Turn your regular bra into a nursing bra

For women who have difficulty finding a regular bra, finding a nursing bra is just that much harder.

I've created a kit which contains step-by-step instructions, elastic and one-handed nursing clips so you can turn one of your exisitng bras into a nursing bra.

You can see a bra made with the kit in the Etsy treasury collection above.

Note: the really visible stitching was for demonstration purposes. :)

The kit comes with either black or white elastic.

Here is the listing for the black elastic kit:

http://www.craftisart.com/bracraft/27828/nursing-bra-conversion-kit-with-black-straps-a-diy-kit

Here it is with white elastic:

http://www.craftisart.com/bracraft/27827/nursing-bra-conversion-kit-with-white-straps-do-it-yourself

How do you find your bra size?

With over 80% of women wearing the wrong bra size, I thought a post on how to measure for a bra would be helpful.

There is no standard for bra sizing. What is one size for one manufacturer is a totally different size for another manufacturer.

For determining correct size, there is only “common wisdom” and bringing lots of bras into the fitting room.

Common wisdom states that you measure your chest size then add 5 inches to get your band size. With today’s highly stretchable fabrics, this most often gives a band that is way too loose.

Instead, you should measure your chest immediately below your bust and only round up to the nearest even number.

In looking for a way to explain how to measure to find you bra size, I came across this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUb9ZYqhV-Q&feature=relmfu

She does a very good job of explaining how to measure.

This is another blog post with a really good explanation of how to measure to find your bra size.

http://www.thinandcurvy.com/2010/10/how-to-measure-your-bra-size-correct.html

Plus size women also need to consider that there is more material to stretch in a larger size band. Here is a post that talks about sizing considerations for plus sizes.

http://venusianglow.blogspot.com/2011/02/bra-fitting-for-plus-sizes-really-big.html

If you have a band that is too loose, most of the weight of the bra will be carried by your shoulders instead of distributed by the underwire to the band. This leads to shoulder and back aches and straps that dig in.

Your band should be snug without restricting breathing.

And since manufactures can't agree on a standard size, you may find that you still have to go up or down a bit in the band or cup size for a particular brand or style. But at least you’ll be starting out with a better fit. And maybe you’ll only have to bring 3 bras into the dressing room instead of 12!

A little about me

I thought I’d introduce myself to you.

Hi, I’m Ann.

My favorite color is red. The brighter and stronger the red the better! Any surprise when I say red roses are my favorite.

I also love the first flowers that bloom in spring like sweet peas and lilacs. They’re so nice to see after the bleak months of winter.

I play a Bowed Psaltery. A stringed instrument that requires minimal musical skill which is good because that is how much I have! So that even someone as musically challenged as I am can enjoy playing some tunes!

I got into making custom bras because I like the challenge and structure of it.

I have sewn my whole life. I went thru a 2-year program in fashion design before changing gears and going into engineering. The logical problem solving I bring from engineering makes my sewing and pattern making better.

Is your bra band too big?

How to tell if the band on your bra is too large:

-Band rides up in back.

-Shoulder straps fall off.

-Underwire does not sit against chest.

-You fall out under the cups.

-Too much of the weight is carried on your shoulders

-Your straps dig in

-You get shoulder and back aches

If you have some or all of the above fit problems, try going down 1 or 2 band sizes.

For every band size you go down, go up a cup size to keep the same fit in the cup.

For example: If your current non-fitting bra is a 38B, try a 36C or a 34D.

Welcome to BraCraft

The aim of BraCraft, the blog and the FaceBook Page, is to share information. Some related to bras, some not.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BraCraft.bras

The aim of BraCraft, the shop, is to provide a comfortable, pretty bra in a size that fits.
OnlineShop: http://www.bracraft.com/

Most of us women wear a bra everyday. But is it comfortable? Does it fit? Does it even look nice?
Or are you wearing it because it was the only one you could find in the store? Or is it so old because you can’t find a replacement?

Reports show only 20% of women wear the right size bra. And like most women’s clothes, there is no standard sizing. We all know this because if you take 3 bras of the same size from different brands into a dressing room, none of them fit the same.
At BraCraft, rather than use the “standard sizing” that really isn’t, I use actual measurements. With 6 measurements, I’ll select the bra pattern pieces just right for you and make you a bra the fits in the style you chose.

You no longer have to make do with what’s available. You have a choice with BraCraft.