Welcome to my newest blog and latest adventure!
So just why did I start the new blog and business? Well, I started making bras a few months ago and quickly discovered that in the US, there is not an easy way to obtain all the supplies necessary for one bra in matching colors except for white, beige, black and sometimes pink. While all those colors are necessary under certain colored garments - you know beige or white under white clothes - all little color once in a while is fun, too! I started dyeing my own components and then realized it would be really nice for everyone else to have these things too, as ready to sew kits with the sewer providing the pattern and thread.
I'm not exactly sure of the exact direction this blog will take, but for the moment it will be focused on my latest little hobby and business venture: hand dyed bra kits. I'll use this space for Etsy store announcements such as new colors or kits and for general product information regarding the dye process and kit components. This is also the place for your feedback. Are there colors you'd like to see? How about fabrics, notions, or the amount of supplies in a kit? This is place to talk about it. If you make something from a kit, I'll be happy to post a photo of it that you send me, too! I probably will only post here a few times per week, if all goes well.
To give you an idea of the colors I've dyed up for this first lot of kits, check out the photo below. There is deep rose, buttercup, cantaloupe, iris, sea breeze and pale pistachio.
I've sourced supplies, dyed all the components and opened an Etsy store to provide these colored kits at a reasonable price. Small kits are best for A and B cups and cost $15.00, while large kits are best for C and D cups and cost $20.00. The larger kits provide more materials and if you're a small size, a large kit might give you two bras, with the addition of a few extra supplies you provide. Shipping is $5.00 for US Priority Mail shipping and will ship up to three kits to the US, and $13.00 for up to three kits to Canada. For right now, I'm only shipping to North America to keep things simple.Here's an example of what you can make with a kit, this is the Iris purple, albeit a different lace than the Etsy kits. Those kits have the same pretty lace as is shown in the photo above in Sea Breeze blue.
As an opening bonus, you can win a kit for free! If you win, you'll get your choice of any available kit that has not sold or if your favorite color is gone, I'll custom dye a kit in that color for you. See what's available on Etsy, and leave a comment on this post. I'll draw a winner at 6:00p EST tomorrow, Friday, June 26, 2009. [Edited to extend contest time!]
Wow! Your store is just what I'd been looking for.
ReplyDeleteI'm really going to have to sew up my test pattern now.
Those pinks are gorgous. And the prices are very reasonalbe for all that you are providing.
ReplyDeleteI'm very impressed.
This is a great idea. I have found it hard to find all the supplies to make bras, even boring coloured ones!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck on your new venture!
Awesome idea! I think you've solved my dilemma and now I can finally cut into my white bra kit to make a test one since I know where to get a fun kit. Good thinking!
ReplyDeleteWonderful of you to offer the full hand dyed kits. I hope I win one large kit.
ReplyDeleteThanks
This is a wonderful idea. I think bra-making is above my skill range but, if I win, I will learn. I am hard to fit (there is a blank space on the charts when I input my measurements) so it would be a relief to be able to make my own bras.
ReplyDeleteThese colors are so pretty! Good luck with your store
ReplyDeleteOMG- thank you. :-) i *love* the blue and green kits... the colors are so pretty!
ReplyDeleteInteresting idea. I wish you the best! I don't know how you do it all!
ReplyDeleteSummerset, you have filled an empty niche in the U.S.! What a great idea, and I love the name. :-)
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if at some point you could offer a kit of dyed bra supplies for those of us who have the fabric, but have a hard time finding anything but white supplies. Just an idea.
Wow! What an interesting idea for an Etsy shop. Good luck with it :-) but I must admit, the thought of really pretty colored bras is so tempting! I'm currently on "whatever Costco offers," which is rather limiting, to say the least.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I love the iris color.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! Why didn't I think of that? None of my bras fit particularly well and I hate bra shopping! Do you have pattern suggestions?
ReplyDeleteOh, the Iris is my favorite, but honestly all my undergarments are boring white or beige.
What a unique idea! Love the colors. Still a daunting idea, but considering I have trouble finding what I want in the right size, may be a future avenue of sewing for myself.
ReplyDeleteI took a bra making class years ago and never really made any because the fixings were too hard to find and gather. This is awesome!
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking for a while that I need to learn how to sew my own bras. Thank you for doing this.
ReplyDeleteI love all the colors. So much prettier than what you see in the stores.
ReplyDeleteYou may have just pushed me into making a bra! The lack of nice materials has been my major holdup! Thanks!
ReplyDeletePeg
wow! this is a great idea!
ReplyDeleteAny chance you'd sell dyed powernet and lace by the yard sometime? I'm getting visions of making my own bra and suspender belt set out of the lovely cantaloupe tone. :)
Do you plan to do reviews of bra patterns or provide suggestions of good patterns to use?
Congratulations on the new Etsy store! I wish you success. Perhaps you'll branch out into offering kits and/or fabric for other undergarments.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a great idea!
ReplyDeleteI confess that I have never tried my hand at bra making. Good on you!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the store!
ReplyDeleteWell, I am just going to have to try bra making! Congratulations and loads of best wishes for success. I know you will achieve it as you have tapped into a big need.
ReplyDeleteI, too, would like to know what patterns you would recommend. This looks like the perfect opp for a hookup with a patternmaker for bras.
