Finally Time to Fit

 Finally,  a direction! The session started out with some general directions to be followed by anyone the fitter told needed it. I’m a bit surprised that the measurements on the alterations are the same for ALL of us, not unique to individuals. Okay, I’ll consider it a minor change.

They asked us to raise our zoom hands and wait our turns. There was some comments to the presenters, some jostling of the list for those at work. No one sent me any info before or during my turn. Yet, when my turn came, the fitter asked me how many bras I’d be fitting that day, and before I could answer some woman on their team spoke over me to say that I could only do two, and blatantly lied that it had been discussed with me. I am shook that such gaslighting is happening in this group. 

In the previous session, when they glanced at my bras, I had told the fitter that I only had two pairs of underwires in the correct size. I was able to show two and then go to the back of the line. The morning sessions had less people in attendance. The next sessions were scheduled on the weekend, and more people would be there…

Afterwards, I asked the fitter if I should cut down on the number of patterns. She expressed that it was fine. So, what’s with that other lady? There was not limiting information on the sign up. There were five patterns stated. 

A Fitting Course

 I saw an advert for a course to fit bras that went something like, “Want a fitting underwire bra? Join us …”  With all the struggle I have had, I jumped on the invite and signed up. I am unsure if I can do more than one, but it is a distance course, and I can make time to sew for learning purposes. I’ll sleep when I’m dead, haha. I chose to try out all five patterns. If they tell me I have to use only one, I can choose that once I see how they fit! They purposely chose the bras to cover a large range of sizes. 

The Josey and Josey Plus are only available from Bra Builders at this time, and they cover from about a range of sizes from 30-46 bands, starting from a five inch BCD (12.7 cm), think 30H or 36DD, up to 40K or 46H through sister sizing. To use the Josey, I will have to shrink the pattern as I am currently 2 sizes too small for it. I want to work on this one on my own.

The AFI Elegance is available online as a download through the AFI Atelier website or her Etsy shop. The pattern is split into 4 sizes by smaller or larger bands and by smaller or larger cups. Aim to at least get your cup size, if you buy this, as a band is more easily altered for length. This covers a range of sizes from 85A-110I (US 28A-48I).

The next two patterns are from the same company, Bra Makers Supply (BMS), and are sold under the brand Pin Up Girls (PUG for short). The course producers chose to use Amethyst from the jewel line of patterns, and Freja. They both cover sizes from 3-6 inch (7.5-13 cm) BCD, and can both use foam. In the Amethyst, the pattern suggests to go up a size if using stable fabric instead of foam, whereas the Freja does not, so that seems to mean the Amethyst’s sizes are one size smaller from Freja if using not stretchy fabrics. These patterns are only available in print. They come on large sheets of paper, and best practice is to trace or photocopy the pieces needed and keep the pattern together. Check your country for a supplier to save on shipping. For example, Canadians get the best shipping price from BMS, but USA gets a better shipping price from the American supplier, Gigi’s Bra Supply.

And, the MakeBra DL03 is a cute downloadable pattern for smaller sizes. The smallest band covers 65C-I (US 26C-I), through the largest band 95A-C (US 38A-C). 

I’m pretty excited for this to start and hope to get a tolerable bra from it. 

(Note: references to the course name have been redacted for now as there may be some miscommunication going on)

Ruby Class with Gigi’s

  

Hubs is giving me an early Valentine’s gift. Gigi’s Bra Supplies is having a fitting class for the Ruby bra in February.