Wild Nights

I get a lot of requests, and I'm with you! I want a fun bra in my size!
I started the Lovely, Luxurious, and Limited collection to offer that super sexy and fun underpinning to alleviate the monochromatic selection in your intimates drawer. I started with a cotton base for this series, as many of you were wanting to go as natural as you could for a bra and panty set. Once this set is gone it's gone! Come for your fitting experience today, and use your GoLocal card to get 10% off this set while it lasts! December is the last month for the leopard print, and will feature our second most requested underwire style! The new year will bring a softer side of luxe in a custom created set of fabrics.......stay tuned!

November is upon us, and with it brings a sense of playfulness and shapely goodness. My Lovely, Luxurious, and Limited collection is in full stock! Our most popular style bra in a blithe cotton print, indulgent fuchsia lace, and mother of pearl accent. Paired with an all cotton thong this is our most requested pairing. Bras 32B-38F, thongs S-XL.

Shaded Love

Soft light emerges though the window of my shop each morning. This play of light through the drapes and the proper neatness of a hundred year old kimono silk inspired this set. The smokey clouds on the silk jaquard kimono lent themselves to evoke that perfect quiet moment before all of the creatvity begins to pour out.

Demi bra and high waited panty composed of vintage silk kimono, hand dyed, embelished with sterling silver and blush quartz details.

More photo booth pics

More images from our opening night at the shop! I still cant believe that I actually get to come here everyday! Its such an awesome place with a great vibe! Thanks for helping me celebrate everyone!

Opening Night

Punch Buggy

So , wow...I saw a post on FB today that made me think of why I love my VW as much as I do. I have not driven it in 8 years.....it is dead in my driveway, and I miss it terribly!! So, 2 things I LOVE the way a VW sounds, the happy little twitter-hum of the engine......AND Punch Buggy!!!

Punch buggy is a game kids used to play while riding in a car. When you see a VW you yell, " Punch BUGGY!!" and punch the nearest shoulder. If it is a Red VW that is 2 punches. If you were a VW connoisseur, a Karmen VW was 3 punches. Now I know this sounds like I am advocating hitting....and perhaps I just did, but it was a game I played as a child none the less.

As an adult, I have to confess I did enjoy driving my VW past a school bus....and all the kids in the bus punching each other.....it was funny and tragic....oh memories!!

Also, if there is someone out there that has connections to whatever incarnation of Pimp-my-ride is going on....I have visions of a Boob-Mobile......

Better Design

So, since my first sewn mastectomy bra I've had an idea for a product. It would take a long time to design it, and would need a grant writer to apply to oppertunities to make the funds available to allow this kind of monumental undertaking. I keep thinking about how to make it happen, and how it would help so many women... I am drawn again and again to this project.

I'm ready to start this project.

Check List: Find a Grant writer, pitch idea, and make it happen.

Better at Giving

Brenda Ladd had an inspired idea for my pop-up shop and bra sale. She is involved with the BCRC (taking some of the most awesome photos for their calendar) and suggested that I price my overstock bras at $11 each and donate $1 to the BCRC for each sold. There will be over 6,000 bras that will be $11 and under!!!

THIS IS A GREAT IDEA!!!

So, I set into motion the intent that I will sell thousands of bras over the next couple months, so that the BCRC can get a HUGE monetary donation!

Please stay tuned for our opening launch and fit event.

*Custom Orders available too!*

Such a simple shape, but an overpowering feeling!

Last week, wow. Where to begin??
Winning the Love a local Business grant was so unexpected and wonderful! I knew that my community was supportive, but I feel so treasured by all of the encouragement from those that got the word out and left comments! I am still reeling in a state of disbelief, but I am so ready to take this as a challenge to continue to be better at what I do.
Better at giving back, Better at designing, and Better at self promotion.


Stay tuned for the 3 Betters, and how you can help!

