The Loftus Bralette is here and ready to join your lingerie drawer! Find all of the answers to your top Loftus questions here.
The Loftus Bralette non-wired bra sewing pattern for large busts in sizes 28C to 54J—the perfect bralette for a large bust. We teamed up with a specialist bra drafter for larger cup sizes to develop the Loftus and we’re really delighted with the fit we achieved with our fit models and photoshoot models!
Bra making can be more complex than other garment sewing, so we know you may have questions about the Loftus. Check this list for the answers—and if you can’t find the information you’re looking for, drop a note in the comments at the bottom of the post!
About the Loftus
How do I get the Loftus Bralette pattern?
The Loftus can be purchased as an instant download PDF pattern in our shop right over here.
Can I get the Loftus as a printed pattern?
The Loftus Bralette is only available as a PDF pattern, with print at home (very little taping required!) and copy shop files are also included if you’d rather send it out to be printed or you don’t have a printer at home. If you’re new to PDF patterns, check out our complete guide for beginners.
I’ve never made a bra before. Should I try the Loftus?
Absolutely! Bra making is a whole lot of fun, and so empowering (especially when you’re making a bra designed for your body!). We wouldn’t recommend it as your very first sewing project ever, but if you feel comfortable sewing with woven and knit fabric, we say go for it.
Our detailed instructions and many blog tutorials to come will help you through every step of the process, plus we’ll be sharing tons of resources for online classes, books, and more.
Can I sew a bra on a regular sewing machine?
You sure can! You can make the Loftus from start to finish on a basic sewing machine (a serger is not needed).
It’s helpful to have a walking foot, but it’s not essential.
Can I make the Loftus with bra foam?
The Loftus is not designed to be used with bra foam.
Do I need to be in the Cashmerette Club to get this pattern?
Nope! The Loftus is available to anyone to purchase!
Sizing and Fit
What sizes do I get in the Loftus pattern?
The Loftus includes band sizes 28-54 and cups C, D, DD, E, F, G, H, I, and J, which accommodates a full bust from 31″ to 65″ (79 to 165 cm) and underbust from 28″ to 55″ (72 to 142 cm). All of the sizes are included in the pattern and each size is in a separate file.
To figure out what size to make, check out our comprehensive Loftus size guide.
Are these US sizes, European sizes, or what?
There’s so much variation between bra sizing from country to country and company to company, so we recommend identifying your size using your measurements, and the instructions we’ve included in the pattern for choosing your size! You will likely find your recommended size is similar to your RTW size, but even if it’s not, don’t worry! Your measurements are the best guide to start with.
How do I figure out what size to make in the Loftus?
Check out our Loftus size guide for step-by-step instructions on choosing your Loftus size.
Can I use the Cashmerette size calculator to get my size in the Loftus?
Our size calculator can help you find your ideal starting size in Cashmerette garment patterns, but bra sizing is different and much more granular. To figure out your Loftus size, check out our Loftus size guide.
I’m outside the size range of the Loftus. Can I still make a Loftus Bralette?
If your measurements don’t have a corresponding bra size in the Loftus, you may still be able to make a Loftus Bralette! It’s all about sister sizing, and we have a full explanation on that in the Loftus size guide.
Do I have to make an entire Loftus to check the fit?
You’ll find differing opinions about bra muslins around the internet, but we recommend making an entire Loftus to check the fit. Bra fit depends on so much structure and tension going in different directions, and it’s hard to simulate that with a partial bra.
However, if you’d like to reuse your elastics and hardware, you can baste your test Loftus to make it easier to take apart later.
I’ve made a test Loftus and I want to improve the fit. How do I do that?
Our Bra Fitting Guide is the best place to start! We’ve got loads of fitting tutorials and resources to help you refine the fit of your Loftus.
I still need help with my Loftus. Where can I get personalized assistance?
If you’ve reviewed our Loftus size guide as well as the Bra Fitting Guide and need further help with your Loftus:
- You can ask questions in the Cashmerette Facebook group or in the Cashmerette Clubhouse (Club members only) and get help from sewists from around the world.
- You can email us directly with your measurements and photos at hello@cashmerette.com and get one-on-one help from our team.
