Thread: Successfully altering an Egyptian bra? Help:)

I need to fix the straps on an Egyptian bra, it is gorgeous but it's built like an aircraft carrier.

Can a person actually get a needle through these things?

AAAAACCCCCCK.

I've sewn through solid beading of many types with a needle and thread in hand, wanna see a pic of what you are working on!

Pliers to pull and/or scissor handles to push the needle. Definitely grunt work!

Originally Posted by EzmaSiddiqah

I've sewn through solid beading of many types with a needle and thread in hand, wanna see a pic of what you are working on!

It's not the beading, so much as the fact that the thing has a shell like concrete.

I think, the real sturdy needle + pliers sounds like a plan!

I'll take pix:)

Add heavy thread to that equation and you're set. My favorite is upholstery thread and it's available in quite a few colors. That way you won't have to revisit that part of your costume you've fixed. Plus you'll have it on hand to sew on hooks and eyes.

Please be careful when using a needle to sew through difficult fabrics! You have to balance the ideas that a thinner needle is easier to push through because it requires a smaller hole and a thicker needle will be more durable for the job.

When you push your needle through, keep the pliers close to the fabric surface and move in small increments, alternating sides, if you have to. Pushing from the end (i.e., using a thimble or the handle of a scissors) can put too much stress on a non-heavy-duty needle and break it. Also, if you have access to a jeweler's non-toothed pliers, it is better than using a regular, household needle-nose pliers. Pliers with teeth can chew up the surface of the needle, which makes more friction going through the fabric.

And use a new needle, it will be sharper.

{{{{HUGS}}}

Thank you guys! I appreciate it so much!

In this case, I can use a regular needle - because it's straps - I just want to adjust them and maybe add a halter in case of disaster -

but - can you actually use a beading needle on these things?

It doesn't seem possible!

What if you wanted to add more bling, change the design, or if it needed repairs?

Originally Posted by Elibelinde

but - can you actually use a beading needle on these things?

It doesn't seem possible!

What if you wanted to add more bling, change the design, or if it needed repairs?

I think it's theoretically possible, but I am guessing you'd have to be very careful and you'd probably go through a lot of them in the process. If you need to use a beading needle for the embellishments, you might want to do mostly surface sewing instead of going all the way through with every stitch (assuming the top layer isn't the hardest one to break through).