So you have treated yourself to a Booby Traps pattern & kit....
Firstly, great choice! We are the originals and no-one else claims that title ;) We are happy to help you through the exciting journey or bra, swim, corsetry or lingerie making. Along with the below information, we have step by step instrucutions for our sewing patterns here in the form of sewing classes for sale to sit through in your own home. Here are some FAQs that are an additional support to your purchase. If we have missed something or you have any further questions, please email, so we can get you underway with confidence.
Whats included in my pattern? The pattern will have multiple sizes on the pattern sheets and vilene to trace your pattern out. There is a booklet to explain the steps of construction, the Order Of Assembly. The assembly has both text and images, use both as your instruction guide and be sure to read the assembly in full prior to starting so you get an idea of whats required.
I bought a kit but dont understand what fabric goes where? Most bra kits have a backing card that explains what the fabrics are for. If unsure of what fabric is whatm consult the pattern instructions for more information. If you havnt bought one of the Booby Traps patterns and the pattern you are using doesnt go into detail aboout fabrics, then please have a read here.
Can I change where the fabrics go? No you cannot. The fabrics are part of the engineering along with the pattern, and changing the location of where they are meant to be will change the fit. In some cases, fabrics may offer similar properties, so these may be moved into eachothers locations. An example is tricot and combed cotton. These play in a similar way and are used for the same engineering purposes in a bra.
The wires I have in my kit are not the size I bought the kit in, why? The reason is that all bra styles offer different coverage, so different wires need to be used. Our regular wire range is based on the BOO3 Bra Pattern and generally coincides with the kit size ordered, where as the Baroque Bra and Vanessa Bra are fuller coverage so a larger wire will be needed. In the same way, the Demi bra needs a shorter wire.
The wires chosen are not a good fit for my personal body type, what can I do? We can easily swap over wires, as not every person has a standard body type. A misfitting wire will dig in under the arm or pop the bra cup out at the centre front. If you push the wire against your body and the cup fits well, this indicates a wire issue. The best way to ensure a good fit is to email photos of the bra on the body so we can see whats happening and asssist you with the replacement choice. There is also the option of downloading the free downloadable charts to check yourself for a suitable wire.
I am unsure of my bra size, and dont want to waste my kit, how can i check the fit prior to cutting out the bra? The best way to fit check is to make up a toille. If you are fairly sure of your size, but need confirmation, stitch the vilene together first after tracing your pattern and place the sticthed cup over a thin bra on your body. Remember there is allowance for underarm elastic and underwire casing, so the underarm should sit proud for that as will the underbust for the casing.
My kit has a firmer powernet than the pattern requires, how do I combat this? Cut the bra back in the size above what you are, then try the bra on prior to stitching the tab in place incase it needs cutting down slightly.
I have bought a wirefree bra kit, can I use wires int he underwire casing included? Likely not. Most wirefree bra kits include casing thats designed for covering the cup seams and it lacks the sheer sheath to prevent an underwire poking through.
How do I find the greatest stretch of a fabric? Fold the fabric in half evenly one way then the same in the other direction. Measure the stretch against a ruler or tapemeasure. If the fabric is not doubled, an inacurate result can be aquired.
I bought a moulded cup kit and the cups I have been given say they are a different size to what I am, is this right? Yes. The moulded cups work with multiple bra sizes as they are all B cups with the wire bringing them in or out as required. So a 12DD will be a size 18 cup, and that cup will also work for a 10E, 14D, 16C and 18B. The wire in this example, will be narrower so as to bring it into the 12 sizing.