Lingerie Friday: How About a Bra-making Sew Along?

Amy’s edit: If you’re visiting this post for the first time, please note that there is a central Bramaking Sew-along page with updated links and information related to the sew-along.

For today’s Lingerie Friday, I’d like to kick off a New Year’s plan: A Bra-making Sew Along!

Who’d like to do one with me?

If I haven’t mentioned this before, sewing bras isn’t that complicated. After you’ve done one or two, you’ll start to get the hang of it. This is also something you can sew without pushing aside other creative projects; it takes up little room and can be easily put away.

And I think the most important part is getting a good fit, so I’d love it if you came away with a good-fitting pattern. Obviously, I’ve found bra-making incredibly rewarding and fun–that might sound like an infomercial but it’s true. Making pretty and well-fitted underneaths has affected how I feel about my “outerneaths”.

And for experienced bra-makers, I’d love to have you join as well. Especially when we get to the fitting stage, because we are all different shapes and I love to learn from others’ experiences.

Now as for times and dates, I’m aware that the holidays add extra pressure into the mix of things so I’d like to wait until it’s allll over. I’m thinking the beginning of January. That way no one gets project anxiety and we can take our time. Secondly, bra supplies take a bit of time to gather and I’d like to make sure everyone gets what they need! Even before we got to shopping, I’d need to talk sizing first.

What do y’all think? If I have enough interest, I’ll be back early next week with some practical brainstorming.

and p.s. The bra at the top is a sneaky peak at one of my recent projects. I’ve spent the last week finishing up several half-finished bras so that I can move on to (can you believe it?) sewing something other than lingerie.

67 comments

  1. tiffany says:

    Oh, yay! I would really love to start sewing bras, but I’m so intimidated. I keep reading blog posts and almost checking out carts full of supplies, then thinking I could never really make anything decent. I would love to play! Thank you!

  2. poppykettle says:

    HELL YEAH! Totally. I’m head down bum up right now trying to get a blasted assignment finished, but I really would prefer to be sewing bras alongside the virtual version of you. Please do!

  3. Corinna says:

    I’d love to take part! I’ve never sewn a bra but it’s on my list for next year and a little guidance from someone who has more experience would be nice!
    but i’m really intimidated by sizing, i don’t even know my real size in rtw bras

  4. Sofie says:

    I’d love to have a go… I’ve go so much on but I’ll try and keep up! I have really wanted and need to learn to make bras for a long time. What a great idea.

  5. Robyn says:

    I’ve ventured as far as buying a couple of bra kits, a pattern and a book but have yet to put any of it to use! A sew-a-long would be great.

  6. Yana says:

    Sounds wonderful, I’d love to participate. Just wondering, will you be making only the underwired version or will there be an option to make a bra with no underwires? Thanks ๐Ÿ™‚

  7. Joelle says:

    Ohh yes please!!! I’ve tried making bras and I can see this becoming really addictive, but I have had a hard time with sizing and fitting. So count me in!

  8. Ronnie says:

    Yes, please, I am very interested. I have put bra making in the too hard basket, nothing like doing something together to get me motivated.

  9. Andrea says:

    This may be just the thing I need to get moving on making my first bra, so count me in! I have a pattern from Make Bra already. After the holidays is perfect!

  10. Tanya says:

    I’m up for it!! After spending so much money at bravissimo.co.uk, I’d actually like to participate in a bra sew-along!! I’m experienced in garment sewing, but a complete novice when it comes to constructing brassieres!!
    Just a couple of questions:
    Are you doing a wired or underwired type of bra? I’m hoping you’ll also cover the latter category, especially for those who are a tad bit on the busty side!!
    Where can you purchase the bra kits and supplies please? Actually, if any of your readers are based in the UK – could they suggest these? Thanks.

    • Amy says:

      Tanya, I’ll answer those questions in upcoming posts over the next week or so, including where to buy supplies. You have a lot of suppliers near you–more than me! And you can definitely make a bra without underwires.

    • Amy says:

      Tanya, there are a couple of places in the UK. I’ll list some resources in an upcoming post, but you may also want to check Dixie’s list of bramaking supplies. I think someone mentioned sewingchest.co.uk. I’ve gotten some stuff from them before, all the way in Texas!

