Bras by Kristen

In bra sewing, there is a process that is recommended by seasoned bra sewists for completing a well fitting bra.  Generally that process is NOT to just sew up a pattern the way you would with garments.

Getting started

• If you've never sewn at all before, and you're learning just to sew bras, then start here.
• Finding Bra Fabrics and Supplies

Order of operations

• The Pattern The horizontal cup bra from drafting, or using the Eve pattern, is the base pattern from which all other patterns on the market are derived. You can create whatever seam lines work best with your body, specifically, rather than fitting someone else's pattern. The Eve Classic pattern was designed to be used the way custom makers have been fitting people for years: first wire, second band, third cups. 
• Taking measurements
• Fitting Wire
• Wire Alterations
• Sew a Fitting Band
• Band Alterations
• Sew Tester Fitting Cups
• Cup Alterations

• Designing the Sloper and Using the Sloper for Pattern Design 
• Once you design other seam lines, there's no pattern instructions for assembly. But there are so many great sew alongs out there, you can find one that resembles your design and sew along with someone. Sew Alongs

Porcelynne offers:

• Jennifer Lynne Fairbanks-Matthews has designed a basic horizontal seam bra that can be used to create other styles of bras. It is called The Eve because it is the pattern for which all others can be created. This pattern is available for a few wire shapes and is customized to your measurements with several different options per size. There are more than 1500 variations to get a truly custom fit. 
• Jennifer Lynne Fairbanks-Matthews' book Bare Essentials Bras. Available starting at $20 for the pdf of the text. Priced to make custom drafted bras accessible to anyone.  The Eve pattern and a custom draft can each be made into a sloper and used to create multiple styles with directions from the text. 

• Free pdf of the patterns that were published in Bare Essentials. The range of patterns isn't as big as the Eve Pattern, but if you fall in this size group, the patterns are free. Click here and hit the drop down menu of the book to find the PDF. 
• A step by step  video course, with 200+ video clips, walking through the drafting instructions in a very visual, hands on application. 

I offer these additional resources:

• Support for online clients of custom pattern drafts and alterations to the pattern. You do the sewing. Same custom product as my local custom bras, paying me less labor by sewing yourself. Services for hire are subject to my availability.
• Local (in person) classes to teach you to draft your own (and for others, if you like).  (Enrollment in the online course is part of taking the class with me and is an invaluable resource for continuing to draft at home.) Services for hire are subject to my availability.
• Pattern manipulation to create new designs that fit your perfectly fitted draft. Services for hire are subject to my availability.

• Click here for an online support group of other sewists and professionals who can give you feedback along the way (via Facebook), including the author of the drafting method.

• My favorite tutorials and links in my blogroll for all things bras from all around the web. There really is a wealth of knowledge out there. Click or hover the "Sew your own!" section of the menu for links to the blog topics or see the archive and links on the right (Desktop) or at the bottom (mobile).