Costume Bra

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nursedoe

New member
I am trying to make a simple costume bra. I am a F or G cup, so I started with a Wacoal bra with the support of Boulder Dam that is strapless or convertible strap type. It fits me well. I want to keep the band as is because the support comes from the band not the straps. I want to make straps that cross in the back ( halter straps hurt my neck). The bra is black and I will likely add coins, medals, and some sort of trim I will make from old sari fabric.

My questions: Do I have to cover the bra? I would keep it black, so do I need to put more black fabric on top?

Will I be able to use that sort of flat hook that the removable straps have? I imagine it would have to be heavier than the pretty one it comes with.

Thanks,
Doe
 
Farasha Hanem

Farasha Hanem

New member
Yes, you do need to cover the bra, it makes it look more "finished." An uncovered bra says "lingerie," and you don't want that. If you want black, a nice crushed velvet would be beautiful, but that's my personal preference (I have a thing for crushed velvet >.> ). Cover the entire outside of the bra, and if it has hooks in the back, cut off the parts that have the hooks and fasteners, and use your black fabric to either make tie straps in the back, or replace the bits you cut off, and add costume fasteners, like large snaps (those seem to be used a lot now), or some hook-and-eye pants fasteners. Make sure to line the inside of the cups with that stiff white liner stuff you buy at fabric stores (I forgot what it's called? :confused: ), then cover that with a comfortable fabric (most bellydance bras are lined with grossgrain fabric, but I've yet to find any in the stores I shop at :confused: ).

:confused: W-wait, I'm giving costume advice??? oO;;; Shanazel? Amulya? What's happened to me, I don't even know how to run a sewing machine! @___@;;
 
Darshiva

Darshiva

Moderator
I'm going to slightly disagree with the cut off the hooks & eyes advice, because if you are careful and clever you can cut a slit where the eyes meet the fabric and pop them through, then sew the fabric closed around them. Lots of work, but it does work and you don't have to lose functionality.

Definitely the straps should be replaced with something strong, sturdy & NOT ELASTIC. Just trust me on this one. You don't want to have to completely replace the straps again in 2 years when the elastic rots out.
 
Shanazel

Shanazel

Moderator
It is called buckram and you are giving advice because you have a good sense of costume even if you are scared of machines. Do you have a machine, Farasha?

Definitely cover the bra, including the sides, and change the straps as well.

I leave the sides of bras intact and extend the bottom of the backs by running 1/2 to 3/4 inch grosgrain ribbon beneath both cups and along the bottom of the back long enough to fit around the ribcage since you are losing the stretch of the sides. I also edge the top of the sides with grosgrain ribbon and extend it to the back to join the lower ribbon to form the new back. Reinforce all that with interfacing then cover the whole thing to match the cups. Add new hooks at the end of the new back. I personally don't care for the gathery look one gets when covering an existing bra so that the underlying elastic back and original hooks can be used, but that's just me.

I like crushed velvet, too. It is pretty and stretches nicely over the cups. I form darts as I cover the cups and actually sew the darts by stitching clear through the cup. Crushed velvet hides stitches rather nicely. Be sure to cut more fabric than you think you'll need to cover any given area: you can trim away excess but adding fabric is problematic.

I'm not sure what you are asking about the hook on the straps. Do you mean those delicate plastic thingies that attach detachable straps to the bra? Lose 'em. SEW the straps to the bra just as securely as you can.

This is so much easier to do than to explain. Amulya, dear, where's that bra tutorial you wrote here a while back?

By the way, from one busty gal to another, if this is not an underwire you are going to regret it. ;)
 
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Farasha Hanem

Farasha Hanem

New member
=
Shanazel said:
It is called buckram and you are giving advice because you have a good sense of costume even if you are scared of machines. Do you have a machine, Farasha?
Click to expand...

I have one that my grandmother bought me 29 years ago when I was pregnant with my first baby, Chris. She was going to teach me how to sew with it, but due to circumstances, didn't get the opportunity.

Oh, and I think it needs to go to the shop to get adjusted... :confused:
 
Shanazel

Shanazel

Moderator
Then take it to the darn shop and get it done. Make it your Christmas present to yourself. Call learning to sew a tribute to your grandmother.

Once you get that first costume whipped together by machine you'l never look back. :cool:

Sorry for hijacking your thread, Doe, but I've been working on this girl to learn to sew for five years now. One of these days...
 
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nursedoe

New member
Yes, I like crushed velvet too. The bra itself is pretty thick with those molded cups. So, I am a little worried about adding 3 layers of fabric. I am always worried about that "Here comes Doe's boobs" look.
So, off to the fabric store tomorrow before work. It's about 40 minutes from here! I was trying not to drive that far. Naw, who am I kidding? I was just trying to take shortcuts. I know I will be happier if I do it properly.
I love a bra by flying skirts- Medallion- However I gave some thought to how much weight that would be on my chest and decided to go a little simpler. My mom is a bit of a hoarder and also works in a second hand store, so I have bags and bags of bit and pieces of costume jewelry to play with. Since I am not now, nor will I be a performer other than for my family- I can't see putting that much money into a bra.
Thanks for the suggestions. I will pick up stuff tomorrow.

