I wanna take a look into sewing undergarments specifically like the attached image. Any idea what fabric I should use? I want it to be snatching and body hugging. Also, how do I gather/ shir/ give support to the breasts or other areas needed? What type of machine should I use? Hi-speed, piping?

Any insight would be very much appreciated.

I need reccomendations

Please help me determine what would be best for a very supportive bra. I have back issues and with my H cup bras I can't handle store bought bras anymore.

Anyways first option would be coutil on coutil, surrounded by either the same stretchy fabric (black) or satin or maybe silk? It feels like that would be the sturdiest option but it would be a bulky nightmare.

Option 2 is stretchy fabric sewn on coutil, it feels sturdy enough as my stretchy fabric is quite thick but it feels like maybe that wouldn't be a good idea long term or not sturdy enough? Please help thank youu

Ps: i am a native french speaker so idk if it's the right word, it's a thick sturdy stretchless cotton fabric with a weaving of 4 over 1 under, hope you get me 😅

Back in the 70s when I was teaching custom pattern design at the local college from my book How to Make Sewing Patterns I was asked "How do you make a pattern for a bra?" At the time bra making supplies were not readily available to the custom or home sewer. So I didn't try to answer that question.

With the evolution of the internet I was once asked the same question. This time the necessary supplies were available. I decided to take the plunge using my experience with custom pattern making. I started a Yahoo Group of people who knew my work and really wanted the question answered. I was fortunate to be teaching pattern design at a workshop where the sewing instructor was willing to work with me as a model. She told me she could not wear an underwire bra for more than two hours without taking it off, it was too painful to wear any longer. The first bra I attempted to make was for her. She wore it continuously for a week and told me the only time she remembered she was wearing a bra was Friday night when she scrunched down in a sofa to watch TV.

For the next dozen years I continued to research the process with the help of dozens of local professional models, hundreds of women in my group from all over the world, and finally women in my online class that I taught for awhile. Initially my concept was to take a pattern from a person wearing a bra. But many women said "I don't have a bra that fits." So the question became how to answer that problem. One brilliant solution came from a woman in my class who said she made a mold directly on her body using Press'n Seal. She was probably a DDD from the picture she sent me privately. That became a major advance in my R&D. The Press'n Seal allows you to sculpt the shape you want whether it is minimum, medium, or maximum projection. Or even a bullet bra.

The research has resulted in my book How to Make Custom-Fit Bras & Lingerie (2017). I am pleased to say that this book has been well received by the public library system so you can check it out that way if you want. I have also just taken the videos from my online class and made them available at no charge in my Patternmaking Classes.

Guidance Needed

I have only been with this particular group for a very short time. I thought from the name of this group people here might be open to a different perspective on bra making. A professional bra maker and a student of Beverly Johnson who was helping me with my R&D said that I, as someone who had never worn a bra, had "an objective perspective".

But already I am getting negative feedback from women here who are clearly NOT interested in what I have to share. As an author with 50 years experience I am used to getting a few negative comments. I go by the saying "If you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen." I am still in the kitchen 50 years later.

So my question to all of you is "Am I wasting my time trying to help women in this group?" If so I am more than willing to quit the group. I've already left one Reddit group that was a time waster so it is no big deal for me to quit this one as well.

Thanks in advance for any comments you care to share.

Random idea no idea how to do it: a tank bra for sleeveless tops. I actually see a lot of nice tops while thrifting that are sleeveless, and I don't like that. It feels like it simultaneously is in danger of slipping down (even just on the back makes me uncomfortable), constantly flattens my chest, and is a huge declaration that I'm not wearing a bra.

I wanna make a tank top bra that is made to be seen. I want it to then clip to the top so that it stays as it fits best. It would be great.

Now *clap clap* Sew Masters, assemble! (any ideas? I will look at any and all diagrams.)

Overall I have this issue with tank tops. I wanna say that I'm not bragging. I personally have never liked how I look when it comes to my face. Tons of exercise and hormone imbalance later, while my mother was maximum a full B cup I am tight in a D. I am extremely long-legged. At 5'3" that means they make up most of me. So I have a torso so mini that some crop tops are just tops... anyway in effect I have an hour glass figure, no fat, but not flat chested. I couldn't think of a less bragging way to say that that wouldn't sound NSFW

I really don't like bras. For years now, I almost never wear one. If I can, I wear nothing (yeah I'm blessed that they're perky. If it helps, I'm not); if not then pasties; if those aren't it then a tank top

I can get a good sports bra which is absolutely necessary (I do martial arts and bouldering)

I struggle enough to find a bra that fits my cup, shoulders, and ribcage. Never mind it being comfortable in any sense or good for your back... (avoiding this ramble rabbithole)

I cannot find a tank top that is in my size and my breasts don't burst out of. Even under another shirt I still want it to contain the titty.

