This is my first attempt to sew a sports bra. I butchered my old Shock Absorber Multi Sports 30FF and copied the pattern and this is what I came up with. I think I did pretty good! The bra fits like my old Shock Absorber.

The original SA bra interior was made of thicker fabric, I think duoplex. I used polyesther charmeuse which has similar stretch (quite minimal one way stretch) but is much thinner. Thet´s why my bra isn´t as sturdy. I also think my underband elastic isn´t very firm (plus I hacked it from a previously used bra ... I just wanted to test the pattern as quickly as possible https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" /> ) so I see the bra band stretching pretty fast. I think that with duoplex and better underband elastic it will be as good as a RTW Ahock Absorber https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" /> This one is good for yoga and also for lounging.

blue + floral colorway

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Updated on Mar 24, 2017 Flag this

This is my second attempt at sewing a bra, and my first attempt at using a self-drafted pattern. Basically, this was designed to be a test of my basic pattern to check the fit and comfort. The sizing is a best guess based on the stretched length of the band, and the fact that my pattern was based off the size 19 cup on Foundations Revealed, indicated to be the same as 28:19/30:18/32:17 etc.

This bra is wireless, and the band is a height which may possibly get the name longline from some companies, but this is by virtue of the fact that it has garment elastic on the ... lower hem instead of the usual blush hem elastic (the stuff you normally get on bras with the scalloped edges). Most of the materials are from a bra kit I purchased. The cups and cradle are made of a layer of apricot stretch lace and a layer of white non-stretch stabilising lining. The wings are made from two layers of powernet. The bra fastens with 4 rows of 3 columns of hooks and the straps are fully adjustable.

For the curious, I measure 73cm/28.5" under and 118cm/46.5" over my bust when wearing this bra.

The aesthetics of the kit tend to very feminine, but I think that I'd not mind buying a bra in apricot lace anyway. The apricot seems to be close enough to actually being a nude colour on my warm-toned fair skin. The kit was rated for 40DD-48C, and I had more than enough powernet to cut out two sets of wings with the extra hem for the elastic, but I wouldn't really want to make a much larger cup from the amount of cup materials provided. I feel like the bow included was ludicrously small (and I'm contemplating getting something else to put on the gore which won't look pointlessly tiny), but the size range it was designed for may not have this particular issue. A small complaint I'd have for these materials is that while the straps are nice and thick, firm and stable, the elastic designed for edging the bra isn't nearly as strong as the straps, so it's really stretched out in order for the straps to provide any lift. As there was heaps of strap, and I had to trim some off, I'd contemplate maybe using that instead to edge the upper part of the wing which extends down to the clasps if I was to use a similar kit in the future.

The basic pattern design came from the series of articles on Foundations Revealed, which show how to grade a bra block and also how to create a variety of styles of bras. If you have any interest in drafting your own bra patterns, I'd say this is an excellent resource.

I chose to go for a 2-piece cup with a vertical seam as I wanted it to be easy to make changes to the fit if required. This design choice is responsible for the super pointy/retro shape that the final product has. My husband hates it. I actually don't mind, and I think that if I had proper fitted non-stretch clothing (difficult to get if your bust is too large for full bust clothing :/), that this would look more uplifted than bizaare. Maybe a 50s style blouse or dress can be a future sewing project.

My pattern (of which I'd done a couple of cup mock-ups first to make alterations) seems to have provided a good fit. The only issue I had was that despite having thought I'd accounted for it, my breasts were too short for the original cups, so I ended up trimming a bit off the top of the cup. To give some sort of frame of reference, the cup is about 40cm deep around the deepest part, but vertical depth of the cup (length of the cup seam) is only 31.5 cm. This is actually the explanation of a lot of my fit problems with RTW bras. The wings are the right length and the cradle is a good fit.

The garment elastic on the bottom of the bra seems to have been a really good move, as unlike other wireless bras I've tried, it doesn't try to fold under and dig in from the weight of my breasts. The tradeoff is that it wasn't really possible to get equal tensioning on the top and bottom of the bra, and that plus the fact that there are no wires to provide stability throughout the wing (I played with boning the wings, but plastic boning just seemed to want to curl up like the wings do), means the upper part of the wing is a bit saggy. There's a small weird floaty bit between the cups, as they're cut so that they should fit when sitting flat, but obviously won't do that without wires, but the bra does sit flat at the top and bottom owing to the elastic. I think that's just going to be one of those things with wireless bras.

