A sports bra is an essential activewear staple that provides comfort and support while allowing complete freedom of movement. Sewing your own sports bra lets you choose high-performance fabrics, achieve a personalized fit, and create a garment that's ideal for workouts, yoga, or everyday activewear.
The Winslet's Layla Cutout Sports Bra Sewing Pattern is a great project for sewists looking to make a stylish and supportive sports bra. Featuring a modern asymmetric cutout design, clean bound edges, and a comfortable cropped fit, this easy-level pattern guides you through each step with clear instructions.
Why Sew a Sports Bra?
- Create a comfortable sports bra designed for movement and everyday activewear.
- Sew a modern design featuring a unique asymmetric front and back cutout.
- Learn knit garment techniques such as binding knit edges and sewing stretch fabrics.
- Customize the fit by selecting your preferred activewear fabric.
- Build confidence sewing activewear with an easy, beginner-friendly project.
Why Choose the Winslet's Layla Cutout Sports Bra Pattern?
The Layla Cutout Sports Bra Sewing Pattern is designed to help sewists confidently create a stylish activewear essential with clear, step-by-step instructions.
- Skill Level: Easy
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Design Features:
- Asymmetric cutout sports bra
- Front and back cutout detail
- Wide shoulder straps
- Cropped silhouette
- Clean bound armholes and neckline
- Available Sizes: US 02 - US 32 | UK 06 - UK 36 | EU 36 - EU 64
Supplies & Notions
Gather the following supplies before you begin sewing:
- Medium- to high-stretch knit fabric
- 3-ply polyester thread
- Sewing machine
- Serger/overlock machine
- Coverstitch machine
- Binder attachment
- Tape measure
- Fabric shears
- Thread cutter
- Pins
- Sewing needles
- Tailor's chalk
- Iron
Machine alternatives
- If you don't have a serger, use a zigzag stitch with the presser foot setting lower than 1. If available, use a walking foot.
- If you don't have a coverstitch machine, use a twin needle to achieve a coverstitch effect. Alternatively, use a narrow zigzag stitch or a straight stitch with a looser thread setting.
- Always test your stitch settings on a fabric scrap before sewing the garment.
Fabric Recommendations
The sewing guide recommends medium- to high-stretch knit fabrics with 40–70% stretch, including:
- Nylon spandex
- Polyester spandex
- Activewear knit
- Stretch rib with high recovery
The sample garment shown in the sewing guide is made from poly spandex fabric (5–8% spandex).
This fabric is recommended because it:
- Has a soft finished look.
- Provides good resistance to wrinkling, shrinking, and fading.
- Is stretchy and fits the body well.
The sewing guide recommends avoiding low-stretch jersey fabrics, as they will not provide adequate support.
Size Charts
Check the size charts and measure yourself to select the correct size, using the garment and body measurement tables in the guide.
Verify how much fabric you need by referencing the fabric yield table in the guide.
Pattern Inventory: What Pieces to Prepare
The Layla Cutout Sports Bra Sewing Pattern includes the following pattern pieces:
- A. Front Upper Side Panel — Cut 1 Fabric
- B. Front Lower Side Panel — Cut 1 Fabric
- C. Back Upper Side Panel — Cut 1 Fabric
- D. Back Lower Side Panel — Cut 1 Fabric
The guide includes both A4/US Letter files for home printing and A0 files for copy-shop printing.
Pattern Marking
Before cutting your fabric, familiarize yourself with the markings shown on the pattern pieces. These markings help ensure accurate alignment during construction. The pattern includes:
- Grainline
- Neckline
- Shoulder
- Armhole
- Side seam
- Hem
Cutting Layout
The sewing guide provides cutting layouts for both 45-inch and 60-inch fabric widths.
For accurate cutting:
- Arrange the pattern pieces according to the recommended cutting layouts.
- Position every grainline parallel to the fabric selvage.
- Pin the pattern pieces securely before cutting to improve accuracy.
- The layouts are designed for non-directional fabrics.
- Purchase additional fabric when using fabrics with nap or directional prints.
