A quick and easy bralette pattern to make the perfect accessory for the summer days to be worn with or without modesty cups. This item of clothing it is not to be worn as support but rather as a pretty and sexy accessory.
It is warm –so warm that the heat sometimes almost knocks the wind out me. I am blaming my bra for it. I want to burn my bra! It is the right fit, but it is so hot here and I feel I should be walking around in a swimsuit. When I walked back home from the train, it feels like I spread butter under my armpits, (too much info I know..).
Seriously, it is warm and humid and I was walking under a dreadful sun on a shopping street called Orchard Road back from you guessed it, buying fabric. I decided to go back and buy some stretchable lace to make myself a bralette. I am not looking for extra support, just a bit of support and some modesty.
I have made the pattern for the following chest measurements 30″-34″(S), 34″-38″(M), 38″-42″(L), 42-44″(XL). May not suit women over Cup Size C.
Full Video Tutorial
Materials:
- 1 to 1.25 yards of Stretch Lace or a 10″ wide lace band
- 11mm bra elastic to match your lace
- 3/8″ elastic (1/4″ optional) to match your lace
- bra cups (optional) for added fullness and modesty
- Bra slider and rings
- The pattern is downloadable from Craftsy and it is free.
Fabric Recommendations from Amazon.com
Download the Pattern:
Download the Free Pattern
You can download this pattern free from the So Sew Easy pattern store — just click the button below and your PDF, in both A4 and US Letter, is ready instantly. Prefer more guidance? A fully illustrated step-by-step version is available on the same page for a few dollars, which helps keep our patterns free for everyone. For help downloading and printing PDF patterns, please CLICK HERE.
Download the free patternBody Measurements:
Please use a tape measure and find the size that will suit you. Place the tape measure close to your body at the fullest part there will be no ease on this pattern due to the elasticity of the lace.Making the Cups
Sew the cups together using a very small zigzag
Trim the seam allowance by half. Repeat on the other cup.
Mark the middle of the cup.
Line the center seam of the cup with the mark you just made. Sew the cup to the band using a small zigzag and a 3/8″ seam allowance. This same seam allowance will become a casing for the elastic so sew at exactly 3/8″.
Cut a strip of normal elastic 3/8″ wide long enough to go along the band.
Pin and fold the 3/8″ seam allowance on top of the elastic. Zigzag the edge of the elastic and the edge of the seam allowance together.
The seam allowance becomes the casing for the elastic and you will not be able to see it.
Sew the back of the band using a small zigzag and trim the seam allowance,
Sew the back of the band using a zigzag and trim the seam allowance.
Making the Straps of Your Bralette
Cut 2 strips of bra elastic 20″ in length
Cut 2 small pieces of the bra elastic 1″ in length. Fold the small piece of elastic and thread a ring through it, pin on the inside of the Bralette band and sew this straps to the back of the Bralette 7″ to 8″ apart.
Take the longer strip (20″) of elastic and thread it through the bridge of the slider and sew. Take the other end of the strap right side down and thread it through the ring already attached to the Bralette.
Take the other end of the strap right side down and thread it through the ring already attached to the Bralette.
Pass the strap and attach it to the front of the cup.
Finally, sew the strap to the top of the cup.
Front View 
Back View
Optional Step: How to add support and volume to your Bralette:
Sew the molded cups with a small zigzag at the bottom of the lace cup and at the top.
I think this is the perfect way to still have some support and not feel you are gasping for air while wearing a bra due to the unbearable heat. It is a beautiful piece of lingerie and a great addition to your intimate wardrobe.
For matching, underwear please check out our popular tutorial on how to sew your own lace underwear.
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Hi! I see the pattern comes with several sizes, but there is no measurement guide as to which size to use, do you have a measurement guide for the pattern?
Its at the top of the page
love your site. do not want to lose it but am changing my email address and need guidance re method. New address now receiving is ……. old address ……help
Hi Anne, please go to your old email and open one of the newsletters I send on Sundays at the bottom. You will see the UNSUB tab; click on it, then go to the site and subscribe again with your new email. I can UNSUBSCRIBE you from my side, but I can not add you back.
I still do not see UNSUBSCRIBE. every page I go to has subscribe. I have resubscribed. Please unsubscribe me from your end.
Thanks Anne
Hello! One quick question, what would be the best sized bra slider and rings? Thank you!
The best is a 1/4″ slider, ring and elastic.
I appreciate this bralette pattern. I find the diagrams easier to follow than the video, since you do not use an overhead camera for clarity, and it is somewhat unclear from the angle of the camera. Thank you for sharing
Do you have a suggestion for adding bra closures to the back? I like the daintiness of this bralette, but want the ease of taking it off with closures.
