Thread: Making your own bra cups? How to?

Can someone point me to the right links/books on making your own bra cups? Thanks!

I've seen patterns on how to make your own bras, but I am not sure how that would translate to bra cups for costumes....

Bra Patterns, Kwik Sew, Ezi-Sew, & Elan
Bra Kits, Panty Kits
Bra Cups, Tricot Bonded Foam (Check out the Tricot Bonded Foam)

If you want the older style of hard cups, a bra pattern for non-stretch fabric should be fine for making a foundation. If you are looking for the modern molded cups, a pattern probably isn't going to help much for the foundation (you just buy those cups pre formed), but they may help you cover the cup forms. Actually, no matter what kind of cup and fabric you are using, if you've tried to cover cups and been disappointed with how lumpy and randomly darted your end product was, a pattern may be worth your investment, because it gives you a tested strategy for approaching the project, instead of simple trial and error.

Certainly, if you have trouble buying off-the-shelf bras, a lot of seamstresses advocate making your own. If you google "bra making" you should be able to find the sites that will advise you.

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

If you want the older style of hard cups, a bra pattern for non-stretch fabric should be fine for making a foundation. If you are looking for the modern molded cups, a pattern probably isn't going to help much for the foundation (you just buy those cups pre formed), but they may help you cover the cup forms. Actually, no matter what kind of cup and fabric you are using, if you've tried to cover cups and been disappointed with how lumpy and randomly darted your end product was, a pattern may be worth your investment, because it gives you a tested strategy for approaching the project, instead of simple trial and error.

Certainly, if you have trouble buying off-the-shelf bras, a lot of seamstresses advocate making your own. If you google "bra making" you should be able to find the sites that will advise you.

I usually use off-the-shelf bras, but with heavy beading It sometimes doesn't hold the shape that well. I always wondered how do they make these molded cups and where can you get them? as for patterns I used "Embellished Bras: Basic Techniques" by Dawn Devine Brown. it has good tips on how to make a pattern yourself. It's available on Amazon and doesn't cost that much

Originally Posted by Dilyara

I usually use off-the-shelf bras, but with heavy beading It sometimes doesn't hold the shape that well. I always wondered how do they make these molded cups and where can you get them? as for patterns I used "Embellished Bras: Basic Techniques" by Dawn Devine Brown. it has good tips on how to make a pattern yourself. It's available on Amazon and doesn't cost that much

I don't know the names of the particular distributors or manufacturers, but anywhere that sells bra-making supplies should have something similar. Sew Sassy has a large inventory, and if you don't see what you want, they may be able to order it for you. Sew Sassy Fabrics - Products for making bras

BTW, the rumor is that the unique shape of the Dina bras is created by turning a regular cup upside down. (Won't work if the cup has push-up padding built into it, but you can always buy a plain cup, flip it, and then add some push-up padding.)

Ty! I like your link Tourbeau, thanks!
I wanted to make a custum shape (odd shape, a little more costume-y) it will have heavy chain maile scales on it. I guess I will use a cup form and add to it. I wonder if I can use something like Aleene's fabric stifferner and inerfacing to mold the extra bits?

Originally Posted by Ahmber

I wonder if I can use something like Aleene's fabric stifferner and inerfacing to mold the extra bits?

You could, or you might want to start with buckram (pre-stiffened fabric), rather than stiffening your own. Depends on your design.

Some things I've seen:

Cutting the custom shape into store-bought foam bras and then stiffening and adding floral wire along the cut edges for shaping.

Sugar Petals bra cups

Repositioning regular cups or adding different connectors

Reinforcing or changing shape of foam cups by adding pieces of buckram or elastic inside the cup (I think THREADS magazine had an article about doing this to make cups to insert into evening dresses)

Turning cups upside down and then adding underwire to the bottom (formerly the top).