- The illustrated layouts use the medium size as the example.
Fabric Cutting and Preparation
Prepare your fabric carefully before beginning construction.
Arrange the pattern pieces according to the cutting layout diagrams, ensuring every grainline arrow runs parallel to the fabric selvage.
If you are using fabric shears, trace the pattern pieces before cutting and trim away any pen, pencil, or chalk lines as you cut. Remember to cut all notches that appear on the pattern edges, as these markings help align the garment accurately during assembly.
Transfer all required pattern markings, including circles, buttonholes, and fold lines, to the wrong side of the fabric using tailor's chalk or another suitable marking tool. Mark the center front on pieces cut on the fold to help align the garment correctly during construction.
Seam Allowance
Please follow the seam allowances as indicated on the pattern file layers. These are provided specifically for each piece to ensure accurate construction.
This pattern uses a 1 cm (3/8 inch) seam allowance all around.
Step-by-Step Sewing Instructions
Step 1: Finish the Armholes with Binding
1a. Prepare the binding strip
Cut a binding strip 1–2 inches wide. Measure the front armholes, back armholes, and neckline to determine the required length. Measure each section separately, then combine the measurements into one continuous binding strip.
1b. Insert the binding
Place the binding strip inside the binder attachment.
1c. Bind the armholes
Stitch about 1 inch of the binding first. Then insert the armhole seam allowance of the Front Upper Side Panel (Pattern A) into the binding and sew from one end of the armhole to the other.
Trim away the excess binding strip when you reach the end.
Repeat the same process for the remaining front armhole and both back armholes.
Keep the remaining binding strip aside, as it will be used to finish the neckline in Step 4.
Step 2: Finish the Hem
2a. Join the upper and lower panels
Place the right side of the Front Upper Side Panel (Pattern A) against the wrong side of the Front Lower Side Panel (Pattern B). Align the hem edges and sew along the hemline using an overlock stitch.
Repeat the same process for the Back Upper Side Panel (Pattern C) and Back Lower Side Panel (Pattern D).
2b. Press the seams
Turn the prepared front and back pieces right side out and press the seams flat.
Step 3: Attach One Shoulder Seam
Place the prepared front panel and back panel with right sides together.
Align one shoulder seam and sew it using an overlock stitch.
Step 4: Finish the Neckline with the Binding Strip
4a. Prepare the binding
Take the remaining binding strip from Step 1 and place it inside the binder attachment.
4b. Bind the neckline
Stitch about 1 inch of the binding first. Then insert the prepared neckline seam allowance into the binder.
Sew slowly from one end of the neckline to the other, maintaining smooth curves and carefully following the shape of the neckline, including the cutout area. Trim away any excess binding strip once you reach the end.
Step 5: Sew the Remaining Seams
Turn the garment wrong side out.
Align the remaining shoulder seam and both side seams with right sides together. Sew the seams using an overlock stitch.
Before finishing, check that all seams are properly aligned and that the cutout lies flat for a neat, professional finish.
Ready to Sew Your Own Sports Bra?
The Layla Cutout Sports Bra Sewing Pattern is an excellent beginner-friendly activewear project that combines comfort, support, and modern style. With clean binding finishes, a unique cutout detail, and straightforward construction, you'll have a versatile sports bra that's perfect for workouts, yoga sessions, or everyday wear.
Whether you're new to sewing activewear or expanding your handmade wardrobe, get the Layla Cutout Sports Bra Sewing Pattern because this pattern offers a fun and rewarding project that you'll reach for again and again.
Explore More Sewing Patterns
If you enjoyed sewing this project, explore the Women's Sewing Pattern Collection from Winslet's. From leggings and shorts to tops, dresses, swimwear, and jackets, you'll find patterns designed with detailed instructions to help you confidently sew your own handmade wardrobe.
Join the Community & Get Support
Share your finished Layla Cutout Sports Bra on social media with #MadeWithWinslets. If you have questions, feedback, or customization requests, contact the Winslet's team at support@winslets.com.
