Recommended Notions

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Bra straps – High quality elastic with minimal stretch and good recovery. Bra straps should be strong in order to properly hold up the breasts but still allow them some natural movement and breath-ability within the bra.

Click here and here to buy bra straps from some of my favorite shops!

Picot Elastic – This is a lighter-weight elastic with a scallop edge design typically used on the neck of the bra and sometimes on the bottom of the band.  Picot elastic is also great for underwear. It is functional and decorative for a nice clean finish to your bra and panty projects.

Click here and here to buy picot elastic from some of my favorite shops!

Fold Over Elastic– This is a strong elastic that has a ridge in the center where it is meant to be folded.  It is often used on the neck of a bra or the bottom of the band. You will also see it used on other lingerie apparel such as underwear and camisoles or nighties.

Click here and here to buy fold over elastic from some of my favorite shops!

Underwire – This is the wire used under the bra cup to add structure and support.  There are different wire sizes depending on your cup size. It is important to purchase the right size in order to avoid a wire digging into your breast or an oversized wire that will not lay against the chest properly.

Click here to buy underwire from some of my favorite shops!

Padding – These are also called bra cups.  Certain patterns allow you to insert a bra cup or pad within the two layers of fabric for more coverage and structure.

Click here to buy bra padding from one of my favorite shops!

Rings & Sliders – These are necessary to make your bra straps adjustable and to connect your straps to your bra.  You can buy pre-made adjustable bra straps but you also have the option of making your own.

Click here and here to buy rings & sliders from some of my favorite shops!

Hook & Eye Closure – This is also called a closure or fastener.  It connect to the bra band, the hooks on one side and the eyes on the other side.  This is a very common bra making notion as it allows the bra to be securely fastened to your body.

Click here and here to buy hook and eye closures from some of my favorite shops!

Bra foam – This is used to create bra cups or add padding to bra straps.  Bra foam is different from bra pads because it does not come as a finished cup.  Rather it is a piece of foam fabric that you will cut and manipulate to your specified cup size.  It is also commonly used in swimwear.

Click here to buy bra foam from some of my favorite shops!

Underwire Channeling is the casing that encloses an underwire.  The underwire channeling is sewn along the interior cup seam where it holds the wire against the body and provides structure and support to the bra cups.  You can buy underwire channeling pre-made or you can make your own. Regardless of whether or not your bra requires underwire, it is always a best practice to use underwire channeling because the support it offers will increase the number of wears of your bra. 

Click here and here to buy underwire channeling from some of my favorite shops!