One of my 2019 #makenine goals was a great t-shirt bra, and I had picked out the Orange Lingerie Fenway as my bra of choice. However, I have a new bra that has taken up residence in that #makenine spot–the Emerald Erin Black Beauty. The name is from the original bra she designed for herself, in black bra tulle, way back in 2015 for her Bra-a-Week challenge.
View A is a cool, almost sporty design that uses fold-over elastic to finish the cup edges and form the strap. I love the cool double strap–it is a unique detail I haven\’t seen on other bra patterns! View B is a dream in lace, with more traditional straps and finishing (perfect if you own a generic lace bra kit and want to use it for this pattern, like I do). Since the lace view only has lace on the front, and only needs lace edges for the top of the bra cup, it\’s a perfect scrap-buster pattern for those lace pieces with only a little bit of edge left over! Both views can have added foam lining on the cups for extra coverage, which is nice, and both views are absolutely gorgeous and have all the details you find on expensive designer bras.
My view, you may have already noticed, uses elements from both views! I had a lace kit (that Erin provided) but I was dying to try the double straps, so I mixed and matched pieces from both views: the straps and back are from the sporty FOE view and the lace edges in the front are from the lace view. I added the bra foam lining as well, since my Berkeley bras are all unlined and… I wish they had foam.
This is the best fitting handmade bra I own now, and the one I most enjoy wearing, since I really like foam lining in my bras. The thing I\’ve struggled with the most in past bras is the underwire digging in at my sternum. Since this bra was designed with a specific wire in mind, has eliminated my underwire discomfort almost entirely. Unlike the other bra patterns I\’ve bought, this one has a specific wire recommendation which you can pick up from Erin\’s shop when you download the pattern. If you still aren\’t sure, Erin is one of the most helpful people I\’ve interacted with in the sewing world–she\’s so generous with her time and knowledge and will totally help answer all your pressing bra questions.
I\’ve already picked up a second bra kit from the Emerald Erin store–with embroidered bees I seriously can\’t wait–and I want to make a third, more casual version using some jersey scraps I have in my \”underwear-to-be\” drawer.
xoxo,
allie
ps: her shop is in CAD not USD, fyi
Sign up for the Allie Jackson newsletter to receive updates, sneak peeks, and other bonus content!
this post may contain affiliate links.
I am really excited to see this bra made up with foam! I've found in my own bra making journey that I really prefer a foam lined cup rather than an unlined one, especially because I have a bigger chest. I just like the support and the coverage of a foam bra. Your post is the one that tipped me over to buying the pattern and the kit.
I hope you enjoy it!! I also prefer a foam-lined cup, and this bra pattern is mix-and-match so you can add the foam lining to whichever view, which i love. Happy sewing!!