Make your own Nursing Bra
- Carmen Fourie
- 5 hours ago
- 4 min read
Why are all the nursing bras available made of polyester? Newly postpartum - super engorged and uncomfortable - taking my breasts out frequently to nurse my sweet little baby - all I wanted was a soft, comfortable organic cotton cross front nursing bra.
What is covered here
Why make your own bra?
Skill level required to make your own bra
Materials and tools needed to make your own bra
Other tips
I couldn't find a soft, comfortable organic cotton cross front nursing bra - so I put my sweet little scrunch baby in a wrap and I made one. And loved it. Then I made several more... and as a result - here with the nursing bra patten!
P.s. This is a beginner friendly project - read on to find out more about making your own bras.
This isn't the first bra I made. I made a lounger bra in pregnancy to replace all my "organic bamboo" ones (wow I fell hard for the greenwashing of bamboo - hmm... is it called green washing when it pretends to be a healthy alternative to polyester, but isn't). Anyway, I am currently on a mission to replace all our "bamboo" things with organic cotton (will settle for non-organic cotton sometimes), wool, maybe silk and linen. But it is a slow process. Some things I will make when I can't find it - like bras and others I will buy (like t-shirts). Stay tuned for more information on being a natural fiber (healthier) home by signing up to my blog for updates.
I got a little side tracked there - this is not the first bra I made, but this can be a first time sewing project. It might just take a little longer, but definitely possible!
This project is beginner friendly - basic sewing skills needed. The more advanced your skill - the more you can adapt the bra to your liking.
What you need to make your own bra
A sewing machine
Optional - Serger/Overlocker - I have a reasonably priced one that has worked amazing for my projects! I personally use my overlocker more than my normal sewing machine. Especially for projects like this. I only used my normal sewing machine to attach the cross fross over parts.
Stretchy fabric - I used organic ribbed cotton with the smallest percentage elastine I could find.
Optional, but recommended - elastic you can sew straight on (as in you do not need to case it like you would with most elastics). I used 6.35mm wide
And a pattern - I'd love for you to use mine or make your own.
Why bother to make your own bra?
One - it is awesome. Making stuff and learning or honing new skills is wonderful. But more specifically - You can make a bra that really works for your body and healthy! Most bra's on the market are made of polyester which is not good for us, especially not for our breasts.
Most bra's on the market also squash large breasts - also not good for us. I want something that kind of holds, but doesn't squish my breasts. And is not made of plastic r any other harmful fabrics or chemicals on the fabric. Making your own means you decide what the bra is made of!
Does it work out cheaper than buying them?
I don't know. I guess it depends what you're buying. You could buy some reasonably priced organic cotton bras from GAP when they're on sale. And in the name of having natural fibers I do sadly buy from typically "fast fashion" companies like GAP & H&M (but definitely not Temu or Shein).
Many of my DIY projects are because I want to make something exactly how I want it, but also cheaper than buying it. In the case of these bras - it is not necessarily about cost, because I use very good quality fabric. But it is about having something that truly feels good on (and for) my body. Proper "investment" pieces I'd say.
I hope this inspires you to make your own bra! It is a fun, relatively easy, project that leaves you with an amazing product you will want to wear all day everyday (coming from someone who could not wait to take my bra off when I got home).
Oh and you can also make a lounge bra - I created the pattern for that one first. Low impact sports bra coming soon because I decided I want to run again.
My patterns are here on my website, but also on my ETSY store.
About my pattern
It is one size that is adaptable using stretchy fabric, elastic and changing the size of the waist band, and also adding in elastic.
I have made these in Large and then removed the waistband and made it smaller to transform them to medium as my body has changed after baby #2.
Thanks for being here!!!
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