Bra adventures » Bra alterations

1

where are you, Fantasie Francesca vertical seam noir?

I've been waiting for this bra to show up on ebay for aaaaaages, and it... never did beyond a few listings with retail pricing.

I see the strawberry colorway, and I see the noir balcony, but the vertical seam is only available in a longline. Whyyyyy?

To be fair, the longline is lined and the regular vertical seam is not, so the ... longline would almost certainly fit better, but it's a longline! I'm flexible and dexterous and I still have issues with two bra hooks some mornings. There's no way I'm going to be able to do up a longline in the morning when I'm rushing to work.

...how hard would it be to convert a longline into a regular bra? Easy peasy? Because dagnabit, I want that bra!
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Shared on Oct 19, 2018 Flag this

6 comments
- In theory, it's a simple sew. In all practicalities though, it may be more difficult.
  Removing the bottom elastic would be simple enough, and removing the 5+ hookset may be easy, depending on your skill and patience level. Where it gets tricky is getting a new 2 hookset to attach that will match the color of the bra properly, then shortening the longline to the proper height so the new hookset can be slid over the new band to create a smooth edge. Too wide/thick and it bunches, while too narrow it will poke and itch.
- Im like 99% sure I saw it on some aussie online stores.
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4

frankenstein's branster

I have a drawer of bra parts that ONE DAY may be stitched up and reanimated into the perfect bra. Does anyone else have such a collection of bra spare parts, too?

Custom bra goals: a small-band, large cup bra with a front clasp. (These are so hard to find.)

Have you had any luck with your projects? Any colossal mistakes?

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Shared on Aug 21, 2018 Flag this

7 comments
- I recently donated a pile of underwires I had been hoarding. ;-)
- I have a collection of bras that are too big in the band and some too small in the cup. I saved them as learning to shorten band experiments.
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Effect of straps moved in on cups

Hi guys.

If I ask the straps to be moved in for Comexim bras, will it affect the placement of the cups? will the cups be "closer" together?

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Shared on Apr 04, 2018 Flag this

7 comments
- No. It just moves the attachment point of the straps on the cups in the front. This is to move the straps out of your armpit.
- but it changes the shape of the cups somewhat, doesnt it?
  
  if you want the cups closer together i thought you could ask for a narrower gore or crossed wires or something? i've never ordered from comexim
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2

Ewa Michalak

What can I ask in custom bra? Can I ask like I asked to comexim?

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Shared on Apr 03, 2018 Flag this

6 comments
- No. Ewa wont do custom much at all. She will sometimes make a size thats not listed, and she will sometimes make a bra in to a different model (like an S to a PL - they have to be similar models because some fabric wont work on some models). But definitely not things like moving straps in or shorter cups or deeper at the wire
- What customizations are you wanting?
  I have ordered custom sizes not listed under either the standard or the custom area at the bottom of each listing, & I got a PL in a CHP like @dbmamaz stated. I also have gotten custom colors, like the periwinkle from Nununu on the FCS Belladonna and the Green from Zielony on the PL Croptop Maskarada as well. Plus I have asked about getting the gore wires crossed, which I was told always occurs in my range.
  
  My theory is as long as you are not asking for too much, it doesn't hurt to ask. The worst that will happen is they say no.
  
  Just don't ask to have the straps moved it-she won't do it & it is a touchy subject for Ewa. :-)
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1

Freya half cup

I'm not sure why freya seems to only make padded half cup bras these day as their half cup bras that are not padded ARE THE BEST! But I was wondering , for all you ladies whom own a <a href="/profile/xv/" class="mentioned-item">Freya</a> half cup bra, how easy would it be to remove the padding from it? And why doesn't Cleo make more vertical seam bras!?!?!? Their Harry was beautiful!

