If you want to make your own bra, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the fabrics used. This will help you make an informed decision about what type of bra is best for you.
The fabric in a bra plays a vital role in comfort, support and shape. Choosing a suitable material will give you the perfect fit for your body.
Spandex
Spandex is a synthetic fabric that adds elasticity to materials such as cotton and polyester. It is famous for making lingerie and bra fabric material because it is comfortable, breathable, and not easily deformed or pilled.
Spandex can also make form-fitting garments when mixed with other fibers. Depending on the percentage of spandex in the fabric, it can stretch up to seven times its original length.
To produce spandex fabric, a substance called macro glycol is mixed with a diisocyanate monomer under precise temperature and pressure conditions. This has a prepolymer.
Next, the prepolymer is exposed to a chemical reaction called chain extension. The resulting solution is pumped into a spinning machine to produce strands of the desired thickness.
Producing spandex involves a series of steps that ensure the quality and stability of the finished product. The fibers are infused with colorants and stabilizers resistant to solvent exposure. A finishing agent may also be added.
Cotton
Cotton is a versatile fabric perfect for making base layers like panties, camisoles, bras and nightwear. It is soft, breathable and hypoallergenic. It can be dyed easily, has a long lifespan and can be worn many times before washing.
It is also a natural and odorless material, meaning it won’t attract odors after hanging for a while in the wardrobe. This is especially important if you have sensitive skin or a chronic illness.
Another advantage of cotton is that it does not hold sweat for a long time, meaning you can get fresher bras in warmer weather. It is also more breathable than synthetic fabrics, so you can stay cool and dry throughout the day without wearing an uncomfortable bra.
Most cotton bras do not have elastics and are made from multiple pieces of fabric sewn together. This gives the manufacturer more control over how the bra will shape and fit.
Polyester
The type of bra fabric you choose is just as crucial to your comfort as the design. It should be comfortable to wear and breathable while also resistant to bacteria, sweat, and body odors.
It should also hold its shape, be strong and durable and not easily crease or rip. Polyester is a popular choice for bras, especially sports bras, as it is soft and has excellent shape retention and support.
Using polyester mixed with other fibers like cotton or elastane means the final material has better elasticity, holds its color and doesn’t shrink too much. Similarly, a mix of lycra and cotton in a swimwear fabric is often used to improve its shape retention and elasticity.
The band of a bra needs to be elastic, so it will not lose its shape when you wear it out. Typically, a cotton bra will have a band made from elastane to ensure it has the right amount of elasticity.
Nylon
When it comes to bra fabric, there are a lot of different options. There are natural fibers like cotton, linen, and wool and synthetic materials made of artificial polymers, such as polyester or elastane.
The choice of bra fabric will affect your comfort and how it looks when you wear it. Your lingerie should be breathable, comfortable, and soft against the skin.
Due to its strength, elasticity, ease of care, and stain resistance, nylon is one of the most widely used materials for lingerie and bras. It is also excellent for many bra styles, including padded, wired, and strapless.
Spandex is another popular bra fabric because it can stretch without breaking. It also requires good resilience and toughness, making it ideal for making sports bras.
Various nylon fabrics are used to make lingerie, but one of the most commonly used is Florence net. This light, transparent material can create breathable, delicate linings in lingerie and panties.
Microfiber
Microfiber is an ultra-fine, artificial fiber with many characteristics, including strength, softness, water-repellency, and durability. Its capacity for moisture absorption makes it a preferred material for athletic apparel and an insulating fiberfill for pillows, comforters, and sleeping bags.
Microfibers can be woven in many different ways. The most common are split and flat weaves. Fabrics made from split microfibers can soak up liquids using the capillary effect, a phenomenon in which water molecules flow in opposite directions through channels in the material.
Because of the capillary effect, microfiber fabrics can absorb up to eight times their weight in water and then dry much faster. This is especially useful in athletic clothing, which wicks away sweat to keep the wearer cool and dry.
Products made from microfibers should be laundered with a conventional laundry detergent and without additional fabric softeners or bleach. These chemicals can clog the pores of the microfibers and make them less effective. They also should be washed at a low temperature to avoid shrinking.
