Happy November, loves! I am really excited for this week's post, since it's been one that I have been holding on to for a while now. This week we are sewing up another DIY sewing project kit from Madalynne, the queen of lace & lingerie!

You may recall that earlier this year I sewed up a different DIY sewing project kit from Madalynne, the 8228 lingerie pattern. And I had SO. MUCH. FUN. with it. Seriously. It was my first time ever sewing with lingerie, and I did not want the project to end.

There is just something so fun about working with such tiny, delicate patterns. Something beautiful about working with intricate, lightweight lace. I don't know what it is, but it just feels SPECIAL.

And I love just being able to buy the DIY sewing project kit, because I would literally have NO idea where to start with purchasing materials for lingerie. I would be like a lost little kid in a candy shop. And while I absolutely love wandering around the fabric store looking for fabrics that will work for a sewing project..

I also don't like wasting my time wandering around when I don't know what I'm doing, or what I'm looking for.

When working for yourself and building a business, time is your most valuable commodity. And I wouldn't go so far as to quote the cliche that time is money.. Because, to me, time is invaluable. I struggle quite a bit with time management (did you check out last week's post?) so not wasting time when I don't have to is a MAJOR perk for me.

In comes the Madalynne DIY sewing project kit.

Not only does purchasing the kit save me the time that would otherwise be lost wandering around a fabric store.. But it also saves me from the irritation & frustration that inevitably comes from just wandering around wasting time. Which, to me, is 100% worth more than money.

(Not sure where to start when it comes to sewing DIY lingerie? Building your own sewing kit is an excellent place to begin. Grab your complete beginner’s guide below!)

But anyways. The Madalynne 8711 DIY sewing project kit! I was really excited for this kit because the bra is almost like a hybrid of a bralette and a regular bra. It has the look and feel of a bralette, but the slim monowire gives the additional support of a traditional bra.

And mind you--I haven't worn a "real" bra since I lived in NYC, 4 years ago. Bralettes are my JAM. I love how lightweight & effortless they are.

But sometimes.. You do need a little bit of extra support. And the design of the 8711 DIY sewing project kit does just that! The finished bra FEELS like a bralette, but gives the support of a real bra. It's actually kind of amazing.

I chose the black & white floral lace kit, which I absolutely love. Black, white, & tan are such a classic color combo, one I have always been obsessed with. And when visibly worn, like with my Vesta Wrap Top, it just so happens to go perfectly with my already existing wardrobe.

The bra itself has a low, wide scoop neck both front and back. And I actually really love the bottom ruffle of the bra. I am NOT a ruffle kind of girl (I think this is literally the only piece of clothing I own with a ruffle on it) but I love it. It's such a subtle touch, but it works perfectly.

The bra has adjustable straps, which is AMAZING. And it also has an adjustable back band, to easily get the bra on and off. These two aspects, along with the thin monowire along the bottom of the bra, are what make it more of a traditional bra.

But as I mentioned above.. The details are so thin & subtle, it's almost like you're still wearing a bralette. But you're not. The design is ingenious, really.

(Not sure where to start when it comes to sewing DIY lingerie? Building your own sewing kit is an excellent place to begin. Grab your complete beginner’s guide below!)

Sewing up the 8711 DIY sewing project kit was actually pretty easy. I feel like it was definitely easier than the first DIY sewing project kit from Madalynne that I sewed up. (Or maybe I'm just more familiar with the terms?) But either way--Sewing up this project was cake.

There were only FOUR pattern pieces used for this bra, which is kind of unheard of. I think the most time consuming part of the project was just basting the self & lining together.

And while this is not hard (at all) it is just a little time consuming. Sewing in the monowire was actually a lot easier than expected. I have never in my life sewn with a monowire, so I was expecting it to be a bit of a challenge. Definitely not!

Think: The hoops connecting the straps to the bra, the strap adjusters, and the back hook & eye panel. Again, sewing these things was a first for me, but it was not difficult. I did choose to use the thinner elastic for the straps, rather than the thicker option. I'm not sure why, but I just like the look of the thin straps matching the thin band that goes across the bra.

I also chose to use the smaller back hooks, rather than the larger option. I did have to gather the back bra pieces a tiny bit to fit, but I actually really like the look of it!

And I think it goes perfectly with the delicate ruffles along the bottom of the bra. (BTW. If you are as lost as I was with lingerie terms, this blog post on Madalynne's site was INCREDIBLY helpful. It walks you through what is inside every DIY sewing project kit.)

(Not sure where to start when it comes to sewing DIY lingerie? Building your own sewing kit is an excellent place to begin. Grab your complete beginner’s guide below!)

Something that Madalynne did note in the product description for this DIY sewing project kit was to order a size up for the monowire, and I am SO GLAD that I did. According to the instructions for the sewing pattern, I am a 36A (actually kind of shocked I'm still an A cup, TBH) so I ordered a 38A.

And seriously, the bra fits like a glove! I think that if I had ordered true to size at a 36A it would have been just a hair too small.

So definitely keep that in mind if sewing up your own 8711 DIY sewing project kit!

Madalynne has upped her game when it comes to packaging & marketing, it's kind of incredible. As someone that is working on building her very first DIY sewing project kit (stay tuned via the newsletter for when our pattern shop is open!) how far she has come is pretty inspiring.

Back in the Spring of 2017, I ordered one of Madalynne's very first (I believe?) DIY sewing project kits. This was the project that I finally sewed up earlier this year, the 8228 lingerie pattern. The kit itself was fantastic, and she shipped it out in a plastic bag that contained all of the materials.

(Not sure where to start when it comes to sewing DIY lingerie? Building your own sewing kit is an excellent place to begin. Grab your complete beginner’s guide below!)

But my goodness. This time around, she shipped the DIY sewing project kit out in this beautiful little box. Lingerie laundry soap from The Laundress was included, as well as laundering instructions. It was absolutely beautiful, and a level to aspire to.

Not only do I love sewing up my own clothing.. But I love supporting women that are obviously so passionate and creative. She doesn't have to go to the level of care & beauty that she does with packaging her DIY sewing project kits.. But she does.

And that's what sets her apart.

I had SO much fun with this project, I already can't wait to buy another kit from Madalynne. I love that I am increasing my DIY lingerie wardrobe, one piece at a time. (Maybe next time I will make the matching panties..?) But seriously guys. If you are at all looking to dabble in the world of DIY lingerie.. Buy a DIY sewing project kit from Madalynne. It is THE PERFECT place to start.

And not only will you be supporting a badass independent maker, but you will also NOT be supporting the companies that severely under pay their workers. I know it's difficult to completely move away from them, but this is the perfect first step in that transition!

Would love to know if you guys have sewn up this DIY sewing project kit, or if there is any particular kit you are looking for? Stay tuned, the Dany Sheath DIY sewing project kit is on its way!

(Not sure where to start when it comes to sewing DIY lingerie? Building your own sewing kit is an excellent place to begin. Grab your complete beginner’s guide below!)