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George and Ginger Switch it Up bra - pattern review

I never had any desire to make my own bras and here I am, making all kinds of bras thanks to George and Ginger patterns. Their free pattern, the little black bra (LBB), was a gateway to bra making. I might never buy a bra with an underwire again, I can barely stand to wear the ones I have now that I'm so accustomed to bralettes without them.

The new Switch it Up (SIU) bra is actually two patterns a solid front with a bunch of back options and a solid back with bunch of front options. To some degree you could mix and match them, some views quite easily and some you might have to work through some construction changes.

When I saw this promoted as a "coming soon" I could hardly wait! I bought it the first day it was released and made it as soon as I had time. There were several nights I could hardly sleep thinking about what options I wanted to make and in what fabrics. 

I finally decided I should choose a fairly simple view and went with back view L and use a muslin fabric so I wouldn't be disappointed if it didn't fit quite right. After all, bras can be tricky, even a sports bra like the SIU.

Materials and Support

I made mine with 2 layers of nylon spandex athletic fabric from Joann's. One fabric had about 40% stretch and the other had 50%, both had 4-way stretch but the lining/binding fabric had less vertical stretch. 

I did not add any elastic, powermesh or cups for additional support. I wanted to see how it would be with just fabric and go from there, realizing I would like need more support for an exercise bra. For my B-cup size, this is a nice lightweight bra that is good for walking the dog or general wear. I would 100% not wear this one to exercise in. For my next version I think I will add powermesh to the front and maybe foam cups and elastic to the bottom as well. I don't think I need elastic in my straps.


Fit

I followed the measurement instructions in the pattern very closely, measuring my bust in all of the suggested positions without a bra on. I came up with size XL16 B cup and I was surprised as I was making a 10L B cup in the LBB but I carried on, trusting the process.

The fit is virtually perfect, with NO adjustments. I think the only change I'll make going forward is to lower the armscye .5" as now that I am wearing it, it's a little high.

Directions

The directions are great! The final finishing attachment of the back to the front was hard for me to wrap my brain around, I had to read it a couple of times and I still did it wrong the first time but the pictures and instructions are excellent, it's just a complicated step in my opinion.

Close up of my binding

I will 100% be making more of these! I am perhaps most excited by the possibility of hacks to make summer dresses with built-in bras that have fun backs!

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