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Welcome to your one-stop shop for all things bra sewing! We’ve rounded up the best bra-making guides, workshops, and tutorials from around the web.
Jump to another post in this series:
- Bra fitting guide overview
- How to choose your bra size
- How to make a test bra
- How to adjust the back band
- How to adjust the gore/bridge (Willowdale only)
- How to adjust the cups
- How to adjust the center insert (Loftus only)
- How to adjust the side seam angle
- How to adjust the straps
- How to adjust the underwires (Willowdale only)
- Adjusting the level of support and comfort
- How to make an asymmetrical bra
- Additional bra making resources
Whether you’re sewing your first bra or have a whole me-made lingerie drawer, there’s always more to learn about the wondrous world of bra making.
Start with the best bra for you
Set yourself up for success by making the ideal bra for a large bust! The Willowdale is a full frame, underwire bra sewing pattern while the Loftus is a non-underwire bralette sewing pattern. With 126 sizes to choose from, a detailed illustrated instruction booklet, and lots of sourcing and fitting support on our blog, Cashmerette is your best starting point for bra making.
The Cashmerette Bra Fitting Guide
Bra fitting can be challenging, but we’ve made it so much more approachable with the Cashmerette Bra Fitting Guide. This guide covers how to choose your size, make a muslin, and how to make adjustments to create a bra that fits like a dream.
Online workshops
- Sewing Bras: Construction & Fit with Beverly Johnson (Craftsy course)
- Sewing Bras: Designer Techniques with Beverly Johnson (Craftsy course)
- Sewing Bras: Foam, Lace & Beyond with Beverly Johnson (Craftsy course)
Books
- Bare Essentials: Bras by Jennifer Lynne Matthews-Fairbanks
- The Bra-Makers Manuals by Beverly Johnson
Free tutorials
- Sew Busty’s Bra Making Guide
- Bra sewalongs on YouTube by LizSews
- Bra making tools checklist from Tailor Made Shop
- How to dye bra notions from Cloth Habit and also here from Seamwork
- How to make foam bra cups from Cloth Habit
- How to convert a bra into a nursing bra from Sew Fearless
- How to sew your own hook & eye set from Kat Makes and also here from the Sewcialists
- How to sew adjustable bra straps from Tailor Made Shop
- How to convert a bra pattern to a front closure bra from LizSews
- How to draft a mastectomy pocket and how to sew a breast form from Bra-makers Supply
- Design ideas to customize your bra from the Curvy Sewing Collective
Community
- Bra Making Forum Facebook group
- BRAugust photo challenge hosted by Tailor Made Shop
- The Sewcialists’ #AllChestsWelcome blog series
We hope these resources help you on your bra-making journey! Check out the full Cashmerette Bra Fitting Guide for more on sewing and fitting your dream bra with the Willowdale Bra or the Loftus Bralette. If you have other resources you love, be sure to drop them in the comments below and we’ll add them to the list.
Jump to another post in this series:
- Bra fitting guide overview
- How to choose your bra size
- How to make a test bra
- How to adjust the back band
- How to adjust the gore/bridge (Willowdale only)
- How to adjust the cups
- How to adjust the center insert (Loftus only)
- How to adjust the side seam angle
- How to adjust the straps
- How to adjust the underwires (Willowdale only)
- Adjusting the level of support and comfort
- How to make an asymmetrical bra
- Additional bra making resource
This is such a great list of resources! I highly recommend the Sew Busty posts, especially the three-part Guide to Underwire Bra Sewing. Doing the work to figure out my personal fitting challenges before sewing and making a fitting band were so so helpful! RTW bra underwires always rested way below the bottom of my breasts, and it’s because I need a different shape underwire and also need to adjust my bridge a bit so the underwires sit in the correct place.
Another good resource for Facebook users is the Bra Makers Beginners to Intermediate group. It’s private, and the rules for the group say it is for “women only” but I’m not sure who defines what a woman is for this group. Sew Busty also has a supportive FB group that is inclusive.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/bramaking101