Thread: For busty babes who alter halters

Hi, all! I've got two costumes that need their halters rejiggered so I don't injure my neck. I'm not much of a seamstress but am eager to learn. Have you any advice for me, pretty please?

One has plain straps, so it should be relatively easy to make extensions that lengthen the existing straps so they can be attached to the bra band in the back. (Two layers of wide grosgrain plus a little padding for shoulder comfort, all covered in the fashion fabric and trimmed to match, right?) I think I know where I'm going with this one, but if you have favorite "strapping" techniques or materials or any other tips, I'd appreciate hearing them.

The other one is more intimidating: it has heavily beaded halter straps that I am reluctant to extend or move. Some of you have mentioned adding additional straps that run from the back of the neck to to the back of the bra band, to preserve the halter look from the front but still take some weight off the neck strap. I'd like to try that, but I'm not sure about the engineering. Where exactly do you attach the new straps? I'm afraid that if I put them in the wrong place it will keep the hooks from doing their job well, making the fastening unstable, or else I'll end up with something very difficult to put on. Would anyone be willing to share a description -- or even a photo -- of an arrangement that works well?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Suzana

Wish I could. I just have this feeling that arrangement would cause the back of the bra to creep up in that really bad "my boobs are too heavy for my 15 year old bra" look. You know the one I'm talking about. I depend on my band to take the weight, and the straps just kind of add an inch or two of lift.

Yep, that's another worry. I thought perhaps if the bra band were tight enough that wouldn't happen, but too tight is a risk as well. Maybe adding two straps and angling them out and down from the back of the neck, so they wouldn't hit in the center of the band, would reduce that problem? I'm imagining something like a modified racer back.

Just thought of a related Q:
Somebody sometime was advocating a bit of elastic inside the bra band and/or straps to snug 'em up and add comfort. I think this was in addition to the normal non-stretch straps/band -- as an insert or as an additional strap/band on the skin side of the existing one. Is this a crazy idea for the bigger-bosomed? My instinct is to make things as rigid as possible, but I've seen bra straps break in performance, suggesting that a little give is not such a bad idea.

I want mine encased in cement...

I have one or two that are done this way, REALLY well, and it's wonderful. It'll be a couple of days before I'll have a chance to get pics for you, though.

I also have a new technique for bra closing. These days, I usually just sew the halter straps together so I don't have to worry about them coming unhooked. Then I attach a swimsuit hook to one end of the back band and make a loop of elastic a few inches further in than the hook would really need to go in order to close the bra, so it'll be slightly stretched when it's on. The other end I put a regular trouser hook on -- plus a big snap just for insurance.

I'll take pics of that, too, I'm sure it doesn't make sense.

The costume I am wearing in my Raqs b performance has the halter and over the shoulder configuration.

In my experience, if you can take a deep breath which expands your upper ribcage, your chest band isn't tight enough.

when reconfiguring straps, just double check that the original halter straps were, indeed, cut. Many times they have been tucked below the lining and you'll have more than enough to make over the shoulder style.

I would attach the second set of straps at the asme point in front as the halter. or on the outside. then straight over. You can always bead them to match the existing straps.

{{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by Zana

Yep, that's another worry. I thought perhaps if the bra band were tight enough that wouldn't happen, but too tight is a risk as well. Maybe adding two straps and angling them out and down from the back of the neck, so they wouldn't hit in the center of the band, would reduce that problem? I'm imagining something like a modified racer back.

I have a costume done like this, it's the most comfortable and flattering costume I own. I'm a D cup, halters hurt my neck, so this arrangement works beautifully for me, and provides even more support, as long as the band is set well, I'm good. For rigidity around the band, I leave myself a 1/2 inch space. Hmmmm, how do I explain it? I set the hooks so that there is a 1/2 inch more than tight enough for back fat to be displayed. Does that make sense?

Originally Posted by Zana

Just thought of a related Q:
Somebody sometime was advocating a bit of elastic inside the bra band and/or straps to snug 'em up and add comfort. I think this was in addition to the normal non-stretch straps/band -- as an insert or as an additional strap/band on the skin side of the existing one. Is this a crazy idea for the bigger-bosomed? My instinct is to make things as rigid as possible, but I've seen bra straps break in performance, suggesting that a little give is not such a bad idea.

I don't think it's a bad idea, I've had more trouble from bands being too tight, having some give is a lovely thing!

Here's a link to the H halter look:

http://a203.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...81bf9a5b7a.jpg

photo by Allison Perkel

I recently made my halter strap on my turquoise costume bra to be double halter straps. I'm a D cup and I find this more comfortable and it feels like the weight is more even without my neck hurting. Plus it looks pretty. Here's a pic, hope it helps show what I'm trying to describe.

I've extended some of my halter necks and made the straps into cross overs at the back-same look at the front but with comfort!!