There are bra closures you can buy that are very wide, perhaps you can find one that fits the back or tailor the back to the length of the zipper.
Thank you so much for this pattern. Are the seams allowance included ? Maybe you precise it on the video but as I’m French, I didn’t notice…Can you help it ?
Hi Beatrice, yes the seam allowance is included it is 3/8″.
Nice pattern but all the downloaded were the pattern pieces no directions????
I can only upload the pattern, any bigger size file I have to pay and it would no longer be free. The instructions are on YouTube and right here for free.
I love the idea of a bralette. I also would like to make about a dozen to wear here in the Texas heat of summer. However, my bra size is a 42-44 DD. I wouldn’t even care if my boobs drooped in a bralette, as long as I had one to wear, most often IN the house. Are you ever going to come out with a pattern that will fit women with larger older boobs like me?? HELP!! And by the way, thanks for all that you do in making patterns of all kinds available for sewists everywhere. You are much appreciated.!
Hi Suzy, I hear you, I just dont have a way to try the pattern, if I were to write a post on how to make your own bralette pattern would that help you better?
Yes, please make this tutorial.
I would like to modify this pattern for a cupped overbust corset. I was looking for one similar to the Cloth Habit Watson bra pattern, which was perfect for my project and was free until recently.
-Ash (a G or H cup girl)
I would also like a post on how to make your own bralette pattern and other larger women’s clothing. I look forward to your posts every week so please keep them coming. thank you – June
Working on it… it will be posted soon.
it’s very pretty – but most women have a greater than a C bust but they don’t realise it. For years i wore an ill fitted bra in a size 42E but now i wear an amazing 36J 🙂
You are so right, most woman wear the wrong size bra.
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Hello, I have a 29inch chest. Can I simply shorten the chest band a bit on the s pattern size? 🙂
Yes, that would work for you, but before you cut the cups cut them up in a stretchy material to see how they fit. If they are too large, reduce the curved side by 3/8″.
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Cute pattern. I would love to make it, but I’m wondering how to make adjustments for a larger cup size. Any suggestions?
If you are over Cup C, this pattern will not help you. I am working on one for a larger bust, I will publish towards the end of May, Stay tuned. Thank you:)
I was excited the first moment I saw you working on this pattern. I totally understand the buttered armpits reference!. Ugh. And I live in a cooler region, Michigan. Anyway, now I will have to buy some stretch lace. We will see what else jumps in my shopping bag. 🙂
Yes, it is gross, but must wear something under a thin cotton top right?
Great pattern, however the PDF is not downloading on Bluprint. The pattern is in the basket, but nothing further happens. Can you help?
Did you figure it out? I was able to checkout on Bluprint
So Pretty! Thank you…
Hi! I love this pattern, it looks amazing! However, i can’t download the pdf. Can you help me?
Hi Ninna, what seems to be the problem? I’ve checked our systems and everything seems to be working fine.
such a pretty pattern please put me on your list for those that would love to test a bra for those of us that are larger I am 34 h
Noted Susan Thank you!
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I am a 36G after loosing some weight and I might be able to pattern test. (I’m a fairly newish sewer).
I avoided bralettes for a long time because I didn’t think they would offer the support, until recently I bought one and found they were perfect for lounging or sleeping in on warm summer nights or under jammies on colder ones. It’s enough support for that 🙂
HI Leah I will send you the list of measurements I need to add you to the tester group. Thank you for offering!
Look forward to it! I think the key is to have a firmer band if that is possible at all. Hoping to take some time off before the end of the year so I can do some sewing.
I’m a 32DDD, and an intermediate/experienced sewist. I’m just new to making undergarments. I’d love to be added to the list to be a tester if it’s still open.
Hi Malyssa, yes of course! I really only got three people counting you for the testing group.