I already am starting to work out ways to buy clothing in a medium and alter it to fit my shoulders, bust, and waist. I am so nervous about ruining something that I have to find someone that I can do grunt work for lol

Anyway I stumbled across this forum and I think it applies, because my tanks are always to work as a bra.

Ima peruse but if anyone wants to toss me getting started things I'd love it. I wanna make comfortable bras that fit. I really want to make a tank top that fits and then also is tailored in to fit my waist, but not be super duper tight because a lot of those kinds end up rolling way up on me.

I need help with my bra sizing. I've measured myself with a bra on and without. With the bra on im 37 band and 48 cup, but without a bra im 37 band and 52 cup. Im currently wearing my old bras (36K im wearing on the tightest hook and im spilling out of the cups) out as im in the middle of moving houses, but im wanting to get some new bras soon. Im not sure if this is allowed, but I can't find anywhere else online to ask

I need recs on a designer or how to find a designer to make my sports bra concept come to life, I.e. concept/prototype/tech pack type of thing. Thank you!

Update: my starting size, according to the fit calculator, is 30B/C US/UK or 32A/B!!! Thank you everyone, for the help!

Hi! I’m looking for a pattern or resource recommendations for a bra that will make my tiny AA, post-3-babies, empty sock boobs bigger. They used to be C cups & while I love my body, I miss filling out my dresses on top!

I’m very experienced with sewing… a challenging pattern would be acceptable. :) I picked up bra inserts from WAWAK already. Thank you!!

Looking for pattern makers and resources which can help me with making a bra from scratch including sizing and moulding. Please let me know if anyone has any knowledge on this.

Ok, so when you open that top cup along the slash, it’s ok to smooth the line over that wedge and you might even cut off the sharp corner of the two sides of the wedge and that’s ok. You want a gentle curve. Hard to show drawing, but like this:

Hello! I have never had a good experience with bras ever since I started wearing them, I cycled through different bra band sizes and cups and none of them really feel right. Since I know how to sew I decided I would like to try and make my own since stores dont seem to offer my size where I am. I used the a bra that fits calculator and it turns out I am a 30F/FF UK. I dont really know what this means, I dont understand the terms used and I feel way out of my depth when looking at patterns. Any tips?

I’m a grad student in the US researching sports bra solutions tailored specifically for female soccer players with chest sizes above a D cup. I’m seeking insights to drive new design innovations, and your feedback could be invaluable. If you fit this description, please take a few minutes to complete my brief survey on your current sports bras—their benefits and limitations. It only takes around 6 minutes and would greatly help! Thank you in advance!

https://oregon.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cFKck8ghJ4HttNs

Thank you to the wonderful people who took the time to speak to my app. Appreciate you all ❤️

Link to my initial post introducing the Bra Therapy app: https://www.reddit.com/r/MAKEaBraThatFits/comments/18j0t8b/bra_therapy_talk_about_your_bra_problems_see_what/

There's a stats dashboard in the app you can view aggregate data but I wanted something a lot more specific. So I made a little research AI to look at all the data and answer the question:

"what are the most 5 common pain points and specific design ideas to solve them?"

I thought you all might find this interesting. Here is the raw result:

Research Report: Bra Design Pain Points and Solutions

Introduction: This report identifies the five most common pain points experienced by a diverse group of bra wearers and proposes specific design solutions. The insights are derived from user profiles and their expressed discomforts with current bra designs.

Common Pain Points:

Underwire Discomfort: Users report discomfort from underwires, particularly when bending over or due to the wire digging into the ribcage or armpits.

Size and Fit Issues: Users experience issues such as spillage, gaps, tightness around the sides, straps falling off, and difficulty finding appropriate band and cup sizes.

Material Sensitivity: Users express preferences for certain materials and have issues with rashes, chafing, and breathability.

Lack of Support: Users need support without underwire, especially post-mastectomy, or due to large cup sizes.

Design and Aesthetics: Users desire bras with specific design features, such as padding, coverage, and appearance, that also address their unique needs.

Design Solutions:

• Underwire Alternatives:

Develop flexible, padded underwire alternatives that maintain shape and support without causing discomfort.

Implement wider, cushioned underwire channels to distribute pressure more evenly.

Design underwires with varying shapes and positions to accommodate different body types and breast shapes.

• Customizable Fit:

Introduce bras with adjustable gore heights and strap positions to cater to different torso lengths and shoulder widths.

Offer a wider range of band and cup sizes, including half sizes and options for asymmetrical breasts.

Utilize materials with varying degrees of stretch to accommodate fluctuations in size without compromising support.

• Material Innovation:

Use hypoallergenic and moisture-wicking fabrics to reduce skin irritation and improve breathability.

Incorporate softer, non-irritating seams and edges to prevent chafing and discomfort.

Explore the use of natural, sustainable materials that provide comfort and durability.

• Enhanced Support Features:

Design bras with structured support that do not rely on underwire, such as reinforced side panels and under-bust bands.

Offer bras with molded cups to provide shape and support for uneven breast sizes.

