1920s Bra-Making Resources Part 2: Tutorials and Patterns

In this series of posts, I will be covering my research into choosing a pattern for bust coverage/support for my 1920s wardrobe.

Part 1: Research
Part 2: Available Tutorials and Patterns
Part 3: Other Resources – Pattern Reviews, Books and Films
Part 4: Which Pattern I Chose
Part 5: Supplies (Coming Soon!)

Tutorials

1921

This video tutorial, which Pathé dates at 1921, is quite clever, but one needs to feel comfortable working with almost no instruction, as the process of creation isn’t very thoroughly described. It appears to offer little support or compression, making it a better choice for those with a smaller bust.

1927

This YouTube tutorial walks you through bra-making instructions from the Clark’s ONT Home Sewing Reference book. She had purchased this book as a repro PDF but it appears to no longer be available.

This one follows the previous video tutorial, but adjusts it for a fuller bust.

Patterns

Please note that prices and availability are subject to change and may not be up to date. I also have no connection to these companies and have not personally tested any of them.

Mrs. Depew

1910s-1920s

$9.75- 18.75 (PDF or paper). 32-50″ bust. This style looks more 1910s but was used into the 1920s.

Image from Mrs. Depew

1910-1925

$8.75-14.75 (PDF or paper). 34-48″ bust. This style is probably meant to be more flattening.

Image from Mrs. Depew

1927

$8.85-18.75 (PDF or paper). 32-42″ bust. Includes the tap pants pattern!

Image from Mrs. Depew

1929

$4.50 (E-booklet). 40″ or smaller bust. This is not a pattern, but a booklet of instructions on how to draft and sew a bandeau brassiere to your size. Includes instructions for a combination too.

Image from Mrs. Depew

$4.85 (E-booklet). 40″ or smaller bust. This is another booklet of instructions on how to draft and sew a bandeau brassiere to your size. Includes instructions for a camisole and step-ins too.

Image from Mrs. Depew

1910s-1920s

$8.85-16.75 (PDF or paper). 32-30″ bust. Mrs. Depew also offers a 1920s corselette for those who need a bit more support to help smooth their dress line.

Image from Mrs. Depew

Wearing History

1910s

$7.99-14 (PDF or paper). 38″ bust only. Appears to be developed from the same original pattern as the Mrs. Depew 1910s/20s bra above. WH says their pattern is “remastered” from the original, and has not been tested for fit or construction.

Image from Wearing History

1921

This pattern includes both a brassiere (View A) and compression bandeau (View B). 38″ bust only, presumably the measurement around the fullest part of the bust as she states that testers recommended it for 34D/DD. $6.99 (PDF).

Image from Wearing History

Lady Marlowe

If your size/desired pattern isn’t in stock on the main website, try the Etsy store.

1927

$17.80 (paper). 32, 34, 36, 38 or 40″ bust. Includes bloomers pattern.

Image from Lady Marlowe

EvaDress Patterns

1929

$5 (paper). 32″-40″ and 40″-48″ bust. Considered a bust reducer.

Image from EvaDress Patterns

Books with Patterns

Woman’s Institute

The Woman’s Institute booklets were a series of correspondence courses (you received instructional materials through the mail and completed the work at home) for women in the early 20th century (~1910s-30s). The clothing design and construction books often included pattern drafting instructions.

1925

The Underwear and Lingerie booklet (available at the Internet Archive) is divided into two free downloadable PDF files: 407A and 407B.

Image from Internet Archive

407A discusses the making of several bust-confining garments, but only 2 can be made without working from a pre-purchased pattern: the plain brassiere (left, pg. 57) and the bandeau corset (right, pg. 63).

Vintage Lingerie by Salen

1920s/1930s

There is a book called Vintage Lingerie by Jill Salen which has instructions for creating a 1920s/1930s “Kestos”-style bra.

Image from Amazon.com

I’ve dug up as many resources as I can find for patterns, tutorials and other resources on creating brassieres/bandeaus/corsets of the 1920s. I will alter this post as new information or patterns become available, but please feel free to leave a comment letting me know of new materials!