Why Sew?
"I can get a bra for $20 in the shop. Why would I bother sewing one?"
Good question. Here's a few better questions:
- Does that bra fit you correctly?
- Is it the color material that you like?
- Would you have preferred more straps at the back?
- Do you like to create and design?
- Is my lingerie ethical?
- How much work went into your lingerie?
- Where was it made?
- How much did the person that made it get paid?
Did you know the wage seamstresses from China make on average is approximately 48 CNY per hour, which equates to 9.61 Australian Dollars in today's market. If your garment came from India, they get paid on average INR 117, which equates to 2.05 Australian Dollars. A bit of food for thought when you're choosing your lingerie.
Very rarely do we have standard size bodies, and our breast shapes vary from person to person. If you take notice, a lot of lingerie shops sell mainly molded cups, these are fantastic for T-shirts, so don't get me wrong, I love them, but they are hot in summer and throwing a bit of lace over the top doesn't make them pretty or delicate nor are they a perfect fit.
Wouldn't it be nice to have cups that hold your breasts like a pair of hands? Having a bra dig into you or lacking breast support are two of the most common issues. That's an issue you don't have to deal with when you own a well-fitting bra, and those bras cost a lot more than $20. That's where sewing can come into the equation.
Sewing is an affordable option for a perfect fit. The quality and care taken are ideal, because you made it. Sewing can be so rewarding, and with practice, your lingerie can match any that you can buy, or even better, because it's custom made for you, by you!
You don't need an expensive machine, just any that can zig-zag and straight stitch. If you are new to sewing lingerie, I suggest a simple G sting and bralette start with, and you get a feel for elastic and sewing with lace and mesh.
As always, with anything you do, make sure you're having fun! It's time to learn a new skill, and enjoy the sense of accomplishment when you wear a garment you hand-made yourself!
