Bra Month | Bra & Bralette Pattern Roundup
At Sew Busty, June is Bra Month! Here’s some of the festivities we have going on:
- An instagram giveaway going on RIGHT NOW, with a grand prize worth $135!
- Monthly swag challenge: Make a bralette, or binder and post it on Instagram or Facebook with #sewbustychallenge by July 5 for a chance to win swag from the Sew Busty Shop!
To make your bra making easier, we have a sew-along of the Jet Set Natural bra coming up, starting Monday, June 7. This pattern already caters to many busty sizes, but the designer, Kerry, is amazing and is willing to grade the pattern for anyone who may be outside its current range. So, stay tuned Monday for my tutorial on how to measure yourself for this bra (and other bras; I’ll be going over all common bra measurements) and how to choose a size!
I’ll be using this fab teaching tool I just got to demonstrate measurements:
Now, if the Jet Set bra isn’t quite your cup of tea, there are other options so you, too can make a bra and enter the June Sew Busty Challenge!
For this list, I’ve chosen to include patterns that go up to at least a 36H cup or 5.5″ bottom cup depth. Have I missed one? Please ping me at lindsie@sewbusty.com or through Instagram messaging to let me know!
(Don’t know what bottom cup depth is? Don’t worry! You’ll learn on Monday when we go over how to measure for a bra!)
For bras I have made or have a friend who has, I’m including a “my thoughts” section. If this section is missing, you can assume I haven’t made the bra and haven’t heard enough about it to make a judgment call.
Big Boob Bralette Patterns
Size Range: Drafted to measure. Currently tested up to a 9″ difference between underbust and full bust, but contact the maker Zdenka for larger cup sizes. I personally tested the upcoming non-stretch Forme pattern, and it worked great for my 11.5″ difference.
Printed/PDF?: PDF
My Thoughts: I loved making my Forme bralette! I tested the to-be-released non-stretch version (currently, only the stretch version is available), and it just needed a couple tweaks, which I’m sure will be hammered out as Zdenka continues to test the non-stretch pattern. Everyone I know who has tried the Forme bralette has loved it. You can see my non-stretch version here.
Price: 550 Kč (roughly $25 USD)
PIN UP GIRLS | SWEET 16 BRALETTE (for non-US purchases, use this link)
Cup Size Range: 2.75-5.75″ BCD
Band Size Range: 28-40″ underbust
Printed/PDF?: Printed
My Thoughts: I would recommend the Sweet 16 to those who are average-to-wide rooted and have average-to-shallow projection. Personally, I’m an almost-omega, narrow-rooted, projected noodle shape, and I had to do a lot of alterations to make the Sweet 16 fit me well. But other people have had great success with it out of the envelope.
Price: $16.99
HOUSE MORRIGHAN | POPPY BRALETTE (underbust 30.4-40.3″ | underbust 38.3-50.6″)
Cup Size Range: A-I (for 30-40″ underbust) or C-I (for 38-50.6″ underbust)
Band Size Range: 30-50.6″ underbust
Printed/PDF?: PDF
Price: $12.06
HOUSE MORRIGHAN | DAHLIA BRALETTE (underbust 30.4-40.3″ | underbust 38.3-50.6″)
Cup Size Range: A-I (for 30-40″ underbust) or C-I (for 38-50.6″ underbust)
Band Size Range: 30-50.6″ underbust
Printed/PDF?: PDF
Price: $12.06
Cup Size Range: A-K (not all cups for all bands)
Band Size Range: 30-40″ underbust
Printed/PDF?: PDF
Price: $14
LILYPADESIGNS | LOTUS BRALETTE & CAMI
Cup Size Range: 2.9-7.1 BCD
Band Size Range: 28-44″ underbust
Printed/PDF?: PDF
Price: $17
Sports Bra Patterns for Boobalicious People
PORCELYNNE | CHRISTINA & LAUREL SPORTS BRAS
Cup Size Range: A-N
Band Size Range: 26-51″ underbust
Printed/PDF?: PDF
My Thoughts: These patterns are sister patterns, and you can mix and match pieces of them. Personally, this is probably my favorite sports bra pattern. I love it. That said, I don’t do high impact exercise, but this bra keeps me held in during dance class. I personally recommend sizing down one in the band and the cup for a more compression fit. (This bra is intended to be an encapsulation, not compression bra.) Here I am wearing my Christina!
