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Splitting the Lower Cup

Splitting the lower cup often allows better use of fabric when the quantity is tight. More importantly it allows you to change the DOGS for better support, especially on the heavier or larger breast. It is easy to split the lower cup and it…

Canadian Band Stand

Canadian Band Stand The last time the big 4 (North American bra companies) sat down to "standardize" sizing (and I use that term very loosely) was in the 1970's, when the "average" bra size was determined to be 34B. Now it's up to 36C, and…

What Bra-makers Do

 

In the Enchanted Castle – a Royal Birth

Today was kind of a bittersweet day. I was SO excited for the arrival of my newest baby...a Kansai coverstitch machine for the shop. I am getting a brand new one. BRAND SPANKIN' NEW! I want it for teaching students to use the industrial machines…

If I were stranded on a desert island

Years ago, I worked for a decorative embroidery thread company (Sulky) doing educational seminars all over Canada. I was, in Husqvarna VP of Education Sue Hausmann’s words, an “edu-tainer”. I used to use the phrase, “if I were stranded…

Fitting Room Confessions

Fitting Room Confessions I wish I could be a fly on the wall in a bra fitting room. I would love to hear what women really say (or think) when trying on bras in the dressing room. Given that 7 out of 10 women are wearing the wrong size bra,…

The Beauty of Pantone

Ever wonder how manufacturers get all the colours in the materials they are buying, to match exactly?  They use a Pantone colour chart!  If you don't know what a Pantone colour chart is, stick around while I show you the Beauty of Pantone! Pantone…

Field trip to Ann’s

Swim Masters has started off well with a field trip to Ann's Fabrics on the second day after all the swim theory on the first day. To say they were impressed with the selection and the prices is a BIT of an under statement! Here are the things…

Better than B

Better than B I hear from lots of women with breasts better than B (let's not call them "smaller") who are totally frustrated when shopping for bras. If you a B-cup or larger, and reading this with a smirk, thinking - what do they have…

Underwire Size Chart

Underwire Size Chart On our website at www.bramakers.com, we have a complete underwire size chart, drawn out to their actual size, complete with measurements around the perimeter from tip to tip. If you print off these wire charts, you can…
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Find it hard to feed the baby?

You know what they are - those wonderful clips found on the top of commercial nursing bras that allow you to unfasten the outer cup of your nursing bra while still ensuring a firm hold on your baby. No one understands what a precious balancing…

Cut and Sew Foam – Trimmed Foam

Cut and Sew Foam - Trimmed Foam In the second method of making foam cups, the Cut and Sew Foam Trimmed Foam Method, is a little different than treating the fabric and the foam as one layer and sewing it together. In this method, the fabric…
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The Famous Downward Hike

The Famous Downward Hike The downward hike band is one of the nicest touches you can add for your bra wearing comfort. It is easy and not too time consuming to do, and can be done on both the full and partial band bra patterns without any trouble.…
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Altering RTW – Shortening the Band

Sharon, a blog reader writes: "I wear a size 30DD, and even that is too big in the band for me--I actually measure a 28 band. Obviously, it's almost impossible to find a bra that fits. I'm not quite ready in my sewing skills to make my…

A Bra that Fits

A Bra that Fits No matter who makes them, bras have a few components that are common to most. A bra that fits needs cups to contain the breasts, a band to hold the cups up to the breasts and a closure of some sort to keep it fastened around…

Cut and Sew Foam – Lamination

OK, you want to try making your own foam lined cups? Lamination is the simplest one to try. In the Cut and Sew foam lamination method, the fashion fabric and the sheet foam are stuck together and treated as one layer throughout the construction…

Cut and Sew Foam – the fabric

You want a foam cup, but haven’t access to seamless foam cups? You can still have the look by using cut and sew foam fabric. This fabric will make a foam cup that cut and sewn together along the cross cup seam (hence the name cut and sew).…

Seams in your Bra Cup

Seams in your Bra Cup Unless you have access to seamless pre-formed foam cups - it is very likely that you will use seams in your bra cup to make the fabric fit over the breast. Don’t be disappointed! The very best European bras, such as…

Let it Snow!

Let it snow! When I was younger, my mother would get all excited about the day after a snowfall. If it snowed hard, the kids would be home from school, under mom's feet. It wasn't that day that mom looked forward to. No, sir.  It was the…

Follow me on Bloglovin!

Follow me on Bloglovin! If you like my blog, and don't want to miss a single post, you can follow me on Bloglovin'. Actually you can find and follow all your favourite posts there. One click of the mouse and you can have ALL your favourite…

Slide Lock Adjusters

Slide Lock Adjusters Once upon a time... in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan (now that's a long return address!), a student in one of my bra classes asked me if I carried or could get a strap adjuster that she particularly liked, called Slide Lock…
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Tipping Underwires

Tipping Underwires Did you ever need to cut a wire, only to realize that it’s a lot more work than you bargained for? You need to cut it (no easy task in itself) and then file it to a rounded shape on the tips. Then there's the job of…
Bra-Makers Supply Bra Corset Samples Gallery pink classic full band bra

Bra-making Supply List

Exactly what goes into a bra? If you are a first time bra-maker, the BIG LIST of "stuff" can be quite intimidating. Well you've come to the right place, this materials list will give you all the guidance you need to get started...

Determine the Wire Size

Determine the Wire Size On our website at www.bramakers.com, we have a complete set of all our wires, drawn out to their actual size, complete with measurements around the perimeter from tip to tip. But how do you determine the wire size you…

Determine Your Bra pattern Size

Why You Should Make Your Own Bra

Reasons Why You Should Make Your Own Bra Often the question people ask me is not... CAN you make your own bra but WHY they should.  Everyone has their own list but here are 14 Reasons Why You Should Make Your Own Bra. You can get a…