Slo-mo

Its strange that the last few days have seemed to have passed by so slowly. I've been obsessed with researching PU foam. The kind of foam that is used to make cheap moulded cup bras. I am appalled that more research has not been done in this arena. Lawsuits against bra mfg. that know that they are making crappy bras out of toxic materials are being buried in the news. So many women have suffered in this country from breast cancer that something must be done.
If you are a woman, You should LOOK NOW at the label in your bra.

Cookie Theory

So I have had a long established theory for entrepreneurs: The Girl Scout Cookie Theory

You'll never sell a box of cookies unless you ask, "want to buy a box of cookies?"

I learned this early on, not quite as early as my lemon-aide and dirt pie stand at age 6. This is the marker of time where my thirst for selling manifests. Seeing the satisfaction of the person buying, the challenge of the sale, and the prevailing truth in a sale: its all in the percentages. You will hear NO, you will hear NO a lot! But, you just have to hear no enough times before you hear a yes. Hearing NO is hard, but there is satisfaction in the NO....I promise. The satisfaction is that one NO leads you one sale closer to a yes.
I needed a reminder that if I want and need help, all I needed to do was ask.

A Gift

So much of my life is a privilege. Every day I wake in a comfy bed, I get up and draw tap water to wash my face and brush my teeth. I walk on the hardwoods to the kitchen, open the fridge and eat.

Each of these things I perform in automoton are not guaranteed to the rest of the world. The things I gift I do so knowing that someone will benefit, that the spirit of gifting will instill itself to the recipient. What a great life!

Today is the day that I was given the opportunity to give a guitar to a burgeoning music student! It did not cost me a thing, I don't use it, I don't have the time to learn, and this kiddo needs one.

Look in your storage, is there something you can give to a group or .org to make a difference? Do it now!

Commentary

So, you just found out your bra size, and in many cases it was not what you thought it would be. I wish by all wishes I could tell you in the most gentle way that it is not a commentary on you as a human...but seeing that in many cases the only logic that applies is "Girl-logic" you just might be crushed.

"I cant be a DD", "There is NO way I am that size", "I have never been that size", "but I don't want to wear that size"

You name it, and I have heard it. Statistics tell us that 85% of women in the US wear the wrong size...and chances are you are one of them. Breast health is so very important! wearing a bra that supports, shapes, and is comfortable is a kin to the quest for the holy grail.

Fashion in many cases is about sacrifice.
Sacrifice the bleeding edge look for comfort (ladies you will understand this at 35+ years)
Sacrifice comfort for the current style.
Sacrifice breast health for a perceived VALUE in a moulded cup.

I wish I had the type of influence to turn the buying market around, to educate woman about the risks of PU foam bras. 80% of the bras sold today use this as an internal structure, mostly because of out insatiable desire to get the best possible perceived value for the purchase.
It does not take much digging to find that there is NOT NICE medical evidence out there regarding this type of foam in mattresses...and its effect of your health.
Think: you are wearing a known carcinogen next to your lymph, and it is heating and cooling in the closest possible way to your body. Each of us should be asking more questions about the known gassing that this product exhibits, and why research has not been conducted on moulded cup bras and women's health.
For your health, replace just one of your bras with a bra that does not utilize foam in it's construction.

Empire of change

Change:





What a powerful and awkward word.





Change your perception.


Life changing.


Change of season.





Changes that are in our control, and those we impact.





Change is not a whole, a tangible finite thing. Its is a series of impacts like meteors... a gradual set of measurable pocks.





Change in my field: I choose to develop a systematic line of knowledge. What is mine in my mind I will strive to share with you. I was meant to make a difference, I know this...of each of us is true. I have my specialty; bra design, fit, and sewing. If you have questions about any of it, I was brought into your life to answer these things. Ask away.

Team-mazing

This place of brain dump has allowed me to grow in a way I thought I would not see in a while. I have had so many people touch my life in astronomically great ways.

I used to struggle with my perception that the universe conspired against me, it was actually my internal struggle. Perception that I am not good enough, my guilt about my lack of collegiate experience, my choice to drop out of High school, self deprecating humour, obesity, and my innate need to have approval of those that were all the things I am not.