Goofy question time... Is there enought fabric in the kit for a matching panty?
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your new venture, I'm sure it will be a success!
Perfect timing! Just this morning I had a conversation with DH, who convinced me that I should try making my own bras. When I get a pattern worked tested and fitted, I will definitely be purchasing some of your kits! I wish you loads of success with this venture. I second Kristine's question about the matching panties!
ReplyDeleteI made a swimsuit once (back when I was young and thin) so I'm game to try a bra.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. A real niche market. I am really wanting to try my hand at bra making - how do you go about finding a pattern? I saw, Debbie Cook, I think, ordered from Germany? I don't want to order from Europe - I don't understand European sizing and I have trouble enough with US sizing. This blog would be a great place to help us learn to make bras from start (that includes how to find our correct size), to fitting, to finish.
ReplyDeletebtw - will you be offering matching fabric to make the panties too?
Blessings,
Patti
Good luck with this new endeavor. I can see the market for lingerie supplies is very limited. You should do well.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the new venture! The colors are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThis is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI love the Iris bra. Did you make it or dye a bra that you purchased? If you did make it, would you tell us what pattern it is?
Thank you for inspiring all of us.
Karen K
Congratulations! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI kid you not, I just got back from the mall and another sewing friend and I decided that we NEED to sew our own bras and panties. I would love to see fabric to make matching panties as well. I am so excited about this, I am sending the link to my friend and we will be getting a few kits. I have never made one but it HAS to be cheaper than the ones at the store. I can make what they sell can't I?!?! Thanks so much!!
ReplyDeleteShorty
You are amazing. Have to wonder if you ever sleep? These are beautiful colors! thanks for more temptation! VBG
ReplyDeleteLynda in LV
What a great idea, the colors are gorgeous. The rose fabric is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I've wanted to make my own bras for some time. I'll be watching and as soon as I'm gainfully employed again - shopping :) g
ReplyDeleteI've wanted to try bra making for a bra now, but haven't summoned up the courage. The thought of trying to find all those necessary materials was mind boggling. Your kits will make it so much easier. Count my vote for pattern suggestions and additional yardage (fabric, elastic, and lace) for matching panties.
ReplyDeleteCool, I love your new stuff. I've made a successful bra, but it was white, will consider buying some of these. How about contrast color kits, aqua/ brown, black/ red ? sign me up for the drawing, too. Thanks
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! The fact that I don't want to search fourteen different online vendors is one of the biggest reasons I haven't tried to make a bra yet. I really should try as I have an impossible time getting RTW that fits right.
ReplyDeleteDebkb
Haven't made a bra before, but I can only imagine I would get frustrated trying to assemble matching supplies. You've made it easy--what a great idea for an Etsy store!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! Love all the colors! This will really push me into making bras.
ReplyDeleteNancy at graciovenko(at)hot mail dot com
Wishing you every success in your new endeavor!
ReplyDeleteSherry in Little Rock
sherryef(at)swbell(dot)net
What a wonderful idea! I haven't really had the desire to make a bra yet, but who knows... Good luck!
ReplyDeleteWay to go! You're amazing to even think of this and then to do something about it. I love all the colors of the kits in your store.
ReplyDeleteSummerset, your colors are awesome! And your example piece inspiring as always.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your store and this blog.
(PS: though I love your sets, I'll let my place in the draw go to others who will have less access to supplies. Just wanted to wish you luck)
Beautiful work and lovely colors.
ReplyDeleteHey, this is a fantastic idea. I've been toying with the idea of making my own bra - larger sizes have a very limited number of pretty bras available. If you have any recommendations for patterns for above D cup, that would be great too.... :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea for an Etsy store! Good luck with your new venture.
ReplyDeleteI just love the kits! Best of luck with your etsy store! I would love to win the buttercup kit. So pretty!
ReplyDeleteMary
What a great idea! I was really excited about the bra post you did a few days ago and wanted to try one for myself. Best of luck in your new etsy store! And thank you for sharing your adventure with us!
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of kits for making bras. I always wanted to try making one, but had trouble finding all the components to make one. Good luck in your new adventure. Also can you maybe sugguest a couple of patterns in making the bras.
ReplyDeleteCheryl from FL.
Sounds like a great buisness concept. I just recently bought a kit to make a bra. Have not got around to it yet. But in the works. Would love to have a source of beautiful colored materials if my venture is successful. Good Luck.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and good luck with this new venture!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your new business and please enter me in the contest. I am going to start making my own bras. Mary mdeeter@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteOh, how exciting!
ReplyDeleteCan I make a suggestion? I know not everyone who makes their own bras makes their own underwear, and vice-versa, but I've started a campaign to have at least two pairs of underwear to match each new bra I buy. Any way you could also dye some extra kits to sell sans hardware so people could make undies?
Your kits are just gorgeous! I love all the candy colors. I got you favorite-d and want to order some for my daughter! Pick my name okay? LOL!
ReplyDeleteNice kits. Please enter me in the contest.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! Beautiful colors. I'd love the pistachio in a large kit. Can you tell me about the wires you send with the kits? Oh, and enter me in your contest, of course.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck, Ms. Entrepreneur! Guess I can figure out what you'll be looking for next week.
ReplyDeleteI wish you good luck for your business
ReplyDelete