Selecting Gifts for a Lingerie Lover

Christmas is almost here and tis the season for gift giving. Are you still looking for the perfect gift for the lingerie addict in your life? It can be really hard to shop for the perfect piece of lingerie for someone other than yourself. At the CURVE shows this year, the idea of lingerie-adjacent items was one of the hot new trends. So, to help you choose the right gift this season, we’ve pulled together some of our favourite gift ideas for anyone who loves lingerie!

The Power of Scent

Lingerie is sensual, sexy and luxurious. But you can add to the lingerie experience with exotic, sexy scents. Looking to set the mood? Try scented candles. Go sweet and spicy with cinnamon or ginger, delicate with floral, warm with vanilla or masculine with musk. Check out these sexy scented candles recommended by Maxim magazine for more ideas!

If you’re looking to help your lingerie lover unwind, why not try pillow sprays? From sprays that relax you and ease your tension, to sprays that help you sleep better, aromatherapy is where it’s at. Health magazine recommends the best pillow sprays to help you fall asleep faster and sleep better!

Finally, we’d be remiss if we didn’t recommend our own Wrapture Balm as a stocking stuffer. Based on the seductive scent of Jasmine, our Wrapture Balm is an eco-friendly balm made from essential oils and is perfect for rough skin, cuticles, dry hair and of course as a perfume. It’s a portable, compact handbag essential that won’t leak, making it great for travel. Wrapture’s emollient rich formula feels silky and absorbs quickly leaving behind the beautifully intoxicating scent of jasmine which is a natural aphrodisiac!

Silky & Sexy

It can be hard to determine the right style and fit of lingerie for someone other than yourself. Or maybe you’re looking for a gift for someone whom you know loves lingerie, but you’re not quite on intimate terms. Consider splurging on sumptuous items that complement their lingerie collection but they wouldn’t necessarily spoil themselves with. Try gorgeous silky pajamas or a satiny sleek bathrobe. The Lingerie Journal has highlighted British designed and New York made SoffiaB luxury robes and dressing gowns and with so many options to choose from, you’re sure to find something for everyone! We also loved this post from our friend Cora Harrington at The Lingerie Addict from earlier this year: 8 Robes to Wear While Watching Netflix.

Image Credit: SoffiaB Pink Parfait Luxury Robe

Practical in Purpose

While lingerie can be sexy, it can also be practical in purpose. Shop for underwear and bras from Knixteen to start your teenager on the path to a love of undergarments. The Miracle undies and sleep shorts are perfect for teens while they’re on their period; they protect from leaks, odor and moisture and help keep them feeling fresh.

Image Credit: KNIXTEEN “Oh No!” Proof Bikini

For the Collector

If you’re looking for a gift for the consummate lingerie collector, we can’t think of a better gift than Cora Harrington’s comprehensive book In Intimate Detail. This gorgeous compendium of lingerie is the perfect book to page through and savour and was a critical success last winter!

We hope we’ve given you a few ideas for those last minute shopping trips for your lingerie addict. We wish you a lovely holiday season!

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Last Minute Handmade Gifts – Knit & Crochet Pattern Inspiration

Christmas is just over a month away and we’re betting you haven’t finished your shopping list! If you’re looking for some last minute crafting inspiration, we’ve pulled together some of our favourite knit and crochet patterns to create gorgeous handmade gifts from the heart. From hats to cowls to fun seasonal patterns, there’s sure to be something for every crafter (and don’t forget to block all those beautiful projects in Eucalan Delicate Wash before you gift them)!

Hats

Designer Amy Miller has released several new hat patterns, but It’s Electric is, well… electric! Grab a beautiful skein of yarn and a fluffy pom pom and you’ll have a gift in just a few hours. If it’s cables your heart loves, try the Kalaloch Cable Beanie by Alexander Hawker. Have lots of leftovers in the stash? Check out the wonderfully stripey Party of Five Hat by Jill Zielinski and get stash-busting! Looking for a super quick knit? DK weight yarn is held doubled in the Ale 2.0 Hat by Jodi Brown. If you’re a crocheter, grab some super bulky yarn and whip up an Autumn Slouch Beanie & Cowl by Phanessa Fong or a Braided Cabled Slouchy Beanie by Stephanie Jessica Lau!

