It is always thrilling to offer a new sewing pattern and today I am super excited to introduce you to our newest bra sewing pattern, the Lexington!
I have been wanting to add a wireless bra to our collection for a while now, but getting support and shaping without underwires is quite the challenge! Of course I love a good challenge and after much testing and fitting, the Lexington is everything I wanted it to be! How did we do it?! Without the ability to use underwires we switched to two other methods to gain support and shaping: cut-and-sew foam and side seam boning.
The cut-and-sew foam adds shaping and support to the cups with the extra added benefit of expanding the universe of fabric choices. With the cup structure that foam provides you are not limited to a low to no stretch fabric like most of our cut-and-sew bras (though those fabrics work just fine). In fact, this bra works best if you use a stretch material for the cup cover and cup lining. Hello jersey prints! (You can even use jersey over the power net band, but that is another post!)
Of course, this bra can also be made without the cut-and-sew foam for a more relaxed garment. We have even been playing around with making sports bras from this design in the studio and we can’t wait to share that tutorial!
The side seam boning is a nice addition in this bra, especially for D and DD cup sizes. It helps keep the breasts directed forward, away from the underarm, something that is an issue with most bralettes and wire-free bras.
The strapping trim on the Lexington bra was inspired by the “Cross Your Heart” bras in the 1970s and brought to the modern era by making them a design feature. They are bold, graphic and functional all at once.
As always, the pattern material includes the clear fully illustrated instructions you have come to expect from Orange Lingerie and each size is presented separately with the seam lines.
Given the design, the Lexington bra pattern will only be available for A to DD cups in size 30 to 40 bands. As with all of our bra patterns, I had the pattern graded up and then tried that sample on our size 34H fit model. It was immediately clear to both of us that this style was not going to work for the larger volumes.
I hope you enjoy the Lexington bra pattern as much as I do! Be sure to tag your makes with #LexingtonBra and/or #OrangeLingerie so I can find them all. I love seeing everyone’s unique version of our sewing patterns!
