The Bralette, Perfect Undergarment for Summer

bralette

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.

bralette

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

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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 Fabric.com

Download the Pattern:

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Download the Free Pattern

You can download the pattern for this Bralette from our account at Payhip.

For help downloading and printing PDF patterns, please CLICK HERE.

Body 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

Untitled design(85)

at 3/8″ seam allowance.bralette Trim the seam allowance by half.  Repeat on the other cup.Untitled design(86)

Mark the middle of the cup.Untitled design(92)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″.Untitled design(93) Cut a strip of normal elastic 3/8″ wide long enough to go along the band.Untitled design(88) 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.Untitled design(89) The seam allowance becomes the casing for the elastic and you will not be able to see it.Untitled design(90)

Sew the back of the band using a small zigzag and trim the seam allowance,

Untitled design(91)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 lengthUntitled design(94)

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.cut 1_ and fold 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.Bralette Take the other end of the strap right side down and thread it through the ring already attached to the Bralette.Untitled design(99) Pass the strap and attach it to the front of the cup.Untitled design(95) Finally, sew the strap to the top of the cup.

braletteFront View Untitled design(101)

Back ViewUntitled design(102)Untitled design(103)

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.Untitled design(105)Untitled design(97)Untitled design(98)

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.

Sew your own lace underwear – tutorial and free pattern

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brown962

hi, i’d love to make this – how easy is it to hand sew? i’m not sure when i’l’ have access to a sewing machine/stretch needles. also, for the part with the elastic, am i attaching it to the band part before or after attaching the band to the cup? x

Sarah
Sarah

I really wanted to love this and part of me does but unfortunately I found it to A. not have enough support and I think this is because I have very large breasts and also because I’m not proportionate. My ribs are a small and I needed to use the largest cups, both without each other are a great fit but together resulted in the cups reaching around the back of the band. I’m going to think of some way to modify this hopefully.

Oscar
Oscar

Hi Mayra. I’m gonna try to make this bralette as a gift for my girlfriend. She has an Italian size 3B, which I think should correspond to about US size 36B. Should I go with the Small or Medium pattern?

Thanks in advance and thanks for the great tutorial!

Toni D.
Toni D.

Thank you so much for the updated tutorial!

Ame
Ame

Wondering, what size paper is reflected for you patterns to be printed on?

RHONDA H RATELIFF
RHONDA H RATELIFF
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

I believe Ame wants to know what paper size (letter, legal, etc) to use to print the pattern.

Rennie !!

I’m very excited to make my new bralette! My stretch lace keeps getting caught in the sewing machine plate. How do you keep yours from doing this?

Rennie !!
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

Ah stretch needles is what I forgot. I can’t adjust the feed plate I think and zig zag seems to make it worse. I’ll buy some stretch needles. Thank you!

Andrea L
Andrea L
Reply to  Rennie !!

You will run into this problem with all very lightweight fabrics. I place a coffe filter (yes, to make coffee with!) under the fabric at the begging of each seam. It acts as a stabilizer to prevent fabric from getting caught in the throat place. When you are done, just tear it off. Hope that helps.

Bijoux
Bijoux

Thank you Mayra for the bralette. I am tempted to make one, just for the comfort. When I am outside gardening & it gets hot, this would be more comfortable.
Can I make the cups seamless? How? Or would it not be as much support. I am a (US) D cup. I was just thinking of extra smoothness. Thank you for the great patterns you offer and the tutorials.

Melanie
Melanie

What kind of bra cups should be used as does anyone know where to buy them in the uk please?

Georgina
Georgina

Hello. I have the pattern pieces cut up and the cups sewn. I am stuck at the step with the elastic because I cannot see it in the pictures. Am I creating a casing for the elastic out of lace that I will sew along the top edge of the band? Thank you in advance for clarifying.

lindseylou
lindseylou

i love this idea and realllly want to sew this but i am having a few problems with the instructions having never sewn a bralette before?!?!? when i sew the cups to the band am i supposed to sew them right sides together? as it looks like you have pinned them wrong sides together? also the elastic in the band does that need to be pulled at all whilst sewing? thanks in advance for your help lindseyx

Rennie !!
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

Hi! I have cut out the pattern and am eager to start this cool project! Is the video out? I am unable to find it in the “videos” tab.

So Sew Easy
Admin
Active Member
Reply to  Rennie !!

Hi Rennie, the video is just out now. Have a look here: https://youtu.be/6-KnffUZ8G4

Janelle Haffenden
Janelle Haffenden

Hi, Does the normal elastic go right around the top of the band or only along the top of the back band? Thanks

Janelle
Janelle
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

Thank you.

valerie
valerie

Thank you for the free bralette pattern. I’m looking forward to making it when I can get to the fabric store. I can’t seem to find the instructions though. Valerie

fmvgno
fmvgno

this is great! I would also like to ask what do you call that mannequin for sewing? the ones that allows pins to be pinned through. thanks for the reply

Mir
Mir

I really love this pattern, the shape is so lovely! I’m a bit confused about what to do in the option with the normal elastic though, is it sewed on the edge of the lace on the outside(facing out) perimeter of the band?

Thanks so much!

