Has anyone had any success making a balconette style bra in cotton as more of a comfort lounging bra? Every time I look them up I only see lace, mesh, and other polyester/plastic materials. I’d love to find a pattern with minimal polyester, and something I can actually hand sew since I don’t have a machine with me. I just want lounging bralettes that hold my boobs comfortably.

Hello ladies! Here I am, showing my new lingerie set in size S:

-comfy wireless bra,

-simple panties,

-pull-on garter belt.

It’s one of my favorite sets I’ve made so far 🌸

It turned out so pretty, that I didn’t even try it on.

Actually it’s a common thing for me, and I don’t
know why.

I made a pristine white bridal bra.

Size 38 C.

Materials used:

Chantilly lace,
corset mesh,
satin ribbon,
bra foam lined with cotton jersey,
closure,
underwires,
tunnel channeling,
scalloped elastics,
fold over elastics,
straps,
hooks,
rings.

I'm new to this. Is there a guide on fabric somewhere?

r/corsetry recommended coming here for cup fitting advice. I have one cup using lightweight sew through boning and the other has none just a bra cup pinned on where it would be between my lining and fashion fabric. I was trying to decide if I should pick one or the other or do both? I feel like the cups fit okay ish? However they don't give any real lift and the gore pops away from my chest just a tad? Advice?

Measurements: bust 42, underbust 35

Has anyone experimented with using boob tape to lift and position breast tissue before taking measurements — particularly to determine wire size, cup volume, and the cup shape needed?

I’ve attended a few bra-sewing classes, and one thing I’ve realised is how important accurate measurements are, but also how difficult they can be to take when breast tissue is so malleable. The measurements you get can vary quite a bit depending on how the tissue is positioned and supported.

It made me wonder whether taping the breasts into a consistent, lifted position could help establish a more accurate measuring results.

Does anyone have experience with this? I’d also be interested in hearing why it might be a totally bad idea.

Hi friends. Fairly self educated sewist newly jumping into bra making. I’ve watched a ton of videos and all the people making mock ups have used muslin or a firmer fabric for the cups which is totally fine. One of my biggest problems with bras is that the cups are always too stretchy in my size (30K/L depending on the bra. Yes from the [r/abrathatfits](r/abrathatfits). I have a highly projected breast so I need a larger cup in most bras). I need a firmer cup. I plan to use a woven fabric for my bras. My problem is this weird divot happening. If I pull up on the cup I can smooth it a bit which tells me that the top needs a bit more support but I don’t know how to make that happen without straps. Doing so also makes my boob into a torpedo and I’m not into the cone boob look. How do I fix/round the cup without eliminating the projection. Is it where my seams are? The shape? Totally lost here. Please talk to me like I’m 5 🤣

ETA: I self drafted based on this video

I usually make my sports bras with leftover spandex/powermesh, and I construct it burrito-style so the elastics are fully enclosed in the seams (e.g. jalie coco). However I have changed sizes and I'm looking at patterns with more distinct cup shaping. My main issue with the bras I have right now are chafing at my sternum, sides and centre back during long runs.

Bra-Makers Supply suggests that the Ingrid (https://www.braandcorsetsupplies.com/product/ingrid-non-wired-bra-pattern/) can be used for running, but the suggested fabrics for the cups are duoplex or sheer cup lining, and there are exposed elastics/FOE and top stitching. Does anyone have experience with these materials for running? I'm concerned about chafing and sweat retention.

So funny that when I started running a gazillion years ago, all that was available was cotton or nylon running gear, rough elastics that died quickly and pullover compression bras.

I'm still pretty new to bra making and has some fabric alignment failures on the last bra so I'm working on basting my pieces this time. I usually use GM Mara thread in my machine but don't want to waste it on basting. I have a bunch of cheapo embroidery thread from Amazon that is very linty(?) and I won't be using it for anything so I'm wondering if I can use it for basting or if it will damage such fine materials because of it's grossness. It doesn't appear to be a heavier weight, just crappy. I'm currently working with bra tulle, sheer cup lining, and powerband.

Thoughts?

Hey people, I need help finding a pattern similar to the one pictured - I am making a bralette for a friend with a small cup size. She would like a padded bralette out of lace, with the lace not "travelling up" super far so it can be worn with tops. It doesn't need tons of support, but I never make padded bralettes and I hesitate to just add padding to my patterns given that it can alter the fit. Can anyone help me out? :) I like the Jordy bralette but it seems a little "unfinished" at times with the raw edges just sewn onto the bust elastic. Thanks :)

Sorry this is underwear related and not bra, but I figured the people here would have good advice. I have this pair of panties from intimissimi and love the seamless mesh back. I thought I saw someone make a similar pair during braugust but I'm unable to find the post. Anyone know how to assemble them?

