Nikki GYou Too can make a bra!
Updated: Jan 29
If you sew at any skill level, you too can make a bra!
Yes, it's intimating, but achievable
Yes, you can determine the right fit for any size
Yes, it's little pieces of lace and elastics, but fun to work with
Yes, you have to purchase a kit to make a bra, but how pretty they are
Here's what's in store for 2022:
Private Bra Making Lessons Schedule a session with a Bra Talk Instructor, measurements for pattern size, underwire sizes and make your first bra. Determine the right underwires and make adjustments for a custom fit. Sessions come with a bra pattern and muslin fabric bra kit.
Melanated Fabrics & Creative Center welcome
Bra Talk LIVE! for a Beginner Bra Making Workshop in Atlanta GA.
May, 2022 (tbd)
If you've ever thought about making a bra, join us for an in-person workshop where we will walk you through each step to a well-fitting bra.
Friday 5pm- 8pm
Measurements, Bra Fabric Kit, Pattern Cutting
Saturday 10am-1pm
Pattern Cutting, Making a Fit Band, Cups
Sunday 10am-1
Bra Adjustments and Final Fitting
Registration: $450
What comes with the workshop registration? The Shelley Pattern (beginner friendly with extensive sizes) Muslin Fabric Bra Kit Tracing Paper and Pencils
Breast Root Tracing Kit, to determine your underwire size
Videos with step-by-step instruction to support you outside of the session and afterwards
Should I bring my own sewing machine and tools? Yes, you are welcome to bring you own sewing machine and please bring your sewing tools that you are comfortable with: rulers, measuring tape, thread (any color), needles (Universal, Microtex), marking pens/pencils/chalk, pins or clips, scissors or rotary cutter
What should I wear to the workshop?
If you currently have a well-fitting, non-padded bra wear it (do not wear a sports bra)
If you have a fitted tank-top with a shelf on the inside, that's okay to wear too.
And, yes, please wear your face mask!
BEGINNER BRA MAKING SERIES - Virtual
Mondays, March 14 thru April 25 - 7pm-9pm (est) each evening
You too can make a bra and this series will provide all the steps to make a well-fitting bra.
The series includes:
Personal Fit Session - learn to take accurate measurements for what pattern size to cut and what underwire sizes to order Fabrics and Elastics - what comes in a fabric bra kit
Make a Fit Band - the bra band is 80% of your support - add the cups after
Bonus! Bralette & Matching Panty - just fun to do!
Registration includes: 7-week session (virtual via Zoom) 2hrs each Monday evening Step-by-Step Videos to Support Your Sewing in-between Sessions Shelley Pattern, Muslin Fabric Bra Kit, Breast Root Tracing Kit Bralette Pattern, Panty Pattern
The Shelley Bra Pattern is a full band bra, beginner friendly, a beautifully fitting bra from the Pin-up Girls Patterns. This classic full band bra is made with underwires and has great lift and support. It has been specially designed to use with non-stretch or low-stretch fabrics; which give the best support and a flattering profile. Perfect beginner pattern.
Pattern Sizes:
This pattern uses a unique sizing system, called the Bottom Cup Depth Sizing Method (BCD). All BCD sizes from 2.25 through 7.5 are included in this one pattern which offers the equivalent of over 100 ready-to-wear sizes. This includes the “in-between” sizes that ready-to-wear does not carry! Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
BRA TALK RETREAT 2022 Wanna make lingerie in community with others! April 28 - May 1, 2022 National Harbor, MD - The AC Hotel details coming soon
SWIMWEAR TOO! May 9, 16, 23, 26
Whether a backyard pool or a beach vacation its the perfect time for new swimwear. Learn to make your own swimwear using a commercial pattern or even a bra/bralette pattern and apply swim fabric for a customized look.
When considering a pattern, look at designs that you are familiar and comfortable with. If you look at swimsuits that you've worn in the past, consider a similar design whether one piece or two piece, especially if you're making one for the first time. When selecting fabrics, consider your design and ensure the fabric will give you the results desired.
Visit our Resource Center for swim patterns, fabrics and supplies: https://www.sewingmystyle.com/post/swimwear-fabrics-and-more
BRALETTES & BOTTOMS
Fridays in October
Celebrate BraTober 2022 as we make bralettes and matching bottoms. Bralettes are the new comfortable, with Netflix and Chill, as well as fashion statements right off the runway. Easy to wear lingerie pieces, custom made to wear in or out. Join us every Friday in October 6pm-8pm (est) to make a bralette and matching panty, boxer or bottom of your choice. This class will be hosted in the Zoom Sewing Room Fridays Oct 7 - Oct 28 6pm-8pm (est).
SEWING SKILL: Beginner or intermediate sewing knowledge is best.
LONGLINE BRAS
Longline Holiday Bra - Mondays, November 7, 14, 21, 28 7pm-9pm
Make your favorite bra into a longline bra - hack your favorite pattern for a holiday treat. Orange Lingerie's Esplanade and Pin Up Girl's Diamond Bustier are also favorites.
Registration Opening Soon
Visit the bratalkboutique.com for your bra making supplies featuring lovely laces, hardware, bra tulle and beginner kits to get started. Bra Talk Boutique also features customized dyed fabrics that complimentary any lingerie palette. Enjoy!
Meet the Instructors
NIKKI G
Expert sewing instructor from teaching beginners how to sew and build wardrobe making skills to helping advanced sewists up their sewing game and make garments that fit including lingerie.
After spending 30 years in the fashion industry in retail, merchandising and sales, Nikki as been taught by some of the top designers and instructors in the industry and lives by the credo: If I've learned, I must teach! So sharing what she has learned over the decades with you. Consider this your invitation into the community that was built for you!
DEWAHN COBURN
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to sew - as a child I remember playing dress up with my dolls creating many outfits for them.
In the 24 years that followed my sewing pursuits have included many aspects of garment making but my primary focus and passion is lingerie, jeans, jumpsuits, bags, and jackets/coat making. My bra making journey began 10+ years ago when I took a class sponsored by the Baltimore chapter of the ASG. After a day and a half of class instruction, I completed my very own bra. It fit and an entire new world began!!! I really enjoy making custom bra and panty sets, the options are endless.
I am a member of Black Women Stitch and is passionate about educating women about how to make their own bras. I recently spoke on the "Yes YOU Can Make a Bra" episode of the Stitch Please Podcast
NOAMI P. JOHNSON
Naomi’s godmother, a multimedia artist, taught her to sew handmade dolls as a young girl at summer camp. Her godmother gifted a sewing machine for her 30th birthday. For a couple of years, it sat unopened until one day when she stumbled across sewing tutorials on YouTube.
Naomi is a mom always and a teacher by day. She has an after-school sewing club at the elementary school where she works. She teaches garment making and leads A weekly “Sewcial Club” and summer camp at an independent fabric shop in the DC Metropolitan Area. Cultivating the local sewing community is a passion. Together with two DC Area fabric stores, Naomi hosted the 1st wildly successful DC Frocktails party, celebrating DC Area makers and sewists. Strict adherence to the DC Stay-at-Home order presented an opportunity for Naomi to try lingerie sewing under the guidance of fellow Black Women Stitch member and Great Sewing Bee panelist DeWahn Coburn. She made her first bra and was instantly hooked!
Thanks for the love -
Nikki