I cant change the past, not even close. I can be a model to those that, similar to me, have ill founded belief in their own ineptitude. It was reading The Alchemist that was pivotal to my understanding about how the universe operates. It was as if light bulbs that were previously unscrewed were seated rightly and illuminated all that appeared dark and ominous. The essence of all that we are to become is established by the trials we endure, the joys we share , and the lessons we learn. We can only share this base, not impart it. Each of us will have pain and heartache, it is these seemingly hurtful events that allow us to cherish the bright side. The scope of the lesson is never evident while in the episodic darkness, but it is such darkness that prismatic light can be found.

~My light~
Hearing the words:
"I love you"~Ty
"You are a famous designer!"~Sankalp
"My boobs love you." *many women*

Intentional practice:
Planting, pruning, and eating from my garden.
Lighting a candle everyday for my friend's health, my company's success, and continued growth of understanding and love in my relationship.
Positive message writing on mirrors (positive reflections!!).
Daily practice of improving my designing skill, law of 80.

Ewwwwy ewwwwy

I have had several good friends over the years that have contributed to my wonky way of speaking.

LaLaFa: a silly childhood language (similar to pig Latin) that allows me to talk in front of people when I dont want them to exactly know what I'm saying....ill get caught one day.

Ewwwy ewwwwwwy: when there is a yucky dude/situation/place that requires something cuter to say than OMG that is f-ing gross

Itch: in reference to a gal who would otherwise be known as a big ole B-tch

The Yum: a tasty looking anything!!

3B: Big, Blond, and Beautiful

Biscuits: used in place of just about any curse word, it ends up being FAR cuter and more acceptable in public than a sailor mouth.

Loosing PMS privileges: telling girl secrets to guys that are asking advice about girls. Mostly dealing with, "why does a girl do........(insert wacky girl behaviour here)."

Get me started

I want to help educate women about bra fittings. There should not be the mystery associated with size!
I like the analogy of a shoe fitting, a proper fit is crucial for comfort! The same is true for our breast tissue.

85% of you ladies have the wrong size bra on! Get yourself to a professional fitter NOW. Your girls will thank you! If you are in Austin I offer free fittings....ALWAYS! Make an appointment, I want you to be comfortable. Get your Bra On!

Next, Wishes:

So, I have thought a lot about the direction of my business. I'm always in the pursuit of a rare textile, but the more important thing for me now is to make custom sales so I can donate more to the BCRC.org (Buy Custom Give Support campaign).


Sadness:
I knew it would happen, but Francis (my fav. sewing machine) died on Monday. I felt as if a piece of me were more empty than I could handle. She was a Union Special 1910 single needle. This machine to me is not replaceable due to the cost of the new machines, tables, lamps, and motor....but more so because they just don't make machines like her anymore. I cant quite express how sad I am about not being able to sew on her anymore. If I could drop dollars on her repair or a new machine I would....and I need to. Send good vibes my way!

Pioneer

How can I be a pioneer of buying power:
Its not that I want to be so HUGE that I live in a bigger home, or have a fancy car (or any car for that matter), or posh clothes. (that would be nice but not necessary to be comfortable)
I want from this business and life to be an equal contributor to my family unit, to remain a creative force in intimate garments, and make a conscious and daily effort to keep the purchases that I make to benefit my community and country.

How: Look at labels! Is the blouse you covet made here in the states, or better yet locally? Is that skirt you spy for that 1 event made in a way that it is intended to be 'throw-away' clothing? Make purchases wisely, spend a little more, in a methodical way such that pivotal wardrobe pieces become life long favorites in your closet. Search out designers in your community, they are there!

View your dollars like a vote. Each dollar counts, especially in this climate...rally your money to support your neighbor's business, have a custom garment made, revel in the positivity you create by buying LOCAL!