Cowls

Cowls are also great quick knits and last minute gifts! Grab two contrasting skeins of yarn and whip up a Soundtrack Cowl by Elizabeth Smith. Or, if you have a bit more time and a few luscious skeins of yarn, knit the double-layered The Snuggle is Real by Maxim Cyr. Use up those gorgeous bulky yarns for the Sunrise Cowl by Woolly Bear Knits and you’ll be surprised how quickly you’re done! Or pull out that special skein of DK you’ve been saving and knit up a beautiful Every Bit Cowl by Stephanie Lotven. In the mood for a quick crochet project? Check out the lacy Mimic Cowl by Polly Plum. Or grab a bunch of bulky skeins and let your hooks fly with the Crochet Icicle Cowl by Sarah Korth!

Fun Seasonal Patterns

Are you looking to craft something fun for the season? We love Needled by Hunter Hammersen – don’t you need a whole flock of trees? Add some fun and whimsy to your holiday with Gnome Pun Intended by Sarah Schira (or her countless other gnome patterns)! We love Susan B. Anderson’s collections and her Holiday Charm Set is no exception. Or make sure all your elves have new socks with Jingle All the Way by Jolijn Copier Designs! If you’re looking for ornaments, we love the Snow Globe Ornaments by Sarah Zimmerman. Or check out the adorable Holiday Deer by Spin a Yarn Crochet!

Stocking Stuffers

If you’re looking for a last minute gift that will be an unexpected treat we’ve found these fun ideas for you! Warm up someone’s morning brew with this cute Fox Cup Cozy by Alexandra Davidoff. Add a handmade touch to any room with Yoke O’Clock by Stephanie Earp (she has clock making kits available so all you have to do is knit!). Keep your loved ones warm on chilly days with a water bottle and handmade Hot Water Bottle Cover by Emily Bolduan. Or spoil someone special with some handmade soap and the Silver Mist Bath Set by Romi Hill. Keep everyone’s ears warm with the Double Threat Ear Warmer by Crazy4CrochetMama or make their home cozier with these gorgeous Citrus Coasters by Dona Knits.

We hope we’ve given you a few crafty ideas for some last minute gift -giving! And, if you’re looking for an extra stocking stuffer, add a small bottle of Eucalan to your gift so the recipient will be able to keep their new gift looking great and smelling amazing!

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7 More Autumn Activities You’ll Enjoy

Last year we picked our favourite 7 Activities to Celebrate Autumn, but really the possibilities are endless! Today we add 7 more activities to the list of things we love to do when the leaves change and the temperatures dip.

1. Host a fall movie night! Pour some cider or hot chocolate, pop some popcorn and sit down and watch a fall movie. We love the movies on this list, but you’re free to pick whatever movie screams “fall” to you.

2. Enjoy all things apple! These days, everything is about pumpkin spice, but fall is the season for apples. Go apple picking, make hot apple cider in the crock pot, dip caramel apples, bake your favourite apple recipe, make apple butter in the crock pot, or enjoy apples any way you like them.

3. Shop for seasonal produce and flowers! The autumn harvest produces so many yummy things: brussels sprouts, figs, pears, pomegranates, fall squash. Hit up your local farmers’ markets to enjoy the bounty of the season. Pick up sunflowers, mums or dahlias to add pops of colour to your home and surround yourself with beautiful autumn blossoms. And if you’re looking for some inspiration, we always love Stone Gable for her lovely fall vignettes.

4. Knit! (or Crochet)! Craft yourself something lovely and cozy to wrap yourself up in this season. Whether it’s a sweater, warm woollies or a throw to snuggle into, knit or crochet yourself beautiful projects to keep you warm all fall long. If you need some inspiration, check out our post on Fall Crafting Inspiration.

