Thread: HELP! Calling all experienced costume makers: need help with clear bra straps!!

Dear costume makers,

I am trying to put clear neckhold and backstrap to a Dina style bra like on many Eman costumes. I took a piece of thick vinyl and cut it in straps. But as soon as it is peforated while sewing it rips and tears.
I read several forum posts about clear Eman straps and did exactly as advised. What do I wrong? Please help!!!

If you have any extra plastic, try rotating it 90 degrees and see if that makes a difference (use it perpendicular to the way you cut the previous straps). Otherwise, you'll probably have to keep looking for a different type of plastic that isn't as prone to ripping. Also make sure your product is thick enough. Over here where to find thick, big clear straps Eman Zaki uses?, crystalllized reports that it needs to be 30-40 gauge.

Thank you! I read the thread of Crytallized. I am not sure what 30-40 gauge means in europeans standards. How thick does it have to be? I dont have any Eman Zaki costume with clear strap.in my closet to compare the thickness.
I will try to change the direcktion of the cut.

There's some information about converting between measurements here plastic thickness - mil/ mm/ gauge - OnlineConversion Forums. Just for reference, it looks like a residential-use "heavy-duty shower curtain" is 10-gauge plastic.

How close are your stitches? Maybe if they are too close together, it is weakening the vinyl? Having really thick vinyl is best. I don't have the top I made in front of me right now, but I'll take a look at it on Sunday and report back with a cm measurement of the thickness as well as how far spread my stitches are.

I remember having trouble getting the needle through the vinyl because of the thickness.

I bought it at Joann fabrics in the US. Maybe they ship overseas?

30-40 gauge vinyl is the stuff they use for automobile windows if it is a soft top like some back windows of convertibles and jeeps with roll up sides. Thick stuff!

Here is a store that sells 30, 40, and even 60 gauge clear vinyl. I haven't used 60 gauge. 40 has worked great for me and has held up during 20 minute shows with heavy sea shells glued on the bra. The entire bra band and neck straps are made from the clear vinyl and it is very solid.

Clear & Frosted Vinyl

Thanky you ladies. I found out that 40 gauge means 1mm thick. I will try again.

Crystallized, I did everything exactkly as you advised me! It worked out, thank you for your help, I am very happy! I have some pics of the costume how it looked BEFOR I changed the straps. Thank you so much!

Originally Posted by QueenMalika

Crystallized, I did everything exactkly as you advised me! It worked out, thank you for your help, I am very happy! I have some pics of the costume how it looked BEFOR I changed the straps. Thank you so much!

WOW!!! Gorgeous costume!

That looks fantastic!

Thank you, Monika! I am totally in love with this one.

HELP! This is absolutely gorgeous!!!

Wow that is amazing! Sehr hübsch! Glad the straps worked out for you :)

How did you make the skirt? Is it a pattern or your own creation. It is stunning!

The skirt looks like it might be a spiral cut with ruffles inserted into the seam lines.
I love the fabric you used for the ruffles - it looks like fins!

Thank you ladies!
The costume ist made by a russian designer.
I just had to rework the straps.
And the skirt is a kind of a "swirl cut". I dont know much about sewing.