Originally Posted by DianD

I also have a few thoughts in this area...First, I wear a 44I !!! I, too, broke my collar bone, which healed "crooked," then, (stupidly)went rollerskating a few years back, fell and permanantly dislocated a rib...right at the same spot that an underwire sits. No pain in the world compares to having a stress blister under your heavy busom. So, no underwires, but lots of falling straps...and lots of frustration.
A few years back, I read that Jane Russell also had this problem, and that her love interest, at that time, was Howard Hughes, the famous engineer. He actually Engineered her a bra!!! She said that from then on, it was the only bra she would wear, and commissioned to have them made from his patterns.
What I want to know is this---Women need bras that fit. Rarely are we happy with the offerings that exist. WHY doesn't someone ENGINEER a bra that works, lifts, is comfortable, doesn't inflict pain (either physically or in the pocketbook), and doesn't look like and armored TANK?

Oh, and where are Howard Hughes' patterns?

Maybe we should propound our thoughts to the great brains at MIT, etc., and see what they come up with!

Okay, I'll stop now!

Originally Posted by Olivia's Grammy

I make my bras. Most comfortable I've ever had and I'm not shaped like a boy. I took a class several years ago and have been making them since. Need to make some more now as nothing lasts forever.

Originally Posted by Jennifer22206

I like some of the sports bras. Not practical for work, but I'll wear them out. And for work, I found one at Kohls that doesn't hurt, but it's off as soon as I'm home. (I'm 28 btw)

And my DH once asked why I hated them so much. I told him to put a cup on for 18 hours and go around normally, to work, to the gym, to cook, to "be me" for 18 hours.

He's never again questioned why I take it off soon as I'm home.

Originally Posted by lorli

I've been wearing them for 40 years (OMG am I that old?)and have never found a really comfortable one. Years ago I even went to a special bra store (Rigby and Peller in London, corsetiere to the Queen!) to be fitted. What an experience, I will never forget the saleslady who had a chest like the prow of a battleship who burst into the fitting room and embarrassed me half to death! Even those bras were uncomfortable.

Recently I read about the Bra-lelujah (sp?) and it sounded so great so I splashed out on one, what a disappointment. It is ugliest bra I ever saw - a horrible color like old nylons (in England they called that color "American Tan" - ugh) and the seems are so poorly finished. It gives no support and, worst of all, the back rides up and is so uncomfortable. I was driving and kept having to take one hand off the wheel to yank it back down. There is no way to adjust the fit as it has no fastenings: the instructions that came with it said to step into it, after dragging it over my big hips its no wonder it has no support!

Any ideas, anyone? I can't bear underwires or, worse, those seamless molded cups that look like styrofoam coffee cups.

[I just realised that I have revealed more than anyone wants to know!]

Originally Posted by grandma sue

I have a friend who owns a fabric (knits and tricots) shop in Wichita, KS and she teaches a bra class. I keep telling myself to go up there and take it. She teaches it at some of the sewing expos - class is $90 but it gives you the pattern and enough fabric to make 2 bras.