where's that thread on how to MAKE a bra?

[ZanaRaqs]

to connect the two bra cups i mean. or anyone able to tell me how to do it? i waited a month for sugar petals thinking i'll get a complete bra front and got bra cups instead (either i can't read or their website is misleading lol).

oh and also, what do you use for bra straps?

help please?

[shahla]

For the center connecting piece and the bra band I always use Pellon 70. It's a very stiff interfacing. Take a triangular shaped piece of it and lay your cups on top of it and pin together. When you're satisfied you have the correct angle, sew the triangular piece onto the two cups with heavy thread.

For the shoulder straps I always use Grosgrain ribbon.

[ZanaRaqs]

thanks shala
putting this thread here in this post in case i, or anyone else, need to refer to it. not looking to make a sahar bra per se but it at least gives a visual of making the bra :)
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/fitness-be...-bra-made.html

[mathkitty]

I use grosgrain ribbon and interfacing for straps. I usually make a sandwich of ribbon and interfacing, stitch it together, then cover in the fabric I've used to cover the bra cups.

As for putting everything together. I sort of taught myself. Takes quite a bit of patience. I make one big strap to go around my torso, then I attach the cups, I make a smaller/thinner strap to go between the cups (it's really great if you want to hang a jewel or something there), then add straps to the top of the cups (sort of under the arm pits) to attach to the big strap around my torso. Creates a that strappy, sort of old-school look.



This was my first bra. I'm not very handy with a needle and thread, so if I can figure it out, I'm sure pretty much anyone can. It's really a question of patience and trial and error.

But there are many ways to "skin a cat" so to speak. I have friends you simply sew cups together, then attach stretchy material to create tie straps. I'm sure you'll get lots of good advice here.

[ZanaRaqs]

thanks so much! that looks great on u!
i'm trying to avoid having to go to the fabric store a gazillion times so whatever is the easier way works for me but i need it to last, obviously lol i do wanna do a good job but i wanna avoid having to make those extra trips to the store

would sewing a piece of stiffened felt in the center be just as effective?

[shahla]

You should be able to reinforce a piece of felt with Grosgrain for the center piece.

[ZanaRaqs]

i will need to make a stop at the sewing store then. which i don't have time for tonight urgh
i think i might glue on some boning on the back just to make it sturdier.
maybe i should work on embellishing my skirt before i get the stuff for the bra so that at least i can make SOME progress? lol

[jetgirl]

I use grosgrain ribbon and interfacing for straps. I usually make a sandwich of ribbon and interfacing, stitch it together, then cover in the fabric I've used to cover the bra cups.

As for putting everything together. I sort of taught myself. Takes quite a bit of patience. I make one big strap to go around my torso, then I attach the cups, I make a smaller/thinner strap to go between the cups (it's really great if you want to hang a jewel or something there), then add straps to the top of the cups (sort of under the arm pits) to attach to the big strap around my torso. Creates a that strappy, sort of old-school look.



This was my first bra. I'm not very handy with a needle and thread, so if I can figure it out, I'm sure pretty much anyone can. It's really a question of patience and trial and error.

But there are many ways to "skin a cat" so to speak. I have friends you simply sew cups together, then attach stretchy material to create tie straps. I'm sure you'll get lots of good advice here.

this looks great, I really like it.

Also, it really helps to "shore up" the whole engineering by adding a short piece of boning on the outside edge of the cup in the triangle shaped section.

If you google it, there are a few tutorials, icluding a good flickr one.

[tahiradancer]

I use a layer of grosgrain ribbon with a layer of decorative fabric for all the straps. then I embellish them.

{{{HUGS}}}

[tahiradancer]

Another reminder: so your decorating before you add straps. the other way is a pain.

{{{HUGS}}}

[Elianae]

Has anyone used buckram to make the straps? I used cut-out buckram covered in fabric to make my first tribal bra. Worked pretty good, but there was a bit of buckling of the top fabric (which is stretchy) over the stiff buckram. Is Grosgrain better?

[Elianae]

Here's a pic of my homemade Tribal Bra:



I think it looks WAY better on than when I compare it to heavy Egyptian Bedlah. It's literally just a bra that I cut the straps off of, added new straps, and stuff on top. Kinda fun. I'm not normally a Tribal gals, but I wanted a different look for those special times. ;-) And I think Tribal brsa would be way easier than beading a Cabaret bra.

I love what you did with yours, Mathkitty.

[mathkitty]

Hey Elianae,

You look great in your tribal bra! You look a little like Cate Blanchet in that picture!

I've never used buckram for straps, I've only used grosgrain ribbon, which works really well for me.

[kemintiri]

Has anyone used buckram to make the straps? I used cut-out buckram covered in fabric to make my first tribal bra. Worked pretty good, but there was a bit of buckling of the top fabric (which is stretchy) over the stiff buckram. Is Grosgrain better?

Hi Elianae, I'm new at bras but in sewing in general, I find that mixing stretch and non stretch is a dicey proposition and that buckling appear at the connecting points. Haven't tried it so far, but I'm thinking perhaps doing a bit of elastic sewn through a few times so it is not so stretchy, then covered in your fabric, might make a good connecting point and ease that buckling? JAS

[ZanaRaqs]

elianae, u look gorgeous :) nice job w/the cossie!

[Elianae]

thanks, girls. Maybe I'll try the grosgrain ribbon next project!

[tahiradancer]

Here is some additional info. . .

http://www.bhuz.com/forum/fitness-be...-question.html

{{HUGS}}}

[ZanaRaqs]

just as an update, i just used a couple of layers of stiffened felt for the center of the bra to connect the cups. it works great and it's less than a buck for a rectangular sheet (i got mine at Michael's). i think for the side straps i will use a combo of what i got from sugar petals, stiffened felt and grosgrain.