5. Enjoy the leaves! All around us the trees are aglow in fiery reds, oranges and golds. Take a drive to go leaf peeping, rake leaves on your lawn and let the kids jump in, take a long walk in the woods with the leaves crunching underfoot, or press leaves and save them for decorations or future crafts!

6. Stock up on candles. As we change the clocks back and the days get shorter, add candlelight to your home to make it warm and cozy. Select autumn scents like pumpkin, apple, cranberry, fir trees or any aroma that you enjoy this season.

7. Take a weekend getaway! Go wherever the leaves are changing colours or head to the great outdoors for hiking, paddling or camping. Enjoy the cooler weather and get away before the hustle and bustle of the holidays. If you need some inspiration, we love these lists of autumn destinations in the US and Canada.

We hope we’ve given you some more fun ideas to enjoy your autumn!

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Quilting with Eucalan

For many, quilting is a year-round craft, but the cooler temperatures of autumn and the upcoming International Quilt Market have us thinking about wrapping up in cozy handmade quilts this season! Today we’ll share some of our favourite tips for quilting with Eucalan!

Washing Fabric Before you Begin

Before you begin the actual cutting and sewing, you’ll need to pre-wash any fabric that you intend to use in your quilt.

First, check for colour fastness on whatever you plan to clean. How to tell if something is colourfast? Moisten a clean white cloth (100% cotton or other natural fibre). Press firmly on coloured area in an inconspicuous place. If colour is not “fast” it will transfer to cloth, so wash at your own risk or have dry cleaned. Also, use caution and be sure to wash fabric separately from lighter colours to prevent any colour transfer. Be gentle to your fabric – don’t rub too vigorously. Dark colours most prone to bleed into lighter colours are black, navy, dark green, burgundy and red. We’ve got a great video tutorial on how to do this!

Once you have checked for colour fastness, you’re ready to move on to quilting!

During Quilting

Anyone who has ever quilted knows that half of your making time is spent ironing between sewing steps! Eucalan can help here too. Mix your favourite scent of Eucalan and water in a small spray bottle (1 part Eucalan to 12 parts water). Shake to ensure the soap is incorporated into the water. Use a light misting when ironing your fabric and pay special attention to how your seams are laying.

Washing

Once your quilt is finished, it’s time to give it a good wash before using. If you have a washing machine big enough to handle a quilt, the good news is that you can use Eucalan in the washer!

If you have a top loading machine, set your washing machine to the delicate cycle and fill the drum with cool water. Add approximately 2 tablespoons of Eucalan for a large quilt. Then submerge the item in the drum and run through the gentle or handwash cycle.

If you have a front loading machine, place your item in the drum. Set the machine to the delicate cycle and cool water. Add 2 tablespoons of Eucalan to the detergent compartment and run the cycle.

Drying

To dry your quilt, you have two options. First, you can hang it to dry – just make sure it’s away from direct sunlight which can cause whites to yellow or colours to fade. Your second option is to machine dry, provided your materials will stand up to tumble drying. Set the dryer to low or cool air and dry the quilt gently; it’s important to avoid high heat so that your items don’t shrink.

Keeping Your Quilt Clean

Any time you think your quilt needs some freshening up, you can follow the washing instructions above. If you find any problem areas, you can also spot clean with full-strength Eucalan. If you’re looking for more information about how to treat specific stains, sign up for our newsletter and get a free pdf download of our handy Guide to Stain Removal.

If you’re looking for some tips and tutorials on how to get started or some pattern inspiration, we’ve got a Pinterest board full of quilting ideas!

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Crafting and Laundering Baby Items with Eucalan

Did you know that Eucalan is delicate enough for everything your baby touches? Our formula is designed to be gentle on all that’s precious to you, whether that be your hand knit or crocheted items, lingerie, or the most precious: the items that surround your baby! Today we’ve pulled together a few of our favourite knitting and crochet patterns to celebrate your little one and keep them warm. We’ve also added our newest video on how to keep everything your baby touches clean and fresh with Eucalan, even when you’re on the go!