Shay Simmons
Shay Simmons

Thanks so much for putting up this pattern. I have been searching for an alternative to structured bras that I could wear around the house in hot weather.

magda
magda

Thanks for the pattern. I downloaded the pattern from Craftsy, but cannot find the sewing tutorial. Please help, since I have never made a bra before!
Regards

Dominique
Dominique
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

Hi Mayra, I’ve had a look for the instructions on the blog and I cannot find them!! could you maybe point me in the right direction? Thankyou!!!

Barbara Zuazua
Barbara Zuazua
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

How about a link?

robbie
robbie

I’m so excited to have found your patterns and blog. Looking forward to making one
for myself and my girls! Bigs hugs from Calif. 97 degrees here today… way to hot for Sept. 27!

Lynda

How did I miss this post? Thank you, I need this!

Sandra
Sandra

excellent, exactly what I was looking for. can’t wait to make one! thanks for your generosity 😀

Cheryl
Cheryl

I can’t wait to make this for my daughter. I took some classes to make bras this past year. I love your patterns. Thank you

Linda Ziegenhagen
Linda Ziegenhagen

Will you have a tutorial or written instructions soon? I am confused as to where & how elastics are used, and how the pattern pieces fit together. Beautiful garment!

Jeri Benberry
Jeri Benberry
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

Can’t wait for the video. I’m sure it will clear up my confusion on the elastic placement. Love the pattern!

nikedis
nikedis

good

Maryke
Maryke

After reading everyone’s comments I realised I had to measure the fullest part of my breast and not underneath,I know I am not xsmall , hope to be able to find stretch lace, thanks for the pattern , love it

Connie

I tried to download this pattern from the link and it’s says “not found” I searched for it on Craftsy and could not find it

Linda G
Linda G

Thank you for creating and posting a bralette pattern that isn’t a chest-flattening bandeau and is C-cup friendly. I’ve been looking for something simple and light without hooks that dig into my back or wires to dig into my armpits, but big enough to (maybe) give some light support to my aging, no longer tiny or perky girls. Since it is very hot here, too, (100°F and high humidity predicted for today) I’m anxious to make this soon, perhaps in a natural fiber like cotton or silk with spandex.

Catherine

Like some of the other ladies, I dont see this as having the necessary scaffolding to achieve anything for me, BUT what I do see is the lovely basis for a full slip to wear under a slinky or slightly opaque dress, or just a little longer in the body & you have a camisole to wear under a blouse or top.

maMari
maMari

I am looking for loooooong time a patern like this. Thank you very much!!!

Jessica
Jessica

Hi Mayra,
Cool project indeed!

One question if may: How wide must the stretch lace be to get a good result?

Greetings from GERMANY (where the summer keeps us waiting..)
Jessi

cetakz

Thanks, great pattern, easy.

CARIS
CARIS

Thank you for sharing your tutorial. Definitely made me take a double look when you mentioned “Orchard Road” ? Coming from the same sunny island, your tutorial is an awesome addition to helping me stay cool!

judy
judy

super tutorial! have to make one this week and the pattern being free is great too!

Amber Finley
Amber Finley

Hello, I was curious if this could be modified to be a halter strap?

-Amber

Jennifer
Jennifer

Perfect timing, Mayra! Thanks for the tutorial- it’s lovely.

Sharon Stevens

How cool is this!! Don’t know if it’ll help me being a full figured woman but I can relate to the heat! I hate heat the older I get. Thanks for sharing this! Will try and make it for my daughters or granddaughters.

karen
karen

Mayra, I love the dainty bralette! I am thinking of making a trial one for one of my nieces and this seems a great project. For myself, unfortunately, I don’t believe it has the strength to help support my chest. For that, I rely on the support of NASA and the materials they have devised to aid in liftoff. lol. Getting old is not for the faint of heart. Keeping your sense of humour is vital. That is a beautiful piece of lingerie and I think it may help with the heat. I hope things get a bit more bearable soon. Good luck and thank you for this tutorial.

marie4oso
marie4oso
Reply to  karen

I’m with you Karen! 😉 However I am keen to try this as a sort of ‘after shower’ or pyjama top so I don’t have the tightness of the scaffolding at night, but still have something pretty and shapely. Thank you Mayra – these tutorials are always the best and have terrific photos to make it easy to follow. I’m inspired! Good luck keeping cool! (I’m on the east cost of Australia and just had a ‘winter’ day that topped 29 degrees celsius so I can only imagine what summer will bring! ?

Adrienne
Adrienne

Is the measurement for band size or full bust?

Belinda Erickson
Belinda Erickson

It is the best thing I Have seen in ” forever”. Thank you SO much!

Beverley
Beverley

Thank you so much for this pattern. I have been looking and wanting to make one of these for a long time. Such a gift.

Ila Turner

I am a size 38 F USA or J in EUR measurements. I so wish this would work for me. Its gorgeous. My daughter is a 36 F or J and I know she’d love it also. We are both so sick to death of white and beige being the only choices available. Isn’t it ironic how men are thought to appreciate well endowed women so much more but manufacturers refuse to give us color in our bra choices if we are large breasted? We’ve got some very interesting ‘tie dyed’ looking bras from trying to dye our white ones a nicer color.

Mary Richardson
Mary Richardson
Reply to  Ila Turner

I was at a workshop this winter that used KoolAid drink crystals. The colors were just fabulous.

Mihaela
Mihaela

Thank you so very much for posting this !! Exactly what I was looking for in this hot weather!!

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