Thread: Bra straps devolved into ugly ropes

My bra straps have a heavy load.

I made mine from 2" grograin ribbon, doubled, sewed, and then I made a tube of matching fabric and got the ribbon inside the tube (there's got to be a better way!), sewed it all down and used them as straps.

The straps go over my shoulder into an X, go through fabric loops on the bra sides (poor idea) and tie in the middle.

The problem is that now, after about 6 wearings, these straps are devolving into squashed ugly ropes. The back of my costume is plain ugly.

I see some folks using just fabric, but I doubt I can do that.

Ideas? Plain ribbon?

I use the ribbon (or a length of canvas) doubled and sewn flat as you do. I often reinforce it by running a couple of zigzag stitches up and down. I then take my fabric and sew the edge to the back of the ribbon/strap, wrap it all the way around the front to the back again, tuck the end under (this will cover the part you already stitched down, doubling the fabric in the back) and hand stitch (whip stitch) it closed (so that the stitching isnt visible from the front). I've never had an issue with the straps doing anything weird. (I hope that makes sense)

I think your problem might be that you used a tube of fabric and its slipping around that ribbon base, twisting and creating weirdness.

Ok...why you'd make a tube confuses me. I stitch two layers of grosgrain ribbon together...press it with an iron, and then I machine stitch the matching fabric fabric to it:

Ozma's Costumes Photos | Facebook

Now, the fabric doesn't always perfectly encapsulate the ribbon on the underside...as you can see here:

Ozma's Costumes Photos | Facebook

But that's ok, because I usually embellish the straps, so there'd be thread visible on that side anyway:

Ozma's Costumes Photos | Facebook

And I always whipstitch in a lining:
Ozma's Costumes's Photos - Johnny's Legacy, January 2010- | Facebook

Better picture:
Ozma's Costumes's Photos - Johnny's Legacy, January 2010- | Facebook

"The straps go over my shoulder into an X, go through fabric loops on the bra sides (poor idea) and tie in the middle."

Ok. That is your issue. The going through loops and tying is your issue. I think you need stable straps that firmly attach to the cups and that have a fastening methon that doesn't involve knots!

I agree that it is the tube thing messing you up. Stitch everything down flat and it should work much better.

I agree that the tube and/or loops could case the problems. When you say you used 2" ribbon and doubled it, do you mean put another length of ribbon on top or folded it to form a 1" strip?

Maybe it's too wide to stay flat (in combination with the fabric loops). grosgrain ribbon is sturdy but also thin and flexible, maybe a layer of felt/denim will stabilize them enough too stop twisting (although that probably won't work with the fabric loops).

Is the ribbon sewn to the covering tube, or just threaded through it? If it's just threaded through, press the straps flat with an iron (use a press cloth if the fabric is delicate), then topstitch through all the layers.

Another part of the problem might be the pressure on the straps. A good bra should be able to stay up without shoulder straps while you are standing still. So as odd as it might sound, reinforcing the cups might relieve pressure on the straps helping them stay flat. Also, just tying the straps an inch or so looser and longer might help a lot.

Another possible problem is the rings on the side of the bra. When the straps are threaded through the ring and then pulled, they tend to bunch in one spot on the ring. Some people try to avoid this by using D rings, but those don't always stay upright. A buckle with a narrow slot that will keep the ribbon flat might work. Or making a reinforced button hole in the side of the bra instead of the rings.

I use different methods, the tube method really isn't that bad. I use a large safety pin to turn the tube inside out. Or stitch a string or ribbon to one short edge, so that the string falls inside the tube as I sew the long tube seam. Then I use the string to pull the tube inside out. If I use a grosgrain ribbon instead of string, the tube is reinforced as soon as it's turned right side out. Then I topstitch through all the layers.

Originally Posted by NazirahDances

I use the ribbon (or a length of canvas) doubled and sewn flat as you do. I often reinforce it by running a couple of zigzag stitches up and down. I then take my fabric and sew the edge to the back of the ribbon/strap, wrap it all the way around the front to the back again, tuck the end under (this will cover the part you already stitched down, doubling the fabric in the back) and hand stitch (whip stitch) it closed (so that the stitching isnt visible from the front). I've never had an issue with the straps doing anything weird. (I hope that makes sense)

I think your problem might be that you used a tube of fabric and its slipping around that ribbon base, twisting and creating weirdness.

Originally Posted by ssipes

I agree that it is the tube thing messing you up. Stitch everything down flat and it should work much better.

Well despite the weirdness of the tube (it's just the first way I thought of covering the straps and it worked) I checked (didn't remember): they are topstitched down on both edges.

Originally Posted by ozma

"The straps go over my shoulder into an X, go through fabric loops on the bra sides (poor idea) and tie in the middle."

