My modern Edwardian bra has a button closure, adjustable shoulder straps, elastic lacing at the back and is boned like a corset.
I made another historybounding garment! My modern Edwardian-style bra is inspired by antique Edwardian brassieres. But I’m wearing the bra as everyday bra because my DIY bra turned out so comfortable.
Related: How To Sew An Edwardian-Style Bra
Edwardian Bra Inspirations
In the Edwardian era, bras were worn over the corset and chemise like on this Edwardian photo. The main inspirations for my modern Edwardian bra were this Edwardian cotton bra at Abiti Antichi, this 1910s cotton bust bodice and this Edwardian cotton brassiere with elastic sides at the MET museum.
Single Layer Bra
Because most corsets in the Edwardian era were single-layer corsets, I also used only one layer of fabric for the Edwardian-style bra. I used pale blue cotton fabric that I dyed myself.
Related: Edwardian Single Layer Summer Corset
Seams
So, because it’s a single-layer bra, I couldn’t use the welt seam method. Instead I used flat felled seams which was one of the most popular seams for underwear in the Edwardian era. I also finished all raw edges either with cotton bias binding or cotton tape.
Related: Handkerchief To Top Refashion Tutorial – Edwardian Handkerchief Camisole
Boning
My Edwardian bra is boned at the front, side front and back. There are a total of 8 bones in the bra. I used synthetic whalebone because it’s the best substitute for real whalebone. The bra is boned like a corset with vertical boning and cotton tape boning channels.
The boning prevents wrinkles in the bra. And what I also like about the corset-style boning is that the vertical boning doesn’t dig into the body like the underwire of store-bought bras!
Button Closure
The bra is closed with buttons at the center front. A button closure was the typical closure of Edwardian bras. I used historically correct real mother of pearl buttons.
Elastic Lacing
Edwardian bras often had lacing at the back. And after reading that some Edwardian corsets already had elastic lacing instead of ordinary lacing cords I decided to use elastic lacing for my bra too! Because elastic corset lacing is no longer produced, I used ordinary elastic band instead.
‘Bust support […] in batiste, with elastic back’ (Eaton’s Spring and Summer Catalogue, 1907). ‘Corset Laces – Round elastic, black or white, 2 1/2 yards’ (Eaton’s Spring and Summer Catalogue, 1904).
Here‘s an antique 1900-1905 girl’s corset bodice with original elastic lacing.
The elastic lacing at the back makes the bra really comfortable to wear! And there’s another advantage of the elastic lacing: If the elastic becomes stretched out, I can easily replace it.
Hand-Sewn Eyelets
While most Edwardian bras had metal grommets for the lacing, I made hand-sewn eyelets. On instagram I shared a video of how I hand sew eyelets.
Adjustable Shoulder Straps
The adjustable shoulder straps of my DIY bra are inspired by 18th century stays. Edwardian bras usually had adjustable shoulder straps with buttons like my Edwardian health corset. But the buttons create an unsightly bulk if the bra is worn under modern clothes. So I used lacing cord instead. I used pale blue cotton yarn for the lacing cord which I braided into a four strand braid.
Related: Modern 18th Century Recycled Denim Stays With Adjustable Shoulder Straps
That bra looks really good, I’d love to make a version for myself. Which pattern or example did you follow to make it?
Thanks
Thank you! 😀 I drafted my own pattern based on Edwardian brassieres. Here‘s a tutorial on how I made the Edwardian-style bra.
Oooh please do a more in depth tutorial for this! I was so excited to see this I’d love to try to make this!
I will – it’s on my to-do list! 😀 So stay tuned!
Where did you get the pattern for the Modern Edwardian Bra? Did you make it yourself? Can I get it? I have made Regency Stays before but this is really what I was looking for.
Yes, I drafted my own pattern! 😀 I’ve written a tutorial about how I made the bra. Pattern coming soon – so stay tuned.
Oh, this is brilliant!
Thank you so much! 😀
I would love to try this! It looks so good!
Thank you! 😀 Here‘s my tutorial about how I made the bra.
I would love a full tutorial on this as well! Plus a pattern drafting guide!
I’ve written a tutorial about how I made my Edwardian-style bra! 😀 Pattern coming soon – so stay tuned!
Hello, I really love your blog! I love the Edwardian era, so this is a great alternative to a corset – for modern day purposes! (I think it would be especially helpful in Australia – where I am from!) I also love your summer net corset and am planning to make one inspired by yours.
I just clicked the link you included to the 1900-1905 girl’s corset with elastic lacing and I think it might have taken me to the wrong corset within the Symington collection. The link took me to an adolescent girl’s corset, from 1890-1900, which did not include any photos of the back, or any mention of elastic.
Thank you! 😀 I changed the link.