Bullet Bra: Layout and cutting out pieces

Hi!  There's been a lot going on here and today, June 15, 2012, I have finally had the opportunity to lay out the bullet bra pattern pieces on the muslin and cut them out.  The photo below shows some of the pattern pieces laid out onto the muslin and also the Olfa rotary cutter with guide arm and the Olfa green cutting mat.  One will not work without the other, trust me.  The Muslin bolt I purchased is 48" wide and was rolled onto the bolt doubled.  For every piece I cut out there will be four pieces.  Next time I'll undo it so there won't be so many on the folded fabric.  The fabric is 24" wide when folded and it would take about 24" of fabric if your fabric is 48" wide for the size 46 DD bullet bra.  Please note that this bullet bra will be made out of cotton or similar fabrics - NOT the stretch fabrics, slinky, milliskin, tricot or spandex lycra of most bras.

Layout of pattern pieces

The pieces cut out but still pinned to the pattern pieces

 
Finally, shown above, here are the pieces cut out.  I still have to mark the pieces so I kept the patterns pinned to them.  This is my first use of the Olfa rotary cutter and guide and single large Olfa cutting mat.  I must say it will take more practice on my part in order for me to get proficient in its use!  Buy yours here.  Buy the Olfa rotary cutter and guide arm by itself here.  It was not as easy as the video made it look. This video, by Bruce Oleyar, is really a great addition to any seamstress or would-be seamstress's or tailor's video library.  Bruce not only explains step-by-step how to use the Lutterloh system, but also how to alter pattern pieces, sew them together correctly so you don't get that "hand made" (unprofessional) look, how to design your own patterns and more.  Please note that my own bullet bra pattern was made by me using my own measurements and some ideas I found freely on the internet. 

You may also find the Olfa products for sale on such websites as eBay.com or else other websites.  If you have a Michael's store nearby, they used to sell them there; however, I am not sure if they still carry them.  Certain select sewing and/or fabric stores may have these Olfa products as well.  Don't buy the Fiscars or other cutting mats as they will dull your blade and not cut correctly no matter the brand of your rotary cutter.

Because of my various health problems this simple step of laying out the pattern pieces, pinning them to the muslin and then cutting them out left me needing rest.  Normal people should be able to cut out the pattern pieces in perhaps about 20 minutes or so.  My husband also helped me by laying the plywood, cutting mat and fabric bolt out for me on the bed.  I don't have a cutting table - wish I did.  I have to do things that are affordable to me and this economy is bad, as you know.

So as I mentioned the next step would be for me to mark the individual pattern pieces and to "clean them up" with a pair of sharp scissors I use ONLY for cutting fabrics.  I suggest you also buy a good pair of shears and use them only to cut fabric out with.  Don't even use them to cut out the pattern pieces as that will dull the blades of most shears or scissors really fast!  You might like to try the Kai scissors here.  My own scissors I purchased a long time ago from a sewing and fabric store - I forget which one.  They were fairly expensive, I think about $30.00 at the time.  They are Gingher scissors.  If you need larger pictures please contact me and I can send them to you.  :)

If you have any comments, criticisms or suggestions, please leave them.  Thank you!  :)