Have you ever considered sewing your own lingerie? Making bras, especially wired ones, isn’t easy. It’s time-consuming, fiddly and not necessarily a cheaper alternative to buying a pre-made bra. When you factor in fabric minimums for example (most are sold by the meter, even though you’ll need much less for a bra), you may well end up spending more.
But there are good reasons to learn to sew your bras and lingerie. Struggle to find your size in stores? You can, with some time and patience, learn to make something that fits your body perfectly. And not just any old design. You can create exactly the style of lingerie you want to wear. Hopefully, you’ll even have fun doing it!
If you’re in the mood for making a bra, the first step is to buy what you need. Sadly, most large fabric stores and haberdasheries I’ve been to have a pitifully small selection of lingerie-sewing supplies. You’ll struggle to find hook-and-eye fasteners that aren’t black, white or beige. You may not even be able to get metal rings, hooks and sliders. I often see these sold only in the plastic form in stores.
But fear not. There are plenty of online shops catering to the would-be lingerie designer. Below I’ve listed 14 such stores based in the US and Canada. I haven’t included retailers primarily selling fabrics in this list, because there are tons of them and they’re easy to find. Instead, I’ve rounded up places to go for specialized lingerie components, such as bra wires. Many also offer lingerie sewing patterns to help you get started.
14 Online Bra Sewing Supply Stores in US and Canada
Image via @bramakingsupplies on InstagramArteCrafts (USA)
This bra-making specialist sells everything you need to make not only basic bras but ones that are a bit fancier too. For example, they stock mono wires and hardware in rose gold and antique bronze colors.
Bra and Corset Supplies (Canada)
This shop has a large selection of lingerie sewing patterns, books, and DVD tutorials. You’ll also find everything you need to make your new lingerie. There are fabrics, elastics, underwires, sliders, and fasteners. Plus specialized corsetry supplies such as boning and busks.
Image via @bramakerssupply InstagramBra Essentials (USA)
True to its name, this is a store where you can find the basics to make your bras. This includes metal and plastic underwires, rings, sliders, hook-and-eye fasteners and a few more things. Notably, they have a lot of V-wire cup separators, which is something many other bra-making suppliers don’t even carry.
Bravo Bella (USA)
This retailer sells lingerie sewing patterns, including one to make bras up to a 48 band size. They also offer a selection of supplies that include all the basics you’ll need to get started. Think simple lingerie fabrics, underwires, sliders, strap elastics and the like.
Corset Making Supplies (USA)
As the name suggests, this is primarily a place to find corset-making materials such as boning, busks, and lacing. But they also sell bra-making supplies! There are underwires, elastics, clasps and more. Plus, they offer lots of lingerie sewing patterns and books on how to make bras.
Emerald Erin Bra Shop (Canada)
Independent retailer Erin sells her bra-making supplies through Etsy. She has lingerie-appropriate fabrics such as powernet, tulle and cup foam. Plus underwires, fasteners, rings, hooks, and sliders.
Lace Heaven (USA)
This is a general garment-making supplies shop. It mostly sells lace trims (of course!), fabrics, buttons, bows, and ribbons. However, there is also a fairly decent bra notions category with a selection of elastics, hooks, fasteners and other lingerie hardware.
Image via @mmadalynne InstagramMadalynne (USA)
Lingerie designer Madalynne has done more than just launch an intimates collection for Urban Outfitters. She also created a line of lingerie sewing patterns for Simplicity, available through her online shop. Here, you’ll also find the essential items you need to sew a bra set. There’s lace, elastic and a few other bits, in typically-Madalynne shades of cream and pastel.
Mrs. Depew Vintage (USA)
One for lovers of girdles, tap pants and slips! Another Etsy seller, Mrs. Depew offers lots of vintage lingerie sewing patterns to recreate your favorite retro looks.
Ohhh Lulu Sews (Canada)
Handmade brand Ohhh Lulu’s lingerie and loungewear designs are well-known among fans of indie lingerie. See something you like but fancy it in a different fabric? She also sells dozens of sewing patterns through this second Etsy shop so that you can make your version of Ohhh Lulu pieces.
Image via @orange_lingerie on InstagramOrange Lingerie (USA)
You won’t find any actual sewing components here. However what you will find is a range of detailed lingerie sewing patterns. They’ll help you to make a variety of different bra styles, including a longline strapless style. There are also patterns for briefs, a thong, and even hook-and-eye fasteners.
Porcelynne (USA)
This store has over 1,000 items from which to choose! Find the perfect trim for your briefs from the 100+ lingerie elastics. Then pick from the range of gold and silver hardware, various hook-and-eye closure colors, and more. There are also bones and busks available for corsetry.
Sew Sassy (USA)
This shop sells fabrics explicitly chosen for sewers of bras, other lingerie, and swimwear in mind. They also have lingerie elastics and bra findings---underwires, different hardware, closures and so on. You’ll also find a wide variety of Kwik Sew sewing patterns.
Tailor Made Shop (USA)
This is a specialist lingerie-making supplies shop. You’ll find lots of lingerie fabrics, plus bra foam, elastics, underwires and lingerie hardware such as hooks, rings, and sliders.
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Not based in the US or Canada? Keep an eye out for my follow-up list which will feature bra-making suppliers in other countries.
If you’re a lingerie sewing enthusiast, where do you purchase your supplies? Do you know of any great US or Canadian retailers to add to this list? Add them in the comments section below!
Featured Image: @mmadalynne Instagram