Sweaters

Winter is coming and we know you want to keep your little one warm in chilly temperatures! If you’re looking for something sweet and traditional, try the Norweigian Fir Top Down Cardigan by OGE Knitwear Designs. It doesn’t get cuter than the Teddy Bear Sweater by PetiteKnit for your littlest cub. Add some colourwork to your repertoire with Little Luminosity by Tanis Lavallee. Or gather up all your scraps and make them a fluffy Pengweeno by Stephen West. Check out this great use for all those stripey socks yarns: Little Sock Arms by Stephanie Lotven. And for our crocheters, what’s sweeter than this colourful Child Size Hooded Cardigan by Ashlea Konecny?

Hats

Keep your littlest ones warm with cozy hats! We love the free Garter Ear Flap Hat by Purl Soho; perfect for keeping those little ears safe from the cold! Or try your hand at cables with the I Heart Cables by Justyna Lorkowska. If you’ve got colour-changing yarn (or handspun!) check out the adorable Quynn by Woolly Wormhead. Add a little texture to a plain hat with Gather by Tin Can Knits (and check out their other free patterns). If crochet is your craft, we love the Big Heart Slouch Beanie by Phanessa Fong. Or get colourful with the Babala Hat by Mamachee!

Lovies

Are you looking for a lovey for your littlest love? There are some super sweet patterns on Ravelry and these are our favourites! Look how cuddly and soft the Sweetie Bear Lovey by Ariane Gallizzi is! Or check out all the bunnies and their fun outfits like Bunny Girl in a Dotty Dress by Little Cotton Rabbits. Littles love dinosaurs and Little Dino by Susan B. Anderson is sure to please. Or have some monstrous fun with Bonk by Susan Claudino-Aguilar. Who doesn’t need a Ragdoll Unicorn by Spin A Yarn Crochet? Or try a super sweet Little Lamb Baby Lovey by Ashleigh Kiser!

Blankets

Gorgeous baby blankets have so many uses! Not only will they keep your little one warm, but they’re perfect for laying on the floor and creating the perfect place for your little one to play! For a simple pattern with bits of texture check out Little Moments by Fifty-Four Ten Studio (or their other free offerings!) Add some graphic elements with Chevron Blanket by Melissa Clulow. Or create a patchwork of color with Vivid by Tin Can Knits. If you’re looking for more traditional lace, try Baby Chalice Blanket by Karen Lauger. And for our crocheters try adding some colour with Bertie Baby Blanket by Little Dolally or go wild with Little Larksfoot Rainbow Blanket by Kristin Ballering!

Laundering Baby Items with Eucalan

Now that you’ve created some lovely items for baby, how can you keep them clean and germ-free? Check out our latest video on Laundering Baby Items with Eucalan. Whether they’re store-bought or handmade, keep every item that your baby touches fresh and clean with Eucalan!

 

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Salmon Run – A New Free Shawl Knitting Pattern for You!

Happy fall! We’ve been looking for a great fall project to knit, and today we’re delighted to share a free pattern with you!

The Salmon Run Shawl has been designed for us by Laura Cameron of The Corner of Knit & Tea. This 2-color crescent shawl is the perfect project and accessory for fall. Simple to knit, this shawl is worked entirely in garter stitch, with some simple short row shaping to create color wedges for interest. Knit in Manos del Uruguay’s Alma, a new fingering weight singles yarn, this shawl is not only striking, but squishy and cozy. We bet it will be a favourite all season long!

And the best part is that you can download your own copy of the pattern for free by signing up for our newsletter! (If you already receive our newsletter, you can still sign up and receive the free pattern.)

Once you’ve knit your new shawl, check out our new video on Basic Blocking for Knit & Crochet. This short video will take you through washing your project in Eucalan Delicate Wash, to blocking and pinning for the perfect finish every time. We hope you’ll enjoy it!