Thanks SO much for this, ladies. I meant to respond sooner but lost the thread for a couple of days there. The pictures are very helpful -- Lauren, I'd love to see yours too if you have a chance sometime. The costume that needs this soonest treatment is my new Venus (thanks a million, Saideh!) that came with some extra "strappage." The extras aren't quite fancy enough to use in the front but would be perfect down the back, and these ideas are really helping me clarify how that will work.

Kina, I really like that yours is done with that big hook on the straps. I've seen the contortions a teeny-topped friend goes through to get into costumes with permanently crossed straps, so though I like the idea I couldn't imagine how I was going to wrestle the bazooms into one. The hook is a smart way to solve the problem and looks like it would be easy enough to fasten once you've got the bra on.

Originally Posted by kina

I set the hooks so that there is a 1/2 inch more than tight enough for back fat to be displayed.

Just to confirm, do you mean back fat plus 1/2 inch looser or back fat plus 1/2 inch tighter? (Boy does that sound weird, but I think I get you!)

Thanks again!

I'm not what you'd call a busty babe, but this is really helpful info!

Originally Posted by Suzana

Thanks SO much for this, ladies. I meant to respond sooner but lost the thread for a couple of days there. The pictures are very helpful -- Lauren, I'd love to see yours too if you have a chance sometime. The costume that needs this soonest treatment is my new Venus (thanks a million, Saideh!) that came with some extra "strappage." The extras aren't quite fancy enough to use in the front but would be perfect down the back, and these ideas are really helping me clarify how that will work.

Kina, I really like that yours is done with that big hook on the straps. I've seen the contortions a teeny-topped friend goes through to get into costumes with permanently crossed straps, so though I like the idea I couldn't imagine how I was going to wrestle the bazooms into one. The hook is a smart way to solve the problem and looks like it would be easy enough to fasten once you've got the bra on.



Just to confirm, do you mean back fat plus 1/2 inch looser or back fat plus 1/2 inch tighter? (Boy does that sound weird, but I think I get you!)

Thanks again!

over 3 years late! wow, that might be a record for me! So, a half inch after backfat, that gives me enough room.

I make most of my bra's halter. When it is at all possible, I extend the halter straps with thick doubled elastic. Maybe just an inch or two. It is still sturdy but has some "give". The halter straps around my neck are always permanent....sewn together ...I never trust hooks.

I have used the elastic (doubled) as extension piece for the ribcage too and I find it very comforable.

Originally Posted by TanyaLV

I make most of my bra's halter. When it is at all possible, I extend the halter straps with thick doubled elastic. Maybe just an inch or two. It is still sturdy but has some "give". The halter straps around my neck are always permanent....sewn together ...I never trust hooks.

I have used the elastic (doubled) as extension piece for the ribcage too and I find it very comforable.

I can never get them over my head that way (wish I could, though). I also pin the back together, AFTER sewing in the quarter size and have hooks as well. I'm no where near flexible enough to snap, hook AND pin with my arms behind my back!

Originally Posted by TanyaLV

I make most of my bra's halter. When it is at all possible, I extend the halter straps with thick doubled elastic. Maybe just an inch or two. It is still sturdy but has some "give". The halter straps around my neck are always permanent....sewn together ...I never trust hooks.

I have used the elastic (doubled) as extension piece for the ribcage too and I find it very comforable.

Can you load a picture of the elastic attachment?

I adjusted a bra for a friend who is very busty. The halter was just putting too much pressure on her neck. I added shoulder straps that I beaded to match the bra and put elastic under the back area of the shoulder strap to ensure that the weight was on the shoulders and not the neck. The halter strap exists as decoration and serves to ensure that the bra lays right but is not weight baring. I'll see if my friend has pictures.

Originally Posted by TanyaLV

I make most of my bra's halter. When it is at all possible, I extend the halter straps with thick doubled elastic. Maybe just an inch or two. It is still sturdy but has some "give". The halter straps around my neck are always permanent....sewn together ...I never trust hooks.

I have used the elastic (doubled) as extension piece for the ribcage too and I find it very comforable.

I'm trying to get a mental picture of this, as I have a bra with halter straps that are just a little bit too short. Is the elastic extension at the back of the neck, then, and permanently sewed down? That sounds very doable!

Originally Posted by kina

over 3 years late! wow, that might be a record for me!

Heh. Amateur.

And thank you!

It's nice to see this thread revived, actually, since I happen to be working on this now. Welcome to Jennifer Lakshmi -- a beautiful dancer and a beautiful person.

Originally Posted by dunyah

I'm trying to get a mental picture of this, as I have a bra with halter straps that are just a little bit too short. Is the elastic extension at the back of the neck, then, and permanently sewed down? That sounds very doable!

I will try to get a pic at some point..but yes, it is at the back of the neck..not too noticeable...permanently sewn. It just gives a tiny bit of give since the whole strap is not stretchy...and is comfortable.

Aww shucks, Suzana!

*smooch*

Linking these two threads up for convenience. Bra wiki!
How-to Convert Halters to X-Back