The stitching isn't perfect, but there's nothing too obviously wonky. I don't know if I'd feel happy selling a bra of this quality to someone else (I don't know if anyone would even want a super pointy cup like this, I realise they aren't the fashionable shape), but it's nice enough to wear.

Overall, this bra seems to be a good fit and very comfortable. I think it may get a bit of love as a house bra unless it causes my husband to take too many hits to his sanity score.

If I was to make a bra just like this again, I think I'd play with the relationship between the inner and outer cup a little to see if I can get a slightly more centred look for my breasts, instead of the faintly outward pointing shape with the almost flat plane on the outside. I also wouldn't use straight stitch on the casing for the elastic (oops!) as the garment isn't gathered but stretch. A short zig-zag would be a lot better if I want to include this feature.

Edit: Much to my devastation, after a couple of washes, the band in this bra has stretched phenomenally out to about 80cm stretched length, making it unwearably long. The wings are very short so I'm not sure if it will be possible to take in the band without ruining the shape of the bra. I'm guessing it must be something to do with the materials used. I may need to investigate some sturdier options for next time or aggressively prewash my fabric.
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Apricot colorway

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Updated on Feb 04, 2015 Flag this

This is the first underwire bra I’ve made and while the fit isn’t perfect it’s pretty good. I’ve never been able to tolerate a gore this high before but overlapping the wires really is a game changer.
I’m trying to work up my courage to try more suitable fabrics as this woven cotton is very unforgiving for any fluctuations throughout the month. Some days I can’t fill it out other days I quad out of it.
It’s quite a step up from doing small alterations though and I’m excited to make the next one even better.

Updated on Aug 12, 2021 Flag this

This is my first attempt at making a bra myself, and as such, isn't quite perfect.

It's a 3-part balcony cup, and the bra has fabric straps & 6 rows with 3 columns of hooks (the perks of making it myself). The bra cups are made from bonded cotton & simplex for extra support (the thickness seems to be half-way between a very light padded cup & most fabric cups), and the back is made from 2 layers of tricot powernet.

The bra was made from a pattern which was customised for my measurements, but I think that I may have grown since it was drawn up, as the cups ... seem to be a little small.

I'm really happy with having hooks all the way up the back of my bra. It makes the band extra supportive, and you don't have to worry about it flipping up unlike longlines, as the band has the wires to stabilise it.

I don't know how much wear I'll actually get from this, but I feel like I've learnt a lot & can hopefully create a better bra when I attempt to sew another one in the future.
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Updated on Nov 30, 2013 Flag this

Bought a bikini from AliExpress and and the top was very unwearable as is. The cups are quite far apart and therefore too far under my armpits. My breasts would have fallen out pretty much instantly despite the cups being large enough for decent coverage otherwise. The band was crazy much too large so I had to tie them to even be able to take a picture I’m guessing it’s about a 44-48 band wise. The cup size seems close to a 34DD which would make it a 44AA. The bottoms are just about large enough for me. Which seems like quite a mismatch combined with the much too large top. It might work better for someone that has more of an apple or inverted triangle shape.

I’ve since taken the wire out and sewed the cups closer together and taken in the band making it now a wearable set for me. Not a great one but good enough for my rare swimming trips.

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Updated on Jun 10, 2021 Flag this

I love everything about this bra except it’s size range. I knew beforehand that the cups would be too small but I wanted to try out a monowire bra and guessed that the wires would be large enough for me which thankfully is true. It was cheaper to order this bra to experiment then order the wires alone. I’m planning on trying to cut out the padding and only leave the outer lining and hopefully the cups are large enough then, the amount of padding is crazy so it should make it significantly deeper if I succes. If it fails I’ll experiment with sewing my own cups and turn it into a frankenbra. If that also fails I’ll harvest the useable parts and start from scratch.

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Updated on May 24, 2021 Flag this

A total departure from nice cute shaping bras. Elastic allover woven sort of contraption that I love to hate.