We can’t wait to see what you make! Be sure to tag us on Instagram with the #eucalan so we can see what you’re up to.

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The Dreaded M-word: Moth

Moths. The dreaded m-word that sends shudders down every crafter’s spine. We get a lot of questions on how to prevent moth damage to your handknits, as well as how to handle damage when it occurs and what to do if you find moths in your home. Today we’ve put together lots of information on how you can prevent and deal with fibre’s ultimate nemesis.

First, let’s talk about moths. A moth infestation can be devastating, yet no one talks about it! But there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Even if you have the cleanest, most organized house in the world, moths can still be a problem.

Moth Prevention

So let’s talk about prevention. Moths love fibre, and particularly fibres that contain oils from your skin, as well as any spills or stains from food or other substances. So the first thing you can do to prevent moths is to wash your knitted items, particularly those worn directly in contact with your skin, fairly frequently. Also, you should always launder all items before packing them away for the season (i.e. wash your hats, mittens and sweaters before packing them away when winter is over). We suggest using Eucalan in either our Lavender or Eucalyptus as both scents are naturally moth repellent.

You can also store both fibres (yarns) and garments in clean, airtight containers. For yarn storage, we really like clear plastic tubs. These allow natural light in (moths love dark places) and keep bugs out. Any time you bring new yarn into the house, be sure that you place it in a clean, airtight container. To prevent any contamination, you may wish to place yarn in ziplock bags before you place them in tubs as an extra layer of protection. We also recommend the use of lavender sachets, cedar or other natural moth-repellents in those bins to stave off unwanted visitors. We NEVER recommend the use of mothballs as they are toxic to both humans and pets.

For garments, again we recommend airtight containers. You can use plastic tubs for garments as well, or many people use dresser drawers. Again, you should add lavender or some other scented sachets, or cedar (try cedar balls or blocks) to make your woollies less appetizing.

Our final recommendation is not strictly preventative, but more of an alarm system in case things go awry. To get some early warning in case you encounter moths, consider purchasing traps for clothes moths and placing them in areas where you store your fibre and garments. Again, the traps won’t prevent moths from entering your home, but these sticky pheromone traps will attract any moths that do. If you’re keeping a diligent eye on your traps, then you’re likely to notice as soon as a moth appears.

Dealing with Moths

Now that you’ve taken the above steps, let’s talk about what happens if moths do get into your fibre or garments. Let’s say you pull out your favourite sweater to find that it has one or two holes left by moths. First – don’t panic. It may be salvageable. The first thing that you want to do is quarantine the garment and make sure you kill the moth eggs that may still be lurking. You’re going to do this with the liberal application of heat or cold.

If you prefer cold, place the item in a ziplock bag and place it in your freezer (turn the temperature way down and try to keep the freezer frost-free) and allow it to remain at temperatures below freezing for 1-2 weeks. Then bring the item out of the freezer and allow it to come to room temperature. Repeat this process a few more times.

If you prefer heat, place the item in bags (dark trash bags work fine) in a car on a sunny day. The item should remain at temperatures above 120F for at least 30 minutes to kill any moth eggs. Note: you can also attempt to heat your yarn in the oven, but this is a little risky and requires constant attention. We prefer heating in a car, or freezing instead.

Once you have completed either of the two methods above, gently shake items and brush away any moth remnants.

Unfortunately, as you complete this process for the moth damaged item, you also need to examine each item stored near the first item, as well as other areas of your household. Any time you encounter moths you need to make a thorough inspection of your fibre and garments to ensure that none of the other items have been affected. Any items that you fear may have been affected should be subjected to all of the procedures we’ve described above. You will also need to do a thorough cleaning of any area affected including vacuuming, steam cleaning or wiping clean any surfaces that you believe moths have come into contact with.

This may take a while, and you will have to be vigilant. It isn’t fun, but it is necessary. There are other steps that you may need to take, up to and including consulting a pest control expert. We really like Haley’s post at Red-Handled Scissors for more tips on how to deal with clothes moths.

