Medieval Kirtle ➡ Historybounding Bra: Dos and Don'ts

I make my kirtle pattern into a bra, with mixed results.
Sources:
Draping tutorial
cottesimple.com...
Supportive shift content:
• Breast Support in the ...
Lengberg bra content:
• Lengberg Finds and Rec...
• 500 Year Old Underwear...
My Lengberg Bra video:
• Ye Olde Demonetization...
Music:
Medieval Dance Tunes
Performer: Paul Arden-Taylor (shawm, bombarde, recorder, rauschpfeife) Elizabeth Wright & Malcolm Peake (strings/percussion).
MUSOPEN Song:
musopen.org/mu...
Creative Commons License: Public Domain Mark 1.0

[@belkusuma]

I can FEEL your exasperation when you said you have to cut away your lacing panel. This really does make me want to make my own linen bra, because that looks SO comfy

[@TheSingerSews]

It definitely wasn't my favorite thing I've ever had to do in the sewing room. And linen bras are the actual best.

[@HopeEvey]

I cannot wear synthetic fibers - not even the 4% spandex found in most "cotton" clothes. I am thrilled to have your example to follow! Soon I will have boob support that doesn't itch

[@TheSingerSews]

Good luck! I hope yours turns out better than mine!

[@HazarielAtelier]

That seam like a very practical and comfortable thing to add to an historical wardrobe, even for everyday wear. Thanks !

[@TheSingerSews]

I love my homemade linen bras. I don't wear my modern bras anymore, now that I have this and my Lengberg bra.

[@HazarielAtelier]

@@TheSingerSews Agree !

[@gisellemurasaki2399]

I just heard 'I hate modern bras' and instantly subbed. 👍

[@SingingSealRiana]

Totaly agree on the bra hate, cheep, material, loses its shape and support fast, quite expensiv if you got a nonstandart size . . . my corsets are way more comfy, I am always open for aternatives ^^

[@danhurl1349]

Ok this was hilarious and very helpful. I too hate bras. I usually wear corsets but it gets so hot where I live in the summer, that that simply isn’t practical. I’m now on the search for solutions to my summer breast support problems

[@jennyatelier_augenstern1180]

It's super helpful not only to see what works, but also what mistakes you made along the way! Thank you!

[@elizabethtutor9604]

I've made something in a similar style before. I actually put the zipper in the front and upside down. Being upside down means that the zip pull doesn't show through my clothes because its under my bust. Although I did use princess seams so I had a straight front.

[@TheSingerSews]

Yes! I wanted a front zipper, but it doesn't work with a curved seam.

[@flagondra135]

The garment was gorgeous and "historically adequate" made me laugh loudly!

[@SuperMrsMar]

I LOVE how you did this video! Showing the trials and tribulations was great it is so helpful and teaches so much. I have never been a big fan of the kirtle or thought of something like this, it's just not my era, but after watching this, I kinda want one. AKA, you did TOO well!

[@TheSingerSews]

My kirtles are the most comfortable clothing I own!

[@craftlete]

I'm sorry not sorry to say I'm glad you're a few steps ahead on the journey I embarked on last year xD (I plan on trying out corsets and supportive kirtle variants, basically any constructs that distribute the weight) Thank you for sharing the traps you successfully discovered so that others don't have to! I had already decided on side lacing but not the details - "side lacing that ties in the back" has been jotted down *thumbs up*

[@TheSingerSews]

If you have mobility issues, lacing in the front is also an option! You can also make the laces long enough to wrap back around to the front, so if you need to get out easier you can see the bow.

[@TheSingerSews]

Plus, if you make the laces long enough, they can stay in the bra all the time

[@craftlete]

@@TheSingerSews Good points! Having the laces tie in the front sounds smart and I definitely won't say no to being able to leave the laces in the eyelets. Thanks for your input!

[@Ashley_tipsyshades]

I wish I saw this last week when I was trying to make a more vintage looking linen bra (oh boob sweat), and I gave up and spent too much money on two new synthetic bras yesterday, but also, it's so nice to have real support for the first time in forever. But yours gives me hope!

[@mel-tooqueertokaren]

Thank you! I'm obsessed with bra alternatives.

[@stevezytveld6585]

The Featherweight Shop sells an eyelet cam for the Singer Buttonholer-foot-thing-y. It's worth the expense for shipping. I've been meaning to get to this project for a while. I recently picked up a large expanse of butter-yellow wool suiting from the local Charity Shop chain store. I think it's going to become a kirtle. So, on behalf of 38FF me, thank you for the tutorial. - Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi

[@TheSingerSews]

Thank you so much! Sewing eyelets by hand is one of my favorite techniques, but not everyone is crazy like me, so thanks for this recommendation!

[@believeinfaeries8713]

That looks so comfy! Nicely done and I love the format you did with this video. It was very helpful.

[@TheSingerSews]

Thanks for watching!!

[@azteclady]

oh, I love the silhouette the kirtle gives you. My only issue with this type of garment is chaffing/sweating between the boobs, but I've no doubt that slipping a scrap of absorbent linen fabric in the decolletage would work for the purpose. ::ponders and plots::

[@TheSingerSews]

That seems like a plausible period solution!

[@ah5721]

Ive read that some well bosomed ladies would use some sort of scented powder between sweaty bits like baby powder

[@nicolawebb6025]

As someone who is 36 E and has struggled far more to buy bras that fit in Canada compared to Britain, I feel your problems. I also find it hard to find anyone who knew what good fit was (La Senza said I was a 40B!). My solution was to learn how to fit and make bras and they are so comfortable I hardly notice them, just like a well fitting corset, which I also make. And I see so many women in horribly fitting bras, which is why they're uncomfortable.

