The Willowdale Bra is available in PDF only and includes all sizes (28C-54J).
Feel secure, supported, and self-assured in a Willowdale Bra! The Willowdale is a full frame underwire bra with a 4-piece cup design for vital support and lift in a beautifully rounded shape.
The Willowdale is designed specially for larger busts (with over 120 sizes to help you get the perfect fit) and includes full lace and half lace options for low- to no-stretch fabrics. The stretch lace upper cup molds to your boobs' unique shape and accommodates differences in boob size.
View A has a stretch lace upper cup and solid body, while View B features an all-over lace design with an optional decorative lace edge on the bottom band. Both views include lined cups with enclosed seams, a power mesh back and adjustable straps.
Created by curvy sewing experts and bra-making professionals, you can trust the Willowdale to look magnificent while supporting you all day long.
This Cashmerette pattern includes:
- 14 band sizes (28-54) and 9 cup sizes (C-J) for 126 separate sizes
- Step-by-step instructions for choosing your ideal bra size
- A beautifully illustrated and detailed instruction booklet to guide you no matter your sewing level
- Bra making resources and our bra fitting guide available on our blog
Want step-by-step help making your bra? Check out our online workshop Willowdale Bra Sewalong where Jenny Rushmore and Jennifer Fairbanks take you through the whole process with confidence!
Want to see how this pattern will look on you? Sketch your plans on a body outline croquis that's custom made to your measurements with MyBodyModel. Learn more »
Product information
SEWING LEVEL
Intermediate
SIZING
Band sizes 28 to 54 and cup sizes C, D, DD, E, F, G, H, I, and J; includes full bust 31"-65" (79-165 cm) and underbust 28"-55" (72-142 cm).
Note: Cashmerette bra sizing is calculated in a different way to standard Cashmerette garment sizing. Your Cashmerette bra size may also be different from your ready-to-wear bra size. Use the bra size guide (also included in the Willowdale pattern instructions) to determine your ideal starting size.
RECOMMENDED FABRIC
The Willowdale Bra can be made using the same fabric for the main and lining, or it can be lined using a lighter weight lining fabric with similar stretch properties. Consult the pattern's instruction booklet for the specific elastic and notions needed for your bra size.
Main fabric & lining: Lightweight fabric with low stretch (Maximum 20% in one direction only, also known as 2 way stretch), such as low stretch 40 denier nylon tricot or a low stretch poly/lycra fabric. This results in good support with some flexibility and is easier to fit.
Back band: Mid-weight stretch fabric with up to 50% stretch, such as nylon/spandex power mesh.
Lace: Stretch lace with at least 20% stretch, with decorative edging (scallops), at least 6” (15 cm) wide for view A, and at least 8” (20 cm) wide for view B.
ELASTICS
- Plush back band elastic (½" or ¾" depending on size) with optional picot edge
- Plush back underarm elastic (3/8" or ½") with optional picot edge
- Strap elastic (½" or ¾" depending on size)
NOTIONS
- Hook & eye closure (3 or 4 rows depending on size)
- 2 rings and sliders (½" or ¾" depending on size)
- Underwire channeling
- Pair of rounded, regular underwires
- Universal needle and thread
- Optional: Lingerie bow
TOOLS
Spray fabric adhesive (View B - optional), tailor’s ham or rolled up towel, walking foot for sewing machine (optional), press cloth.
PDF pattern information
New to PDF sewing patterns? See our complete guide here.
The PDF comes in separate file sizes for each band/cup size, so you only need to print your size. You'll receive files to print at home or at a copy shop. Files are delivered as a .zip file which can be downloaded on a computer, but not on a mobile device. For more on PDFs, see the FAQs.
Instructions: 28 pages (17 MB)
Print at home file (for each size): 3-8 pages (0.2 MB each)
A0 file (for each size): 1 page (0.2 MB each)
Model details
Rachel (pink & black) is wearing a size 38H. Her measurements are 47" full bust and 37.5" underbust.
