How does a consultation work?

I’ll come to you and go over different style options and what I think would be most comfortable for your body. I’ll bring pictures of different styles and laces so we can design your perfect bra together. I’ll measure you, double masked and with gloves (thanks, covid) and that will include a breast root trace, which is basically a measuring tape with a wire in it to bend to the same shape as where your breast tissue hits your chest. I suggest wearing your best fitting bra that doesn’t compress (for example, not a sports bra), because we want to measure your breast where you want them to be (without gravity doing her thing). Then I’ll go home and make a pattern based on your measurements and the style you like and make a test run of the bra in basic materials (called a muslin). We’ll meet again and you’ll try on the muslin and I can see what needs to be adjusted for a perfect fit. If you like the fit of the muslin, you’re welcome to keep it. Then I’ll make the final version with the lace or other fashion fabric and deliver the bra to you! I do 25% at the consultation, 25% at the muslin fitting, and the other 50% when I deliver the bra. So for example an underwire is $200, so $50 at the consultation, $50 at the muslin fitting and $100 when I deliver.

What’s the difference between your bras and one from a traditional store?

Just about everything, mes chéries! As you can see from the consultation explanation above, it’s much more involved. I make a bra pattern just for you to make a bra to fit you, instead of finding a bra that’s already made and trying to retrofit your shape. That’s what makes a custom bra so much more comfortable!

Not only that, but traditional ready-to-wear bras are very often heat molded cups. Trying to force your cherries into a mold is far less intuitive and can lead to gaping, pulling, bat winging, and the dreaded quad-boob! By using a seamed cup, I am able to get the exact perfect fit for your chest tissue. And there are so many options to choose from, a two piece cup, three piece cup, internal power bar, external power bar, diagonal seam, vertical seam, horizontal seam! We can achieve so many different looks and still have the support your body craves!

Will a seamed cup show under my clothes?

Short answer: probably not.

Long answer: under most clothing, with most fabrics, the seams won’t show. If you are wearing a particularly thin or tight shirt, it can show. We can always look at bralette options with no seams or throwing out the idea that bras shouldn’t have seams! The idea of molded cups for a smooth bra underneath clothes was actually born from the no bra movement of the 1960’s. Very interesting history to look up if you’re interested!

I’m not a traditional bra client. Can you still help me?

OF COURSE! I’m happy to help anyone, any gender, any age find the undergarments of their dreams! Whether you can’t find your style in stores or companies aren’t stocking your size, we can work together to get you the perfect piece to make you feel confident and secure!

How do the bra classes work?

Email me and I will let you know the dates that are available for classes at the City Sewing Room location or I can even come to you! CSR classes are limited to 3 people per class, so you can be sure you’re going to get enough attention. I’ll send you a kit form so you can customize your kit, even down to the color of your lining and elastics! You get to decide the pattern to work on. If you need guidance on choosing a pattern, I’m happy to help you decide which to buy. We’ll go over the basics of bra making, best fabrics, fitting issues, and, of course, construction. I bring all of my underwires with me, so we’ll do a breast root trace to get your best fit! I am able to take payment via Venmo, Paypal, or cash.

I’m not in St. Louis, can you still help?

Right now, I’m only serving the St. Louis area with custom bras and classes. Hopefully when things are more sorted out with the pandemic, I’ll be able to offer services and products to a wider area! Stay tuned!