Bra anatomy

For understanding the bras construction, we need to know a components

Details and Seams

cups

The cups are the place for the breast. Bra cups is a detail that needs a lot of attention both in the drafting of a pattern and in the sewing process. Can be with different seams.

cup neckline

The neck line can be of different shapes.

cup seam

The seam that divides the cup into parts. This seam can be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, any design. This topic will be more detailed later.

bridge

The bridge (can be called gore, or center piece) is the center of the bra, that connects the two cups together.

underwire seam

Seam for underwire, underwire (can be called wire) it’s a curved piece of metal or plastic sewn into the base of the cups to provide support and structure.

frame

The frame (can be called cradle) at the front of the bra. The frame is the front part of the bra into which the cups are sewn. Some bras does not have frame, making the underwire place (5) the lowest part of the bra. We will speak more detailed about this later.

side band

Band (can be called wing) is the part that wraps around body. Side band (can be called side pannel) is no elastic for better support.

back band

Band (or wing) is the part that wraps around body. Back band is the part that is most often elastic.

side seam

The bra can be without a side seam, it depends on the size of the bra and on the material. We will talk about this later.

under band

The under band hem is the bottom row of elastic on the frame (6), side band (7), back band (8).

underarm cup

This is the side hem of the bra cup that spans armpit.

upper band

Upper band hem is the part of the bra that spans your armpit and is almost always elasticized. It runs from the cup (1) to the shoulder strap on the back (13)