Once you have cleared your home of moths, then you can go back to our prevention tips (and monitoring with traps) to hopefully avoid future problems!

Dealing with Moth Damage

Once you have rid your house of moths, it’s time to consider what to do with moth-damaged items. Some may be beyond salvaging and you may need to dispose of these items. However, not all is lost. Last August we explored visible mending in Laundering and Mending Your Woolens. Since then we’ve also seen two wonderful books published: Visible Mending: Artful Stitchery to Repair and Refresh Your Favorite Things by Jenny Wilding Cardon and Mending Matters: Stitch, Patch, and Repair Your Favorite Denim and More by Katrina Rodabaugh. Both are excellent resources that may help you breathe new life into your affected garments.

Dealing with the M-word is never something we look forward to, but we hope we’ve given you a few tips and tricks on how to make your home less attractive to moths, as well as deal with the problem should it arise!

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Fall Crafting Inspiration with Eucalan

Can you believe that summer is almost over? The kids are heading back to school and fall is just around the corner. If you’re feeling the urge to craft, check out today’s roundup of our favourite new knit and crochet patterns for fall to inspire your next project!

Sweaters

The start of fall always makes us want to knit beautiful sweaters and there’s no shortage of new patterns there! If you love gorgeous fall cables check out River Jumper by Jennifer Wood or Mrs. Grimmet’s Weskit by Carol Sunday. If it’s texture you’re after, try Gridlines by Susanne Sommer or the new Eno Pullover by Kirsten Kapur. If you want a bit of colourwork, check out the Yésica Fair Isle Pullover by Paula Pereira. If you want to mix your colourwork and your texture, Stonecrop Cardi by Andrea Mowry (also available as a pullover) is perfect for that! If you’re in need of that perfect neutral cardigan to wear all fall long, try Potomac by Devin Ventre. For our crocheters, we love the Olive Cardigan by Emily Truman and the understated elegance of Leaves Cascade by Ana D.

Shawls

Fall always makes us want to wrap up in wool. There’s no better way to do that than to knit a warm, cozy shawl. If you’re looking for big chunky cables then Under the Oak by Jennifer Weissman looks so cozy! If lace is your jam then check out Autumn Rain Shawl by Susanna IC or Catch My Fall by Melanie Berg. If you’re in the mood for simple garter stitch with just a touch of lace, try Tsukimi by Angela Tong or Intermission Wrap by Veronica Parsons. On the other hand, if it’s fun and funky shapes you’re after try Hole Lotta Love by Emelie Björnkvist. Or tackle brioche with the Flying Foxtail Shawl by Stephen West. If you’ve got crochet on the brain then check out Succulent by Michele DuNaier or the Dragon County Shawl by Michele Costa!

Winter Woollies

Fall is gorgeous with changing leaves and cooler days, but winter is coming! And when it does, make sure you’re ready with some gorgeous winter woolies. For a cabled hat, check out the Herrington Hat by Jodi Brown. Or take your brioche to the next level with Incidence by Hunter Hammersen. If you want to try colourwork, check out the August Hat by Sarah Solomon (and Kelbourne Woolens’s Year of Hats free patterns to try other techniques!) If your heart is set on  matching accessories try the Carneau Hat & Mittens by Amy Christoffers. Add some COLOUR to your dreary winter days with these cozy Bellevue Mittens by Knox Mountain Knit Co. Or again, try your hand at colourwork with the Evening Frost Mitts by Angela Tong. Keep your neck warm with this gorgeous cowl, Renly by Marina Lariz. Or grab your hooks and some bulky yarns and try the Berry Hat by Bobbi Intveld or the Unique Mosaic (Scarf) by the WoolAddicts Design Team!

We hope you feel inspired to start crafting for fall and winter. And don’t forget to finish those gorgeous new projects with a bath in Eucalan and a proper blocking!

We can’t wait to see what you make! Tag us on Instagram with the hashtag #eucalan to share your projects with us.

