Thread: How do you construct your own bras?

I've been trying to make my own belly dance costume and I was wondering if anybody has successfully made their own professional looking bras, sort of the same shape as emans? Any tips would be greatly appriciated!

I have developed my own system for creating customized bra patterns which took me months to perfect and is almost impossible to describe if not in person, lol! But, if you have bras that fit you well and which you like already, a good place to start is the book "Making Beautiful Bras" Bra-makers Supply - Books, CDs and DVDs
reduce seam allowances and use heavy duty pellon (interfacing meant for crafting- I have to go through the whole "no the thick stuff. no, the thicker stuff. the stuff for crafting. No, that one over there" conversation at the Joann's cutting counter every. single. time.) instead of fabric and over lap the seams instead of sewing them right sides together(reduce bulk) Since this is not a woven or a knit fabric, you can cut into it without fraying to make any shape you want, as long as it is still supportive. I had (am having) a lot of fun experimenting. Good luck on your journey.

I usually buy the bra cups, the molded foam ones that hold their shape. I re-enforce them with concentric circles of hot glue on the interior, then I use a stiff tailoring fabric to make the part in the middle (which I wil also reinforce with a little glue), the straps and the sides, or I make the sides with elastic like a Sahar. Cover it all with the fabric I'm using for that project, usually covering the straps before attaching them, then decorate, then pad, then put the lining in, then act hooks and snaps. For me, they hold their shape really well, they hold up under heavy decoration (like a coin bra) but they are still pretty comfortable.

That is how I made these 3 bra bases:

All sizes | Shems at Ya Salaam! 2009 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

All sizes | Shems - StereoVision Shoot 2010 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

All sizes | Shems - StereoVision Shoot 2010 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

You can see that it is pretty versatile as to what shapes you can make.

You can also go with one of these premade hard shell bras like Toria and others make, check out this thread:

http://www.bhuz.com/belly-dance-cent...tumes-use.html


Toria has a video tutorial on her site also where she walks you through how she covers one of her bra forms with fabric:
Video Blog | | Create Your shineCreate Your shine

Heh- and this just goes to show it's good to ask lots of people for perspective! when I see "make a bra" I literally think make a bra from scratch. I keep forgetting some people mean fitting/decorating/modifying an existing bra base. I just get caught up in my own little world...

Originally Posted by Lara L

Heh- and this just goes to show it's good to ask lots of people for perspective! when I see "make a bra" I literally think make a bra from scratch. I keep forgetting some people mean fitting/decorating/modifying an existing bra base. I just get caught up in my own little world...

You know what they say, there is more than one way to skin a cat.

I admire people who can do it from scratch, I think I would have very little patience getting a cup just right.

Originally Posted by shems

You know what they say, there is more than one way to skin a cat.

I admire people who can do it from scratch, I think I would have very little patience getting a cup just right.

It wasn't particularly by choice! I lost patience trying to find a supportive bra that actually fit. La Mystere Dream Tisha used to work and I was in heaven, but then they "improved" it and it doesn't work at all, at all. Necessity is the mother of long nights at the drafting table!

I know from previous costume threads that Sophie makes her own bra bases that are Eman-ish and they always look amazing.
But that's about as far as my dance bra knowledge goes.

Thanks for the advice everyone! And those are beautiful shems! I don't really mind making them from scratch I was just trying to find some good tips from people who have already tried making their own costumes! I'll let you know how it goes! Wish me luck!:)