The Sewing Place

Fabric for sports bra & cropped tops

Alangus

Fabric for sports bra & cropped tops
« on: February 16, 2018, 13:08:34 PM »
Hi, I make some dancewear and used to chat on the dancewear strand of the UK Sewing Forum. I'm trying to to make some pull on sports/dance bras and cropped tops. I don't mean the full on bras but more like a very supportive the cropped top, if that makes sense. I have been using an outer of medium weight lycra (82% nylon 18%elastine/lycra) with 2 layers of medium powernet (18% nylon 13% lycra) inside but I find that it is still bit too stretchy and I think that the front needs to be lined with something that has only a small amount of stretch - ssay 20% stretch.  I have made a couple of underwider bras in the past but the tricot I used to line those cups had no stretch so I think that would be no good. I also want to make ones that are not too thick or hot so I'd rather not be using the double layer of powernet if possible. Im going to try a really firm powernet but in the meantime I wondered if anyone has made sports bras and can suggest lightweight breathable fabrics to try that would give a firm less stretchy lining to the top? Looking at pull on sports bras in the shops they seem to be made with firm knit fabrics (along with standard lycras and powernets), but Im not sure what these firm knit fabrics are called or where to find something similar! I had a look on sewing chest but wasnt sure what fabric to look for. Thanks very much, Al.

Morgan

Re: Fabric for sports bra & cropped tops
« Reply #1 on: February 16, 2018, 16:56:50 PM »
coolmax polyester/lycra



Worth asking funki fabrics for a sample of both Flexcite and Titan fabrics to see which you prefer [size=78%]https://funkifabrics.com/printed-fabrics/street-style/ts1564-brick-art.html[/size]


https://funkifabrics.com/plain-fabrics/supplex.html

BrendaP

Re: Fabric for sports bra & cropped tops
« Reply #2 on: February 16, 2018, 16:57:39 PM »
Duoplex is a firm tricot fabric, it's the knitted polyester version of traditional cotton coutil.

Fit2Sew sell all the fabrics and notions used in the Craftsy bra making course, including duoplex. 

The Sewing chest is good, but it's a bit hit and miss as to what they have in stock.

FunkiFabrics have a wide range of plain and patterned stretch fabrics, and they will send samples.

Tia Knight also has a wide range of stretch fabrics.

The higher the percentage of lycra/spandex in a fabric the more it will stretch.  You are probably looking for about 5-8%.
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

Alangus

Re: Fabric for sports bra & cropped tops
« Reply #3 on: February 20, 2018, 10:34:50 AM »
Thats fantastoic - thenks very much for your help!