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Shared on Feb 26, 2018 Flag this
- Lol did I hook you on Harry? My Freya Kiyoko half cup does not have removeable padding, but whether or not a talented seamstress could do is something I can’t say.
- Lol. A lot of padded bras I've seen don't really require a talented seamstress to remove that padding. Just a bit of know how, a seam ripper and sewing machine/needle and thread! Since the outer fabric/fashion fabric is just sewn onto the pad you can rip out those seams, remove the padding a d reinforce the seams on the now padding-less cup. But some are more complicated and are not so easily done. Hopefully some ladies with some more know how will let me know about their construction! ^.^
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3

I moved in a strap

I moved in a strap for the first time, and it didn't snap off when I put it on! I decided to destroy, I mean alter, my <a href="/bra/ditp2/" class="mentioned-item">60N - Comexim » Talisman Half Cup (457)</a> because it doesn't fit anyway. I moved the strap in on the left side a little over a strap width. I don't have a working sewing machine so this was all hand sewn. What can I improve for next time?

https://imgur.com/a/kKjin

Moving in straps

https://imgur.com/a/kKjin

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Shared on Jan 12, 2018 Flag this

8 comments
- Looks good to me! Does it fit better now?
- It makes the quadboob worse but the strap feels a lot better.
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4

Replacing wires in a sports bra

I tried to replace the wires in my <a href="/bra/dioij/" class="mentioned-item">30J - Freya Active » Underwired Sports Bra (4002)</a> with a Porcelynne size 42 wire and it turned into a disaster. The end of the wire closest to the armpit angles in a way where the top stabs me in the ribs. I'm not sure what to do to correct this problem. Anyone have any ideas?

For kicks, check out the wire size difference: http://bra.pe/IhEW/

30J - Freya Active Underwired Sports Bra (4002) | Bratabase

http://bra.pe/IhEW/

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Shared on Dec 02, 2017 Flag this

13 comments
- Wow, what a size difference! Sorry to hear about the stabbing.
- For reference, Porcelynne 42 is 6" wide, the Freya wire is 8.5".
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Nov 28, 2017

Just a quick question, but I can post pictures/go into more detail later if need be. I just got in a new bra and everything seems fine except the gore digs in. Like my cups are full but not to bursting, the band is snug but not suffocating, the straps are fine, etc. Just the gore. Would it be okay to just bend it out or is there anything I should worry about before doing that?

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Shared on Nov 28, 2017 Flag this

6 comments
- At the top or at the bottom? You can always bend the wires away from you if it's at the top.
- go ahead and bend it if you are keeping it!
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10

Comexim customizations explained

While this isn't the complete list, it is a great video explanation of some of the customizations available (as well as other helpful info!)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=METoV07IF6A

A Guide to Anna Pardal & Comexim Alterations

Erica of A Sophisticated Pair discusses Anna Pardal & Comexim alterations and wh

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=METoV07IF6A

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Shared on Nov 24, 2017 Flag this

4 comments
- Great video, thank you for posting this!
- Thanks for posting! I love A Sophisticated Pair and it was thanks to her sizing videos that I got into, you know, this whole..."thing." Lol!
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2

Porcelynne

Today, flat underwires, 1.5" + wide plush elastic, stretch lace, and iridescent plum fold over elastic arrived from Porcelynne.com. This package with standard post arrived two days after order placement. Wow. All 10 items arrived in the same package. Fantastic experience! This is a great resource for those of us who need to repair purchased bras and/or make our own.

Thank you <a href="/@cupandahalf" class="mentioned-item">cupandahalf</a> for sharing your Porcelynne experience

Porcelynnes Fabric Boutique, Specializing in Lingerie and...

Porcelynne carries a wide variety of bra making and corset making supplies, from

http://porcelynne.com/

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Shared on Nov 22, 2017 Flag this

4 comments
- *squeals* Thank you!
- The color variety in fold over elastic is lovely :-) :-) Hope you find something to love :-)
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3

Moving in straps

Do you need a sewing machine in order to reattach bra straps? If not, is there a stitch that I should use? I think my CHPs might not gape at the top if I could move the straps in...

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Shared on Nov 14, 2017 Flag this

6 comments
- Although I have a sewing machine, I stitched them by hand. I just copied the original stitch and used a needle. Faster with a sewing machine, but it works well with a needle and thread, too.
- Time to butcher some old bras for practice then!
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8

fabric glue is my new friend

i just got some and used it to shorten a band and wow, so much easier and faster than sewing, for me. lifesaver!! here's hoping it sticks through several washes. the kind i got is called speed sew. does anyone else use it for bra alterations??

