We have been SO excited to get the newest patterns in our Lounge & Lace Collection out to you! We hope you love how comfy Bryn is, and that Luna is a perfect addition to your intimates collection. We are thrilled to bring both to you in youth sizes. We know how hard big life transitions can be for our children; we hope Bryn & Luna together give them a little bit of comfort and a whole lot of confidence!

For many of you, this may be your very first time sewing any kind of intimates, so we put together some of the most frequently asked questions. Be sure to read all the way through, but certainly post a question in the Made for Mermaids Facebook group if you still have questions.

GENERAL QUESTIONS

WHAT SKILL LEVEL IS LUNA? BRYN?

We would probably label the difficulty as “intermediate”, simple due to the nature of the patterns – the layers of leakproof materials, adding elastic, etc. However, don’t let that stop you if you are a beginner! Make use of the wonderful tutorial, and don’t forget to join our FB groups if you’re not in it already. I would advise NOT to use your favorite fabric for your first attempt; as always, plan to make a muslin first so that you can perfect your own personal fit and it won’t be nearly as heartbreaking if you happen to make mistakes.

CAN I WEAR THE BRYN BRAMI WITHOUT A REGULAR BRA?

That partially depends on personal preference, but the Bryn Brami is not designed/intended to take the place of a traditional bra, especially for larger cup sizes. That being said, some of the testers were perfectly comfortable wearing in lieu a regular bra, especially those made out of cotton lycra. Ultimately, it is a personal decision and may depend on the specific materials you choose. The pattern does include a shelf bra option.

CAN I EASILY NURSE IN THE BRYN BRAMI?

Yes! It includes a nursing strap option in the pattern.

SHOULD I USE MY REGULAR SEWING MACHINE, MY SERGER, OR MY COVERSTITCH?

You can absolutely construct both Bryn and Luna using a regular sewing machine. Most testers opted to use a combination of serger and sewing machine. You could use your coverstitch machine for hemming.

SIZING

DO I NEED TO ADJUST FOR HEIGHT?

In theory, yes. We draft for a height of 5’5″, a side waist of 8″ and waist to hip of 8.25″. Depending on where you carry your height, you may wish to adjust the rise on Luna or the length on Bryn. This is another reason we suggest a muslin version before cutting in to your most prized fabric.

SUPPLIES

WHAT SUPPLIES DO I NEED FOR THE BRYN BRAMI?

• Fold Over Elastic (FOE)
• Rings and sliders if you wish to make your straps adjustable
• Nursing clips if you wish to follow the nursing option
• Medium-weight knit with at least 40% stretch; cotton spandex, yoga knit, nylon spandex, etc. are all great options.
• Optional – for enclosed elastic band, 1″ wide knit elastic
• Optional – wash away hem tape

WHAT SUPPLIES DO I NEED FOR THE LUNA LEAKPROOF BRIEFS?

PLEASE NOTE I HAVE LINKED FABRICS HERE TO HELP, BUT THE LINKS MAY NOT WORK IF CHANGED AS TIME GOES ON. YOU CAN SEARCH THE FABRICS ON ANY SITE!! JUST HIGHLIGHT THE SUGGESTED FABRIC AND GOOGLE 🙂 

• Main fabrics (side panels, plus center panel for plain option): medium weight fabric with at least 40% stretch. Cotton lycra, ribbed knit, bamboo work great. A natural fiber will breathe better, however double brushed poly will also work.
• Band fabric – needs at least 50% stretch and 5% spandex, and good recovery. Without good recovery, the briefs will fall/sag with wear. Cotton spandex and/or ribbing work best.
• 3/8″ elastic (clear or swim)
• Optional – for enclosed elastic waistband option, 1/2″ wide knit elastic
• Leakproof option (center panel):
  • • The most important factor in fabric choice for the leakproof option’s center panel is that all fabrics must STRETCH. Please note stretch percentage when purchasing fabrics. The center panel must have stretch to fit correctly!! Many traditional fabrics for cloth pads or briefs do not stretch. You need the center panel yardage in EACH fabric below.
    • I do not recommend using the low rise cutline for this option.
    • Please make a practice or muslin pair without leakproof fabrics prior to cutting your specialty fabrics!

 

• • Leakproof option center panel lining fabric:
    • This layer will be touching your body.
    • My favorite fabric to use is a moisture wicking jersey: Link to my favorite here. SEARCH “STRETCH-FIT JERSEY”
    • The wicking material will help you feel dry.
    • This fabric doesn’t have a front and back, but does have a texture. Choose which you want touching the skin.
    • You need at least 40% stretch for this layer.

