Lucky in Love

I'm on the smaller side of "large breasted" which makes it annoying to buy bras because many of them will appear to come in my size (based on their size range) but when I try them on I'm just one cup size out because every brand is a different fit.  This means having to go to a specialist shop, with "specialist prices" to match to get nice bras.  For reference I'm about a 16-18F (Australian) but as I said, it varies with brand.

In the last 12 months, when I really 'discovered' indie PDF pattern designers, I've seen a range of bralette patterns.  These look comfortable and easy to make.  I wasn't looking for the same support as an underwire bra because when I started looking I was still breast feeding and was wearing soft cup bras anyway.  I'm not feeding any more, but still like the idea of a more comfortable bra option when I'm staying home most of the day.

I've tried a few of these patterns without heaps of success.  They do seem to be more suited to the smaller busted, but not impossible for the larger among us.  I couldn't get a level of support I wanted, even considering I was comparing to a soft cup.  Then I tried some with power mesh, and that gave me support but also mono-boob.  The struggle is real ladies.

I had the most success with the George & Ginger Lovesick Bralette (which is free when you join their FB Group. This design incorporates darts which help with support.

I was still getting a bit of mono-boob happening though, which is as much about comfort as about looks.  Also the neckline is a bit higher than I'd like if I was to wear it under clothing as a bra.  Some have tried putting a centre piece in to gather up the front, like I did in my version of the Tank Hack but this didn't help to keep my breasts separated.

Then Rad Patterns brought out their Lucky Lingerie pattern.  This was very cute, and some said that the twist front helped with separation so I thought I'd give that a try.

My first attempted was rather disappointing.  I was just falling out all over! (Tiger print was on the clearance rack that week)

Some advice from Stephanie at Rad Patterns helped but it still wasn't giving me what I wanted, and this didn't have the same support as the Lovesick.  I left them all in a box in the corner for "later".

Finally this week I got around to trying out the idea that had been brewing in my mind over the last few months.

I mashed the cup shaping/darts of the Lovesick with the cute twist of the Lucky, and this is my result

It's basically a Lovesick, with the front neck and twist shaping of the Lucky.  I'd like to try one that has the Lucky back as well, because the back has a cute keyhole to match the front.

I've been wearing it for about an hour so far this evening.  So far I still have ample separation and it doesn't feel too droopy.  Will be interesting to see how it holds up over a whole day.

Overall, it feels great for a bralette made out of only cotton/lycra.  I'm sure I could get mores support if I used power mesh in the cups.... so I guess that's my next adventure in bralette making!