Saturday, August 4, 2012

Fallout from New Bras and ACC Craft Show

I took the day off work yesterday to attend the ACC Craft Show in Fort Mason. I've been wanting to attend this show for years, but more on that in a bit.

Of course, I wore one of my new bras. Now, let me preface this by saying that I thought my old bras were working pretty well. Oh dear, was I wrong.

  • I decided to wear my polka dot Au Bonheur coat. It no longer fits me properly.
  • All my TnT patterns now have the bust fullness located too far down.
  • Most of my sewn clothes now have the bust fullness located too far down.
  • Bummer.
  • I was paper fitting a new Vogue pattern yesterday. My bust is now located at the same level as Vogue believes a bust should sit. I did not think this was possible. In my natural state, my bust is at the same level as my belly button. I did not believe it was possible to find support that would hoist me to that level. Wow. This will make it easier to alter patterns in future.

The ACC show was nice and a couple reasonably priced items followed me home. Wandering into Susan Otterson's booth, I caught her taking a picture of my coat. We struck up an enjoyable conversation and I bought one of her Merino spiral scarves. She knits all of her fabrics, as well as does the sewing, and her work is beautiful. She is a fan of Koos van den Akker, so we had a nice chat about his designs. She doesn't have a website yet, but you can email her.

Susan Otterson's booth

My other purchase, from Tess McGuire, was a cloche-style felted hat. A very sweet lady, who posed through several photos with humor.

Tess McGuire

My friend Sue also made a purchase. She bought a beautiful necklace from Nature's Creations.

This necklace, made with real dogwood blossoms that are encased in copper and electroplated, then finished with a green patina. (By the way, Sue made this top from a great stripe knit that we both bought from Hart's last March. I've also seen this fabric on Marcy's site.)

His work is beautiful and he collects leaves from all over, even from Japan and Europe. (He has a special import license - I asked.) Additionally, these are two pins that are attached to a waxed linen necklace, so they can be removed and worn as pins, switched to a necklace of a different length, worn separately, etc.

From this booth, I bought a teeny tiny pin, about the size of a penny. I can't remember what plant it was from, but it looked like curly kale. I like kale, so that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

After viewing the show, Sue and I ate at one of my all-time favorite restaurants, Greens. A gourmet vegetarian restaurant, I haven't eaten there in years, but it has fabulous views of the marina and Golden Gate Bridge.

Golden Gate Bridge, encased in fog

We'll see how much sewing I get done this weekend. I am doing some college prep with DD1 and a friend of DD1. I have finished the project with the spaghetti tubes, but I'm not sure when I'll get photos.

Have a great weekend!

Edited to add: Several of you have asked which bra I ordered. I didn't think to add that info, so here it is. Funny enough, I am wearing the same brand and model of bra as before, just several years newer (and one cup size larger, at a 36H). It's the bra Oprah recommends, the La Mystere Dream Tisha. I also ordered the La Mystere Lace Tisha, but have not yet worn that in any photos.

30 comments:

  1. If you don't mind me saying' your bust looks much smaller in these photos, even with a coat over layer. I think I need to find myself a better bra now!

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  2. Are the new bras comfy, Shams? Always on the lookout for the perfect bra.

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  3. Oops! I should have mentioned which bra it is. It's the La Mystere bra. I've added the info to the end of the post.

    Shiny Green Penny, I think you are right - my bust does look smaller in this bra. It's the same model as before, one cup size larger, and brand new.

    Guess I can't wait several years to buy new bras. ;)

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    1. It's amazing what a good bra can do. Oddly enough this is not a brand that works for me.

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  4. Oh, Joanier, I do find the bra to be pretty comfy. The first time I wore it, there was a vise-like effect, but already it's more comfy. I hope that doesn't mean it will drop me in a week, but we'll see.

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  5. LOVE the hat! It looks like you and Sue had a good time...

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  6. Your post made me LOL! I always know when it's time to buy new bras by the pictures I take because the girls are hanging lower... Glad that you will be able to make pattern alterations easier now and thanks for sharing the ACC Craft Fair with us!

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  7. The new bras look great! What made you decide to go up a cup size? I'm bigger and it's been a few years since I had my last fitting (where I went up two cup sizes and down in bra band size).

    Bras that fit well make a big difference!!

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    1. Mary, I went up a cup size simply because I could tell I needed a bigger cup. :)

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  8. Darn on the fallout (fallup?), but I'm betting your clothes STILL fit you better than 99% of the clothes out there walking the street! Not that that is much consolation...

