Ultimate Sports Bra Free Pattern Review

Pattern details

It’s free from So Sew Easy available here:

I love the diagonal front design details and there is also a curved seam between the racer back and back body which are a bit hard to see in the black fabric (same with mine) but could easily be accented with some contrasting fabrics. I’ve drawn them in white below.

It’s a great pattern, if you like the design look no further!

Fabric – can you get away with 2-way stretch?

I used a 95% polyester 5% lycra 2-way stretch fabric from Amazon which I bought specifically for the purpose – although it was only after buying that I realised it was only 2 way stretch. A 4-way stretch would definitely be better but it does work with 2-way.

I also used a black power mesh (from Amazon too!). This is like a very stretchy thin net fabric often also used in dance wear.

Fold Over Elastic (FOE) is essential but fun to choose the colour

Increasing support

The pattern includes a front facing which Myra recommends using the same fabric as the body for. Having looked at a fair few other patterns before settling on this one I’d learnt about the addition of a power mesh fabric which adds some compression. I directly cut the facing out of power mesh.

Next time I would probably use power mesh and a lining facing together.

There is a narrow band that runs along the base. I didn’t but would recommend enclosing a piece of elastic that fits snug around your underbust.

Fit

The pattern is very well drafted. I will probably increase the length of the torso next time.

Construction

The video is super helpful and I actually much preferred it to reading instructions. The fold over elastic is definitely the most fiddly bit. I had quite a lot of trouble sewing it on as the fabric kept slipping out from inbetween leaving lots of holes which I had to unpick and resew.

A remedy to this is to lay the WRONG side of the fabric on the WRONG side of the elastic only up to the fold. Pin well or use clips. Use a zig zag stitch in matching thread to secure the elastic in place. Then fold elastic over edge of fabric and ‘topstitch’ in place with zigzag.

I made mine using a mock three thread ultra safety stitch on my overlocker which was speedy, neat and perfect for the job. It kind of sews two lines of stitching so should be durable. I like to try out new stitches but its always time consuming to rethread and change needles!

Hack the pattern

I want to hack the pattern with a fun colourful FOE strappy back which I’ve been playing with on my mannequin. I’ve been told it looks like something someone may wear as part of a circus outfit but y’know some of these colours combos are just worth it!