Under the Arbor Lace Bra Kit with Cap Sleeve Option

Our Lace Bra Kits take the guesswork out of bra building by putting together everything you'll need to make a beautiful bra using your own pattern. If you need a pattern, we have a great selection on our Patterns Page, both paper and downloadable.

If you're on Instagram, you've seen all the gorgeous cap sleeve bras that Asmaa from @sewsurgical_endeavours has made. I asked her why she likes this style so much. I was expecting her to say something about how cute it is, but instead she talked about how comfortable it is. There is absolutely no shoulder pressure! Asmaa brings all her expertise as a breast surgeon to combine several methods for distributing the load of supporting the breasts, which is how she creates such a comfortable bra. This bra is the perfect union of comfortable support and beauty! If you'd like to make the cap sleeve version of this bra and did not attend the International Bra Sewing Bee, you can always register for Extended Access and get all the wonderful details about how to sew this lovely creation. 

Of course, you might want to wear your bra under a sleeveless garment and prefer a traditional bra. We've got you covered! This kit is also available as a traditional bra kit just like all the other wonderful Bra Builders kits. The Larger version of both kits comes with a half yard of cup fabric rather than a kit cut. For the Stretch Silk Satin version, both sizes get a half yard of silk but the Smaller gets the smaller amount of Sheer Cup Lining.

 Please note that larger band sizes on the cap sleeve bra will require a bit more fabric for the back band of the bra. If your bra band is 38 or larger, opt for the band fabric upgrade. This will provide you with enough length for your back band. If you're getting a traditional bra kit your back band will be just fine as is.

Asmaa made the 2 smaller cup versions of the bra with the Black Beauty by Emerald Erin and used the Josey Bra by La Bella Coppia for the larger size. The Cap Sleeve version incorporates the Emily bra from Michelle's Armoire for the back.

The Under the Arbor Cap Sleeve bra kit contains:

The Under the Arbor Traditional Lace bra kit contains:

If you'd like to add on a matching panty kit to complete your set:

As always, feel free to choose your favorite elastics or narrow lace (leave us a note if you don't see your choice!). You can also add a 9" square of absorbent fabric for your panty panel!

Sewing Notes:
The strength of our microduoplex fabric, which makes it so wonderful for bras, also makes it hard to puncture with needles and pins. This is true with most duoplex fabrics. Use either fine silk pins or Wonder Clips to pin (I find Wonder Clips work best), and a Microtex 80/12 needle with a smooth thread like Superior Threads So Fine or Mettler Metrosene to make it easy to sew. In my testing, the So Fine thread and Microtex 80/12 won the challenge of the nicest stitch on microduoplex, and as long as my presser foot completely covered the seam allowance, I found it just as easy to sew as quilting cotton. I moved the needle to the right to set my seam allowance at 1/4" since my presser foot is a bit wide. I find it works well to saturate the lace with liquid starch and let it dry before laying out your pattern pieces and cutting your fabric. This stiffens the lace until you wash it and the lace has enough body to behave well in the sewing process.
We offer all these pins, clips, needles and thread here on our site.