Fabric & Notions
What supplies do I need in order to make a Loftus?
You can find the complete list of fabrics and notions you’ll need for your Loftus in this blog post or in the pattern instructions booklet.
Where do I buy bra making supplies?
Sourcing fabric and notions can be a bit more challenging than just walking into your local fabric store. Check out our guide to sourcing bra materials for online bra shops from around the world.
Can I order a Loftus kit?
Yes! We’ve partnered with several bra supply shops from around the world to bring your Loftus kits that contain just about everything you need to make a Loftus. (The pattern is not included.) These kits are sold by the individual bra shops on their websites. See the complete list of available kits in this blog post.
I already have a bra kit that I purchased for a different pattern. Can I use that one for the Loftus?
Possibly! Different bra patterns use slightly different fabrics and notions, so you’ll want to review the Loftus supply list to determine whether you have the right materials.
Can I use non-stretch fabric for my Loftus? What about super stretchy fabric?
The Loftus Bralette is designed to be made from non-stretch fabrics for the main fabric and sheer bra cup lining, although a slight amount of stretch for the main fabric will also work. The lining fabric is visible at the center front insert.
If you use a fabric with a greater stretch percentage, you’ll lose the level of support intended with the Loftus.
General Bra Making
I’m new to bra making. Where do I learn how to make a bra?
Welcome! We recommend exploring some of the bra making resources in our roundup here, particularly Beverly Johnson’s Craftsy courses.
I’ve heard bra making is hard. Is it?
Like with all sewing, bra making can be boiled down to a series of steps and no single step is inherently hard. Some steps may be confusing if you haven’t make a bra before, but we’ve designed our instruction booklet to make it as clear as possible, and you can also email us at hello@cashmerette.com if you’re confused about any step.
Where bra making becomes more challenging than regular garment making is with fitting. Bras sit right up against our bodies and provide support and lift, and most of us want our bras to fit well. But boobs come in all shapes and sizes, so you may need to make one or more test versions in order to perfect the fit.
You can find lots of bra fitting tutorials and resources in our Bra Fitting Guide.
Is bra making expensive?
Bras require different materials than regular garments, but they’re generally much smaller than regular garments and therefore require less yardage. Depending on the quality of materials and quantity you purchase, you may find that your bras cost more or less than other garments you make. Also quality, well-fitting ready-to-wear bras can be expensive, so you may find that they cost less than the bras you buy (but take more time, of course!).
We hope we’ve answered all of your Loftus Bralette questions, but if not, you can drop them in the comments below and we’ll be happy to help.
Hello there,
Having read all the information, but not yet bought the pattern, is it possible to use a smaller back fastener such as 2 x 2 and not 4 x 4?
I have a lot of the bits and pieces already, just not a specific 4 x 4 fastener. I’m desperate to make a bralette that fits me – I’ve made lots but just not quite got there yet and none of them have had back fasteners, always go on over the head.
Thank you,
Michelle
Hi Michelle, you could use a narrower band elastic and a 3×3 hook and eye. We wouldn’t necessarily recommend the 2×2 hook & eye but you could certainly try it on a test version and see what you think.
Hi there!
I’m a bit confused about the grainlines for the power net pieces. For every other bra I’ve made, the DOGS (direction of greatest stretch) line runs perpendicular to the center back closure on the back band, and parallel to the strap attachment line for the power bar.
Since the DOGS on power net usually runs parallel to the selvedge, the pattern layout in the instructions appears to have the back band perpendicular to the normal direction, and the power bar on a diagonal. Please clarify the difference for me.
Thank you,
Lynn
The cutting layouts were written assuming that the DoGS of the fabric was across the fabric – from selvedge to selvedge.
The grainlines lines marked on the pattern pieces are the grainlines and not the DoGS. Because the DoGS was assumed to be on the cross grain, the actual DoGS line on the back and powerbar pattern pieces would be perpendicular to the grainline marked.
If your fabric has the DoGS running in the same direction as the selvedge then yes you will want to rotate your layout so that the DoGS is running around your body.
Hopefully this clarifies things, but if not please let me know.