The Hanna Bralette made up in 'The Foster' kit.
The Hanna Bralette is a soft cup bra in stretch lace underlined with knit fabric.
Mini Review
The Bra:
- Pattern designer: Studio Costura
- Bra type: Soft bra with a two piece cup
- Skill level: Beginner
- Size range: XS to XL (full bust 86cm - 110cm)
- Shape range: A soft cup and narrow band elastic so would 'fit' most but perhaps not be hugely supportive
- Time frame: Very quick
Value for money?
On the pricey side for a pdf bralette pattern but there are so many cute versions out there that I couldn't resist!
Clear Instructions?
Yes. The written instructions are accompanied by clear photographs of the sewing process. There is additional information on common fit problems and how to solve them, which is a nice inclusion that you don't get with most other patterns. Particularly helpful for beginners is a 'how to cut lace' section and a reminder to make sure your band is adjusted to fit the size of your hook and eye closure.
Accurate materials list ?
Mostly. It's a one quantity fits all materials list and the lace allowed for is a 2m length. I made the smallest size out of just 1m of lace and that included using some of the lace for the front of a pair of panties. I'd recommend printing your pattern pieces first to get a better idea of how much lace you need before purchasing it. The other material recommendations were fairly accurate.
Clear fabric recommendations?
There is a bit of information listed on the width of lace and the stretch percentage required for the knit fabric, it's adequate but not overly detailed.
Matching set potential?
Yes. It is easy to use the materials from a stretch lace and knit bra to make matching briefs.
Variation possibilities?
I've seen some pretty ones lined with foam instead of knit and some that are purely knit without the lace. Studio Costura has a step-by-step on their blog detailing how to turn this pattern into a bikini top - this pattern translates perfectly into swimwear!
Conclusion:
This is a really pretty, kind of 'can't go wrong' bralette that I can see working well for lounging around the home. I'll give it a few more wearings before I see whether it becomes a 'going out' bra :) It was a lot of fun to sew though and I can see that this won't be my only one.
