Update: If you’re visiting this post for the first time, please note that there is a central Bramaking Sew-along page with updated information related to the sew-along.
Wow! I’m so glad to hear you are interested in participating in a bra-making sew-along. That makes it official! I love how sew-alongs have encouraged me to make things that would’ve gone at snail-pace on my own, and I hope this is no different for you.
First things first: all sew-alongs need a badge, right?
Badges
If you’d like to include a badge on your blog, right-click and download the image, then upload to your blog. It’d be super if you linked the image to the Bra Making Sew Along page!)
Now some questions and thoughts:
How do you all feel about starting January 7?
This would give us enough time to prep. For many of you, it will be easier and most cost-effective to order materials and patterns from the same resource, so there are a few topics I’d like to cover before we get to shopping:
- Picking a Pattern
- Finding Your Size, Q&A
- Materials and Where to Buy
I know y’all might have questions about patterns and I’ll try to cover these in the next post. Sizing is also an important prep topic because unlike many other sewing patterns, bra patterns often divide up their sizes into different packages. I can post about these topics over the next two weeks, so that you can start gathering/ordering your supplies by December 10. I’ll also work on coming up with a posting schedule so you know what’s coming! For this sew-along I would like to spend at least a week on fitting and style alterations. The actual sewing takes no more than a couple of hours but I’m a big believer in working out patterns and fit first.
To get the most out of this, I’d like to have some way of sharing pictures, posting works in progress. Of course you can ask questions as we go right in the comments, but since we’ll be talking bras and breasts and what might feel like sensitive body issues, I want to make this as safe and open as possible for everyone. What do you think about a private forum on this blog? (If I started this, it might be fun to keep it open as a general bra-making forum where folks could join in and continue to share ideas and projects long after the sew-along is done!)
That’s it for now. Please give a shout if you have any questions along the way!
Would you like tips and inspiration in the craft of lingerie sewing? Sign up for my weekly eletter The Lingerie Maker.
January 7th sounds pretty good to me, however I’m thinking of starting a bit earlier since I’m need of some new bras. I’ve already picked up a pattern drafting book for bras and it comes with a few patterns, however I prefer to wear bras with foam cups and it doesn’t have any information on that. I was wondering if you could discuss how to convert a regular bra pattern into a foam cup bra pattern (and possibly make it into a seamless cup) as part of your sew along series on style alterations.
Hi Hannah, Yes I’m going to write about how to adapt a pattern for foam. There are some patterns that work better than others for this and I’ll mention that in my pattern post. It takes a little bit of practice to sew in the foam so if this is your first time sewing a bra, I’d suggest trying to make a regular bra without it at first, so that you can get used to your fit and how the cups and channeling go in.
What a lovely idea to have a bra sew along. I don’t need a sew along to get me started on bra making as I’ve been doing that for years now, but will certainly enjoy seeing all that you and the participants make.
Thanks Sigrid. It will certainly be fun to see all the beautiful bras!
What a wonderful idea! I can’t wait too see all the beautiful bras in this sew along!
I think a private forum sounds like a great idea, especially if people are going to post pictures. Hmm, I wonder if I can ask for a bra kit for Christmas….
Haha, I use Christmas and birthdays to “collect” sewing supplies.
I love this idea and I think making a private forum is especially genius! Although I won’t be taking part in this sew-a-long, I’d love to be a part of the forum and help people with questions they may have. Or whatever I can do to help!
P.S. – I just received your email and I’ll be responding VERY soon 🙂
That’d be great, Maddie! I’d love your help.
Sounds good to me. I will be more likely to show you my boobs if it’s in a private room. I really didn’t mean that to sound as pervy as it did.
Heather, you’re the coolest. I need a lot more of your humor in this!
Private forum sounds like a great idea. Hate the thought of posting personal bits on the web. Once up, they’re there forever. Headless leg less and everything else less will also be the go – except the pertinent bits I guess. January sounds great for me. I will be on school hols and gives us all enough time to get onto the web and order what we need. Just think, I will be back at school (teaching) with a nice fitting bra!
I like the idea, too, a place where the sew-alongers can talk and share. I haven’t heard any other feedback so I’ll wait a bit to mention it again and see what would work best for everyone.
January is good.What a good way to start 2013 ! I’m very eager to read you about patterns, materials…
Oh, I just can’t wait. Actually, I can wait – and the Jan 7 starting date couldn’t suit me better. It IS the crazy/silly season, after all!! woohoo!!! SO glad you’re doing this 🙂
I really want to sew along but my sewing time is so limited these days. I’m at least going to start with everyone – and hopefully I’ll be able to keep up. I am also planning on making your Ladyshorts as one of my upcoming Mood Sewing Network garments. I can’t wait to try out that pattern!
