Thread: Do I need to rework these cups?

I'm getting ready to work on a new costume and before I get started, I need to figure out if I should angle the cups more. I'm not really sure how it would work with this kind of bra though. I mean, I don't want underwire in my armpit!






What do you think? Do I need to cut the cups apart and rework?

I have a project sitting that has cups shaped similarly to those. I tilted them in and they gapped. I have to take the bra apart and un-tilt them I think. I didn't even notice if the underwire was becoming overwire, as the gapping was the most obvious problem for me.

The shape and fit seem to be good as is. You might consider opening the bra in the middle and adding a more open connector piece, depending on your personal preference.

BTW that's a great bra, where does it come from? Style name?

Originally Posted by sabrinabellydancer

The shape and fit seem to be good as is. You might consider opening the bra in the middle and adding a more open connector piece, depending on your personal preference.

BTW that's a great bra, where does it come from? Style name?

I agree. It has a nice line.

I've used that same bra before and I've never messed with the cup angle. I think it looks good on you as is. You can remove the vertical stiffening piece at the sides if it bothers you, but I usually leave it in place. Once it's all covered in fabric and beaded, you'll never know its there.

Originally Posted by sabrinabellydancer

The shape and fit seem to be good as is. You might consider opening the bra in the middle and adding a more open connector piece, depending on your personal preference.

BTW that's a great bra, where does it come from? Style name?

Wal-mart actually. Sweet Nothings brand. They're about $10. And they're great as just regular strapless bras too. Much better than the expensive name brands. At least for me anyway.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sweet-Noth...s-Bra/11835980

PS The large cup sizes are designed slightly differently from the average size bras.

Originally Posted by sabrinabellydancer

You might consider opening the bra in the middle and adding a more open connector piece, depending on your personal preference.

You know I thought about that, but I like my connector pieces to be really close together to avoid the saggy look, but I might to make it look more...I don't know, sexy.

Originally Posted by Nazarah

I have a project sitting that has cups shaped similarly to those. I tilted them in and they gapped. I have to take the bra apart and un-tilt them I think. I didn't even notice if the underwire was becoming overwire, as the gapping was the most obvious problem for me.

Good point!

Originally Posted by shahla

I've used that same bra before and I've never messed with the cup angle. I think it looks good on you as is. You can remove the vertical stiffening piece at the sides if it bothers you, but I usually leave it in place. Once it's all covered in fabric and beaded, you'll never know its there.

Shahla, I was looking at this picture and that bra has a similar shape:


It looks like you uses one piece of fabric across both cups and the middle connector. How did you do this without major darts or puckering?

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

Shahla, I was looking at this picture and that bra has a similar shape:

It looks like you uses one piece of fabric across both cups and the middle connector. How did you do this without major darts or puckering?

The turquoise piece is one piece of fabric. I used alot of pins and drew lines on the bra base so I knew where I wanted the edge of the turquoise to be. I just kept smoothing and pinning, smoothing and pinning. Then I added the Navy and Gold pieces the same way.

I wonder if you could make a cutout in the center piece of your bra to change it up a bit. I would re-inforce the edges of the cutout with grosgrain ribbon and wire. I use 22 guage craft wire on the upper edge of all my bra cups to help give it shape and support. A diamond shape cutout in your bra might look really nice.

I really like that shape, and I've been looking for a bra to cover! So thanks for posting the link!

Do you order the same size that you wear normally, or does it become a little smaller when covered? I'm normally between a 34D and 34DD/36D. (Currently on the larger end, but working on getting smaller )

Thanks!

Originally Posted by shahla

The turquoise piece is one piece of fabric. I used alot of pins and drew lines on the bra base so I knew where I wanted the edge of the turquoise to be. I just kept smoothing and pinning, smoothing and pinning. Then I added the Navy and Gold pieces the same way.

I wonder if you could make a cutout in the center piece of your bra to change it up a bit. I would re-inforce the edges of the cutout with grosgrain ribbon and wire. I use 22 guage craft wire on the upper edge of all my bra cups to help give it shape and support. A diamond shape cutout in your bra might look really nice.

