Perhaps you've seen the Artful Bras that have been created to be auctioned off as a fundraiser against cancer.

(If not, here are a few links: http://wings.buffalo.edu/org/artfulbra/
http://www.quiltersofsc.org/Artful%2...artfulbras.htm)

I am working on one for a local fundraiser. Mine is not anywhere near as creative or clever as the links above. I've just done some semi-traditional piecing similar to a NY Beauty and some bargello. And trying to machine quilt it, but underwire doesn't like to be quilted :D. Good thing I have extra sewing machine needles around!

Anyway, I've struggled to make this fit a "C" cup (after all, aren't we quilters always trying to make our tops perfectly flat?????) and now I have all the components made, but not sure how to get the edges finished.

Has anyone done one of these that can offer some suggestions on how to encase all the edges? I can't do much by machine because of the underwire. I really don't relish handstitching a bunch of bias binding around all the edges, but that might be what I have to do. Fusible, hot glue.....I'm open to anything!! LOL

I can't help, but it's great, I love it!!

-Well, if you'd put it on a dressmaker's dummy for us I'm sure someone would be able to suggest a way of doing it easily.

You could glue on trim to finish off the edges. I saw a tute on these bras that was finished this way :D:D:D

Another use for a folded Dahlia!

What a great idea!!!!

hmmm I think I would have ( I know , kinda late now -- maybe u could add it and still do it this way??) made the edges just a bit longer, folded then toward the inside of each cup, then hot glue the " underwire areas" together, thus catching the " binding" in the glu area. Turn the wrong side out and trim any extra quilted fabric to the edge.
or
glue underwire areas together, then glue or hand stitch some sore of large trim ( pearls, rick rack gimp, etc) to hide the glued areas

after going back I see u covered the side straps too.. most of the ones I've seen were made into purses and the side straps were cut off...leaving just the shoulder straps for purse handles..

ignore me if u making a truely quilted bra.... smile

Can you remove the underwires so you can sew and then re-isert them when you close up the last bit of lining.

I don't know if this is praticla but you could face it with a lining. Make the lining the same shape as the cups and place them right sides together. sticthe round onthe machine leaving a turning gap ( near where you want to re-insert the underwire) turn and then reinsert the underwire and close up the gap. Depending onconstruction you could do both cups and the side starps at the same time. like facing a top.

hope that helps. Maybe not on this project but the next one :o)

Wow. This is new to me and a totally fun idea.

This project made me smile! Thanks for sharing. :-)

Great idea - I will be watching to see how this turns out.

this is scary. but great. i've been wondering about making a bra for real. i finally found one that fits right, supports right, and looks nice. the looking nice part is very difficult when you are overly "blessed". (or cursed depending on how you look at it). most of the ones that fit me are not pretty and have enough fabric to hold small children. let us know what you come up with. i sure would be interested in knowing.

I think you could glue ribbon on it front and back, or something like that. I see you have used rickrack you could use that to or cording. Just a few ideas good luck .

I feel your pain .Finding a bra that does its job for a larger cup size is very difficult . When visiting a frined of mine in OK I went to a bra store down there.Boy did I learn alot.They told me that it is not the cup but the band that gives most of the support, and they put me in a size I thought would be to small but wow the support I usually took a 38 band they took it down to a 34. I love the Aviana bra.Straps set to the side so they go over the shoulder bones and you dont' get the U in your shoulders.

I feel your pain .Finding a bra that does its job for a larger cup size is very difficult . When visiting a friend of mine in OK I went to a bra store down there.Boy did I learn alot.They told me that it is not the cup but the band that gives most of the support, and they put me in a size I thought would be to small but wow the support I usually took a 38 band they took it down to a 34. I love the Aviana bra.Straps set to the side so they go over the shoulder bones and you dont' get the U in your shoulders.

Beautiful bra. Never knew you could. Guess anything is possible.

Looks great, really great, so far. Hope you find a satisfactory solution. Wish I could help. Happy Quilting!

I would hand stitch all the raw edges down, BUT then again I enjoy hand stitching binding on. LOL

Thanks for all the suggestions. I wish I had asked before I started, as it would have made things easier. In retrospect, I should have made the whole thing off the bra, made a lining as well, and then joined the two pieces with the real bra in the middle. But I started adding pieces as I thought of them, which made it more difficult. And I wish I had thought of the folded dahlia - great idea!

I'm making progress - I made a bias tube of fabric which I folded over the edges and am hand tacking with a tapestry needle and pearl cotton - it's the only way I can get through all the layers. Should be done in a couple days and I'll try to remember to post photos.

Thanks!

ha ha ha! That cracks me up. That is so cute.

I always say.......since I was a teenager, they went in the door before I did.

I have always wanted to do one when our local area had a display for charity. Never got around to it. LOL

I was going to do "Texas Hold'em" and put poker chips and cards on it.

they are fun displays to look at. So many clever people.

Jean

this was entertaining, yours is coming along great

Now that is one bra with personality :thumbup: :thumbup:

I have made my own bra's from patterns and you can get the cups, wires etc at Joann's or Handcocks. This way I get well custom fit and use my own colores of fabric.

Thanks for sharing. I think it is really "creative!" :thumbup:

Have you considered lining? Don't forget ribbon hides alot.

Don't remove the underwires - they are miserable to get back in - well to keep back in.

Great job! Yes, I did make one...once...and, unfortunately, I ended up hand sewing bias all around. I used a multi-colored pin stripe cut on the bias which at least added to the design. Good luck.

Very cool, I made my very first bikini at age 13, because my mother would not buy me one...I can't remember how I did it, that was a lot of years ago.

Is this a bra that you wear in public, or one which is under your clothing?

It's not meant to be worn, it's a piece of artwork. There will be other bras auctioned off too, most are being done by local painters, and a few of us are doing fiber art or quilting or beading.

Hmm, I wonder what someone does with one of these when they win the auction?!?!? :shock: Frame it and hang it on a wall???? Put it on one of those fancy pedestals like they do with a sculpture?!?!?! :shock: :-D :lol:

Andi

Ann,
I

Ann,
I know what you mean, what a load to carry.lol
Wolflady

Now that is way too cool. What a great idea

I just bought 3 new bras that have great support but they are not pretty. I think you have giving me an idea as to how I can use my favorite fabrics and beads and appliques and dress them up real nice! Thank you

That is such a cute bra!!! I would just glue some edging on it, or hand whipstitch it on. I think it's adorable!!!

if you snip open the end ofthe casing the under you is in, it will slide right out. Replace after you are done quilting/piecing.
Cheryl

this should say underwire. my computer has a very sensitive touchpad.
Cheryl

I haven't quilted a bra before, but have made four of my own bras recently (my new thing to do). Try removing the underwire and then sew the quilted part on the bra. You can then replace the underwire if you choose to. Take care to only stitch over the very edge of the channeling that holds the underwire or you won't be able to put the underwire back in the bra.

being as my bra is in the Quilters of SC book. Yes, I have made one. They are very hard to sew by machine. most of us hand tacked and glued. hot glue guns, when get over heated later give out. so a fabric glue might be better. I had sewed a red lace lining in mine and it doesnt even show in the picture. LOL. good luck. I love what you have done.