Ok. That is your issue. The going through loops and tying is your issue. I think you need stable straps that firmly attach to the cups and that have a fastening methon that doesn't involve knots!

The straps look okay at the front, and are not coming loose at the cup.

For a back clasp, do you all mean maybe pants hooks? They'd have to be on the width of the straps. they'd also have to come together after hitting the fabric loops they go through. And the most exciting part, they'll have to be fastened high behind my back (sigh). Maybe the most exciting part would be getting them in the right place ...

I plan to keep the loops, Press the straps, and figure out how not to tie back there. I'd appreciate thoughts on that ..c::

Other suggestions? I am most certainly open to more ideas!

You can see how the last foot or so is all squished. These are close-ups of the right and left sides of the back and the "loops" the straps go through.



I wonder if I can get one strap laid over the other, in back, flat. I have not even tried to press them. I think they'll press fine.

I also wonder if I can put a metal ring onto those loops to allow a bit more slip than all that fabric friction going on.

Mmph?

I didn't even notice your "ropes" in real life. (I'm one of those people that just uses a tube of fabric so I can't help. Mine does get mushy where I tie the knot, but I can iron it back into shape.)

Ha ha! Karnak, I was totally distracting you with my ... um ... erratic dancing! Now the front, now the back, but never at the right time!

Yep, when I was your size, I could do that, too! Those were the days ..g.: Enjoy! At a larger size, things take on structural issues, like building bridges, suspension, etc.

For a back clasp, do you all mean maybe pants hooks? They'd have to be on the width of the straps. they'd also have to come together after hitting the fabric loops they go through. And the most exciting part, they'll have to be fastened high behind my back (sigh). Maybe the most exciting part would be getting them in the right place ...

I plan to keep the loops, Press the straps, and figure out how not to tie back there. I'd appreciate thoughts on that ..c::

Other suggestions? I am most certainly open to more ideas![/QUOTE]

I usually use two sets of pants hooks and a big-ol' snap to keep the extra "undertail" in place. I've never had any problem fastening bras and such behind my back though. It helps to have a friend assist you in marking the fabric when the bra is on so you know where to put hooks. It can take a while your first time putting it hooks, but it gets easier.

Thanks! That sounds like what I need to do. I don't want this costume to only be for one season, even if it is a first-timer.

Do you put the pants hooks on in the same direction? Or opposing each other for issues of possible slack? One hook at the end of a strap on top, and secure the other end with the big-ole-snap?

Do you "fill" the strap with your snap? These are one-inch straps, so a one-inch hook?

I bought two pants hooks and two big snaps

... and I bought 2 D rings, as well, but I'm pretty sure they're a b*tch to open, and my fabric loops are quite solid already.

So I ironed my straps. They are soft. I think the part I use the pants hooks on will need reinforcement of some cotton duck I have. Not sure.

My next step is to try it on, and get someone to mark the back with pins, and put the pants hooks on.

I think.

Is there a good way to hold everything while my friend marks the back? I'm sure how I hold still won't be much like dancing. Should I allow the bra band to be a little loose? A little tight?

Thanks

A little tight.

Do you place the two pants hooks running the same way or opposing each other?

-> -> or ,<- -> ????

Originally Posted by nadyasidhe

So I ironed my straps. They are soft. I think the part I use the pants hooks on will need reinforcement of some cotton duck I have. Not sure.

My next step is to try it on, and get someone to mark the back with pins, and put the pants hooks on.

I think.

Is there a good way to hold everything while my friend marks the back? I'm sure how I hold still won't be much like dancing. Should I allow the bra band to be a little loose? A little tight?

Thanks

When I do fittings for myself and clients, I use a large safety pin to hold the straps in place where I want them and then ask the person to move a little to see if it feels right, then I mark the locations for the straps with a straight pin.

I got my man to mark the straps last night.

Today I put the pants hooks on and tried it on. Even though they were placed in a non-centered way, it feels good and secure.

I plan to leave the straps long, because if I cut them off an inch or so past the pants hooks, I can't get them through the loops as I put the bra on. I think I can snap them onto the body of the bra without being too noticeable. We'll see.



Thoughts?

Originally Posted by nadyasidhe

I think I can snap them onto the body of the bra without being too noticeable. We'll see.

Yep! That worked! Thanks to everyone who offered ideas and encouragement. It's not perfect, but it's going to be functional. I have put the bra on about 4 times now, and got it on by myself that last time.

Hah. And it will stay on! And not be ugly.

And I don't think I'll be making a bra quite that way again. I suppose conventional "bra style" would be okay. I just wanted to try the known uplift and support style, but it looks like I'll go conventional next time ..g.:

I like it much better now.