Good idea, but I think this bra is going to have center medallion to match the one on the belt, so it theory it doesn't really matter how the center connector looks:

Originally Posted by amarasdance

I really like that shape, and I've been looking for a bra to cover! So thanks for posting the link!

Do you order the same size that you wear normally, or does it become a little smaller when covered? I'm normally between a 34D and 34DD/36D. (Currently on the larger end, but working on getting smaller )

Thanks!

Well this one is a 40D and I wear a 40D. I've never worked with this bra before, so I am not sure if that is going to work or not. We'll see...

I've used this same exact(!) bra for two costumes and I'm in the process of beginning a third. I've never moved the cups around.

I also leave the back band on, I make a felt/fancy fabric bra back to and cover the original bra with it but I think it makes it more stable with a *larger* chest, I suppose it could also be the wider back band though

I do not think you should cut the cups apart, it fits perfectly. You will only need wider straps to balance it.
Right now I am working on a first costume that is not for me, but for my first customer, my friend, and she gave me exactly the same bra as yours. By the way she has chosen to make the same design of the light pink Maria´s tribaret costume that you like so much :)
I covered entire bra by the elastic velvet including the back part. I always leave the part as it is. I just have to cover it very carefully, as Shahla said. I pin and move and pin and move, until it fits perfectly.
As for the center medalion, I have one small trick. I save bottles from cosmetics that are more of flat shape and then I use them for various shapes of medalions. I just trace the shape with the marker and cut with scissors. Than I glue the plastic to the textile medalion, let it dry and then I sew finished medalion on the bra/belt/skirt/arm bands... Most bottles from cosmetics are firm enough to hold the shape but soft enough so you can cut them with regular scissors, moreover you can wash them and you do not have to be afraid that they will shrink or become floppy.
PS: Sorry for my english :)

Originally Posted by Luccia

I do not think you should cut the cups apart, it fits perfectly. You will only need wider straps to balance it.

I agree!My preference are bras that don´t have a small connector,and the shape is great:)

Luccia...what a clever trick!

Thanks Emma :)

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

Wal-mart actually. Sweet Nothings brand. They're about $10. And they're great as just regular strapless bras too. Much better than the expensive name brands. At least for me anyway.

Walmart.com: Sweet Nothings - Amazing Convertible Strapless Bra, Style 8155: Intimates

PS The large cup sizes are designed slightly differently from the average size bras.

I am so glad someone uses these! I absolutely love these bras and have used them for every costume I have ever made.

If you wanted the illusion of a connector in the center you could bead an 'X' shape there. It would look like an 'X' shaped connector without actually being one.

Of course, it's moot since you're making a medallion for that spot but ya know, for future reference.

I agree that you don't need to change the angle of the cups. It's a perfect fit!

It looks like a nice solid bra, I'll check out the link. Thanks!

Originally Posted by shahla

The turquoise piece is one piece of fabric. I used alot of pins and drew lines on the bra base so I knew where I wanted the edge of the turquoise to be. I just kept smoothing and pinning, smoothing and pinning. Then I added the Navy and Gold pieces the same way.

I wonder if you could make a cutout in the center piece of your bra to change it up a bit. I would re-inforce the edges of the cutout with grosgrain ribbon and wire. I use 22 guage craft wire on the upper edge of all my bra cups to help give it shape and support. A diamond shape cutout in your bra might look really nice.

Shahla, do you reinforce your bras with felt or buckram before covering them? I'm thinking this bra might be sturdy enough that I won't have to and I really don' want to bulk it up. I do want it to last though!

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

Shahla, do you reinforce your bras with felt or buckram before covering them? I'm thinking this bra might be sturdy enough that I won't have to and I really don' want to bulk it up. I do want it to last though!

I only use buckram on the back straps and the center piece between the cups. I don't add anything other than wire to the cups. I always use some 22 guage floral wire to line the top edge of the cups of all my bras to help them mold to the dancer and keep their shape. If you line your bra when you're finished, it should last forever.

It fis pretty okay as it is, but stronger shoulderstraps would help. If you were to do anything to enhance the centerpiece, you would need to deepen the cup by going up in cupsize and down in backsize, but I doubt it is feasible to do so with light surgery.