Couple of months ago i went to a concert and jumped and sweat so much my bra kind of came undone. It's my favourite bra, so i was wondering how to go about gluing this back together since it seems it's how it was made originally (lighter stripes in first pic are still tacky). Any advice on how to do it or glue recommendation is greatly appreciated

I cannot find the post I originally saw, but I took someone else’s recommendation of LilypaDesigns Mysa bra pattern and made my own. I have a lot of pain in the sides of my breasts (previous reduction surgery has created problems) and can’t tolerate underwires for very long so I have since converted to all wire-free bras for daily wear.

I used Lycra for the body of the bra and had some leftover findings from a Bra Builders kit that worked perfectly for this. The instructions were a little messy in spots and like missed a step where thankfully I already knew what to do, but if you have experience it won’t be a problem.

I haven’t made a bra since my pain had gotten worse and I’m very happy to have found this design that is nice and was easy to make! I feel supported and have coverage while also feeling comfortable. Thank you to the original poster and this community! You are the best!

Helllooooo,

I have returned from my crash out with half an undergarment sewn. 👍

this is the Eve bra pattern by porcelynne. the pattern has you test the band separately before making the cups. I've also heard it said you can’t 100% know if a band will work without making the cups along with it.

so, is this band obviously bad enough to alter before continuing? Or should I full steam ahead the cups on this thing? I did not adjust for wire spring before making it because I couldn’t comprehend how the wires were supposed to sit on me but I think I need to angle it toward the line I drew in picture 4. it keeps slumping over if I don’t manually hold it up, but I didn’t add straps because she tried it on the mannequin strapless in the video. Should I just dart the upper side seam instead of cutting and moving the wire casing to a wider angle?

Also the bridge feels strangely long? in the youtune video, her wire stitches go over the elastic stitches. but I traced it and added the seam allowance as instructed (I think)

also I’m sorry if these photos are HORRIFIC.

underbust:
loose: 34
comfy snug: 32.5
snug: 31

bust:
standing (loose): 41
leaning over: 44
lying down: 41

EDIT :)

I don’t know how to read or sew

I didn't realize the allowance was in the paper pattern so I added another INCH to the cradle. I’m supposed to be using 3/4 inch elastic on the bottom, I was using 1/2. I also cut the powernet the wrong direction

so I hope everyone has a lovely day and I will leave this up in case it helps anyone in the future while I go burn my bra ✊ and make a new one

IM SORRY and I promise I TRIED the directions were a little confusing to me 😪

Finally, after seemingly messing up my first root trace, I got some wires that seem to fit me well, lying flat on my chest. Are there any other signposts?

I’m slightly hesitating between 2 sizes : when not stressed, is a wire that fits supposed to pinch the breast in any way? Or is it supposed to be really comfortable?

For the long one, I have one (36) that does pinch a little on both sides and I’m not completely sure it’s actually lying flat : this means it’s still too small, right? The second one (38) is definitely lying flat, and doesn’t pinch anything, it’s like perfectly contouring the root, it’s very comfortable. Is that a fitting wire? Since we draft patterns with stressed wires, I’m having doubts if a non-stressed wire that is comfortable is actually perfect or slightly too big.

But then, if I try on the same size (38), but for a plunge wire of the same brand (BWear), the plunge one, again, pinches a little on both sides and I wouldn’t describe it as lying perfectly flat. Could that mean I need a 40 in vertical wire, even if the 38 in long wire seems perfect?

Thanks in advance for your help with my doubts and confusion 😅

I bought both of these bras. I really like them but I’m wanting to change the way the dark green one sits on me. (I don’t want to return, as they were on sale, and other than the complaint in this post, they fit well!)

The way the dark green bra is sitting on my body is making a “cone shape” cup outline. The yellow bra fits great and has the desired round shape cup I prefer. I think this is due to the seam/stitch down the middle. From what I’ve researched and googled, I think I need to add a contour dart stitch.

I’ve done a few quilting projects with a friend, but I’m not experienced by any means. Any advice, thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated. I do have a basic sewing machine and the family friend has an advanced one I could use, if need be. TIA.

