Can anyone reccommend or suggest a Bra making course?

[Katymac]

DD & think this would actually save us money plus help with our 'fit' issues & DD's Dance issues (I think she imagines an inbuilt bra in every leotard fat chance )

I have seen a corset making course & it was eye-wateringly expensive - so I do know I will have to save up for it

But where do I start?

Because I was last minute the bra pieces weren't big enough for me so I made a bra for DD but she won't try it on for me to fit it to her until mid-July

So I don't know about the fit - I do think that with the skills I have learnt I can adapt a bought pattern and amend my pattern to attempt to fit me (but it may take a few goes....however I think/hope this is far less than working from just a pattern)

It was an amazing 2 days & I learnt far more than just bra making skills the rapport with the others has given me confidence and ideas to try far beyond the remit of the course

The tutor was patient beyond all expectations, I was a nightmare and skilled in her knowledge and the entire experience was amazing

day 2's creations

Katy that looks so professional! I have bra envy now.

The biggest problem is fitting and pattern pieces

So if DD is a 28F & I make a standard 28F and it doesn't fit, I throw it away and make alterations on the next bra, and it doesn't fit, I throw it away and make alterations on the next bra, and it doesn't fit, I throw it away and make alterations on the next bra,, and it doesn't fit, I throw it away and make alterations on the next bra

The stticthing is too small/tight to reuse the pattern pieces again the way you would with a toile so you lose the elastic, casing & (possibly not) the straps each time plus the material & at £9/10 for materials and 2-4 hours £15/30 for time a throw it becomes an unreasonable proposition.

So how would/could you reduce the iterations to make it more cost/time effective?

Rigby & Pellar are (apparently) the only custom bra manufacturer in the UK & they charge £600 a bra & I can see why

There are lots of bespoke bra makers but r and p are the best known.

I thought there must be more - that's why I put apparently

So access to good patterns & ways of reducing cots are the things atm

They look great Katy. Re fit (and I have never made a bra) can you concentrate on getting the cup right first. Cut your pieces too big and sew a simple longish stitch seam with the seam/excess fabric on the outside. Altering it until it fits properly inside out and then doing the same with the rest of the fabric pieces, bit by bit. Ignoring the elastic and straps until you are happy that the cups, bit in the middle whatever that is called and band fit.

Then make a pattern from that. Once you have got that right you won't waste any more fabric or time and you will be away.

As I said I haven't done it before but that is probably what I would do.

They do look fab.

I'm not sure either bit (band/cup - the middle bit is a bridge) works that much in isolation. But I think your idea may reduce iterations - I wondered about buying all sizes of cup and actually holding the against the body to see which fits best (but that is quite intrusive) then using the size of the cup to cut out the cup pieces.

My other bright thought was to use (is it) button/buttonhole elastic (for school skirts & trousers to reduce the waist) to measure the band as the person wearing it would get an idea of how tight they wanted it. I struggle with measuring elastic somewhat the rule is measure the person & then reduce to 20%, but that doesn't really allow for comfort so a combination would be good.

I think I will have to buy an actual bra pattern to get starting points for all the cup sizes

I also think I need a book - but there are so many and they are so expensive

Have you looked at this?

www.thesewingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=52881

I just googled it. I am a very standard B cup and wear one style/make of bra that fits so am unlikely to ever make one.

Are you thinking of custom making these to sell?

Are you thinking of custom making these to sell? I don't think I could it's beyond my capabilities tbh

I'd like to be able to make for friends and family but even that seems quite a mammoth task- it may end up being me & DD

WOW!! thank you for that link - thank you so much

I joined craftsey & got that course for just £18!!

Wow, this bra looks so professional!

I am currently planning to do this thing here: deventerburgerscap.blogspot.de/2012/08/making-my-bra-shirt-part-i.html

With only those screenshots as starting point. Any advice for a beginner?
My breasts don't really need a bra, I just want to cover them, and this thing looks way easier than a "real" bra.

Sorry VV I only just saw this - google bralet or sports bra I imagine there is a downloadable one you can do - I'll look after work for you

If you PM me with your email - I have a PDF I can email you?

Not quite a bra but if you fancy a sewing workshop on making silk knickers I found a great one here : obby.co.uk/courses/make-pair-silk-knickers-class-east-london/GsGw4cN5ofGetwq9h?s=1474723800000