Price: $15
GREENSTYLE CREATIONS | POWER SPORTS BRA
Cup Size Range: A-H
Band Size Range: 28-46″ underbust
Printed/PDF?: PDF
Price: $12
GREENSTYLE CREATIONS | ENDURANCE SPORTS BRA
Cup Size Range: B-H
Band Size Range: 28-40″ underbust
Printed/PDF?: PDF
Price: $12 for split sizes / $20 for bundle with all sizes
PRIMROSE DAWN | MARITZA SPORTS BRA
Cup Size Range: A-L (not all cups available for all band sizes)
Band Size Range: 30-42″ underbust
Printed/PDF?: PDF
Price: $14
Cup Size Range: AA-K (not all cups available for all band sizes)
Band Size Range: 26-44″ underbust
Printed/PDF?: PDF
Price: 12€ for split sizes (about $15 USD); 18€ for bundle of all sizes (about $22 USD)
Busty Wireless Bra Patterns
FIREBRAND | JET SET NATURAL BRA
Cup Size Range: 2.75-6″ BCD, but designer Kerry is willing to grade to any cup size outside of her current range, as she works to expand the sizing. Contact her at hello@firebrandlingerie.com to have her make your size!
Band Size Range: 30-40″ underbust, but designer Kerry is willing to grade to any cup size outside of her current range, as she works to expand the sizing. Contact her at hello@firebrandlingerie.com to have her make your size!
Printed/PDF?: PDF
My Thoughts: I freaking LOVE this bra. It was a pretty simple sew and fit basically perfectly on my first go, which has never happened with another bra pattern before. I highly recommend this as a first bra pattern, which is why we’re using it for this month’s sew along, starting Monday, June 7!
Price: $20, but for the month of June, get 20% off all Firebrand patterns using code sewbusty
FIREBRAND | JET SET BULLET BRA
Cup Size Range: 2.75-6″ BCD, but designer Kerry is willing to grade to any cup size outside of her current range, as she works to expand the sizing. Contact her at hello@firebrandlingerie.com to have her make your size!
Band Size Range: 30-40″ underbust, but designer Kerry is willing to grade to any cup size outside of her current range, as she works to expand the sizing. Contact her at hello@firebrandlingerie.com to have her make your size!
Printed/PDF?: PDF
Price: $20, but for the month of June, get 20% off all Firebrand patterns using code sewbusty
PIN UP GIRLS | INGRID WIRELESS BRA (for non-US purchases, use this link)
Cup Size Range: 2.75-9″ BCD
Band Size Range: 26-46″ underbust
Printed/PDF?: Printed
My Thoughts: I was very pleasantly surprised that this pattern fit me with minimal alterations. For me, I use my Ingrid as a sports bra, as it feels like a little too much bra for everyday wear. (I prefer daintier bras.) I love that this is maybe the most size inclusive non-sports bra pattern out there right now. I’ll be doing a full review on this one soon!
Price: $16.99
LILYPADESIGNS | LANAI WIRELESS BRA (4-7.1″ BCD | 5.6-8.6″ BCD)
Cup Size Range: 2.9-8.6″ BCD
Band Size Range: 28-44″ underbust
Printed/PDF?: PDF
My Thoughts: I’ve never personally made this bra, but I’ve heard nothing but good things and I can’t wait to try it. It’s the only wireless bra I’ve seen have the gore (the center part between the breasts) tack (fit against the skin). This is a sign of great fit and great engineering!
