This is our basic bralette with no breastfeeding access. Choose from a short fabric waistband, a wide elastic waistband, or a longline waistband. This is a two layer bra - all but the waistband seam are enclosed (we added a tip for enclosing the waistband as well).
All our bra patterns are interchangeable and use the same sizing system.
Skill Level: There are some advanced techniques in the pattern, such as inseam elastic, darts, and elastic straps. However we've added lots of videos to help beginners! There are minimal pattern pieces and you can easily tell which is which.
Fabric: About one yard total for both layers. Horizontal stretch of at least 50% (70% preferred). Light vertical stretch needed. Vertical stretch of up to 50% is okay. Bamboo/spandex, merino wool rib knit, merino/spandex, cotton/spandex, yoga knit, swim knit. Fabric weight of 10oz or 220gsm and up recommended.
Maternity friendly: Yes
Nursing friendly: No
File Type: Layered, trimless PDF for printing at home. Layered projector. Layered 1-page AO Copy Shop File. All files can be printed in black in white or color.
Size range: 40 base size combinations. plus extra 28" underbust band and back pieces. These cover from a 35" bust to 58.5" bust. Up to 18" difference between bust and underbust (P Cup). All sizes are included in one pattern!
Time to complete: Start to finish is about one hour.
Tutorial: We use full color photographs. The harder steps have links to videos. Simplified, fast construction. We include a modifications page that has ideas for modifying the pattern.
Download Type: You will receive a zipped (compressed) file. Download the .zip file, right click on the file and select "extract all".
We aim for inclusive patterns that fit all bodies. If you don't see your size on this pattern, send us a message and we'll add it in!
Print Internationally
Our tiles have two layers, labeled A4 and Letter. US printers use the Letter layer, and everyone else can use A4!
Trimless Tiles
We designed our tiles to save paper and be easy to assemble. Place the guidelines on top of each other and tape or glue. The letter layer has solid guidelines with a star in each corner. The A4 layer has dashed guidelines with a circle in each corner. Each page has a number, and the tutorial has an assembly chart.
Copyshop Printing
A0 pages are 33.25" by 60" and are printable at most copyshops. We design ours to be printable in black and white. There are no passwords on any of our files.
Projector Optimized Files
Every pattern comes with a projector optimized pdf file. See what our projector file includes here.
Video + Picture Tutorial
We use pictures in our tutorials, not line drawings. We add in videos of steps that testers have a hard time understanding.
Bookmarks
Our tutorial has a table of contents, along with bookmarks. This allows you to quickly get to the page you need.
Updates
When a pattern is updated, you will get an email notification. Since we are a newer pattern company, we are updating several times a year as our skills improve.
Download Instructions
Each download contains a zipped (compressed) file, for downloading all the files at once. Download the .zip file, right click on the file and select "extract all".
We also include each file individually, if you wish to download each file separately.
Merino Wool
Want to use merino wool to make this? Check out our article with tips on sewing with merino wool and where to buy it.
Facebook Support Group
Show off your makes in our Facebook Group. Ask questions and answer tester calls.
The Empress bralette was maybe the 4th or 5th bra pattern I've tried, and ties for #1 with my previous fave! I found the construction to be fairly straightforward, and I really appreciated the advice on making adjustments for better fit. I honestly only had to make one muslin before getting a perfect fit! That is unheard of for me. I have a fairly narrow ribcage with a MUCH larger chest (38" band, 55" bust) and got an almost perfect fit straight off the pattern as-is. Following the instructions, I lengthened the darts and raised the front a touch and now I've made 5 bras lol. The darts ensure that I don't end up with uniboob, and the adjustable straps give me more support than I usually find with a bralette. 10/10!
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