  11. K-Line says:

    Terrific idea! I will watch with interest, and maybe even interject if my past experience warrants it ๐Ÿ™‚ I don’t think I’ll participate cuz, as mentioned, I haven’t been able to find materials that match the supportiveness of the RTW bras I buy. But I can’t wait to see how this goes and all the great things people make!

  12. liza jane says:

    I will be watching with interest! I won’t be participating, though. Baby is due in April and I won’t be making any bras until these bad boys return to their normal size- if they ever do.

  13. Evie says:

    Wouldn’t that be just the best way to chase away the January blues?! And tick a load of sewing boxes at the same time! So cool…count me in…this is my first sewalong too!

  14. Andrea says:

    I’ve made underwear before and actually just downloaded your Rosy Ladyshort pattern the other day to try out. I have been thinking about making a bra but just am not sure where to start and what pattern to try. You can count me in for this one.

  15. Tanit-Isis says:

    Ooooo! Ok, my keeping with sewalong commitments has been sheer crap lately but I totally love this idea. Count me in as a tentative participant but an avid reader for sure.

  16. Rebecca says:

    Fantastic. Have been seeing lots of great bras being made on the sewing blogs I read. Went as far as buying a pattern but stalled there. The materials seem problematical. At least I can’t find that stuff in Spotlight. Guess I’ll have to go online. Thanks for doing this.

  17. Joost says:

    I am tempted to try my hand at this, but it might be hard to impossible to do as it won’t be for me ๐Ÿ˜‰
    Do you think it’s possible to do this project for my girlfriend, or is this a garment that is too difficult a fit to sew for somebody else?

    Does anybody have experience in making these not for themselves?

  18. Desedera says:

    I have been researching bra-making like mad. Not quite ready to jump in and do it. I think this will be the perfect way to give it a try. Thanks for doing this!

  19. CGCouture says:

    I’ve made a few bras in the past, but it’s been awhile and my size has changed drastically since then, so I’m interested in participating in this. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on patterns/techniques for the well-over-DD sizes and finding supportive materials.

  20. Nicole says:

    I made a bra last year at a workshop (that included an altered-just-for-me pattern — well worth the workshop fee!), but haven’t tried to make one since. I’d love to venture into inserting seamless cups and other styles of bras as well.

  21. Ginger says:

    I’m on the fence about joining as bra-making SCARES THE CRAP OUT OF ME, but I’m tempted to give it a try! At the very least I’ll be reading along like crazy!

  22. Lene says:

    I was so excited to hear you are running a bra sew-along. This is something I have been wanting to do for years but I never got started – which size, where to get supplies, how to etc etc. Thank you for running this sew-along – I feel this can be the start of something great!

  23. Heather says:

    Yes! count me in! I have always wanted to try sewing my own bra as I am so hard to fit! Plus, I have always wanted to try a sew along and Jan is perfect!1
    Thanks ๐Ÿ˜‰

  24. Welmoed says:

    Several friends have sewn bras with much success and I have purchased books, kits and supplies, but just can’t seem to summon up the courage to actually make one. This might actually push me through that starting gate. Count me in if there’s still room!

  25. Michelle says:

    I’d love to try it as well, but I have a rather large bust line, I worry about how a home made bra would hold up puppies that large.

    • Amy says:

      Hi Michelle, I’d love to see you give it a whirl! I’ll suggest some supportive materials in an upcoming post, and hopefully some other lovely ladies will chime in with their experience!

  26. Mary Feagler says:

    I would love to fine a bra that fits and to do this I think I’d like to join your class. Sounds like fun!

  27. sande cross says:

    i would like to join the class if you are still accepting students! please let me know if this is okay? thanks!

  28. lidija says:

    I like the idea of sew along, I need a couple of new ones, but don’t have a pattern for it, and also I never didn’t it before, so I’m happy to join. Thanks for the opportunity.

  29. mirza says:

    I’ve been thinking about sewing a bra for a while now, so I guess I’m in as well! The hardest part for me will probably be finding all the right fabric since the shops around here only speak Chinese. Well, it’s just one more challenge.
    And btw, this is an absolutely fantastic idea!

    • Amy says:

      Mirza, thanks! Even without language barriers, lingerie supplies are usually found at specialty shops so there’s always a hunt! I really recommend trying to buy online from an international supplier. I’ve been doing this happily for some time. (If you’re in France, I highly recommend Elingeria in Germany. They have some really great supplies and I order from them often, even from the U.S.)

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