Price: $17
Wired Bra Patterns for the Fuller Bust
Cup Size Range: A-O (not every cup size is available for every wire size)
Band Size Range: 26-51″ underbust
Printed/PDF?: PDF
My Thoughts: This is, hands down, my FAVORITE bra pattern ever. It’s my absolute go-to. Here’s why: It’s a modular pattern, so you get to choose not only your band and cup size, but also your torso shape, wire size, and wire style. For me, as a narrow-rooted person, on most bra patterns, I have to alter them a ton to get the larger cup to work with my smaller wire. But not with this pattern, since designer Jennifer is an absolute goddess who did that for me and every narrow-rooted or wide-rooted person out there. THANK YOU JENNIFER. Basically, this is the closest to custom fit that you’re going to get in a pattern.
Now, the downside of that is there’s a bit more of a process to make this bra. We’ll have a blog post all about this later this month, but basically, you have to figure out your wire size first, then move step by step through the rest of the bramaking process. It also means that you have to buy the band pattern separate from the cups pattern. But trust me, it’s worth it.
Price: $16 total ($8 for a band pattern; $8 for cups pattern)
Cup Size Range: A-J (not every cup size is available for every band size)
Band Size Range: 26-51″ underbust
Printed/PDF?: PDF
Notes: This, like the Eve, is a modular pattern, so cups and band ar sold separately.
Price: $16 total ($8 for a band pattern; $8 for cups pattern)
Cup Size Range: 4-8.6″ BCD
Band Size Range: 29-42″ underbust
Printed/PDF?: PDF
Price: $17
Cup Size Range: 4-7.1″ BCD
Band Size Range: 29-42″ underbust
Printed/PDF?: PDF
Price: $17
PIN UP GIRLS | CLASSIC BRA PATTERN (for non-US orders, use this link)
Cup Size Range: 2.25-7.5″ BCD
Band Size Range: 26-40″ underbust
Printed/PDF?: Printed
My Thoughts: I could not get the Classic to work for me, but I think it would be a great option for those who have a more wide-rooted, shallow shape.
Price: $16.99
PIN UP GIRLS | RUBY BRA PATTERN (for non-US orders use this link)
Cup Size Range: 2.25-7.5″ BCD
Band Size Range: 26-40″ underbust
Printed/PDF?: Printed
Price: $16.99
PIN UP GIRLS | SHELLEY BRA PATTERN (for non-US orders, use this link)
Cup Size Range: 2.25-7.5″ BCD
Band Size Range: 26-40″ underbust
Printed/PDF?: Printed
Price: $16.99
AFI ATELIER | EXQUISITE BRA PATTERN (28-38″ bands | 38-48″ bands)
Cup Size Range: A-I
Band Size Range: 28-48″ underbust
Printed/PDF?: PDF
Price: $17.51
ORANGE LINGERIE | BOYLSTON BRA PATTERN
Cup Size Range: A-J
Band Size Range: 30-40″ underbust
Printed/PDF?: PDF
Price: $17.99
ORANGE LINGERIE | DEVONSHIRE BRA PATTERN
Cup Size Range: A-J
Band Size Range: 30-40″ underbust
Printed/PDF?: PDF
Price: $17.99
ORANGE LINGERIE | MARLBOROUGH BRA
Cup Size Range: A-J
Band Size Range: 30-40″ underbust
Printed/PDF?: PDF
Price: $17.99
B’WEAR | JESSICA’S TWIN BRA PATTERN
Cup Size Range: A-I
Band Size Range: 70-105cm underbust
Printed/PDF?: Printed
Price: $17.03
B’WEAR | ANGIE’S TWIN BRA PATTERN
Cup Size Range: A-I
Band Size Range: 70-105cm underbust
Printed/PDF?: Printed or PDF
Price: $17.03 printed | $12.61 PDF
LA BELLA COPPIA | JOSEY PLUS BRA PATTERN
Cup Size Range: C-J (not all cups available for all band sizes)
Band Size Range: 30-42″ underbust
Printed/PDF?: PDF
Price: $20
Cup Size Range: A-I (not all cups available for all band sizes)
Band Size Range: 26-38″ underbust
Printed/PDF?: PDF
Price: 12€ for split sizes (about $15 USD); 18€ for bundle of all sizes (about $22 USD)
Cup Size Range: C-K (not all cups available for all band sizes)
Band Size Range: 30-42″ underbust
Printed/PDF?: PDF
Price: 12€ for split sizes (about $15 USD); 18€ for bundle of all sizes (about $22 USD)
Cup Size Range: A-H (not all cups available for all band sizes)
Band Size Range: 28-42″ underbust
Printed/PDF?: PDF
Price: $16.50
I did not include every Pin Up Girls pattern, as they have many, but I included all of those that are most popular. You can check out their whole catalog here.
