Thread: Halter bras with wide, gathered straps

Does anyone have pictures of costume bras with full halter straps that are gathered narrower at the tops of the cups? I know I've seen this style before, particularly when it's been done with an accent fabric on top of the bra, like a chiffon swag going around and under the bustline.

I'm stuck on a costume I've been making for months--which explains why I don't bother to post my (lack of) progress in the "What Are You Working On?" monthly threads. (Do you really want to see the same picture with almost no change eight months in a row?!) Anyway, the bra I've ended up with looks way more "swimsuit" than "bedlah," and I'm looking for inspiration to get the project back on track. The top is a cropped version of New Look 6383, View A New Look Patterns - New Look 6383 - New Look Sewing Patterns for Coordinates,*Tops,*Pants,*Skirts - New Look Pattern Reviews, to give you an idea of where I'm at.

Oh I would love to see this as well b/c that link you posted with the black top, that design is SOOOOO flattering to large breasts on bigger bodies.

Is this what you are talking about? this is a costume I made for myself

also check out the sahars, I think she does something like this:

Belly Dance Store.com: gallery

I have a top along those lines, and it has a sliding tube of fabric around the straps. That way, one can adjust the shape of the cups and the appearance of the straps. It sounds kinda strange, but on my body, it really works. The back is tied criss-cross with D-rings. It is an awesome design, at least for me (I am a 36C/D).

oops - double post

Other than the floating cup aspect, that is similar to what I have now, but I want to gather the fabric at the top of the cup to lessen the teardrop-shape-ness and get more of a defined cup+strap look.

In other words, if I could find matching, glamorous blue-and-teal rhinestone buckles, I would thread the straps through the buckles at the top of the cups to gather the fabric up a bit and give some definition. I was thinking I could sew some kind of vertical decoration across at the top of each cup where the fabric gathers, and that's what I'm looking for ideas on how to do.

Originally Posted by shems

Is this what you are talking about? this is a costume I made for myself

Oh la la! Loooove the fabric and design, classy and simple but drop dead gorgeous! Congrat!

Qamar

Scarlet's Lounge uses a bead to do something close to what you're describing I think... Tribal Gypsy Belly Dance Silk Studded Tie Back Bra Top - eBay (item 280389433217 end time Sep-24-09 10:02:30 PDT)
I'd think you could get the same effect with what Steffib is describing, by making a tube or knot of the fabric? A whole series of them might create an interesting effect, too.

Originally Posted by SaskaK

Scarlet's Lounge uses a bead to do something close to what you're describing I think... Tribal Gypsy Belly Dance Silk Studded Tie Back Bra Top - eBay (item 280389433217 end time Sep-24-09 10:02:30 PDT)
I'd think you could get the same effect with what Steffib is describing, by making a tube or knot of the fabric? A whole series of them might create an interesting effect, too.

A bead probably wouldn't work. It would have to be enormous to get that much jersey fabric through the hole. I've thought about making a tube out of the original fabric, but I'm at a loss for how to decorate it that it won't look silly. It's a heavy, one-way-stretch, matte jersey that I had lying around, so it isn't like a metallic Lycra or something that would have been decoratively interesting enough for a minimalist design on its own. At any rate, I have the side slits and hem of the matching skirt already trimmed, so I am committed to holographic sequins and rocaille beads--and can't go too tribal or ethnic.

Here is a retro fit on a bra that was not beefy enough for my oozage and wide shoulders. 2 pieces of contrasting fabric gathered and the sewn from underarm to cleavage. I like cleavage...just not on me. The girls arent as ahem ... firm ... as they used to be, so the unsightly jiggle factor must be controled.
.

I think a buckle is a great idea:

Exquisite Rhinestone Jewelry - Buckles
Rhinestone Buckles from Lucysfabrics.com

I thought about doing that on mine too, but opted for what you see.

Originally Posted by anala

Here is a retro fit on a bra that was not beefy enough for my oozage and wide shoulders. 2 pieces of contrasting fabric gathered and the sewn from underarm to cleavage. I like cleavage...just not on me. The girls arent as ahem ... firm ... as they used to be, so the unsightly jiggle factor must be controled.
.

This is a really nice solution.

Shems, how did you do the skirt with the shorts? Very beautiful work.

Originally Posted by shems

I think a buckle is a great idea:

Exquisite Rhinestone Jewelry - Buckles
Rhinestone Buckles from Lucysfabrics.com

I thought about doing that on mine too, but opted for what you see.

The blue buckle at Lucy's might match color-wise, but I'm afraid it won't be large enough to handle the bulk of the straps. I'm also concerned that the prongs on the stones might be snaggy (something that might have been an issue with your design, too--Can somebody with a Sahar confirm if this is a problem or not?). I'm beginning to think I'll have to improvise something with sew-on jewels to get the size and colors I want.

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

The blue buckle at Lucy's might match color-wise, but I'm afraid it won't be large enough to handle the bulk of the straps. I'm also concerned that the prongs on the stones might be snaggy (something that might have been an issue with your design, too--Can somebody with a Sahar confirm if this is a problem or not?). I'm beginning to think I'll have to improvise something with sew-on jewels to get the size and colors I want.

I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out. It seems very doable. And it sounds like your imagination is already working it out.

Originally Posted by indigostars

Shems, how did you do the skirt with the shorts? Very beautiful work.

Thanks!

Um...I just did. I've got this ability to just make things... Okay, I can be more helpful than that.

First I drew a sketch of what I wanted, then bought sequin stretch fabric from spandexworld.

The shorts I patterned off a pair of dance leggings I wear for practice that I liked the fit of, then I just cut them shorter. They have an elastic waistband.

The skirt is cut like a circle skirt, but it is only 1/2 circle. The waistband I also cut on a curve and made it too big so it would sit lower like in the photo. I put it on my dress form got it just how I wanted and pinned and sewed and put it together how I wanted. It wasn't that hard.

The halter top was a bigger pain because I was making dumb sewing mistakes with it, but it got there and I'm fine with it now.

My advice if you choose to purchase this sequin fabric from spandex world. Lay down a drop cloth! I didn't, thinking I'd just sweep up the loose sequins when I was done. Months later and I'm still finding tiny gold sequins all over the house.

Back to the topic....

i've done the gathering thing on fabric halters by sewing the straps to the thickness i want with a simple basting and gathering stitch. use upholstery thread for safety.
is this what you are talking about?

then you can just decorate over the stitches with some bling, sequins, rhinestones, a pair of broken rhinestone earings, etc.

Why not get a plain belt buckle, then use nail polish, find something dimensional and shimmery that matches, and paint the buckles? You can even fake a sequin look by dotting on an alternating color of polish that matches.

you might try broaches, brooches however it's spelled - look on ebay or etsy - they might give you some nice jeweled choices.