[@trampledbygeese]

This is brilliant! I'm going to try something like this. Love the recommendations.

[@annelewis7531]

I have just started to make an early 1800s brassiere using a Reconstructing History pattern Rh 834. This is my first attempt at making a bosom support using no synthetic fabrics which I too can't wear without discomfort. I'm tempted to try making the stays as well.

[@TheSingerSews]

Tag me in an insta story when you're done! And good luck with RH... I've heard... Bad reviews.

[@wishful1976]

@@TheSingerSews No kidding. 😢

[@FayeSterling]

-dings back into existence at the words supportive shift- hahaha I'm so sorry that the zipper didn't work out. I love my lacing so much, and having it made all the weight changes of quarantine so much easier to deal with.

[@TheSingerSews]

I'll definitely be making another one with side lacing. My modified L-bras have side lacing and it's excellent

[@lorilihime1788]

I just want to let you know that I am sorry that you have to deal with having a full fruit stand instead of only one type of fruit.... As for the actual video itself. Thank you for including us in the process. I have been considering replacing all my "modern" with obvious comfort myself and wasnt sure where to begin

[@jackdaw7751]

My word you are entertaining! So glad I found your channel. I've been wanting to make something like this for a while, your tips well come in very handy. (I can already see mistakes I would have made...😆)

[@nemoignorat2443]

This is great. Thank you.

[@nevem5010]

💖

[@Marialla.]

Very inspirational garment! I'm looking forward to making one for myself now. Question, though: rather than removing the eyelet strip to get your 2" gap in the back, is there a reason why sewing a 1/2" vertical pin tuck on either side of the lacing strip couldn't have worked? Maybe, for strength, the tuck should be topstitched down as well. Another question: do you think this type of bra would benefit from adding any boning, perhaps edging the eyelet strip, to give the laces something sturdy to pull on? Final question: what weight of linen do you recommend? I'm thinking of buying from Burnley and Trowbridge, who list theirs by ounce. I think it needs to be beefier than handkerchief weight, but less than canvas duck cloth, but other than that I'm clueless.

[@TheSingerSews]

Sorry if this is too little too late, but here are some answers to your questions: 1. The pin tuck creates one more place for the fabric to take strain, even when you stitch the flap down. Depending on how often you wear it, this might cause the garment to wear out sooner. 2. boning might be an option, depending on how long you make the bra. Personally, I would not do it, because one of the reasons I make these is due to sensory sensitivity to the hard structures in bras. I would worry about the bones digging in. 3. You want medium- to heavyweight linen, but you're right that canvas would probably be too much. I just used the stuff I got at Joann for these, which I'd say is about 5-6 oz per square yard.

[@Marialla.]

@@TheSingerSews TYSM for the reply! Good information.

[@studiotezart]

Awesome, It fits so good! I cant wear synthetics either and have alarge bust and been looking for something like this. I don´t have anyone to help me to do the basepattern :Soh well it just have to be a longerprojekt :S

[@middi6]

Im fuller busted and to make it worse I'm between cups and looked online and its learn to sew or cough up on average 90 quid for a bra in in my size I think I'm gona try this one.

[@hopecraftsalot9782]

How do you feel about over lining your linen layer with a stiff net (mesh) fabric to add some stability to stop the stretch? I’ve come across two types of commercially available net fabrics with minimal stretch: nylon and polyester. The mesh layer will be on the outside, so not next to your skin, and it’s breathable, so you’re still benefiting from the wicking properties of linen.

[@TheSingerSews]

That would probably be a workable solution if you're bothered by the stretch! I do like to stay with biodegradable fabrics as much as possible in my own sewing, though.

[@hopecraftsalot9782]

@@TheSingerSews what if you made it a double linen layer? Would that negate the cooling benefits of linen in the summer?

[@TheSingerSews]

It would work

[@hopecraftsalot9782]

@@TheSingerSews thanks for answering my questions 😊

[@skirtedgalleons]

I want one.

[@depressed_firefly]

I wonder what to do if you cannot stand boobs being pushed together tho (I cannot, I need them always separated, otherwise it's very uncomfortable for me) but cannot stand any bras so far too

[@etainne2001]

ADD: Don't accidentally buy Monk's cloth and think it will do fine. not a good choice.... regrets.

[@TheSingerSews]

Oof no

[@elisabethm9655]

👍🏽❤️😌

[@annathenewt247]

Wondering if i could make a binder with this technique..

[@TheSingerSews]

I'd imagine it might transfer well to that purpose, but as always, make sure you're binding safely!

[@rosameryrojas-delcerro1059]

That is more like a sports bra. I can't wear those comfortably for some reason.

[@TheSingerSews]

One thing that is different about this is that it's made from a woven fabric, so it has less give than a sports bra. This allows the weight of the breasts to be somewhat transferred to the upper back, rather than only the shoulders.

[@ayjamay]

I can’t stand my boobs touching each other or I’d want to do this.

[@TheSingerSews]

Check out my modified Lengberg bra. It has separate cups :)

[@blowitoutyourcunt7675]

A little late to the game but please do check out Mariah patties sports bra she made out of linen, I really think you would like to see someone else's struggles, failures and triumphs in this endeavor! Cheers doll!