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Celebrate #BRAugust with Eucalan

It’s August and that means it’s time for BRAugust. If you don’t know what we’re talking about, read on for a little history and some inspiration and resources on how you can celebrate BRAugust, too!

Origins

BRAugust was originally the brainchild of Becca McLellan, director of the Why Not Youth Centre in Brantford, Ontario. Becca founded the BRAugust initiative in 2015 after disadvantaged women kept asking her if the centre had any bras available. For many women, finding a bra that fits can be a challenge, but for homeless women, simply finding a bra can be difficult. So Becca asked women in the community to donate their gently used bras, and in the first year she collected almost 2,000!

In honour of Becca’s initiative, all of us at Eucalan go through our closets each year to find bras that are still in great condition, but don’t get worn often. If you’re interested in participating, collect any gently used bras and use our tips to launder them in Eucalan.

Then check out Free The Girls, a 501(c)(3) organization that collects donations of gently used and new bras, and then distributes them to women who have been victims of human trafficking around the world. These bras are sold by the women, providing income to support their families, educate their children, and create the foundation for a new life of dignity and self-determination. Donations are accepted by mail, or you can drop them off at locations throughout the US and Canada!

Crafting

In recent years, many crafters have adopted the #braugust hashtag and used it to spur creative making of bras and undergarments during August. While this primarily occurs in the world of sewing, there are also some fun patterns for knitters and crocheters available. We’ve collected a few resources from both the knitting and sewing world for you here today.

If you’re a knitter, there are a ton of fun patterns to knit your own bras or lingerie. The runaway favourite these days is the Ripple Bralette by Jessie Maed Designs. This pattern offers generous sizing from a 28” to a 62” bust and takes only 1-2 skeins of fingering weight yarn to complete! We also love the Girly Knits Bra Top by Lauren Riker – along with the matching shorts, this could be the perfect summer pajama set! For our crocheters we love the Three Flowers Crop Top by Nomad Stitches and the Summer Bra Top with Fabric by Fatima.

If you follow the hashtag #braugust or #braugust2019 on Instagram, you’re going to see some beautiful items. Bra maker and sewist Ying of the Tailor Made blog sponsors the #braugust2019 Photo a Day Challenge encouraging sewists to share their makes. If you’re looking for a way to get started making your own bras, we like “The Bra Dilemma Solved” from Threads magazine for getting your ducks in a row. We also found that there are several classes on Bluprint that are a great introduction to bra-making. For inspiration, tips and tricks we love the Orange Lingerie blog, especially the roundups she has done in past years for #braugust. She also has a great list of resources for purchasing supplies and kits!

We hope this article has given you some inspiration and resources to celebrate #BRAugust! If you decide to participate, we’d love to see what you make!

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Eucalan: An Alternative to Dry Cleaning

Summertime can be hot and sticky, and if you own special items that are dry clean only, then your cleaning bills are probably skyrocketing. But we’ve got great news: you can skip the dry cleaner!

There are plenty of reasons to ditch dry cleaning, but first and foremost, dry cleaning is terrible for the environment. As previously mentioned, it’s also expensive, and that’s not even factoring in the time you spend waiting in line to pick up your items.

The good news is that garments that are labeled “dry clean only” can be laundered quite easily and safely at home for a fraction of the cost and Eucalan can help!

First off, consult our laundry lessons for how to wash specialty items. This will give you the basics of how to launder different kinds of fabrics. We’ve also got a host of videos on our YouTube channel to guide you along the way. From washing silks to wedding dresses we’ve got tons of tips for caring for those delicate garments.

Our blog is also a great resource for specialty items. From coats to shearling to wool blankets to party dresses, our archives are chock full of examples on how Eucalan can be used for everything!

If you’re looking for additional eco-conscious ways to cut down on laundry expenses, we also have a great post on Laundry Tips to Save the Earth and Your Wallet.

We hope we’ve given you some tips to save on those dry cleaning bills and be kinder to the environment!

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