Thread: Bella Spinoff: Bra Strap Question

Still in the throes of New Bella Ecstasy! ,r:;

What do you guys do with the neck straps on your Bellas? She left mine very long, with hooks at the ends. I wouldn't imagine that hooking the straps into place before each performance would be very secure ..c::

So do you crisscross? Leave them straight and connect in the back? Convert to a halter?

Talk to me like a third grader....I'm sewing challenged

Actually, her work is incredibly secure - I have never had any of her hooks pop, zippers break, etc...and I have several of her costumes that I've never touched with needle and thread.
You have options :-) The straps usually criss-cross in the back - I believe that's the intended style. I have had to add hooks higher up on the straps on occasion to get the fit of the criss-cross just right and the bra nice and secure - a very easy alteration to accomplish. I know others who have sewn the straps together as a halter, which also looks fine and can be easier to get in and out of (the criss-cross can take a little while to get the hang of in quick-change situations). Personally, I prefer to just add hooks as I think it keeps the original style/value of the costume intact for future sale (although I intend on NEVER selling my first custom Bella - she's a keepsake) but do what makes you comfy and happy!

Yeah I just leave them as criss cross too...I had the hooks in the back come undone once, I have no idea how, and because of the criss cross the bra stayed completely in place!

I also keep the hooks criss crossed in back, securing them each time and have not had a wardrobe malfunction yet (knocks on wood...lol). Sometimes I need to move the hooks up or down a little but that's usually the only altering I have to do.

I highly recommend the criss cross as well.

Ditto to all above. I have on a couple of occasions converted it to a halter, but never cut the straps--this way they can be changed back. The bra's are very secure.

The only "malfunction" I've had is when in haste I missed one of the back hooks and it popped during performance. Bc of the criss cross straps, however, the bra stayed in place. I just had to dance over to a nice woman and ask her to give a gal a hand! .... I think I made better tips that night on top of it! LOL!!

This same thing happened to me. The criss cross straps kept everything completely in place. I could have kept dancing if I wasn't scaring everyone with the flopping back strap!

This happened because when I moved the hooks on the back strap, I had them too close together and it didn't have enough tension to stay closed.

The long neckholders are for a cross. Sometimes I use the cross, sometimes I cut it for normal neckholders....I think, the cross is better for woman with not so much Cup, neckholder better for more....if the cup seems a little bit small, than neckholders better and You can minimize Your cup in this way.

Thanks for the suggestions, guys! I moved a couple of hooks and did the cross and it looks fantastic.

Now, my only problem is that I can't stop staring at myself in the mirror! ..g.:

Some of my Bellas I turn into a halterneck and others I have left criss-cross. I feel more secure in the halterneck style than the criss-cross.
I spend days putting my cossies on and trying them with different skirts-sooo much fun!!!

I always make mine halter.

Just to add an option:
I have a Paganini with long straps that was either made or altered to be a criss-cross with the straps fastening in the front. They are sewn down to the bra band in the back but attach inside the cups with hooks and eyes. It's very secure and easy to get on and off.

Originally Posted by Zana

Just to add an option:
I have a Paganini with long straps that was either made or altered to be a criss-cross with the straps fastening in the front. They are sewn down to the bra band in the back but attach inside the cups with hooks and eyes. It's very secure and easy to get on and off.

Oh! You have a Pagannini? Think of me when it is time to sell. ..g.: That is all.

Originally Posted by Zana

Just to add an option:
I have a Paganini with long straps that was either made or altered to be a criss-cross with the straps fastening in the front. They are sewn down to the bra band in the back but attach inside the cups with hooks and eyes. It's very secure and easy to get on and off.

Now that's brilliant!!! I sometimes have to twist myself into a pretzel to get Bella bra's on!

Originally Posted by aazura

Now that's brilliant!!! I sometimes have to twist myself into a pretzel to get Bella bra's on!

Especially when the sleeves are attached to the bra ..l;,..l;, I just got finished alltering my new Magental Bella. I like to be able to get into my cossies on my own. I would have had to have help if I kept this one as criss cross since the sleeves are attached..l;,

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

Oh! You have a Paganini? Think of me when it is time to sell. ..g.: That is all.

Hi, beautiful. I'd sell it to you right now! It's the raspberry-and-gold one I bought from Shayna on the swap meet a long time ago. I love it but have never yet worn it, and it really needs to be out dancing. Photos here:
Shayna's Photo Album - tribe.net
Bra is perfectly perfect for a 38DD. The skirt is loose on me, though, so you'd have to be OK with it being loose on you, too. Let me know if you want me to measure. You know where to find me.
..g.:
Sorry for the threadjack, all!

Yes, this strap arrangement is hugely helpful and my new year's resolution is to make all my bras work this way in the future.

Oh Zana!!! I loved that one when I first saw it.....wish it would fit me!

Originally Posted by Zana

Hi, beautiful. I'd sell it to you right now! It's the raspberry-and-gold one I bought from Shayna on the swap meet a long time ago. I love it but have never yet worn it, and it really needs to be out dancing. Photos here:
Shayna's Photo Album - tribe.net
Bra is perfectly perfect for a 38DD. The skirt is loose on me, though, so you'd have to be OK with it being loose on you, too. Let me know if you want me to measure. You know where to find me.
..g.:
Sorry for the threadjack, all!

Yes, this strap arrangement is hugely helpful and my new year's resolution is to make all my bras work this way in the future.

Another thread-jack...Zana, sadly I think the waist will be too big on me. ..cr.:

Again, back to topic!