Sewing Bras: Designer Techniques (DVD + Streaming)

Start with a well-fitting pattern, then use it to design, draft and make your own bras! Learn how with lessons from sewing expert Beverly Johnson. Start by easily turning a full-band bra pattern into a partial-band bra. Next, learn to change the neckline and design the straps you want. Move on to modifying bra frames, creating the world’s thinnest band and making front closures. Bring greater comfort and style to the back of your bra by modifying the width of your fabric or angling the closure downwards. Then, discover how to support and complement your shape with power bars. You’ll even find out how to make cup size discrepancies disappear by drafting your own alterations!

NOTE: If you’d like to purchase only the DVD for this class, you may do so through this link. (Please note, any class PDF materials are not on the DVD itself. You must have streaming access to download those materials associated with the class.)

Introduction & Partial-Band Bra (38:40)
Meet your fairy bra mother, Beverly Johnson, and learn how to use your class as a reference for designing and modifying bras for comfort and style. Beverly begins by showing you how to take a full-band bra pattern that you’ve already determined is a good fit and turn it into a partial-band bra with a few simple pattern adjustments and sewing changes.

Modifying Upper Cups & Straps (25:02)
Change the neckline of a full- or partial-band bra with Beverly’s guidance and learn how to add padded, tapered or multiple straps. You’ll see how the trifecta of the straps, top of the cup and top of the bridge interact and how your design takes all three areas into account.

Modifying the Frame (29:53)
Beverly shows how to modify the frame on both full- and partial-band bras. Learn how to make “the world’s thinnest band” or turn the bottom of your bridge into a gothic arch. Beverly also shows how to create a front closing on a partial-band bra and how to add a keyhole to your bridge.

Modifying the Back Band (25:52)
Add comfort and style to the back of your bra with Beverly’s modifications, such as changing the width of your fabric or angling the closure downwards. Prefer front-closing bras? See how to make a Y-back or add a keyhole.

Power Bars (26:46)
Give your bust a boost with built-in power bars. Beverly shows how to add a bit of sheer nylon or seams in just the right places to help accentuate your shape. An external, ruched power bar can even be a fashion statement!

Modifying Cup Seams (32:30)
Altering the seam lines on your cups can give your bras a different look. With Beverly’s guidance, draft your new seam lines using both 3-D and paper techniques and get an amusing but important lesson on the correct choice of fabric.

Side-to-Side Modifications (19:51)
Discrepancies in cup sizes are no problem when you can draft your own alterations. Beverly shows how to bridge the different sizes easily with pattern adjustments or padding. You can also make your own push-up bra!

Beverly Johnson
After years of sewing her own dance costumes and swimwear, Beverly Johnson began teaching bra making in 1995. She has shared her immense knowledge of techniques for sewing bras, swimwear and intimate apparel ever since. Beverly is the owner of Bra-Makers Supply, which carries specialty patterns, fabric and findings. Her books include “Make and Fit Swimwear” and two volumes of “The Bra-Maker’s Manual,” which have become textbooks in some fashion schools.

How will I receive my DVD class?
Your DVD will be shipped in the mail using the address you provide at checkout. Your purchase also includes access to a streaming version of the class and downloadable PDF class materials. After your purchase, you can find your streaming class and your PDF class materials by logging into your Craftsy account using the user name and password you established.

How do I access the companion materials for my DVD class?
Come to Craftsy.com and log into your account using the username and password you set up when establishing your Craftsy account or purchasing your DVD. In your “My Account” area, select the “Classes” content. On this page, you’ll see all classes you’ve purchased from Craftsy. Simply select the desired class from your content list, and you’ll be presented with your selected class page. From the class page you can easily view, download or print the companion class materials, which are in the “Bonus Materials” tab on the class page. You can log in any time, and download or print the companion materials as many times as you like. Companion class materials are not shipped in the mail with your DVD, and must be accessed on Craftsy.com.

How do I stream my class on Craftsy.com?
Come to Craftsy.com and log into your account using the username and password you set up when establishing your Craftsy account or purchasing your DVD. In your “My Account” content, select the desired class. Stream the video on-demand from the class page any time you like; your viewing access is unlimited. You can stream your class from any computer, tablet or mobile device with Internet access.

Do I have to purchase a Craftsy Membership to get my class?
No, you do not. Every DVD purchased on Craftsy.com includes both the physical DVD in the mail and unlimited on-demand streaming access at Craftsy.com. These benefits are yours with or without a Craftsy membership.

Are DVDs included in a Craftsy Membership?
No, they are not. DVDs can only be purchased on an individual basis and are not included in Craftsy memberships. For non-members, DVDs are a flexible way to purchase only the classes you love best. For members, DVDs are a great choice to build an at-home library you can keep forever and enjoy any time, with or without Internet access.

Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we do ship most physical products, including DVDs, to several International destinations. In addition to the USA and Canada, we ship to Australia, Brazil, India, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, and most Western European countries. If you live outside these countries, you can still purchase digital items including memberships, individual streaming classes, and pattern downloads.

Do your DVDs work on international players?
Yes, our DVDs should be compatible with any DVD player in use today. All our videos have been created with all current Region Codes (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8). If you have trouble viewing a DVD purchased from Craftsy.com, please contact Customer Service.

What is your return policy?
We want to be sure you’re satisfied. If you have trouble playing your DVD, if the content is not correctly presented on the DVD, or you are dissatisfied with the content of your class, we will work with you. Contact Craftsy customer service via email or phone. Upon your request, and upon your return of the DVD to us, we will refund your purchase price or send you another DVD to replace a damaged or incorrect DVD, whichever is your preference. If you do receive a full refund, your streaming video class will also be removed from your Craftsy account, so on-demand video access will no longer be available to you.