How to sew a sports bra

Discover how to take body measurements, draft a better sports bra block, and select elastic types and needles for sewing a sports bra.

Take body measurements with a tape measure, including shoulder, bust, under bust, shoulder to bust point, and armhole, then apply them to pattern paper to draft the sports bra.

Draft the pattern on plain pattern paper by halving the bust measurement and marking shoulder and bust lines. Add one inch for elastic casing and extend lines to chest line.

Draft the front sports bra pattern by selecting neck width, shaping a shorter slope to the chest. Use bust around divided by four minus 1.5 inches for the chest line.

Draft the back pattern by tracing the front onto paper and extending lines to the elastic casing, leave the neckline, and decide the back neckline depth to shape the curve.

Shape the back armhole for a sports bra by drawing from shoulder to chest, marking midpoint, inset four to five inches, then curve to chest line and label the pattern.

Cut and align front and back patterns on stretch fabric, fold along stretch, add quarter-inch seam allowances, and assemble the sports bra by pinning and sewing shoulder seams at half-inch.

Sew the shoulder seam with a straight stitch and half-inch seam allowance, then zigzag topstitch to lie flat. Measure armhole and subtract one and a half inches for elastic.

Attach decorative elastic to the armhole with pads facing up, peel the elastic along the hole, then sew a top zigzag stitch and fold it inside for a snug fit.

Turn the bra inside out, pin both sides, sew the side seam with a half-inch seam allowance using a straight stitch, then top stitch with a zigzag to finish.

Measure the neckline, cut elastic to fit, and attach it with a zigzag stitch, keeping the decorative side facing down, then finish with a top zigzag around the neckline.

Learn to attach the waist band elastic to a sports bra: measure 26 inches, align four sections, and finish with a zigzag stitch for a neat, secure fit.