Outpour

Ive felt a bit sappy lately. I was reminded by a dear friend Diane, that Love is the one respectable thing we can give.
This pure adoration and love I have for those I surround myself with is given without intent of seeing anything other than a smile or a lifted spirit.

There is so much painful drama in this life, i refuse to play party by watching it on TV. Life has its struggles and there are MANY of them that each of us endure...everyday! The satisfaction in our camaraderie of pain should not be the lesson, the lesson is that simple & kind actions can really have an astounding positive effect on someone.

What will you do today, with intention and effort? Keep it simple, show someone your smile, send them a quick note, or just be an ear to them. I can't stress enough that these simple SIMPLE simple actions can be LIFE CHANGING.

Do it now. Love on.

Branding

After meeting with the board of Texas Next Top Designer it became clear that my mess of a creative mind was also making a mess of my branding.



I was urged to create a set of lines for my intimates.



I will keep you posted on their development!



My hope is that by branding the set of looks the shopping and selection experience will be less confusing. In my own weird way it makes sense to me, but I can see how the site could look a mess......heck I'm a WAY better designer and bra maker than a web/ecommerce builder! I take criticism well on subjects I know nothing about, so that was an easy pill to swallow. I just wish I had a way to create a better online shopping experience, but I really cant spend more time learning web site building. I feel I have spent too much time away from bra design.....I just don't have enough hours in the day to make that happen.

Amazing Life

So, there are things that are serendipitous, surreal, or plain unexplainable good.

Serendipitous:
1) My Husband: How do I begin? He is singularly the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me. Period. I have never laughed so hard, loved so deep, or lived in such complete love in my entire life. We met at a party 13 years ago, and there is not a day that goes by that I don't think....what if I did not go that night, what if I had to work late? It was perfect and innocent, and reshaped my opinion about men after my first failed marriage.
2) The Teacher: Mrs. Ethel could have chosen to sell her business off in pieces, could have had a daughter that she taught the skill to, or a family that wanted to carry on the legacy. None of those things happened. It was a right time right place thing. She wanted to pass the business as a whole, and I wanted to learn it all. I was thirsty for my own business, and to upgrade my skill set. We met, and I had this *feeling* this encompassing feeling that I was talking to a woman that was changing my life with each word she spoke. I was hooked, I wanted to make the most beautiful intimates I could possibly make.

Surreal:
1) The Competition: Texas Next Top Designer, Changed. My. Life. No singular event in my career felt more satisfying or surreal in my life thus far. I had no intention to enter, I was unsure of our first collection. I did not feel it was strong, it was the FIRST collection we had done. No shame in a first collection, but I had a stronger vision. I entered on the urging of my seamstress core. Shortly after entering I had a house fire. I had 2nd and 3rd degree burns to my dominant hand. I felt I had nothing to show, no chance to work on the collection. My next thought was that I can at least get feedback on what had been produced thus far. That, And I might learn what NOT to do next time. I showed what we made thus far, presented the business plan that I worked on for 9months, and brought my most humble game. I won. I called my mommy, I cried, and I am still amazed to this day that there are a group of people that are willing to help a designer with a dream.
2)My friends: I am not known to be the best of friends. I have been hurt, and left by so many friends that I have a guarded heart to those that might be a true and great friend. I have a close circle now that understand this, or on a level know it, and love and look past my own garbage to be true and great. If you think we should be friends know I will distance myself, guard my pain that I will one day loose you, you will move on, away, and loose touch. I love my friends so deeply that I cant bear to not be a part of them. I have NEVER dealt well with loss of friendship. The fact that I have allowed myself to open up to people on Twitter and here are some of the biggest steps I have take in my entire life in regards to forging new friendships. Thanks for being a friend.

