Okay, I'm fed up with binders and need some help. I've tried 5 different models now and hated all of them. Started with the Underworks 997 since it seemed like a good place to start as a first binder but the material bothered my skin and I had major spillage out the sides that chafed. After that I got the tri-top and realized I hate binders that aren't full length since I have a good bit of loose skin I like to flatten out too from losing over 100lbs so I got the 996 microfiber v neck but it didn't get me even close to flat enough and because it was a pull over I got stuck a few times, wide shoulders are a blessing for me normally but not when I'm trapped trying to free myself from microfiber and spandex. The velcro on the lesloveboat binder I tried then bothered me because it was too bulky on one side. I wasn't a fan of the wide coverage high strength pullover from lesloveboat either because the mesh at the sides bothered my skin and pinched at the waist but at least I didn't get stuck in that one. I didn't even bother trying the zipper model, with my luck I wouldn't be able to get it zipped.
My bra size was a 32E and I'm about an XS everywhere else so any flattening I've achieved leaves me with awkwardly huge pecs on a tiny scrawny (at the moment) frame. There's a lot of loose skin around my armpits and breasts so almost everything I've tried has chafed a bit. The only time I managed to get myself flat enough was when I doubled the 996 under the 997 but it hurt my ribs after a few hours. It will be getting warm soon so I can't keep relying on layers to hide what I can't fully bind. I have a lot of experience with sewing and drafting patterns so I thought I'd try making a binder that works for me now that I know what doesn't.
I have one yard of the same type of heavy duty mesh used in the 997 and a yard of a nice soft heavy spandex/nylon blend. I was planning to use two layers of mesh for strength but place a layer of the soft fabric on the inside and outside so it doesn't bother my skin. The back would be a single layer of mesh and two layers of the soft fabric again just for durability. Everything would be french seamed backwards and then the flap top stitched down on the outside to keep the inside as smooth as possible to minimize irritation. The neck would be a wide U shape. I need to be able to step into the binder since my hips aren't as wide as my shoulders and I need extra wide coverage at the armpits. This will take a lot of trial and error since I'm basically starting from tracing the 996 and 997 then marking where I feel like they need adjusted to fit me better and using old t-shirts to make mockups to test the fit since muslin isn't stretchy. I am a bit worried so many layers of fabric will make the heat factor uncomfortable but I'm trapped between an extra warm binder so I can wear tshirts when it gets hot out or sweat profusely anyway wearing long sleeved overshirts and hoodies all summer
Has anyone ever made their own binders and did you end up with decent results? I'm also curious to hear some of the things other guys have disliked about various models they've tried in the past and what they think could be improved upon. Please note this is not a sales pitch and I will not be taking orders for binders if I manage to come up with something decent that works since that is against the rules here and I'm fitting this for myself according to my personal needs. I'd be happy to help anyone newer to sewing that is interested in trying this for themselves so please feel free to ask.
I would like to ask the mods if it would be okay to share any patterns I come up with for free to anyone who wants to try making their own binder as well as a way to pay it forward to other guys who've struck out on some of the more popular models out there or who just like to sew and DIY things
