Thread: Picts added elastic in bedlah bra band so i can breathe LOL

Does anyone do this and can you share some photos? I'm very visual. I have 2 bedlah tops that I need to add some breathing room to. They have quite a bit of overlap but if I put them tight enough to contain the girls they are constricting on my ribcage. If I make them looser so I can breathe then I have under boobage problems

HELP!

I'm thinking I can add some thick elastic somehow invisibly to hook to?

I have this very same problem. I need to extend bra straps with elastic as well and sew on the beads from some armbands. I'd love instructions on how to add elastic to the bra also :D And what size and type of elastic is best.....

I have been experimenting with regular non roll pants elastic, doubled over and sewed together. It's awkward to sew (best results by hand) but it seems to give the best stiffness/breathableness ratio. I want to try this method with wider elastic, but the joys of the fiscal year end are likely to keep me away from my sewing for a while...

This is partially why I love some of the costumes that have an all elastic bra band. Oxygen is my friend!
What helps me is to make the band not QUITE tight enough to cut oxygen supply, and then (on both sides) starting near the cups put in wide elastic with thread casing going around the sides and to the back 4 or 5 inches along the band (but taking in 1 or 2 inches). Does that make sense? It's so difficult to verbally explain sewing sometimes.

Originally Posted by SamiraShuruk

This is partially why I love some of the costumes that have an all elastic bra band. Oxygen is my friend!
What helps me is to make the band not QUITE tight enough to cut oxygen supply, and then (on both sides) starting near the cups put in wide elastic with thread casing going around the sides and to the back 4 or 5 inches along the band (but taking in 1 or 2 inches). Does that make sense? It's so difficult to verbally explain sewing sometimes.

Sarah Skinner's I Love Turkish Belly Dance has a section on costuming and she shows how this is done:

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Love-Turkish-Bellydance-Sarah-Skinner/dp/B000HD1MVQ]Amazon.com: I Love Turkish Bellydance!: Sarah Skinner: Movies & TV[/ame]

You might be able to put elastic gussets into the sides of the bra, but it would be a kludge. Actually, from what you are describing, I'm wondering if the problem is that you're buying the wrong size. Are the straps the right length? Are the cups the right shape, size, and distance apart for your chest? A good bra should feel comfortably supportive without creeping up in the back, constricting your breathing, or creating unfortunate oversquish. (Easier said than done, I know...)

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

You might be able to put elastic gussets into the sides of the bra, but it would be a kludge. Actually, from what you are describing, I'm wondering if the problem is that you're buying the wrong size. Are the straps the right length? Are the cups the right shape, size, and distance apart for your chest? A good bra should feel comfortably supportive without creeping up in the back, constricting your breathing, or creating unfortunate oversquish. (Easier said than done, I know...)

One is a halter that is thick and wonderful. I think the cups should be a tad deeper. The band is 6" or so too large. I can hide it under the fringe. I don't think it's going to be "comfortable" but I want it to stay in place and breathe a bit. I'll take some photos and maybe that will help.

I'm not sure what to tell you. Obviously somebody thought that bra was going to go on a dancer with a much bigger ribcage than yours, because that's a lot of overlap. It might be possible to wangle some sort of elastic at the closure of the interior strap by attaching the end of the band to a piece of wide, sturdy elastic, and moving the hook to the new elastic segment, but you've still got the other half of the strap to deal with. You might be able to put a similar elastic end on the outer strap, and then cover it with matching sequins and beads, but it will be practically closing under your arms with that much added length. If you're going to go that route, it may make more sense to actually shorten the straps first. You could also replace the existing straps with stretchy fabric and rebead them, but that's a lot of work.

You can add a tiny bit of elastic to the sides in the same way we add it to our belts to make them snugger and more fitted at the top. But don't add too much or you will not have adequate support.

{{{HUGS}}}

Most DD's come with a band that is too large for me...it's always frustrating and normally I just wear an L Rose half top and matching trumpet skirt and skip the bra all together. I'm thinking that I might have to close in the "u" area between the cups to add more of a flush ribcage band and I could add some elastic there. I'll figure something out and let you know. I always have to mess with things because of my proportions.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

I'm not sure what to tell you. Obviously somebody thought that bra was going to go on a dancer with a much bigger ribcage than yours, because that's a lot of overlap. It might be possible to wangle some sort of elastic at the closure of the interior strap by attaching the end of the band to a piece of wide, sturdy elastic, and moving the hook to the new elastic segment, but you've still got the other half of the strap to deal with. You might be able to put a similar elastic end on the outer strap, and then cover it with matching sequins and beads, but it will be practically closing under your arms with that much added length. If you're going to go that route, it may make more sense to actually shorten the straps first. You could also replace the existing straps with stretchy fabric and rebead them, but that's a lot of work.

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

You can add a tiny bit of elastic to the sides in the same way we add it to our belts to make them snugger and more fitted at the top. But don't add too much or you will not have adequate support.

{{{HUGS}}}

I'll try this