently living in South Carolina with my grandmother and my boyfriend. No judgements, please. There’s a pandemic going on!). I spent an afternoon reacquainting myself with how a machine functions. I watched tons of YouTube tutorials. I bought a simple(ish) pattern that came with some helpful tutorial videos. And I got to work.
I learned so much. It was hard, but it was fun, and I want to make more (I already have another pattern cut and ready to hit the machine. This one is will fabric that I dyed, and is somewhat closer to my own sketches.) My biggest takeaway though, is that I’m going to be a much better, more knowledgeable client when it comes to working with my pattern and sample maker. I now have a better understanding of construction.
For the Petal + Ash line, I’m still going to leave the actual construction to the experts. Let’s face it, the braI just constructed is cute (though different materials and style that what my own line will be), and it’s very wearable, but its precision in stitching could use some (ok, a lot of) help. I’m so proud of my accomplishment, and I think ultimately it’s going to mean a better product on your body.
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