little bow missing! 🙁
Reading about this item got me thinking that there must be some help out there for those like me who had a removal due to cancer. I had 5 ops getting more and more finds cut out and in the end they said what with the infection i also got and 13 types of antibiotics and 5 months of this, that i would have to have complete removal and advised me not to go for a rebuild later which was the last thing i wanted looking as i do now. Trying for another replacement “Booby” i was told No until i get a proper bra but here in UK my choice at the best of times for a 50B bra is limited as in i style compared to 99 others available in various sizes, so to try and find bras that have a pocket in my size has been a disaster. The catalogues i was given to order from had 3 and one was like a bodice with shoulders and no means to alter the strap area as i am tall with a longer nape to waist lenght another more bra like was again too short and the 3rd was not fit for a farm cow to wear re style, talk about frumpy. So i have not been back to the hospital as not going to get the help i need with that sort of attitude. I was wondering do you have a pattern shape to that i could possibly sew into my bras to make a pocket or even a pattern to make another booby with that is also light weight and not weighing like a bag of flour. There is a charity here called knitted knockers who have people knitting these and they are padded with filling, but i would like something maybe in a light cotton i could sew and hot wash, well lets say i have one boobie and its cover and if i wash the cover i have to make sure i can get it dry to go out of the house. Just feel that having cancer and then having my nose rubbed in as a punishment. I also had not really realised all this time that i had been using the longer straps to get bras to sit comfy for me rather then lift up onto the breast and this is how lots of waisted dresses fit or princess style as not long enough. Imagine USA treats different sizes kinder then they do here like half sizes in shoes. never buy long sleeves or trousers as always too short for 5’10, and many dresses are about 43 ” long unless maxi style which i have to buy to get below knee fit. Have made many of my own over the years and been individual unlike all the repeats from shops and catalogues being worn. Sorry if a bit long winded, but there is always a story behind questions. Thanks for bearing with me.
Hi Pol, my heart goes out to you! I am going to work on this, until I can find a way to to make a tutorial for bras and dresses that can help you feel more comfortable. You will have to work with me because I do not know anyone with a mastectomy, would you be willing to be a pattern tester?
How would I increase this to 44-46C size?? Would I just need to increase the band underneath and leave the cups the size they are??
No, you need to increase the cups as well.
Hello,
I have been trying to download the brake tote pattern but must be doing something wrong.
Can you help?
So no pattern for bigger cups? I’m a 44DDD-F. I have some bralette from stores & like them. Is there a way to make tis in my size??
there are some great guides on how to adjust cup sizes online, if you want i can link them you (cloth habit, emerald erin and so on and so forth, though i struggle as a starter to put them into practice so might not be helpful to everyone)
Hi Francesca, If you have any links for help with cup size adjustment, that you would be willing to share, I would be forever grateful. I have fa bric and am wanting to make me a bralette for summer (live in Dallas,TX) but am having trouble finding the right cup size and how to make it. Thanks a million.
Suzanne
Cutting the band deeper, flared and on the bias in silk crepe de chine and lining the cups with a scrap of silk makes a beautiful silk camisole that is so fashion forward!
Nice. Please share images
I’m excited to try to make my first item of lingerie. Do you have another source for the elastic? The link provided in the pattern does not work.
Too bad there’s not pretty undergarments for obese women. The bras today add to the ugliness of weight.
I’m with you Peggy. I’m just about to make my first pair of french knickers
Thank you!
Good job, keep continue
Wow! This is fantastic. Just what I was looking for. Can’t wait to make it. Thanks so much for sharing.
This pattern is so pretty. At the risk of TMI do you think it might fit a 34 long, old age being old age and all? When I was younger I couldn’t even see the tips of my toes. Now, unfortunately, I can almost see the whole foot. I’ve decided gravity is not my friend, but at least it keeps me on this planet. I sent you a question also about a circle skirt that is not for little girls, no zipper, and no math. I’m pretty darned picky, hunh? But I figure it never hurts to ask. I hope you guys have a wonderful Mother’s Day. Thinking of you often. Cheryl
Welcome back, Cheryl! Mea culpa! Mea culpa! I am living out of a suitcase since February, far from my sewing tools and machine. I haven’t forgotten about your request for the circular skirt. About the bralette, don’t matter how old you are but rather how big, if you are a C cup or less then go for it, any bigger and you will need a bigger cup there need to grade the pattern a couple of sizes up. I think I will need to sit down and draft a pattern for a comfortable bra for the bustier ladies. I will require pattern tester though…
volunteer as bustier tester. Due to a protracted illness I’ve gained weight, 40d cups fit, but a 38 is loose while a 36 is often tight and hard to get on/off.
A bra/bralette pattern I can size down as I loose the weight would be an unbelievable blessing. one that could be worn solo would be fantastic also, be it woven or stretch fabric
Hi Mayra, here it is December 6th and I’m just now finding this thread about bralettes. I too, am a very busty woman and would need a bigger size cup for the bralette. I would be very happy to be a pattern tester, if you still need one. If you need me, let me know and I will send my measurements as well.
SuzyQ
Thank you Suzy, I will add you to the group. I will send you a specific measurements that I will need from you. Kind Regards,