You know from my past posts that I made and enjoy wearing my XYT workout top, I like Kwik Sew patterns and I really love Sewing Lingerie patterns as Jan designs with comfort, practicality, and the average woman in mind. So, I sat at my table pondering which of 3 sports bra tops to make.
A 2nd XYT Top?Source: FehrTrade | A Kwik Sew 3672 Top?Source: KwikSew | The Shelf Bra Camisole?Source: Sewing Lingerie |
The Kwik Sew stops at an XL, whereas the Shelf Bra Cami goes up to a 4XL. Comparing just those two on overall size, the Shelf Bra Cami gave me more to work with and eliminated my need to grade up the pattern.
Another bonus of the Shelf Bra cami and most of Jan's patterns is that they are straight straps like an ordinary bra, not usually a racer back. As much as I love the racer back look, that often gives me a headache as the weight of my bust pulls on my shoulder and neck muscles. So I opt for straight straps.
I also opted to include a layer of powernet in the yolk to add support and lift. When I make the XYT again, I will run the shelf bra all the way to the shoulder seams to increase the support and lift. I really like how the powernet in the shelfbra cami has worked out.
I was pretty excited as I sewed this top, because half way through I figured out that I do have a triple stitch zig-zag on my older bernina and it worked beautifully! Even more stretch and stability than the standard zigzag.
- Pattern: Shelf Bra Camisole from Sewing Lingerie
- Size: 2XL bust to a 4XL hip, D-cup
- Fabric: Printed nylon lycra from Pacific Fabrics and White nylon lycra from retired business.
- Notions: knitted cotton elastic from Nancy's Sewing Basket.
- Likes? D-cup sizing, generous back coverage, straight straps, accounts for an FBA in a knit
- Dislikes? underbust tucks in powernet show through on occasion. That's not an issue with the pattern, but rather with how I adapted powernet to the pattern.
- Will I make it again? Absoultely. Without question. I love it so much I cut a 2nd one out in black the moment I finished the last stitch on this one!