I so know what you mean. I’d love to see what you came up with, and if you can’t keep up feel free to ask me questions later!
This is a terrific idea! I don’t actually need a sewalong to make another bra, but I look forward to seeing how everyone gets along and all the beautiful results… it is a fun and addictive thing to make for yourself, isn’t it? 🙂
YYYYYEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!
that’s really all i have to say about this 😉 oh, expect that january is fine for me. i’ve got a bra pattern cut out but not sewn and it’d be nice to apply all of your exceptional knowledge before i dive right in to this one.
Hey Dixie–so glad you’re coming in! Expect a lot of people to visit your big fat bra-making list!
I”m in. And I just read a review of Helen Mirren’s outfit on Tom and Lorenzo. They referred to Helen’s “ladies”, to show respect.
Sounds great! I have a new pattern that is similar to a ready-made that I bought and paid huge bucks for but fits like a dream. I’d love to be able to make one that fits that well without the big price tag. I’ve only made one before and the pattern was awful and it was absolutely the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen. Can’t wait. Will need some supplies.
Hi Joanie, we’ll be working through a pretty basic pattern in this one, but if you wanted to take your new pattern along for the ride, I’d love to see what you came up with!
I am glad I found this, I have been thinking of giving bra making a go for a while now. Looking forward to Jan 7th thanks
I am so excited about this. Definitely count me in. Thanks Amy!
I am usually sewing bras for clients so it will be a treat to set time aside to make one for myself. More than happy to chime in with tricks and tips when it makes sense too. Count me in!
Norma, I’m so happy you’re chiming in! I would love to hear from you and any suggestions you have for fellow sew-alongers as we go. So much I’m still learning…
I’M IN!! School will be long over by then so I’ll be totally freeeeee 😀
Yay for school being over! Almost there…
Do you have to have a website to join in on this?
This sounds like a really fun and inspirational idea, if I can find the time and supplies, I’d like to join…
Would we be learning to make for any size? My “girls” are too big for regular bra shopping.
Celeste, the bra patterns I’ve picked should cover most sizes. Let me know if you can’t find yours among them.
May I sign up , or is it too late? I do not have a blog and am a bit of a novice with a needle, but find so much inspiration from your posts and how fun to do a bra sew along.
I am so glad I found this sew along. I have been wanting to participate in a sew-along and I need better fitting bras. This is perfect. Can anyone recommend a good pattern – referably like the purple one above.?
I am so excited.
Hi there, have a look at the main Bramaking Sew-along page which has links to all the things you’ll need… we’ll be working with a specific type of pattern. The purple bra is my own design, and I really love it! But it’s different than the one we’ll be making ;).
Yes! I would like to participate in the Bra Sew Along. I recently just ordered a Kwik Sew pattern (I forget the number) and I also have the Queen Bra Elite pattern from Needle Nook Fabrics. I do have some bra kits that I will be using (also from Needle Nook fabrics). I look forward to seeing what others have sewn and reading about their experiences in sewing bras.
Hey Amy, I’m not sure whether I’ll be able to officially join your sew-along, but I’m really looking forward to following along. It’s shaping up to be a fantastic resource. Thanks for organizing all this!
I found your blog by googling “2013 sew alongs”! I have never made a bra but I have always wanted to, so I am in!! This is perfect because I am in DESPERATE need of bras!
Looking forward to having this whole bra thing demystified.
What fun!!
So excited! I’ve never sewn lingerie before- looking forward to learning a lot.
Yes I want to be part of this sew along.
sooo excited I found this sew along. Now this is a skill that will come in handy!!
I think I may have “enrolled” once, but wanted to do it here, just in case! I would be using the Queen Elite Bra pattern from Anne St. Clair. I’ve made it (and a couple of other bra patterns) before, but I want to make some alterations on it this time around. Namely make the horizontal cup seam vertical because that’s supposedly how you get the lift I want; hopefully, that gets it there! Can’t wait to get started!!
Not exactly sure what pattern I’ll be using but count me in. I have three so just have to make a decision.
Thanks for the opportunity to join a sew-along early this year. The pattern I’ve chosen is Elan 645 along with the nude kit from Fabric Depot. They offer fantastic customer service and quick shipping within 24 hours of ordering. Looking forward to learning to make a well-fitting bra.
hi Miss Amy … good afternoon…. just to inform you that im so glad that I found this site..For I’ll be finally learning how to make the bra for my wife and who knows where this new experience will take me..so before hand I ‘D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS SITE…..SO LETS GO TO WORK SHALL WE..