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Bras, Bras, Bras - Costumer's Notes - Summer 2003 Welcome to the new Costumer's Notes. It's taken all spring and most of summer to get this issue together, but its finally here! 2003 has been a very busy year for us here at Ibexa Press. Our new book, Embellished Bras has taken half a year to bring to press followed by an intensive period of travel and promotion to bring the new book to market. I have crisscrossed California, attending shows, workshops and festivals. It saddens me that Costumer’s Notes has taken a back seat to my hectic schedule, but this issue covers one of my favorite subjects, one near and dear to my heart -- bras! Bras are perhaps the most complicated garments to fit, buy and embellish. The female chest is composed of a series of complicated curves. Bustlines curve from top to bottom, side to side and along the diagonal. Breasts are all highly individual, and even the most balanced figure may have slight variances between left and right. For women who have smaller than average or larger than average, the choice of styles is limited as manufactures cater to the most common "average" styles. If you are a 36C, you are terrifically lucky and have the broadest choice in styles, but that doesn't mean you will find it any easier to find something that works for you! No wonder finding a good bra can be a frustrating experience! Since 1995, I've been teaching a costuming workshop called Stuff and Fluff where I share my techniques for converting a lingerie bra into a beautiful, sturdy and well fitting costume piece. Over the winter, Barry and I put together my latest book, Embellished Bras, that takes the contents of this four-hour workshop and presents it through step-by-step photographs. This project has been a huge undertaking, and it is finally finished! You can read more about this book in the article new book - Embellished Bras. Now budding costume designers that don't know where to begin can "take" my workshop in the comfort of their homes. However, there were some things I couldn't include in this book. One of the most useful parts of my workshop is a bra showcase. During this portion of the class, I present a selection of bra styles that are currently in the stores. This gives the attendees a chance to inspect and feel the sample bras so they can go out and find one during later shopping treps. However, bra styles change so fast that this seemed like an impossible task for our book. So I took to the stores, inspected, tried on and even purchased and tested an assortment of bras at several price points. For dancers who want a quick start, an easy to make bra for a weekend show, student recital or specialty costume to match a troupe, I've put together the directions for an easy to follow quick-and-easy, down-and-dirty Two-Hour Bra. With a few simple sewing techniques, some lightweight embellishments and a lingerie bra, a finished costume piece is only an afternoon away! Along with these features are the usual reading list, a new feature called Hot Products and lots of new links for bra shopping. I hope you find this issue an enjoyable, informative read! Dawn "Davina" Devine Brown |
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