BS: Bra making in London!

Subject: BS: Bra making in London!
From: GUEST,Lady Penelope
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 06:05 AM

Hello.

A friend of mine has managed to suddenly become allergic to polyesther and/or other man made fibers in bras (but thankfully not latex). As she's fairly well endowed, she really does need to find an alternative source of upholstery that won't cost a small fortune, as she has a limited budget and soon!

She's willing to make her own bras and I'm fairly sure we can find her a source for cotton fixings etc, but she's never made a bra before (and neither have I....) and was wondering if there's is anywhere/anyone she can go learn from and any patterns anyone can recommend. She's based in London, hence the title....

Subject: RE: BS: Bra making in London!
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 06:11 AM

"When she's dressed she's like Mae West
She wears two saucepan lids upon her chest
Fanlight Fanny the frowsy night-club queen!"

I've also heard of breastplates, sounds like she needs to go to a cookery wares store Penny.

Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Bra making in London!
From: gnu
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 06:15 AM

Take measurements from one of her existing bras?

Subject: RE: BS: Bra making in London!
From: Bagpuss
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 06:16 AM

This might be a good place to start.

Subject: RE: BS: Bra making in London!
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 06:28 AM

in the voice of father jack.... wimmins knickers... and bras!

www.rigbyandpeller.com/

Subject: RE: BS: Bra making in London!
From:
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 06:44 AM

I can recommend Rigby and Peller but they are expensive...and the bigger teh cup size the more expensive they are!

Subject: RE: BS: Bra making in London!
From: sian, west wales
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 06:54 AM

She could try the V&A or one of the bigger theatre companies with in-house wardrobe departments. They may have on file patters from earlier decades (40s, 50s) which they might make available if she explains the situation. A good pattern cutter might even be able to make her one to order; could be expensive to start, but she could use it repeatedly.

Actually, the V&A might even have a specialist book on the subject.

siân

Subject: RE: BS: Bra making in London!
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 06:56 AM

I'll have a look at the site tonight, thanks Bagpuss.

Gawd, I'd hate to think how much it would cost just to get 3 bras out of R&P (one clean, one on and one in the wash)......

She had already been thinking of sewing her own bras, this has kinda sped things up.

Subject: RE: BS: Bra making in London!
From: Bagpuss
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 07:25 AM

I think rigby and peller use madmade fibres in bras just the same as other brands. If you were just looking for larger bras, I could recommend both figleaves and bravissimo, but I havent been able to find any styles that are man made fibres only.

Subject: RE: BS: Bra making in London!
From: Sooz
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 08:30 AM

Marks and Spencer make cotton bras. Look on the "back to school" stand. Any elastic and the thread they are stitched with will be polyester but cotton don't stretch right!

Subject: RE: BS: Bra making in London!
From: Bagpuss
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 08:34 AM

But Marks are rubbish for larger sizes. I know, because they tried to convince me I was a 32E when I was really a 28-30 FF. But they didnt have any of those, so they tried to convince me I was completely the wrong size!

Subject: RE: BS: Bra making in London!
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 09:58 AM

I have the same problem with allergies to anything but cotton. There's a lot of good info in this "I hate bras" thread. I have just ordered an "Unbra" without a latex band. It takes three weeks ot get one because they make them to order. There is a link in that thread.

Good luck!

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Bra making in London!
From: robomatic
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 10:08 AM

How is she with aluminum? You could have her working on a full 'XENA'.

I forget if it is MIG or TIG welding she needs to bone up on.

Subject: RE: BS: Bra making in London!
From: beardedbruce
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 11:42 AM

chain mail is far more practical than sheet metal...

Subject: RE: BS: Bra making in London!
From: Ebbie
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 11:58 AM

And forget barbed wire, entirely.

Subject: RE: BS: Bra making in London!
From: Micca
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 12:01 PM

Penny, this lot Try Here
might be able to help or at least point her in the right direction or This, and this and here is a one day short course in making

Subject: RE: BS: Bra making in London!
From: beardedbruce
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 12:02 PM

actually, metal cloth ( woven from wire) can be a solution, as well- man-made, but gold or stainless steel is unlikely to cause an alergic reaction.

But chain mail bras are available on the net.

Subject: RE: BS: Bra making in London!
From: GUEST,Robin Madge
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 08:22 AM

Once did a gig for a lingerie factory in Bridgwater but didn't get any useful hints on construction methods I'm afraid.
What we did get was an unexpected mooning by their ladies darts team! Blind Panic gigs were always eventful!

Subject: RE: BS: Bra making in London!
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 09:06 AM

Point her in the right direction Micca?
I bet you'll feel a right tit when you realise your faux pas. [If it was a faux pas that is!]
G.

Subject: RE: BS: Bra making in London!
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 09:49 AM

Mudcat's CLinton Hammaond does chain mail, that is, he makes it!

Subject: RE: BS: Bra making in London!
From: beardedbruce
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 09:53 AM

And custom fittings are usually available...

Subject: RE: BS: Bra making in London!
From: lady penelope
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 03:33 PM

Oyoyoy........


Thanks Micca, I shall pass stuff on.