Here is what to look for when shopping:

• • Leakproof center panel innerlining fabric:
    • This layer will not be seen. It will be inside, between the lining and main fabric.
    • My favorite fabric to use is a Zorb or Absorb stretch dimple or quilted fabric. You will just need one layer with this brand because it is designed specifically for this type of pattern. Link to my favorite for heavier absorbency here. My favorite for less absorbency here. 
    • You can find these is several different absorbency options. Note- I was personally more comfortable wearing Luna with a lighter weight innerlining. The thicker quilted ones would be fantastic for night wear, postpartum or much heavier flows. You could purchase a lighter one and use two layers of innerlining for a heavier option. Then you wouldn’t need to purchase two different innerlining fabrics.
    • One side is a soft cotton/bamboo layer and is the right side. The other side is a shiny slick wicking material and is the wrong side. The soft side will go toward your body to absorb leakage.
    • You can find these fabrics with antimicrobial silver ions to inhibit bacterial growth, control bad odors and create long lasting freshness without toxic chemicals.
      • SEARCH “ZORB 3D DIAMOND” OR “ZORB 3D BAMBOO”
      • Link to option 1.
      • Link to option 2.
      • Link to option 3.
      • Link to option 4.
    • If you can not find a these brands of fabric, alternatively you could use layers of french terry. You will need more than one innerlining layer if using french terry, but it will work well for a very light absorbent option.
    • You need at least 30% stretch for this layer. Note I did try some with 20% stretch and it worked, just not as comfortable as the 30%.

Here is what to look for when shopping:

• • Leakproof center panel main fabric:
    • This layer will be seen and on the outside.
    • My favorite fabric to use is a waterproof backed jersey or a stretch PUL fabric. Note- Your PUL fabric MUST STRETCH.
      • SEARCH “STRETCH FIT PUL”
      • Link to my favorite with 50% stretch here.
      • Link to my favorite with 30% stretch here.
      • Link to the 30% stretch in other colors here.
    • The waterproof side will go toward your body and prevent any leaking through to your clothing.
    • One side is soft jersey and is the right side. The other is a shiny and is the wrong side. The shiny side will go toward your body and the soft side will be seen and on the outside.
    • You can find these fabrics with antimicrobial silver ions to inhibit bacterial growth, control bad odors and create long lasting freshness without toxic chemicals.
      • Link to my favorite with 50% stretch here.
      • Link to my favorite with 30% stretch here.
    • You need at least 30% stretch for this layer, but I prefer at least 50% stretch or you may lose some length in the rise.

Here is what to look for when shopping:

WHERE CAN I BUY SUPPLIES?

We recognize that the leakproof option can be particularly pricey! We loved getting supplies from Wazoodle.

Use coupon code: MADEFORMERMAIDS at Wazoodle for 10% off your order!
Max one coupon per customer. User account required. Coupons not applicable on Hand-cut Swatches, Precut Yard Pieces, Bolts & Rolls, Development Trial Lots,
Seconds Quality Fabrics, Pre-Order Fabrics & Wholesale Website Orders.

Note- I get no affiliate payments or kick back at all from this. I truly love their fabrics and have yet to find anywhere else offering their unique selection or the same quality. I reached out and asked for a discount since I know these fabrics are a bit more pricey.

 

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PICOT ELASTIC, LINGERIE ELASTIC, PLUSH ELASTIC, FOLD OVER ELASTIC, ETC?

Many suppliers use “lingerie elastic” as their umbrella term to cover all elastic used in bra/underwear sewing.

Lingerie elastic includes “picot” elastic. The term picot refers to the small loops or scalloped trim on one edge of the elastic. Picot elastic is probably the most widely recognized of lingerie elastic. It’s especially common in underwear waistbands.

Some stores will also include “stretch lace elastic” under the term lingerie elastic; this is not the same as stretch lace and will definitely work! It looks similar to picot elastic.

Additionally, plush elastic has one brushed/felted side; this is often what you’ll see on your ready-to-wear bra straps! Some elastic will have a decorate edge, but not all.

Fold-over elastic (often referred to as FOE) is elastic designed to “fold over” and finish a raw edge. You’ll see a faint crease down the center of the elastic. It is not generally listed with lingerie elastic, but can be used for these patterns. FOE is used in the Bryn pattern to create straps.

Clear or swim elastic are used to finish off the legs on Luna. Be aware that quality varies! If you wish to use Luna for actual swim bottoms, you MUST use swim elastic; all others will deteriorate too quickly, especially in pool chemicals.

DO I HAVE TO USE THE LEAKPROOF OPTION FOR LUNA?

No! You can add just a plain panel. The leakproof option is great for periods, post partum, potty training, etc., but Luna can be used without that option as well!