I ordered this book in CD format directly from Bra Maker's Supply, Beverly Johnson's own company. The cost of the CD is nearly half that of the printed manual. I printed out the pages and placed them in the binder. So basically I saved $40 just by doing a little bit of work on my end. You could probably do it at a copy shop (along with your proof of purchase) for a small fee if you don't have a good home printer or if you wanted to have it coil bound. The photos at the end did eat up a bit of ink but are worth it in my opinion.
This book does a really good job of helping you ascertain good fit for a bra with more than enough information for the home sewist. It also has copious amount of information on various fit and tweaking issues. The construction sections are similar to the pattern instructions I received with the Classic Bra pattern but more thorough. Perhaps one of the funniest parts of this book is a checklist of things NOT to do when sewing a bra.
Ostensibly, someone with good sewing and drafting skills could use the information in this book to alter a Pin Up Girls classic bra into several styles of bras, thus saving $20 a pop on future patterns. I'm not sure if I'm that skilled yet, but it is good to know.
ChristmasHills said... Thanks for this information. I'm still thinking about bra making and want to get there one day. 2/8/13 0:43 AM
SusanStitcher said... Do it! The most difficult part is sewing the cups into the cradle of the band. It is like setting in a sleeve but even curvier. Other than that, it just takes careful patience. 2/8/13 8:51 AM
maenad said... Does the book have any suggestions for sewing for someone with disparate cup sizes? My 15 year old has not been blessed with symmetry, and she is always unhappy with how only one side of her bra fits. I'm thinking about delving into this area once I'm through some of my current project pile. 2/8/13 9:48 PM
SusanStitcher said... She is a bit vague. Basically, start with the larger cup and then work down with the other cup. But she doesn't say if you should use the same band size but different cup size or just pin it out and take it in. Those would be what I would try. Or you can put a bit of padding in the smaller cup. 2/9/13 8:58 AM
maenad said... Thanks Susan, I think it's on my to do list 2/9/13 9:01 AM
imsewcrazy said... I really want to start making bras and I took a class and ordered a DVD. However, neither talked about padding a bra. Does this book show how to do that? 2/10/13 6:47 PM
SusanStitcher said... There are two pages on padding. It covers adding padding to the whole bra, the half bra and inserting a "biscuit" for a special push-up bra or for someone compensating for a lumpectomy. 2/18/13 6:16 PM
maenad said... Thanks Susan, I took the plunge and ordered books and supplies from Bra Makers supply. I'm never happy with how my bras fit either, so I'm looking forward to diving into a new topic. 2/23/13 1:26 PM
Miss N said... Where did you order a dvd from imsewcrazy? 2/26/13 0:46 AM
imsewcrazy said... Miss N - I ordered a DVD from Bravobella. 3/9/13 12:17 PM
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Thanks for this information. I'm still thinking about bra making and want to get there one day.
2/8/13 0:43 AM
Do it! The most difficult part is sewing the cups into the cradle of the band. It is like setting in a sleeve but even curvier. Other than that, it just takes careful patience.
2/8/13 8:51 AM
Does the book have any suggestions for sewing for someone with disparate cup sizes? My 15 year old has not been blessed with symmetry, and she is always unhappy with how only one side of her bra fits. I'm thinking about delving into this area once I'm through some of my current project pile.
2/8/13 9:48 PM
She is a bit vague. Basically, start with the larger cup and then work down with the other cup. But she doesn't say if you should use the same band size but different cup size or just pin it out and take it in. Those would be what I would try. Or you can put a bit of padding in the smaller cup.
2/9/13 8:58 AM
Thanks Susan, I think it's on my to do list
2/9/13 9:01 AM
I really want to start making bras and I took a class and ordered a DVD. However, neither talked about padding a bra. Does this book show how to do that?
2/10/13 6:47 PM
There are two pages on padding. It covers adding padding to the whole bra, the half bra and inserting a "biscuit" for a special push-up bra or for someone compensating for a lumpectomy.
2/18/13 6:16 PM
Thanks Susan, I took the plunge and ordered books and supplies from Bra Makers supply. I'm never happy with how my bras fit either, so I'm looking forward to diving into a new topic.
2/23/13 1:26 PM
Where did you order a dvd from imsewcrazy?
2/26/13 0:46 AM
Miss N - I ordered a DVD from Bravobella.
3/9/13 12:17 PM