(Posted in another sub asking for advice too.)

I recently outgrew my current bra of 32F, and it’s getting uncomfortable to wear them. I measured myself to be a 32GG now, but the bras are too expensive for my current budget. How can I alter my current bras to fit me? (Also I’m kind of new to sewing and don’t have a sewing machine or any other fancy stuff either, only thread and needles)

Hello all - this is my first time bra making. I have taken a couple stabs at making a LilypaDesigns Lusamine which have both been fails. First one I knew partway through wasn't going to fit. Second round I am more surprised that it doesn't fit. I am quite projected, the only ready to wear bras that fit are by Gorsenia, though I haven't tried other Polish brands.

I made a 38 band with 5.9 cradle, band and wires (Porcelynne vertical) are a great fit. First try was the 5.9 cups which were much too small. Version 2 was 6.5 cups adjusted to 5.9 at the wireline.

Issues are:
Gore doesn't tack
Wrinking at bottom of cups
Significant gaping at top of cups, I can pinch out more than an inch of fabric.

I take these as signs the cups are too small. I have made a fitting band and the next size up cups seemed to be too big.

I'm not really sure what to try next since this is all new to me and would love some suggestions.

I am starting to think my shape may not be a good match despite the pattern being drafted for projected shapes. I see Porcelynne Eve suggested a lot for projection, but I much prefer the style of the Lusamine, if I can make that pattern work for me.

I’ve been desperately hunting for this bra second hand in my size (8A/B-10A) but have only found it in a 10B. Would it be possible to alter it to fit? I want to keep the part of the flower on the lace that is covering the nip area in that centre spot (I have the bra in my size in other colours and it covers perfectly for me personally).

I've gone mad and I'm attempting a strapless net corset. The corset bit is going quite nicely..... the cups need work. I'm new to the world of making bras but I'm well aware that what im doing is particularly challenging.

So far i havent been able to source nude or white bra foam in sheets in the UK. Shippjng from anywhere else seems to be extortionate and I have the added challenge of being in NI. So lots of places in mainland uk refuse to post to me. My best bet at the moment is vena cava, but the foam is black...not ideal for my current project.

So... my question is... is the foam totally essential? Could i make it work with something like foam interfacing? What about using the net... or coutil? Im really open to anything at this stage that might help me make progress in the cups. I sit around a 30F so getting the right support isnt the most straight forward.

Have been wanting a new bra to hike in on my backpacking trips for some time now. I have a compression style polyester bra that I've been wearing. I'm all for embracing the stink but a polyester bra isn't the funnest thing to put on in the morning. I have some 100% merino jersey that I plan on turning into a bralette to sleep in, but would like something with a bit more support for when I'm active. I'm thinking of a merino blend with lycra, or making a regular sports bra and cover it with a layer of merino (though that may get too hot?), or is this is once of the things that's better off bought?

This is a custom cup, made following a tutorial, based on the wire and my exact measurements.

It’s a balconette cup, so it’s not full coverage, and from what I can tell by the paper mockup, it fits really well.

But as you can see the shape itself (especially of the upper cup) is all wonky. It comes from the facts that my center is quite high, fullness is mostly at the bottom and on the outer side, and the longer side of the lower cup ended up exactly the side of the longer half curve of the wire/cradle cup. (Measures for the cup in the cradle included stress/spring)

Do you have any resources or advice to help me move design lines around so they look more “conventional” while keeping the overall shape that is itself really great? Or anything else you can see that might help in such a situation?

I’m going to add a power bar too, for additional support and lift. I don’t know if I can do both those other changes and this at the same time.

I had a large lumpectomy a few years ago. The mass was large, but benign and the result of a previous surgery. The end result is that my right breast is about 1/2 to 1 cup smaller than my left. The smaller area is on the insider, lower portion of my right breast. The difference in size may not be so noticeable to other, but it’s very noticeable to me and it has resulted in me being self conscious and at times avoiding certain clothing items/necklines.

I’m not sure if I want to go through the process of reconstructive surgery but if I do, it will probably be that I reduce the left to somewhat match eventually. However I’m on a weight loss journey right now and need to get to goal and maintain that before I even consider that process.

What I need in the meantime is some type of a solution to make the difference in sizing less obvious when dressed.

My mind immediately goes to a bra insert. But the ones I’ve been able to find are quite large.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a small bra insert? Ideally around 1/2 cup or so? I’m really open to any other solutions that might help with this issue as well.