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underwire for swimsuit

suesewing | Posted in Equipment and Supplies on

I have a full busted daughter (30DD). It is hard enough to get her bra let alone swimsuits. She came home with a bikini for me to put in an underwire. Other than buy a bra and cutting the underwire out, does anyone know where to purchase underwire for swimsuits
Thanks

Replies

  1. joy | | #1

    I have in stock flex-lite underwires in sizes 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, and 42 @ $1.00/pair and underwire channeling in either white or black @ $1.20/yd. Contact me for ordering information.

  2. Vick | | #2

    Nearly all good sewing stores stock underwire. You may need a on line scearch for larger sizes but I don't think DD is all that unuseual.

  3. Teaf5 | | #3

    If you can't find a source, does she have any OLD bras that you could cut up? 

    Underwires seem to be the last parts of a bra to go, and most of them are already covered, which may save you a step.

    1. User avater
      suesewing | | #4

      Thanks for the advise. I had thought of using an old bra or buy a $5.00 at TJ Maxx, but I held her bra up inside the bathing suit and the wire and casing would be seen. The suit top is triangle cup so it plunges in the front; even her demicup bra, the wire would stick out. I hesitate to cut the tip off an underwire as it hurts if it ever pokes you.
      Sue

      1. User avater
        ThreadKoe | | #5

        The problem with triangle shaped bathing tops is that there is no real way of putting an underwire in them. Have you considered putting in bra cups instead. You may have to add support at the underbust, by making a wider band as well. If the bikini has strings, it may not be enough support, even with bra cups. You might have to add a wider band or tie anyways. Cathy

      2. Teaf5 | | #6

        You can clip an underwire with a pair of snippers, but I just re-read your initial post and realized that a 30DD is a tiny person with a significant bust; I don't think a generic triangle bikini is going to work very well for her as there is just not enough fabric to support her or the foundation she needs for support. Some companies that are famous for making specialty bras make bikinis, too; that might work out much better for her. As another poster mentioned, the best top for her would have wider straps and room for hidden structure.

        1. Ceeayche | | #7

          Since I was tiny with a 34DD bust many moons ago, I agree with you.  You might serve her better to take the fabric from the triangles and make something that has more support.  One of the things about having this blessing was learning what worked with "the girls".  Once I stopped trying to wear what my A and B sisters and C friends wore, I gained peace with them and now appreciate my "gift"-- even though it's now G.  No tents, but lots of support!

          A painful lesson I also learned, is that if I acknowledged and dressed with the support I need.  I looked better and I avoided embarassing "wardrobe mishaps."  Which definitely happen when swimsuit fabric loosens when wet.... and when moving to demanding choreography.  I've got witnesses to proove it.

          Edited 6/26/2009 2:04 am ET by CHL

          1. ohiostar | | #8

            Tell it like it is! Nearly all of us, no matter what size will benefit our looks by paying attention to what OUR girls want to say about us, rather than trying to wear what others say we should wear.As a dressmaker who fits clothing to the person, it is so gratifying to hear a woman or man say they feel so much better in clothes that reflect their bodies rather than some mannekin's measurements. We are meant to move in our clothing.

          2. Teaf5 | | #10

            Heehee!  I, also, have witnesses to several swimsuit failures, most caused by using fabric not intended to be used for use in the water! 

            Fortunately, I was a good enough swimmer to tread water long enough to gather the suddenly-blossoming fabric about me to make a surreptious exit from the pool. 

            As a result,  now I wear even purchased swimsuits in a bathtub full of water to test their coverage. I had to modify a recent tankini because the entire bottom of the lovely, modest bodice floated to the surface, revealing the bra cups and my pale tummy in all their "glory."  A few judiciously spaced tacks now spare me from making that same spectacle public....

          3. Ceeayche | | #11

            When I was a freshman in college and away from home, I chose one of those wrap Danskins that looked so good on my friends, sans bra (the girls were large, but still firm and perky then).  While I was waiting to go on, everybody was talking about how great I looked.....  then once I got on stage let's just say when I started the dance, it was like opening a gate, the girls-- both of them escaped (who knew about tape?).   I was mortified.  But I could hear my mother's recommendations that I stop trying to wear what the other girls wear, and choose stuff for my body.... boy was that a hard lesson to learn.

          4. User avater
            JunkQueen | | #12

            I learned to wear strapless tops only for sunbathing only at a Senior Swim Party and Picnic back in 1958, even though I was well endowed and my mother had strictly forbade strapless swimwear -- I'm thinking she already knew something I would soon learn. Mothers are funny that way...... As I pulled myself from the water onto a hand ferry at the river, my swim suit rolled to my waist leaving the girls exposed in all their glory. It has become one of those "do you remember when" stories recounted at reunions.

          5. Ceeayche | | #13

            Giggle!  Amazingly, no one has ever mentioned it at a reunion.  I guess I've been blessed. 

          6. User avater
            ThreadKoe | | #16

            Or perhaps they are still awestruck? he he he Cathy

          7. Ceeayche | | #17

            or maybe they can't imagine I'm the same woman, since the girls are heading south!  he he he

          8. User avater
            ThreadKoe | | #18

            Maybe you are such an awesome woman, they don't dare! :) Cathy

          9. MaryinColorado | | #15

            So wonderful to be able to laugh at ourselves now, but I'm sure it was embarrassing at the time.  What a way to be memorialized!  giggle  thanks for sharing

          10. MaryinColorado | | #14

            hehe thanks for the giggles!  Mary

  4. MaryinColorado | | #9

    I agree with many of the other posters here regarding the typical triangle shape tops lack of support.  I am not affiliated with them, but some of the Victoria Secrets swimsuits have underwires in them and are ordered by cup size.  (I've seen one that has the "Miraclebra" inside in a DD).  I noticed that several of the triangle shaped tops have a rectangle shaped piece going across between the bust (perhaps for support?  The triangles also are wider and a bit more gathered at the bottom for the fuller cups. 

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