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Sizing Information Page

Bras

Because there is no sizing standard for bras, bra pattern sizing will differ from company to company. To further complicate matters, there is no one measurement method to determine what size will work for every body (including the one on our pattern envelope).

The only reliable way to determine bra size is to try on finished bras made from that pattern. Given the bra sizing challenge, we recommend starting by making your ready-to-wear size.

We always recommend making a muslin first to test the fit of the bra. This applies not only to new patterns but also to any new fabric you decide to use. We have two tutorials showing you how to make muslins (a.k.a. toiles), a fast way and a more thorough way.

If you do not have a ready-to-wear size or at a loss for what size to start with, we offer the below sizing guidelines for our bra sewing patterns. If you have any sizing questions, feel free to contact us! 

SIZING GUIDELINES

DIFFERENCE CUP SIZE
1" A
2" B
3" C
4" D
5" DD or E
6" DDD or F
7" G
8" H
9" I
10" J
  • When taking measurements, be sure to stand up straight and exhale fully.
  • Measure body circumference directly under the bust with the tape measure parallel to floor. Round the measurement to the nearest inch, rounding down if you are at the ½” mark. This is the band size.
  • Measure body circumference at the fullest part of the bust while wearing a bra that is supportive yet made of a relatively thin fabric. Again, keep the tape measure parallel to the floor.
  • Derive cup size by subtracting the band size from the full bust measurement. Consult the chart above to find cup size. For example, if the full bust is 36″ and the band size is 34″, the difference is 2″. Based on the cup size chart above, this difference corresponds to a B cup. If you are in between sizes, use the larger size.

SISTER SIZES

Sister sizes are bra sizes that have the same bra cup volume and underwire size. The difference between sister sizes is the size of the band. For example, the sizes 30D, 32C, 34B and 36A all have the same cup volume and use the same underwire. The difference between those sizes is the band. This blog post has instructions for how to modify the band to reach the sister sizes on this table.

WIRE BRA SIZE
28 30A
30 30B 32A
32 30C 32B 34A
34 30D 32C 34B 36A
36 30DD 32D 34C 36B 38A
38 30DDD 32DD 34D 36C 38B 40A
40 30G 32DDD 34DD 36D 38C 40B 42A
42 30H 32G 34DDD 36DD 38D 40C 42B 44A
44 30I 32H 34G 36DDD 38DD 40D 42C 44B 46A
46 30J 32I 34H 36G 38DDD 40DD 42D 44C 46B 48A
48 32J 34I 36H 38G 40DDD 42DD 44D 46C 48B
50 34J 36I 38H 40G 42DDD 44DD 46D 48C
52 36J 38I 40H 42G 44DDD 46DD 48D
54 38J 40I 42H 44G 46DDD 48DD
56 40J 42I 44H 46G 48DDD

Note: Only the Marlborough, Boylston and Devonshire bras cover the entire range. The remainder of the bra patterns extend from A to DD only.

INTERNATIONAL CUP SIZE CONVERSION

USA UK France, Spain, Belgium Italy, Czech Republic EU, Japan Australia, New Zealand
AA AA AA --- AA ---
A A A A A A
B B B B B B
C C C C C C
D D D D D D
DD or E DD E DD E DD
DDD or F E F E F E
DDDD or G F G F G F
DDDDD or H FF H FF H FF
I G I G I G
J GG J GG J GG

INTERNATIONAL BAND SIZE CONVERSION

USA UK France, Spain, Belgium Italy, Czech Republic EU, Japan Australia, New Zealand
30 30 80 0 65 8
32 32 85 1 70 10
34 34 90 2 75 12
36 36 95 3 80 14
38 38 100 4 85 16
40 40 105 5 90 18
42 42 110 6 95 20
44 44 115 7 100 22
46 46 120 8 105 24
48 48 125 9 110 26
50 50 130 10 115 28

Underwear

Underwear patterns are based on a waist and hip measurement.

SIZING GUIDELINES

SIZE WAIST (inches) HIP (inches)
XS 24 -25 34.5 - 35.5
S 26 - 27 36.5 - 37.5
M 28 -29 38.5 - 39.5
L 30 - 32 41 - 42.5
XL 34 -36 44.5 - 46

Garments

Garment patterns are based on bust, waist and hip measurements.

SIZING GUIDELINES

IMPERIAL
(inches)

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
BUST 32 33 34 35 36 37 38.5 40 42 44 46
WAIST 24 25 26 27 28 29 30.5 32 34 36 38
HIPS 35 36 37 38 39 40 41.5 43 45 47 49
METRIC (centimeters)
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
BUST 81 84 86 89 91 94 98 102 107 112 117
WAIST 61 64 66 69 71 74 77 81 86 91 97
HIPS 89 91 94 97 99 102 105 109 114 119 125

 

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