Thank you Solosmocker for your reply to my post, I do not visit here much and it was nice to have a reason to visit. I do have a query from my daughter-in-law, and I am not sure how to go about it. She has finally gotten her head around wearing a strapless dress to her brother’s wedding in the end of August, she is a tiny framed gal but has a full bust. She cannot find a strapless bra that covers her cup size yet fits her frame, she was wondering about making a strapless bra, and quite frankly I have never sewn a foundation garment apart from slips. So the question is, are there good supportive bra patterns available and then how complex are they to do?
I would appreciate any help in this area as she has requested that I help her with this and much as I desire to help her I feel we are a little out of our legue, but I am willing to go it a go.
Thanks ahead of time to anyone who reads this and has an answer for us.
Kat.
TTFN
Kat
Replies
Have you tried Kwik Sew patterns?
No I haven't, I am not sure we have a kwicksew distributor on Prince Edward Island I shall make some phone calls and see what if any are available. Thanks for the tip
is this the same dress from another thread about the strapless dress with an empire waist?
if it was me wearing it, and i am busty, i would opt for the sort of 'binding' undergarment that flappers wore in the 1920's to flatten the chest. or at least a corset, if she wants a fuller bosom. breasts are not rigid and normal vibration from walking and moving will cause the bodice to wriggle down. she'll be tugging it up constantly.
full bust + strapless dress requires sturdy support to make the bosom solid underneath.growing old is inevitable. acting old is optional.
Edited 7/10/2007 2:19 pm ET by msm-s
I am no longer the tiny waisted wisp of a girl I once was but I still have the full bust.....so I can sympathize with her problem. When I was a teen spaghetti strap sundresses were the rage and of course, I HAD to have a couple of them. The only way I could keep the strapless bra in place with those heavy boobs of mine was to get a long-line bra. Check around at some of the better bra sites on-line or in better department stores. If she can't find anything that fits, may I make the suggestion that she get a bra that fits the cup and then alter it by cutting and re-stitching the band to fit. I would still opt for a longline if at all possible. They offer much more in the line of support.
There is my nickel's worth.......maybe some food for thought........
Kay
Kat,Bras really aren't something to be afraid of sewing. They are actually easier to sew than a lot of garments once you understand some of the basic techniques. I just developed an approach for making custom-fit bras so you can have a bra that truly fits. My eBook includes complete sewing instructions. You can see an overview of the process at:http://custom-bras.deofsf.com/Overview.htmlThey do require some special supplies such as the correct size underwire, underwire channeling, and plush elastic for the band. I have a free PDF download on the Overview page for determining underwire size. I also have a list of suppliers on another web page.http://custom-bras.deofsf.com/Resources.htmlI'll be watching in case I can offer you any further assistance.Best,
Don McCunn
http://Custom-Bras.com/
Thank you for the post. I'm a huge fan of your book! It is my number 1 reference manual! I was unaware of your Yahoo group, is that where I can discuss "the math"? Looking forward to your design series.
To stay on topic here. The strapless gown should be well boned as it will be her hips that are holding the gown up. If she doesn't want to sew some into the interlining, she will definately need the corset as TMorris advised. She can put in a waist stay and pin the dress to the corset. As Don advised, go to herroom.com, they have some great looking corsettes. Just keep in mind that the dress needs to "stand up" on her hips.
Does she have the dress that she is going to wear? A bridal shop that could actually see the dress on should have some suggestions, or the right undergarment needed.
If she's young she might not have tried a longline, thinking they were only for old, fat people. I've always thought they were more comfortable and they lift better than most regular ones. Also, you can wear dresses with lower backs with a longline.
Edited 7/10/2007 8:15 pm ET by Ralphetta
I agree with other posters about the advantages of a longline strapless bra.
I convinced my daughter to try on a longline bra today to wear under strapless dress for her 21st party. She was amazed at how secure and comfortable it felt - no more pulling bra and dress up all night (and yes, she had always thought they were for "old ladies")
Regards Pauline
I have to chuckle as I read that long-lines are for 'old ladies'!! I was a teen.......barely 15 or 16 when I wore one......of course that is more decades ago than I care to think about! I just happened to be a 'busty' teen and needed the extra support. Soooo, tell all these young things they don't know what they're missing till they try one!
K
I was NOT a busty teen and that's why the other kind wouldn't stay up!
Quite frankly, I'm not sure if anyone can hold up the regular strapless bras without hitching on them............we've decided the extremes can't.........what about the 'average' figure??
Kat;Strapless bras are never really a good alternative for support. I work in costuming for film, and often the alternative that we use is to tape the bust for support. If you are opposed to this alternative, a loose corset will give more support and shape under a strapless dress.T.
http://www.onehanesplace.com/category/30P0000000.html
You might check out the above link for strapless bras.....
Hey Thanks all of you who replied to my question I shall tell all this to my daughter-in-law and hope something will help her, There was probably about 5 of you sewing wonders who suggested a long line bra so I shall pass that onto her as well, WE are in Two different Provinces so I am not near enough to her in distance to know what is available for her, but I shall pass it all onto her, I can see where the long line works best that makes pure sense to me.
Thanks again ladies and I appreciate all your in put.
Kat,Reading the response to your request reminded me that when I was doing my research on bra I ran across this site which has some amazingly helpful information about different types of bras.http://www.herroom.com/Hope this helps.Don McCunn
http://Custom-Bras.com/
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