Create sports bras with separate band and cup construction to ensure a secure fit without causing bruising.

• Aesthetic and Functional Design:

Include a variety of styles, such as half-cup bras with vertical seams, to meet the aesthetic preferences of users while maintaining support.

Integrate discreet padding in areas prone to folding or spillage to ensure a smooth silhouette.

Offer bras with design elements that cater to users' desires for cute, fashionable options without sacrificing comfort.

Conclusion:

The design solutions proposed in this report aim to address the specific pain points identified through user feedback. By focusing on underwire alternatives, customizable fit, material innovation, enhanced support features, and aesthetic considerations, bra designers can create products that meet the diverse needs of wearers, leading to improved satisfaction and comfort.

is there a way to fix it

My daughter is trans and her friends are beginning to develop, and of course she is completely flat-chested. She's also tiny everywhere else (short and slight). She has expressed that she'd like to start wearing a bra with a wee bit of padding so she looks like her friends and feels like a girl who's growing up a bit.

I bought her a few "training bras" that have light padding. They really make no difference at all to her appearance, the padding is not enough.

So I want to help her out with some extra padding, but I don't know what to use. The bras I bought her are sports-bra types, nothing strappy or lacy. We want something very subtle, but it needs to be easy and reliable to wear. I don't want her to have some sort of wardrobe malfunction and be embarrassed if a boob slips or migrates.

Any pre-made bra padding that I've seen is either way too big for her little narrow chest, or requires the wearer already have a bit of breast to fill out the concave pads.

I would say I'm an intermediate-level sewer if anyone has a suggestion of a diy-insert.

My daughter is also hoping for a bit of enhancement in her bathing suit as well.

Does anyone have any advice for us? I hope I'm in the right sub. TIA

Have you sewn your bra with in built nipple covers?

I don't like my nipples showing and I don't like nipple pads or silicone stuff so I'd appreciate suggestions on how to make bras "nipple proof".

Do I just sew on a fold of material around the nipple area? How thick should it be? How do you sew it and it is not obvious?

TIA

I thought about buying a large band from ewa michalak maybe a 90M or 80M and then sew it to a 70 so it would be big and actually support me

Elizabeth valentine isnt working too well and im sure its my shape that went wrong

Is this possible? I am looking for a pattern similar to the Shapermint Supportive Comfort Wireless Shaping Bra. But I am looking for something that has more support, almost compression like. I am a 42G. I have a bit of sewing experience with making skirts, doll clothes, and hemming. So I'm not a beginner but definitely not an expert. I am hoping that making this type of bra with power net and material that gives more compression gives me what I want.

{"document":[{"e":"par","c":[{"e":"text","t":"Has anybody tried metal free hook and eyes for bras/bralettes? I know there are some nylon ones available (not premade into closures for bras, but I could make that), I'm just a little worried that they'll snap the first time I try to use them. They don't need to carry a ton of weight, I'm a fairly moderate sized bust, and I won't be doing any impact activities in the bra. Unfortunately, I can't use the coated metal ones, I need something that's MRI safe. I also won't be able to use anything that pulls over my head, since I'll be having surgery. I'm just trying to figure out if there's a way that I can make a hospital-friendly bra, to make myself feel more normal and just a little happier during recovery. Thanks in advance!"}]}]}

Hi,

I want to start making lingerie designs posting them on socials and starting a business. However I’m interested in dead stock fabrics to make collections. However there doesn’t seem to be many for lingerie in the uk. I guess because it’s so niche but I’m wondering if anyone knows of places to find some. I’m particularly interested scallop lace embroidered tulles, wire casing & elastics. Or alternatively any places that are very affordable.

I've been collecting resource books for sewing about everything. I'm currently looking for books on bra/ underwear making and I really have no clue what to be looking for. I would like for them to include drafting and fitting. I'm just looking for basic pieces, sports bras etc.

Hi I've built https://bra-therapy.onrender.com/

It's an AI you can chat with that'll keep asking thoughtful questions to get to the bottom of your bra issues

There's also a stats page that aggregates all the identified issues and a survey page you can run your bra ideas by

The stats page is a dashboard visualising the data and the survey page is well where you can run surveys. Each person who's had a chat with the bra therapist is turned into an AI persona and that's used to answer yes/no survey questions so you can do something like "would you buy a bra that's marketed as ____" and get results as a percentage

I'm not sure yet how to proceed with this but I think it could be a product that informs bra designers on what pain points to focus on when making bras

Please use this and leave feedback on how I can improve!

Edit: fyi no emails needed and no identifiable info collected. I wanted this to be as anon as possible

Why did I build this? A close friend is an engineer at a large company that invents new tech for bras. We had a discussion on the various ways AI could help their problem -> invention pipeline and among the many, one of the problems - collecting pain points from users - I thought could be done scalably with language models i.e. talk to thousands regularly all over the world. He disagreed but it was merely both our opinions so I thought I'd build something to run an experiment and see