    Your purchases look wonderful - love that hat, & love Sue's necklace as well. I know I can't go to the ACC show - I used to go faithfully, but it's far too tempting.....next year!

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  9. Coming out of lurkdom to say what a great lesson. I a overendowned and started sewing last year. I have only done one FBA so far and now before I do any more I shall purchase some new bras. Fantastic lesson!

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  10. Hope you have tossed out all your 'oldies' and treating all the 'newies' with luv!!! You hear (and read) all too often that the best way to enhance the clothes we wear is by the correct fitting undergarments, and you are proof of the pudding. Thanks for the quick tour of the ACC Show - makes me jealous...

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  11. A good bra makes such a transformation doesn't it? You look fantastic. I spend very little on clothing (op shops, my own sewing is mostly from op shop or gifted fabric), nothing on makeup, but I do buy properly fitting leather shoes and properly fitting (read: expensive) bras. I'm a 34HH and it is expensive when they don't last much over 6 months. Not surprising given what they hold up! The other benefit of good bra support I have noticed is reduced back/neck pain.

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  12. I'm glad someone else thought the girls looked smaller, I was hoping it wasn't just me.

    Sucks about your clothes though.

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  13. I have 2 of those bras - it's just amazing that 'the girls' are just downright 'perky' when I wear them - and at my age! So you'll just have to figure out in advance if you are planing on wearing one with every outfit you make from now on or if there should be 'droopy bra clothes' in your wardrobe.

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  14. FYI- I order from Bare Necessities after being fit at a local specialty shop. They told me that bras now are made to last 6 months. And if you put them in the dryer, even less time. I think that's outrageous considering the good ones can be more than $40. But no wonder the girls are in a different place. I use mine for 2 years- I bet the elastic wears out quicker than we think and we all sag. from tcsewhat

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    1. I never ever put my bras in the dryer! I agree, it's a bra killer. Mine cost $70 each, so I treat them gingerly.

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  15. Shams,
    My first thought when I saw a picture of you in your new bra was that your bust looked smaller and you looked slimmer. Amazing what a good bra can do. I hope you are finding them comfortable.

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  16. Hate to keep discussing the new bras, but I was overwhelmed when seeing you in your new Teagarden with new undies. I immediately went to the site and ordered two la mystere bras in the same style. By the process of elimination, I figures it out for you mentioned smoothing out the cups. Hopefully my looks will improve as much as yours. If they work, I will order enough.

    I enjoyed seeing about your day off and all the goodies you bought. Your friend is also beautiful!


    Karen. (dee)

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  17. Can't believe you are wearing your, albeit fabulous, coat in August! Maybe I'll quit boodaying (Cajun term) about Seattle weather. Maybe.
    You wear that new cloche so well!

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  18. I tell you, the engineering marvels never cease. Are we sure Danny Boyle wasn't saluting your bosom in the opening ceremony? I love that coat!!!

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  19. I have a couple of those bras -- it's like wearing a suit of armor! But it does great things for the shape and it is comfortable. You look terrific!~

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  20. Wow, some transformation! Love that coat. It's so you!

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  21. After reading these posts I'm going to stop complaining about being 38DD. I am enjoying your blog very much, you are a good writer and your personality really comes through. I wish I had been in that ACC show with you in San Francisco.
    Connie

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  22. Your boobs look great! You are a never-ending source of inspiration. I need some new bras.

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  23. Hi, I really enjoy your blog and wondered if you ever tried sewing your own bras? It can be lots of fun once you get the pattern fitted, and more comfortable by far than RTW. Once fitted they are a snap to sew up, and I found bra sewing very rewarding.

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    1. Hey, Laurel! I'm fairly skeptical that, at my size, a home sewn bra would have superior fit/support. These RTW bras are really engineered in such a way that could not be duplicated at home.

      But I can be swayed. So far, I've only seen sewists of moderate boobage make their own bras.

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  24. Another thumbs up for your new bra Shams! Lookin' good. I'm a fan of the NYC (and elsewhere) bra store My Intimacy. Like you, I'm transformed with the right size. A great fitter moved me from a 36 DD, to a 34 H and everyone thinks I've lost 10 lbs. I'll mark my basic muslin with my new 3/4"higher!!!bust point and will periodically check my bra fit to that.

    Love the coat! Thanks for your ACC review; I went too- lots of inspiration and interesting new exhibitors. I got a celery kidskin pouch with a paisley printed leather lining. Also a double-knitted, double-faced, fine-gauge cotton scarf that is super silky. My favorite was the lego lady who makes elegant jewelry with them.

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