More Experiments with the Lotus Wireless Bra Pattern!
As I near my due date, I find my skin becoming more and more sensitive to anything form fitting, seams, and synthetic. In essence - any type of bra and most clothing. Hence the absence of any new blog posts in a over a month!
Today’s experiment comes from my need for something comfy but not too tight, with no band elastics touching my underbust yet somewhat supportive and enclosed seams in the cup.
On a recent shopping trip, I passed by a RTW bra that inspired this look - A cradle-less Lotus with reverse stitching!
Lotus Wireless Bra in single layer ponte.
Lotus Wireless Bra with exposed seams (then covered by FOE).
I partially wanted to try it just to see if the bra would work - to simply omit the cradle. In this particular case, the answer is yes! The key is to use a band elastic and fabric with good recovery.
MATERIALS
The bra was made from a single layer of random fabric from my stash with good recovery. I’m fairly certain its ponte as its clearly a double knit. Part of the reason this fabric was chosen was to see how a heavier fabric performed in a single layer.
Seams were serged/overlocked then covered by fold over elastic for some contrast. Upper band elastic was a 1” FOE with great recovery. Lower band elastic was a 1/4” plush elastic sewn in the typical manner (two passes) but reversed so the finished bra had the elastic on the outside.
Standard hook & eyes and strap elastics were applied to the bra in the typical fashion but on the wrong side so all the finished seams faced the interior. This was not only a design element but necessity given my current skin sensitivities.
CONCLUSION
After wearing the bra for 6+ hours, I’m happy to report the bra functions as I had hoped. The finished internal seams generated no irritation and the spandex within the heavier ponte held up nicely without the help of any powernet. Bra is looser fitting given the materials but offers similar support to my versions featuring 2 layers of nice quality cotton lycra.
Cradleless Lotus in Interior with finished seams.
Cradleless Lotus in Interior with finished seams.
I plan to add internal slings to convert this to a full nursing bra after birth (still can’t handle synthetics touching the underbust). The sling will be basted on at the bottom then the full length of the bottom band will be covered by 1” fold over elastic.