I also did not include any patterns for which I couldn’t find a size chart. For example, Bravo Bella has a couple patterns that go to an I cup, and AFI Atelier’s free Maya Bra pattern goes up to a J cup, but I could not find a size chart for them.
If you try one of these, please let me know how it goes! Tag your posts on instagram and the Facebook group with #sewbustychallenge for a chance to win some swag!
This post was updated on June 6, 2021 to add a few patterns I had missed, including the Make Bra patterns and the Cloth Habit Harriet.
^Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
cm.sews
June 18, 2021Just discovered this site and so glad it exists! I have 14″ FB and UB different and haven’t come across a pattern or drafting system for bras that appears to work for me (without using sister sizing). I’ve made a few patterns with sister sizing and have struggled to find any that have enough support. My RTW size is 34M us / 34J UK. Any ideas?
sewbustycommunity
June 20, 2021Oh I’m so glad you’re enjoying so far! My absolute top suggestion would be to check out the Porcelynne Eve. I know someone who is a UK 36J and wears it, and I’m a 30J and also love it. The first step on that bra is to check your wire size/shape and HH, and make sure your HH is available for that wire size. I actually just did a write-up on this pattern a couple days ago: https://sewbusty.com/2021/06/18/bra-month-busty-pattern-review-porcelynne-eve-bra/
Unfortunately, there aren’t many wired bra patterns available in this size range. Most top out at a US J cup … though you might check the sizing for the B,Wear bras, as I believe they use a non-traditional sizing wherein the cups are bigger than the letter would indicate. I sneak in just barely under their size chart, so you might too!
For wireless bras, the Jet Set, the Ingrid, and the Lanai are all good options!
M-C
June 26, 2021It’d be good to mention the Coco sports bra from Jalie It’s a company with reliable fit over extended sizes, very much oriented toward using industry fabrics and techniques. It got the highest possible compliments from Fehr Trade, who wrote the book on activewear sewing, and who’s herself a marathon runner.. https://blog.fehrtrade.com/gallery/6897/a-surprisingly-supportive-sports-bra-pattern/ I don’t think anyone could go wrong starting there..
sewbustycommunity
June 26, 2021Oh! I don’t think that one has cup sizes, so it doesn’t qualify for this roundup, but it may be a great bra pattern! Bras without cup sizes can be really tough for people with big busts. So this list includes only those patterns that offer at least an H cup 🙂
Lily
February 6, 2022Just an FYI – both the Lanai and the Labellum are available up to KK Cup (UK sizing). That’s 18“ for the horizontal hemisphere and 8.6“ for the BCD.
sewbustycommunity
March 19, 2022Thanks, Lily! I’ll update that! <3
Rebecca
April 19, 2022I think this was published before the MyFit Sports Bra and Crop Top from Apostrophe Patterns came out. It’s one worth considering for inclusion as it’s generated for your exact measurements, so no size limits. There is the option for a princess seamed view for support for larger busts.
sewbustycommunity
April 20, 2022You’re right that I need to add this pattern! I didn’t have great results when I tried it, so I can’t really recommend the pattern for bustier folks, but it certainly is an option. Thanks for pointing this out! Will update the list soon!