Brittany (floral & white) is wearing a size 30G. Her measurements are 38" full bust and 30" underbust.
Learn More
Tutorials
- Willowdale Bra Fitting Guide
- How to choose your Willowdale size
- How to sew a test bra
- How to adjust the back band
- How to adjust the gore/bridge
- How to adjust bra cups
- How to adjust the side seam angle
- How to adjust the straps
- How to adjust the underwires
- How to make an asymmetrical bra
- How to sew a no-lace Willowdale
Sewalongs
Related Posts
Fabric Requirements & Measurements
Customer Reviews
I decided to try making my own bra this year. I had been on the search for a bra pattern that came in my size when I happened onto the Willowdale. I found it easy to follow all the instructions, the fabric requirements, measuring for the underwire, and sewing instructions. It was very clear on printing out the pattern on my home printer, which I had never done before. This has been a journey that I'm glad I tried. I am so happy with the final fit! I did make adjustments to the pattern a couple of times on my muslins, I made 3 before I got a good fit. I am making 2 more currently and then I plan to purchase the Loftus Bralette!
I was tired of buying RTW bras that never seemed to fit properly and were uncomfortable, so decided to have a go at making my own. Started searching for a pattern but couldn't find one that seemed to offer the support I was looking for with the shape I preferred. Then I came across the Willowdale bra and it seemed to tick the right boxes. I bought the pattern then started to make a series of mock up bra cups until I found the one size that was perfect for me. Got set to making my first proper bra and found the step by step instuctions easy to follow. It was sooo comfortable I have now made 6 different bras using different fabric's and laces. I have tweaked the pattern slightly in terms of the depth of the band to make it a little easier to sew for me and a slightly more comfortable fit. Finally I have pretty bras to wear that are comfortable and supportive. Thankyou so much for a great pattern and easy to follow instructions.
So far I’ve made six of these as nursing bras. I’d like to make more but I ran out of underwires. I love this pattern! Underwire just feels better. To make the pattern work for breastfeeding, I got nursing clips and put them where the straps attach to the cups. I cut out two extra sets of power bars and sewed them together on the sides and top, clipped corners and turned them right side out. They get attached at the bottom of the cup and I put a short piece of strap elastic at the top to secure it to the nursing clip. I found the 5/8” nursing clips at sewsassy. Since they’re kind of expensive (for my extremely limited budget) I made up the cost on my more recent bras by not using rings and sliders and making the shoulder straps non adjustable fit to me. I know it’s not recommended but I cut cups out of bras from the thrift store and sandwiched them between the cup lining and the outside fabric. I either trimmed them to fit if they were too big or sewed them to the lining if they were too small because pregnancy and breastfeeding mean you end up with peekaboos if there’s no padding.
I tried the Loftus too and like that you don’t have to order underwire for that one, it’s much easier to make for someone else if you have elastic on hand. Loftus doesn’t have stretch in the cups so it’s really easy to use thin cotton batting sewn to the lining pieces instead of cups. Willowdale is much more intuitive to add nursing clips too.
The bra pictured has been through some repairs and is holding up wonderfully after over a year of being worn a couple times a week and washed after each wear in a normal washer and dryer.
I went to the Bra Talk Retreat in April with Nikki. She introduced me to your bra pattern. She assisted me in getting my bra band to fit correctly. When I put the bra cups in they fit perfectly without any alteration. I love the fit and the lift. I will be sewing plenty of beautiful bras with this pattern. Thank You!
Only made a tester so far but found the pattern and the instructions very clear for this experienced sewist but first time bra maker.
I bought this to make bras for my daughter. She gave up years ago on finding a bra that fit and was comfortable. I've made four willowdales for her and she is thrilled. They provide the support she wants and with only one minor pattern adjustment, fit perfectly. Bonus- she loves that they are so pretty