Unexplainable good:
1) The Feedback: It really can be as simple as saying something nice....Try it, it can change some one's life. For freaking real. I had a client leave feedback on Love a Local Business about Sew Sister (our business).
http://lovealocalbusiness.intuit.com/ Heather sent in feed back about our business, she took time to write a simple sentence, one of praise, but with that simple thought we were entered into a contest where our business was awarded a grant. So Simple, and amazing...this one sentence that made me smile on its own then yielded a monetary grant that was just so amazing. I am in constant awe that this universe has a plan, and that if you pour positive energy into it you see the most astounding things happen. The grant could not have come at a better time. I really cant quite explain the trials of being a business owner here, but I cried when I heard the news from Gretchen. It was a HUGE sign for me that I am doing what I should be, it was the carrot that made me get back on track, allowed me to look at the past 8 years of struggle, and WANT to continue. This business is a hard one, and there are days that you question why you even do it.... but Heather, and the folks at Intuit make the struggle more bearable.
2)The Tithe: Buy Custom Give Support :
I decided that I wanted to give back, but as I have poured what salary I could have drawn the past 4 years back into my business I really had nothing of a physical nature that could impact some one's cause....I thought. I launched The Buy Custom Give Support campaign in early 2010, I found that I had made enough mastectomy bra stock that I could donate a bra to the BCRC for every custom bra purchase made through us. I did not quite realize the impact of that on women in need. I have donated 66 mastectomy bras to date to the http://www.bcrc.org/ . Women who are still not covered by insurance, have limited resources, or just simply need a bit of help with just something/anything as they deal with their life changing cancer.

Cleaning House

So I have been on this kick of cleaning up projects, finishing old ones, and making my space more workable.

I feel it is this great nesting.

I'm not sure what the future holds, I'm really hoping that it is something fabby...and unimaginable. I really feel that bras are my calling, that I am on the path intended for me.

I have R&D that is kicking my butt a bit...that is nothing new, I always stress about R&D because I want perfection for my clients...when all they want a 1st specimen. I love the R&D because it makes me stretch my brain...but I am ready to spend time on my own projects again.

Can someone tell me,"get over it" already?

I am working on one of the biggest bras I have ever made. 36 Z

You heard me.

This is a fete of engineering.

There are times that working on this bra I have cried. Its a difficult pattern, with a complex apex.

I love what it do, and I hope she likes it.

*pics of garment on Betty to be posted as soon as we are done*

Bras for everybody

Should I

Ive been thinking that I would apply to Project Runway. I want the national exposure, and I feel as if I need a challenge, a push to extend my designs. I do have fear, fear that I am not good enough, that I'm too awkward, or that I think too much of my own skill.

I have thought a lot about success, and what it means. I once said that I was a success in my life if I found a partner that loved me as deeply as I love them, that some skill I performed could change someones life for the better, and that I did not disappoint my parents.

I think I've done those things, but I still feel a drive to push further.

The love of my life is a story for another day, but skill and approval are at the root of my drive.

I'm now ready for this next chapter, the one where I can help change many lives for the better, and where my parents can benefit from my success. They have worked so hard, loved so much, and given so selflessly...I just want to do something wonderful for them.

The meaning of success has changed for me. I want more from my success, I want to give more because of it. Would being on a show make me a success? No. But, it would challenge me in a way I have not been able to implement myself, and I can learn from it...and the exposure would not suck.

Get your bra on

When you have your bra on, lean over and position the underwire under your breast tissue...and shake your breasts a bit into the cups.


Next, the straps should not hold the majority of your breast weight!!! I can easily put 2 fingers under the strap and there is no visible pressure.

Check the back, notice that the hook and eye can be pulled a bit....but remains very firm.

This is a a GREAT fit!

Wire Chart

Wire selection is based off of a wire size....what does this mean?

A wire number designation is based on what the volume would be on a 34 band size.

A 34 wire is used in a 34B bra, or a person who is measured at 34" underbust and 36" at nipple line would need a 34 wire for the volume of breast.

A wire chart is useful in understanding volume of breast only. You will NEVER find this info on your bra, but consider this your bra's back story.

This chart displays the largest underwire I have worked with (72). I would not normally recommend an underwire past a 52 wire.

