Thread: Great bra to make costumes with

I've got a little tip I wanted to share with all you costume makers out there. I found a great bra to use as a base for costumes. It comes in alot of sizes and it's cheap. I get them at Walmart for about $12. The maker is "Sweet Nothings". They make two strapless bras that I can tell. My preference is for the one with the gold label rather than the silver one.

I've posted a photo of the bra right off the rack and a photo of a costume finished (Almost) using the same bra. I made this one for a good friend who is a full D cup and it fits her like a glove.

I've seen people asking questions here a lot one which bra to use as base and thought I'd share my experience with this one. Happy sewing.....

So the 38C fits her full Ds? Awesome. Must shop today.

Sorry, I should clarify that. I made her costume out of a D cup bra. The 38C is one that I had laying around and used for illustration. For the costume, I used the same street size bra that she normally wears which I think was a 36D.

Cool, this is good to know now that I am addicted to making costumes!

Good job on the costume, it looks beautiful.

That's great. Question: Do you cut off the backstrap and make your own or do you cover the elastic with fabric?

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

That's great. Question: Do you cut off the backstrap and make your own or do you cover the elastic with fabric?

I do one of two things. I either cut off the back strap and make a new one out of a layer of Pellon Pelltex 70 topped with a layer of felt, or I sew a layer of Pelltex 70 right under the existing back strap and just cut off the hooks on the ends. It depends on the shape I'm looking for. Unless you buy a bra band size larger than you normally wear, you'll need to extend the new back strap to account for the fact that it doesn't stretch.

that is such a cute costume!

I've looked at that bra for use as a base, but haven't purchased one.

The shape is fabulous -- it offers full coverage while being so beautiful on.

The costume itself is wonderfully simple . . . and elegant!

Good job!

Deborah

Thanks everyone for the compliments. I'm afraid my manequin isn't doing it much justice. It looks much better on my friend. I'm hoping to get a photo of it on her tomorrow night at a performance we're doing. If I do, I'll post it.

What she said she really liked about it was the coverage and also the way the design sort of minimized her breast size a little.

Thanks for the tip. Do they make them in a DD? I find that it is sooo hard to find DD bras that don't cost a fortune off the rack.

Originally Posted by Linnyg

Thanks for the tip. Do they make them in a DD? I find that it is sooo hard to find DD bras that don't cost a fortune off the rack.

I was just at my local Walmart yesterday buying bras and yes, they did have it in a DD. I haven't looked online, but I bet if you Google the bra name you might find an online source too that might have a better selection of sizes. I sometimes find Walmart doesn't have alot of size choices in this bra when they get low on stock.

Here's a better photo of the red/black costume. I made both the costumes in this photo using the Walmart bra.

WOW...beatiful!!

I found a great strapless bra recently at Target. It's made by Hanes and has a deeper dip between the cups compared to most strapless designs. I bought one for regular wear and am excited about using one for my next costume.

Those costumes are really beautiful. And the bra base looks ideal. Thanks for the tip! I will look next time I am there.

Maybe not everyone knows it, but a 38C will have the same cup size as a 36D. If you don't care about the straps, it's only the cups you need. So if someone wears a 36DD, they can get a 38D and it should work.

Nice work!!!

I am going to check out these bras, I like the price and I am always looking for good costume bras.

I did a little more research and found out they're made by Maidenform.

Wanted to let you know -- I complimented her on her costume backstage without knowing it was one of yours. But I should have known, by the way it fit and flattered her so well. Incredible work!

what kind of material is the skirt on the burgundy costume? it looks so sparkly

Originally Posted by najla86

what kind of material is the skirt on the burgundy costume? it looks so sparkly

It's black velvet covered in red glitter.

Congratulations Shahla. Two lovely costumes. Have to check and see if these bras are available here in Australia. I also love the coverage at the sides.

Those costumes are inspirational.
Oh for your talent. There is, no matter how any "designer" purchases we make anything to top that individual creativity.

There's a few on Ebay for sale.

Here's a 38C: 38C Maidenform Sweet Nothings Convertible Bra White - eBay (item 330241145833 end time Aug-30-08 18:54:28 PDT)

Here's a 38DD: 38DD Maidenform Sweet Nothings Convertible Bra White - eBay (item 330241145338 end time Aug-30-08 18:52:30 PDT)

Here's a 40DD: Sweet Nothings 40DD Tan Strapless/Convertible Bra - eBay (item 200235995267 end time Aug-30-08 20:49:16 PDT)

Gorgeous costumes! Thanks for the bra advice...:)

Recently Target had these on clearance for $3.24!!!!! I figured out they were the same as this Wonderbra style (Hanes and Wonderbra are made by the same parent company): Wonderbra | Detail

Tonight at Target (I'm a Target junkie) I found another strapless style that I'm really excited about for making costume bras. I will post details shortly.

Originally Posted by kiyaana

I found a great strapless bra recently at Target. It's made by Hanes and has a deeper dip between the cups compared to most strapless designs. I bought one for regular wear and am excited about using one for my next costume.

Originally Posted by kiyaana

Recently Target had these on clearance for $3.24!!!!! I figured out they were the same as this Wonderbra style (Hanes and Wonderbra are made by the same parent company): Wonderbra | Detail

Tonight at Target (I'm a Target junkie) I found another strapless style that I'm really excited about for making costume bras. I will post details shortly.

Kiyanna;

Awesome; I bought this same wonderbra (actually a few of them) at Kohl's when it was on super sale and I had a 15% off coupon on top of the sale. It is a really shape for costumes, I agree! Good to know that there is a similar choice at Target and I did not know that Hanes and Wonderbra were the same company.

Good to know Kohl's has this style - they have great sales. I don't think Target is carrying this anymore, hence the clearance. They started carrying them in August and I never could find the style under the Hanes name, but then figured out the Hanes/Wonderbra connection.

Originally Posted by auraevans

Kiyanna;

Awesome; I bought this same wonderbra (actually a few of them) at Kohl's when it was on super sale and I had a 15% off coupon on top of the sale. It is a really shape for costumes, I agree! Good to know that there is a similar choice at Target and I did not know that Hanes and Wonderbra were the same company.

The one I bought tonight is a Gillian & O'Malley "push-up plunge strapless bra". I'll try to post a pic later. The cups are very sturdy and the side straps are great - I might leave them as is (I usually replace with canvas). I will probably cut the center, re-angle the cups, and make a new center, however. With the Hanes/Wonderbra, I didn't feel I had to do that.

That reminds me i have a strapless bra that is too big that would be great for a costume!

Btw, I love Sweet Nothing bras, so comfy!