If you’ve ever stood in a fitting room, stared at the mirror, and thought, “How am I X old and this is still the best option?”—you’re not alone. Or maybe you’ve spotted a bra you loved until you looked at the tag or realized it wasn’t available in your size. If this was you, you may have followed up with: “Could I sew my own bra?” Yes, yes you can!

Bra making—aka DIY lingerie—can sound a little intimidating at first. Stretch fabrics, elastics, microtex needles, omg tiny ¼” seam allowances! But here’s the truth: learning how to sew your own bra is far more approachable than it looks. With the right tools, a good pattern, and clear instructions (or a sew along!), sewing your own bra is completely doable—even if you’ve never made lingerie before.

Want to know why I started sewing my own bras? Because I had a pretty intense corporate job and exactly zero bandwidth for a big, involved sewing project. Jackets? Hard pass. Anything lined? Absolutely not. By the time I finished all my adulting chores on the weekend, I was lucky if I had a few uninterrupted hours to myself.

I also lived in a tiny condo, so spreading out pattern pieces like I was cutting a ball gown just wasn’t happening. Bra making turned out to be the perfect solution. It’s a project I could finish in a few hours, feel genuinely accomplished, and still have time to do laundry, grocery shop, and mentally prepare for the week ahead.

Quick to sew, small-space friendly, and incredibly satisfying—sewing bras checked all the boxes. I got the joy of creating something beautiful and practical without turning my entire life upside down. Win-win, truly.

With over a decade under my belt, here is my beginner-friendly guide to help you take your first steps into bra making and sew your own bras.

Beginner Bra Making Patterns For Sewing Your Own Bra

Starting with a beginner friendly bra pattern is key. Even if you swear you only wear underwire bras, I still recommend starting with a bralette. Think of it as bra making training wheels (but make them cute).

Sewing a simple bralette is one of the best ways to get familiar with core bra making skills without feeling overwhelmed. You’ll learn how to cut sheer, stretch fabrics, sew and stretch elastics the right tension, attach straps, work with small seam allowances, etc. These are the exact skills you’ll use later when you move on to underwire bras—just without the added complexity of wires, underwire channeling, and 2, 3, 4 piece cups.

And if you’re thinking, “Bralettes aren’t supportive enough for me,” I hear you—and I challenge you. That may have been true a few years ago, but bralette patterns have come a long way. Today’s designs have a wide size range, supportive elastics, even more supportive fabrics. We’re not talking about flimsy, decorative bralettes anymore—these are wear-out-of-the-house bralettes.

Here’s where I’d start. Naturally, since Madalynne offers a wide range of bralette patterns and DIY kits, this post leans heavily on those—but don’t worry, I’m also highlighting other brands and patterns that I genuinely love and recommend.

Madalynne’s book, Sew Lingerie

My book features several bralettes for easing into sewing your own lingerie. Please note that these patterns are only available with the purchase of the book. They are not available for purchase separately.

Brooklyn Bralette is a simple yet stylish design that features stretch lace cups and a supportive band. It’s a great project for learning how to work with stretch fabrics and foldover elastic.

Margo Bralette is an easy-to-sew design with front closure and may be a helpful option for people with mobility issues.

Ryann Bralette has a sportier look, with a higher neckline and racer-back style. It’s a fantastic choice for anyone looking to sew a more active or lounge-friendly piece.

Emerald Erin

Known for her beautiful lingerie patterns, Emerald Erin offers a range of beginner-friendly designs. Her Jordy Bralette is especially popular for its shape and simple construction.

Porcelynne

Porcelynne offers a wide variety of patterns, including easy bralettes that are great for beginners. Their underwire Eve Bra is an excellent starting point for ambitious beginners, with clear instructions and a relaxed fit.

LilyPa Designs

LilyPa offers a wide range of bra patterns, DIY kits, and even online classes!

Shopping for Supplies

Sewing bras require different types of elastic for the band, straps, and other edges. You’ll also need hooks and eyes for the closure, and rings and sliders for adjustable shoulder straps. If you’re overwhelmed by shopping for individual pieces, consider purchasing DIY kits. They typically include all the fabrics, elastics, and hardware you need for one bra and get your familiarized with what elastics go where. They also save you money in trying to source all the individual pieces. I recommend websites like Madalynne, Porcelynne, LilyPa Designs,and Bra Builders.

Classes to Get You Started

Madalynne’s in-person retreats and virtual workshops: Three-day retreats offer an immersive, hands-on experience for all skill levels. Plus, the workshops provide a wide range of courses, from How to Sew Lingerie for Beginners to Underwire Theory and Corset Theory.

Me Made Getaway:  Fully immersive sewing at unique locations (Scotland, Caribbean, North Carolina). These retreats offer hands-on help, meeting and spending time with other makers, and leave with finished projects, new skills, and unforgettable memories.

LilyPa Designs Learn to sew at your own pace with Lilypa’s online courses. Lily offers step by step instructions and easy to follow videos that make it simple to tackle new projects and build your DIY lingerie skills.