Sizing ? Whatever's on the multi-pack, namely one size splashes most. Letters and numbers seem meaningless as long as you can get into and disrobe without dislocating a shouder or two. No brainer. Just pick whatever's left in the gondola.

Once inside ? Quite comfy indeed. And no boobs. Gone, anihilated. I can feel them bounce. But they're gone. Ghost boobs?

Pretty claustrophobic until "girls" accept their fate and pushed-in nipples learn not to complain. If it were black, it could well be sold in specialized shops as evil disciplinarian device.

So what's ... the deal, why do I keep buying them in "2 bucks" stores? Simple. They render my boobs almost invisible. No kidding, a shirt that fits pretty loose while wearing one of those will pop seems if I were in a proper projection model.

Easy to handwash, quickly dry, redy to eraze boobs when given the occasion. The secret service boobs best friend.

But, hey, it's a bra, so I dare to entertain you with https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" />
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White colorway

Updated on Sep 23, 2019 Flag this

A good quality bra, but it has seen much love. Very nice lace on the three-piece cups, but the lace is showing some wear. The bra is padded, and has non-removable cookies. The fit is good. The wires are a little narrower than I like, with a small amount of ride-up on the outside of my breast tissue, but not enough to cause discomfort. I wish the strap had more than one hook, but I am surprised it still seems to support the cups. The straps are convertible to a halter bra.

orange with padded lace cups colorway

Updated on Oct 26, 2016 Flag this

I wish to know where this beauty comes from! I bought it on eBay along with 32E - Bravissimo » Boudoir Beau (PA07) .

Firstly, I love the combination of teal fabric under black lace! Ive seen similar bra few days ago on bratabse and was so jealous !
Secondly, I am not a fan of longlines - so far only claudette and fortnight are acceptable for me to wear them, and this is the next one. It has 4x4 hooks&eyes. The band is too loose on me on the first set but good when used on the tightest set - perfect! It is unfortunately bit too ... high, but as a lounge bra should be okay.
Wires are great, narrow - 13cm, soft - hardly can feel them when the bra is on.
Cups, they could be a little deeper, i have little quadboobing on the bigger side, on the smaller theres tiny bit of gapping near the gore, but using pad cause quadboobs, so its good as it is. There are pockets like in EM CHP on the side to slide the cookies, but also as can be seen on pics, the fabrin between pockets and cups has space so in case if you need more OO you can put another pads https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_mrgreen.gif" alt=":D" />
Straps are little to wide, but doesnt make me to feel discomfort. Straps are convertible. Theyre also thick - and I love thick straps

Gosh, thats so lovely bra, also seems like quality is not bad at all! would love it in 70F possibly

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Black/Teal colorway

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Updated on Aug 08, 2016 Flag this

Very sexy rubber bra with very good projection

Black colorway

Updated on Feb 13, 2015 Flag this

It's alright, the only uncomfortable is that the wire pokes me in the middle.

Updated on May 25, 2011 Flag this

Bought a second hand store, looked nice but offers little support

Updated on Sep 05, 2020 Flag this

I love this bra although its brand is unknown.. I bought this from a small store located in a corner of a mall that sells various items.. it is size 38/85 and A cup I believe.. they did not carry other sizes for this..

Updated on May 24, 2020 Flag this

Too Big Band, Too TINY CUPS ugh

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Updated on Apr 12, 2019 Flag this

Bought it online and got the wrong size. I can barely zip it, and it's way too tight.

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Updated on Feb 11, 2019 Flag this

Bought this bra a long time ago when I didn't know my size, so obviously it doesn't fit. It's probably either from Women's Secret, Etam or H&M, but I'm not really sure.

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Updated on Feb 10, 2019 Flag this

Second hand bikini that doesn't fit me anymore.

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Updated on Feb 08, 2019 Flag this

Second hand bikini that's way too small.

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Updated on Feb 08, 2019 Flag this

Bought this bralette, but it's too small in the cups.

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Updated on Feb 08, 2019 Flag this

I bought it a few years ago, the band fits, but the cups are terribly small. I used to be able to wear it, though.

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Updated on Feb 08, 2019 Flag this