Thread: sewing bra cups

Okay, so I got this great bedlah, and it fits, but the cups are too far apart and I need to rotate them a little inwards. Otherwise, the cups cut into my breasts and I get that weird stuffed sausage look.

There is beading on the little piece that connects the bra cups, and I am a NOVICE seamstress. I'm terrified of ruining this, so I don't really want to rip that piece out, cut it, and then sew it back on. I *think* I can just pull the cups together with some tough embroidery thread, folding the little piece in the middle. I've looked at it when I just hold the cups in place, and it looks great. Do you think this will work if I actually sew it this way?

I've done that with one of my costume bras, and so far so good. I just used substantial thread and made sure to sew right through the hard cup base to ensure the thread had good purchase. That said, I was only taking it in very minimally, by about 1/2". It was just enough to make a difference to the cup placement.

Hmm. I actually did the exact same thing with one of my costume bras. I have the American Icon 2 from Dahlal and the cups felt/looked a little too far apart and so, I just bent the little connector together to bring them closer and sewed it tight. Looks and works great. HOWEVER! I think it might really depend on the shape or angle of the cups. try it with thread, just don't cut the fabric. Try it out and if it works all right for you, reinforce the connector so the threads might not snap mid-performance :P

Before you do that, maybe it would be worthwhile to peek under the lining and see how the pieces are assembled. I have a Turkish set where the components are sewn together in a way that is very easy to disassemble. You might be able to shorten the center connector that way, instead of just pulling it together.

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

Before you do that, maybe it would be worthwhile to peek under the lining and see how the pieces are assembled. I have a Turkish set where the components are sewn together in a way that is very easy to disassemble. You might be able to shorten the center connector that way, instead of just pulling it together.

yes! ^
before you cut, open the lining. i bet the connector is its own separate piece that can be carefully removed with a seam ripper (careful not to catch the beading threads when you do this) then reposition the cups and secure with carpet thread or waxed dental floss. regular thread is usually not strong enough.

also, often the little 1 band cup connectors are not sturdy enough to hold a substantial bra in the proper position and allow the cups to turn and twist, causing unflattering lines. you might want to consider
1: adding a 2nd connector band in a coordinating color
and/or
2: adding a wider connector band behind the original and use the original as decoration.

just make sure you re-sew the connector with 4x as much reinforcement as you think you need to. those little pieces take a lot of stress during a show.

good luck!

having to tip the cups on bought bedlahs used to be normal. The connector usually was a separate piece. I have only once had to rebead because the connector was beaded through the bra cup. While it was a pain, it also was a very small section.

I use button hole thread to attach any kind of strap.

{{{HUGS}}}

Thank you for your suggestions! I'll probably try just folding it first, and I'll practice in it to see if it will hold and look good. I'm a little scared to rip that piece out right now, but it does look like it could come off fairly easily.