How to Sew a Lace Bra

In this video, I show you how to accurately take the necessary measurements for drafting the basic pattern of bralette:

1) Bust circumference;

2) Under bust circumference;

3) Bust distance;

4) Neckline height;

5) Bust line height.

In this video, I explain what stretch factor is, why we should use it, as well as how to calculate it and how to apply it to drafting our basic pattern of bralette.

In this video, we are going to draft the basic bralette pattern. In the attachment you will also find a text of this video, where I have also added examples of formula calculations using my own measurements (but you need to use yours).

The side part  of the bra cup includes the points: M, P, A3, L.

The central part of the bra cup includes the points: A1, P3, A2, K.

In this video, we are going to add seam allowances and transfer our pattern onto the tracing paper.

Materials for sewing the bralette:

1) For sewing the bralette I am going to use a stretch lace. The lace has a front side and a wrong side. The front side is a rough and the wrong side is a flatter. For making the bralette we need 1-1.5meters of the lace from 16cm width.

2) The second material we need is a strap elastic. The strap elastics come in different widths, I take 1cm width for shoulder straps and for an underband, and I need 2 meters of this elastic.

3) Also I need 2 rings, 2 sliders and 1 hook. It can be metal or plastic ones, but I am going to use the plastic ones here (and only the hook is a metal).

Important thing that we need to take the rings, sliders and strap elastics of the same width. For example, if I take the strap elastic 1cm width, then I should take the rings with a diameter of 1cm and so on. As for the hook, I am going to use it as a closure on the back, and because the width of my strap elastic is 1cm, so I take the hook with 1cm width as well.

In this video, I show you how to cut lace correctly.

The length of the strap elastic can be found by the formula:

Length of the strap elastic = bust circumference*stretch factor + seam allowance (4cm here)

Note: if you have a middle-sized bust, it is better to use the strap elastic 15mm width or more for the underband.

* Check that the two loops are sewn into the underband at the same level!

Note: you need to do the wet heat treatment if you have a medium-sized bust or larger. For small bust it is unnecessary, the bra cups usually fit well.

So, you've done a great job and made your own lace bralette! Well done! Also using this method of drafting and sewing you can make lace bralettes for clients and loved ones. Good luck!