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Brilliant bra-making
Alison Smith MBE returns for the second instalment in her three-part series exploring how to sew your very own bra
For more bra-making inspiration, check out Alison’s video guide
www.schoolofsewing.co.uk/ courses/bra-construction
Find part one of Alison’s bra-making guide in issue 95, available at
www.craftstash.co.uk The pattern I have chosen for this article is the AFI Exquisite Bra, which I will make in lace. This bra is a PDF download and comes in a great size range, from band sizes 28–48 and cup sizes A-G.
Once you have measured yourself and determined your size (refer to part one in issue 95 for details), it is time to cut your fabric.
BRA LACE
The cups are usually made from a rigid bra lace. Bra lace is often embroidered on both edges, which enables us to have matching patterns on both cups. Lay the lace on your table in a single layer right side uppermost. Take the pattern pieces for the cups and place the upper edge to the edge of the lace. Pay attention to any pattern in the lace – is a chunky bit of embroidery coning on a seam? Has a dominant motif been centred on a pattern piece? If possible, lay the pieces onto the lace as they will be joined together to give you an idea of how it will look when sewn.