100% Polyester Wickable Fabrics

ProCool-Wickable VS Bra-makers Supply-Wickable and Anti-bacterial

ProCool (Green) VS Bra-makers Supply (Beige)

ProCool Jersey is described as a stay-dry, lining and wicking fabric.  It's made in the USA of 100% wicking polyester. The fabric has minimal stretch lengthwise and 30% stretch in the width, it's 60"-62" wide, and weighs 4.5 oz per sq yrd.  Information from Wazoodle.

ProCool 100% Polyester Wicking Fabric

The wickable and anti-bacterial fabric from Bra-makers Supply is a 100% polyester knit that is treated with colloidal silver during the manufacturing process. The polyester fabric wicks moisture away from the skin surface and the silver particles repel bacteria making the wearer cooler, drier, and not so stinky.  A photo next to the product description suggests the fabric is treated with Scotchgard.  There are no specifics as to the fabric stretchiness, width, or weight.

Bra-makers Supply 100% Polyester Wicking Anti-bacterial Fabric

However, the fabric from Bra-makers Supply has minimal stretch lengthwise and about 25% stretch from selvage to selvage when you give it a pull and measure. Only one layer of this fabric is necessary because it has less stretch than the ProCool.  I think the firmer hand is due to the fabric treatment and the fabric may soften up when washed.

In my opinion, the ProCool Jersey is lighter in weight, stretchier, and has a softer hand than the Bra-makers Supply fabric.  It also snags easier when ripping out seams, so be very careful because it's easy to accidentally make a hole. This fabric may work better if it is doubled up with the dogs running in opposite directions to cancel out some its stretch. Although the specs say it has 30% stretch, I measured about 50% stretch when I gave it a pull.  In the end, both fabrics were nice to work with and made soft comfortable bras.  Fortunately, both fabrics come in a variety of colors.

100% Polyester Wickable Fabrics

Bra-A-Week Challenge #6: Wickable Work Bra

Mia's favorite, the Wickable Work Bra.  The bra fabric is made from 100% polyester that is treated with colloidal silver during the manufacturing process.  While the fabric wicks moisture away from the skin's surface, the silver particles repel bacteria, making the bra wearer cooler, drier, and less stinky, according to my interpretation of the product description at Bra-makers Supply where I purchased the material.  I haven't actually smelled Mia's bra to know how well the fabric performs.

Presenting entry #6 in the 2015 Bra-A-Week Challenge:   Wickable Work Bra 01

The work bra is a Pin-up Girls Classic with wickable antibacterial beige cups,

beige loop-a-licious neckline trim, peach Duoplex frame and straps,

peach powernet, and both peach and beige findings.

Wickable Antibacterial Work Bra

 Wickable Antibacterial Classic Cups with Loop-A-Licious Trim

JensWare Work Bra 01

Here's an up close look at that polyester fabric and neckline trim. 

Wickable Antibacterial Fabric and Loop-A-Licious Trim

Here's an interior view of the bra cups showing the wickable antibacterial fabric,

folded channeling, and a seam that needs to be trimmed back.

Wickable Antibacterial Fabric, Folded Channeling, Bra Interior

Bra-A-Week Challenge #5: Lovely Lilac

Oh so lovely and soft the lilac bra fits like a dream.

2015 Bra-A-Week Challenge #5 bra is a Pin-up Girls Shelley

in lilac with lilac powernet, lilac findings, and light lilac stretch lace.

JensWare Lovely Lilac

This lilac stretch lace is so soft to the touch.

It's a pearly light lilac that it presents as white on screen.

Light Lilac Mirrored Stretch Lace

I made a pair of Grapefruit sized Falsies to hold bras for my photos.

The Falsies can easily adjust from Grapefruit to Melon or from Melon to Tangerine.

Simply untie the knee high pantyhose and add or remove poly pellets.

I used two bags of rice and two pair of knee highs to make the Falsies.

The rice is temporary because rice can get buggy and harbor moths. 

TIP:  Use a pair of knee high pantyhose and poly pellets to make a pair of Falsies.

Pair of Falsies

Bra-A-Week Challenge #4: Fuchsia Surprise

Fuchsia, Fuchsia, Fuchsia 

Entry #4 in the 2015 Bra-A-Week Challenge is a Pin-up Girls Shelley

 in fuchsia with fuchsia powernet, and fuchsia findings.

Stunning and Bright

JensWare Fuchsia Surprise

 I got a great surprise from Bra-makers Supply when I let them choose the lace.  

It's a black stretch lace with gold outlined fuchsia flowers and I want more. more. more.  

Fuchsia Surprise Stretch Lace

Fuchsia and black are another great color combination.

The lace looks amazing and mirrors nicely.

Black and Fuchsia Mirrored Stretch Lace

Here we have mirrored stretch lace on the back band, folded 

wire channeling at center front, and Duoplex as stabilizer.

TIP:  Use 3/8"w strips of Duoplex as stabilizer in the neckline and underarm. 

Mirrored Lace, Folded Channeling, Duoplex Stabilizer

Bra-A-Week Challenge #3: Classic White

Entry #3 in the 2015 Bra-A-Week Challenge is a no frills plain and simple Pin-up Girls Classic white bra with white findings.

Classic White Bra

JensWare Classic White

 TIP:  Remember to Stay-Stitch and Clip the Curve

Stay-Stitching Clipped

TIP:  Leave an inch of wire channeling folded over for comfort.  

Wire Channeling Folded Over for Comfort

Bra-A-Week Challenge #2: Pink-N-Pearly Butterfly

Entry #2 in the 2015 Bra-A-Week Challenge is a Pin-up Girls Classic pattern in pink Duoplex with pink findings.  The bra features a pearly swirly lace butterfly on the bridge and cups, matching lace on the band, and an internal powerbar.

The loop-a-licious neckline trim goes nicely with the pearly swirly butterfly.

JensWare Pink-N-Pearly Butterfly Bra

 The internal powerbar gives the girls a little boost.

Internal Powerbar

Bra-A-Week Challenge #1: Bluebird Blue Beauty

I'm back and I've got lots to share.  I've been busy learning a new skill, bra-making.  I took two Craftsy classes over the summer and boy do I have the bra-making bug.  I've made so many bras that I've lost count.  I've joined the already in progress 2015 Bra-A-Week Challenge. So you'll be seeing a new bra each week until I either run out of fabric or ideas.

Today I'm showing off my first entry in the 2015 Bra-A-Week Challenge.  

It's a Pin-up Girls Shelley pattern from Bra-makers Supply in Bluebird Blue Duoplex
with white powernet, white findings, and a fun white floral stretch lace.

Pin-up Girls Bluebird Blue Shelley Bra

This bra is a real beauty.  The blue and white combination works.

JensWare Bluebird Blue Beauty

I just love this stretch lace, with its white hearts and flowers outlined in blue.  

I decorate the back band with lace when I have enough to spare.

Right Back Band

TIP:  Sew two rows of stay-stitching along the frame bottom.

 Clip to, but not through, the top row of stitching every 1/4" along the curve.  

This makes sewing the curve more like sewing a straight line.

Bottom Band Stay-Stitching