And about the sewing machine. Get one! Or fix yours. It is probably much better than what is sold today.
 
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nursedoe

New member
Darshiva I think I know what you mean about hooks and eyes. I will see if I can figure it out. I looked for the ribbon at the local wal-mart but they didn't have the heavier stuff. But found a lot of black binding material. I would cover that with whatever I can use of the Sari fabrics.
thank you,
Doe

Shanazel- I am trying to imagine the ribbon as you describe, but I think I will have to actually play with it to get it.
As for the straps, I was pretty sure that I would get to use the flimsy ones, but was wondering if heavier ones might work in either the front or back since I want to have straps that cross in the back. If I sew the straps on the front and back, the bra will be very hard to put on, no?

Wacoal Custom Contours Strapless Push Up Bra 65442 - Wacoal Bras This has been discontinued. But I got it b/c it is the only strapless bra that ever stayed up on me. I figured it would stay up even better with straps.

I can't thank you all enough for all of the advice. I will try to take some pictures as I go along.
 
Shanazel

Shanazel

Moderator
You put the cross strap bra on over your head before fastening the back. A tad tricky at first but much preferable to having the straps bust in the middle of a dance.

I wouldn't add buckram to a molded cup bra myself. I've never used buckram in a bra and dislike the way those armored bras look on me; I prefer something that moves with me instead of standing at rigid attention while I jiggle within. :D The other drawback to lining cups with buckram or anything else is that it changes the fit.

Once you pin the ribbon along the bottom of the entire length of the bra and use it to extend the back it will make sense. So much easier to show than to explain!:think:

About the "here come the boobs" fear: let's face it, kiddo, some of us cannot be identified in a shoulders and face photo by half the men we've ever met because they never bothered to look us in the face, hmm? The boobs are there. They are prominent. They garner attention. May as well dress 'em up to look pretty. I wouldn't add copious amounts of fringe across the middle of both cups but a layer of crushed velvet and some pretty bling aren't going to make that much difference to what we've already got.

Own it. If you got it, flaunt it. Dolly Parton made the world safe for the rest of us.
 
Farasha Hanem

Farasha Hanem

New member
Shanazel said:
You put the cross strap bra on over your head before fastening the back. A tad tricky at first but much preferable to having the straps bust in the middle of a dance.

I wouldn't add buckram to a molded cup bra myself. I've never used buckram in a bra and dislike the way those armored bras look on me; I prefer something that moves with me instead of standing at rigid attention while I jiggle within. :D The other drawback to lining cups with buckram or anything else is that it changes the fit.

Once you pin the ribbon along the bottom of the entire length of the bra and use it to extend the back it will make sense. So much easier to show than to explain!:think:

About the "here come the boobs" fear: let's face it, kiddo, some of us cannot be identified in a shoulders and face photo by half the men we've ever met because they never bothered to look us in the face, hmm? The boobs are there. They are prominent. They garner attention. May as well dress 'em up to look pretty. I wouldn't add copious amounts of fringe across the middle of both cups but a layer of crushed velvet and some pretty bling aren't going to make that much difference to what we've already got.

Own it. If you got it, flaunt it. Dolly Parton made the world safe for the rest of us.
Click to expand...

Oh, boy, I have a new idea for a custom bra for me! I'm going to attach flashing neon arrows to the straps and sides pointing to my booblets, and microscopic lenses in front of the cups, and top it off with a sign that says, "HERE THEY ARE!!!" xD

Anyway. :lol: Doe, if you like the crisscross back look, you can sew heavy rings on the back ends where you would normally have hooks and eyes and make two neck straps that are securely attached to the cups in front. Make the straps long enough to cross in the back and loop each end to the opposite ring in the back, and securely tie in a bow. I have two bras that cross in the back like that, and are very comfortable. Wish I could post you pics so you can see how they're made, but my phone camera died. -_-
 
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Darshiva

Darshiva

Moderator
That's interesting. I find I get much worse 'ride-up' with non-stretchy bras. I guess it's a matter of physiology.
 
Shanazel

Shanazel

Moderator
If I have good support from the cups I don't get ride up no matter what kind of straps I have. Insufficient support from the cups and the law of gravity take over. That's why I spend a fortune on bras every year instead of buying those cute ones from the big box discount store. Of course just when I find THE perfect bra the manufacturer quits producing it. :mad:

Dar, have you tried larger cups along with a smaller back? That solved most of my problems. (Thank you, oh wonderful professional fitter at Macys!)
 
Amulya

Amulya

Moderator
Larger cups with smaller back band is so hard to find. Mission impossible. I have given up. That means I have now only non fitting bras that have to be taken in :(
Some shops sell my size but those bras are $80.... And might not even fit.
 
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nursedoe

New member
Thanks everyone! Went by JoAnn's and picked up the black panne velvet. Only had to wait 45 minutes in line to get them to cut a piece ( after a super long day at work). Got a few sizes of black grossgrain ribbon and will play around with it. Was thinking on lining it in something VERY thin, soft like tee shirt, but think it is going to be too thick.
I kept myself from buying some fabric that I loved because ONE costume is enough. I can't wait to play around with it all this weekend.
 
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