Decrease in band

Cup volume is a just a ratio, wire chart to follow. So we decrease the band size to 34, but we want to keep that volume the same. So, this is a 34DD. Notice that there is a bit of gap in the upper cup creasing from nipple line to the strap. This is our first indication that the band might still be a bit loose.







Check the back, notice how easy the powermesh pulls away from the body at the hook and eye. You really don't want it this loose. Promise.






Now here I have pulled the powermesh at the back so that the cups are pulled to the chest wall with the proper tension of powermesh around the body.




The breasts now fill the cups, the volume of the cups allow each breast to *rest* in the cup.

Bad fit part 2

Ok, lets take a look at the fit on the front of this same bra size (36D) from part 1.
Due to the rise of the powermesh in the back the cups in the front have slack and are not filled with the breast tissue. The lower portion of the breast is pushing under the wire and lower cup as the too loose band is allowing breast to remain unsupported.

This side view shows the rise of the powermesh in the back, and the lowered breast position in the front.

If your bra looks like this, chances are your band size is tooooooooooo big!

~Megan Summerville

Bad fit 1

Oooof! Just looking at the back fit of this bra hurts to look at!

This model was wearing a 36 band in this shot.

Notice the upward arch in the back of this bra. The roominess of the band is allowing the weight of the breasts to pull the back of the bra up.

Your breasts will never get the support they need if your band is too loose. Period.

80% of the support and lift of the breast comes from the underband. You should never adjust the straps tighter to lift your breast if you don't have a proper fitting band size. It will never work, and physics suggest that if your band is too loose and your straps are cranked as tight as you can make them......YOUR BOOBS WILL HEAD SOUTH!

~Megan Summerville

Bra Math? Pt 2

Next!

Nipple Line measurement :

This measurement should pass over the nipples and remain as horizontal to the floor as possible

Our model measures 34" and some change.

The increase from underbust to Nipple Line measurement is 6".
That would place this fit at a F cup.

Bra Math break down:

Underbust measurement + Nipple Line" = cup size

Underbust=Nipple Line= AAA
Underbust+1/2"= AA cup
Underbust+1"= A cup
Underbust+2"= B cup
Underbust+3"= C cup
Underbust+4"= D cup
Underbust+5"= DD cup
Underbust+6"= F cup
etc....

Next we will tackle what a BAD fit looks like!

Bra Math? Pt 1

Ok, it's just a ratio!

First things first: The underbust measurement establishes the band size (just 1 part of the ratio).

The more level and firm this measurement the more accurate the fit

Most folks find that this measurement is smaller than they thought.

"They don't call it training for nothing"

This model measures 28" and some change.
I would start fitting her in a band size 30. Based on her comfort in the firmness of that band I might also try a 32.

Tomorrow we will establish bust measurement, and get down and dirty with the boob math!

Not many bra makers make or carry a 30, but MS Lingerie sizing goes down to 28!

Call me for a fitting appointment, its free!

~Megan Summerville
512-922-6843

Start at the very beginning

So, it has come to pass that I find myself here blogging about lingerie.

Valentines is just around the corner, and there are questions popping up all over!

My top 5 things you MUST know about your knickers.

1. You should really hand wash your bra after every use: Your sweat, skin bits (ewww, right?!) and dirt are being deposited into your garment every. time. you. wear. it. Please tell me you don't wear panties more than once before you wash them, your bra should be no different.

2.Our bodies change often! You should have a proper bra fitting every 6 months. Most bra fittings are free, take advantage of that!

3.If you wear an underwire and it is poking you....chances are you are wearing the wrong size.

4.Moulded cup bras make your breasts look ICKY. I know this is personal, but if you buy a cheap bra, your breasts will look cheap, same is true for panties. You get what you pay for.

5.Don't get hung up on your bra SIZE! Its just a RATIO, its not a commentary on you as a person. If you have never been a *blah blah* cup size then that means your body has changed, and your fitter just wants your measurements to have the best possible support.

More questions? Just ask the Bra maker. Me.