bj...I posted an answer yesterday, but I see it didn't show up...the forum has been having some performance issues as of late.

I would personally buy a pattern and once you have figured out how to alter it, I would then make numerous ones in the colors of my choice. I would buy a pattern that did not have spaghetti type straps and one that did have a facing around the neck.

Using 2 layers on the front panel then some kind of flannel or batting could make the garment too warm when the weather is nice. With a pattern that has a neck facing, you could enlarge the facing to extend over to the side seams (I would make it so it would be sewn into the side seams to keep it in place) and long enough to cover your chest area. I would not hem this lining so the hem doesn't show, but finish it with an overcast stitch. This way, the bulk of the top is only over your chest area. You could use flannel in the facing only, thus reducing the warmth factor.

Another suggestion is to use bra cups that they sell in the fabric stores that are made to be used in swimsuits. You could cover these with a cotton fabric to be skin friendly and then sew them into the top...then you wouldn't have the band to worry about. I'm not sure how this would fit against your breasts, but perhaps making the top for fitting around this area would allow it to fit snugger to your form.

I hope these suggestions have helped.
Woodsy

I've been thinking about doing the same thing for the same reasons ever since I tried the Sassybax bra (sassybax.com). I ordered 3 sizes online but sent them all back because they were so incredibly tight. They are made of ribbed knit with a lot of stretch.

My thought was the same as yours--cropped tank style, double front, pull-over--but that's as far as I've gotten. I thought a ribbed knit of a cotton and polyester blend with a fair amount of spandex might work. The inner layer of the front could be all cotton T-shirt fabric. I don't think flannel would work because it won't stretch. I also thought binding the edges with elastic would work better than facing since you wouldn't have the extra bulk. The RTW tanks have a fabric binding around the neck and armholes--I would just use some type of elastic. The patterns for swim wear show how to do this or maybe there are some instructions online. If you don't find a good selection of elastic at your local fabric store, you will online at the sites that sell lingerie making fabrics and notions.

It will probably take some tinkering to get what you want, maybe quite a bit, but it will be worth it. I'm really glad you posted this question--I've gotten inspired to visit our local Joann's and see what I can find for the first prototype! Maybe we--and anyone else--could post our progress here and see what we can achieve and then have a bra burning day LOL!!

Sharon C.

Thanks for the ideas. I really don't want a snug fit, but do want some give; that's why I was thinking the all cotton ribbed knit.

For the interlining I need something thick to prevent poke-through problems; but with a looser fit it can't be shaped like molded bra cups--needs to just be layers of fabric.

Maybe I'm just dense here, but why does the interlining need to stretch? I'm thinking that bra cups don't.

I *think* a flannel inner lining would need to be fitted with a couple of darts or it may show up as wrinkles under a shirt? Probably the only way to know would be to just try it . . .

Sharon C.

I've used men's small tank type undershirts. They stretched enough nothing felt tight, but kept the "flopping" to a minimum. If I felt that I needed another layer of poke proofing, I would probably cut off the bottom and line the bust area again across the front with that same fabric. That might be an option for you.

Gloria

Thanks, all.

Gloria: the men's tank undershirt works great for the basic garment. But I need a LOT more poke-thru coverage. I tried a cotton flannel nursing pad, purchased, but they had darted it for shaping and the dart created a huge lump right where I don't want it.

So, I'm still trying to figure out the interlining part.

Have you tried the bra cups like woodsy suggested?

I'm looking forward to June when I'll have some time to work on this . . . .

Sharon C.

Northbound: I tried about 3 different styles of bra cups. I guess because I don't want the basic tank/cami to be tightly fitted, it moves around a little. And then the cups shift and, well, that leads to an assortment of uncomfortable and unattractive results.

I'm thinking I'd prefer the "uniboob" effect to the 3 breasts plus one under her arm look.

bj, love the "uniboob" concept LOL!!! So the cups would take some support, AKA tight elastic, to hold them in place. Hmmmm. I've worn fairly padded bras all summer for years--maybe the flannel or thin batting with thin cotton lining wouldn't be that much different?

Sharon C.