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Shared on Nov 11, 2017 Flag this

5 comments
- I have fabric glue but never thought to use it to shorten bra bands. I would worry it might not hold because of the tension. Can you let us know how it holds up? If it works, I might give it a try too.
- That’s a great idea!
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1

Oct 26, 2017

I heard there is a bratabase in Polish version
Can you tell me the website?

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Shared on Oct 26, 2017 Flag this
- I think you mean Balkonetka.pl but depends on what you mean by "bratabase". Like, it doesn't have measurements which I think are a core part, or a proper organized "database" :P
  
  Balkonetka is a very active forum (which is used for fitting and sales as well) and has lots of user submitted pics!
- @jj I meant like a bra community like here posting a bra review and sell the bras etc.
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3

Oct 17, 2017

So you know how bras have side boning ..... Is there such a thing as front boning to keep my the weight of my boobs from folding the cups down. Also quick update on suspenders that connect the back of your band to the top of your pants idea to keep bra band from riding up in the back is a bad idea resulted in major camel toe and wedgies all day . turns out my boobs out weigh more than i anticipated.sidenote snapping suspenders are not just painful but loud as well.

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Shared on Oct 17, 2017 Flag this

8 comments
- The only front boning I recall seeing is on shelf bras, & they tend to not work for cups above a D.
  It might not be that difficult to add some to certain styles (like Comexim 3HC half cup bras or Ewa Michalak CHP bras). Take the side boning out of some older bras (or get some cheapies at Goodwill etc) & sew them at the existing seams on the cups......Might work?
- If you want to try shoring up an existing bra with boning as MamaPagan suggests, you can buy cushioned boning at fabric stores. I think the bra parts suppliers would have this.
  
  "...snapping suspenders are not just painful but loud as well."
  Echoplexic , I hope you don't mind I found this very funny. I would not have suspected the cause, had I been around to hear the painful event. Glad to know I shouldn't try this!
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Looking for an OLD bra with a 6.1" -6.5" wire width

Bonus points if the wings are 3.5" or shorter : -) PM me if you have an old bra with a wide wire you think no one else will want. I'm your girl

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Shared on Oct 12, 2017 Flag this

5 comments
- I hope this doesn't sound stupid, but, do you want the whole bra or just the wires that are 6.1"- 6.5" in width from a bra that's wing height is 3.5" or shorter?
- I'm not picky, but it is less expensive to ship just the wires. Wires alone are fine, but I love adding data to Bratabase, too.
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4

To alter, or not to alter?

Every time I receive a bra, almost always second-hand at this point, I ask myself this question: "To alter, or not to alter?". For example, I've received a few bras in the last couple months where the bands are far too big. I also have some bras that I've owned for several years whose bands have stretched out at this ... point. For reference, my snug UB is 25.5", and I'm most happy in bands that stretch to between 26-27". I would love to have every one of my bras fit perfectly in the band. However, I'm always thinking about the future potential of the bra, and whether or not I will be able to resell it someday when it no longer fits me, or I no longer want it. So I have yet to alter any of my bras myself because I'm afraid if I do, I won't be able to resell them in the future. Case in point: I have one bra, a Freya Deco, which I had professionally altered to a 26 when I bought it new in a boutique. I wore it twice and then immediately grew out of it and replaced it with another, one cup size up, which I also had professionally altered to a 26 because I bought the replacement from the same boutique. I've been trying to sell the too-small one for months now, and I don't have any takers, and I can't help but think it's because the band is so small. We all know that our demographic pool becomes so much smaller when we're sized into proper fitting bras, and the pool of active participants and swappers on social media in our size range is even smaller.

So, what do you think? Do you freely alter your bras with no regrets to fit you now, or are you too scared of squandering the bra's potential resale value? I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
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Shared on Oct 07, 2017 Flag this

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- I am in the same boat as you so I totally understand how hard it is to get tiny band sizes. I think if the band it far too large, it is worthwhile to alter it. I feel the same way about reducing the resale value, though. However, if a band is too loose on the tightest hooks, it won't be very supportive, so you probably won't reach for it much anyhow. I have a Rixie Clip that I occasionally use, but it's kind of a pain getting it off and on, and I worry that the teeth will damage the fabric.
- If a bra meets all my breast needs with only one exception that can be fixed with one sImple alteration procedure, usually a gore narrowing for me, I'll alter it. If it needs two or more procedures, I'll probably choose to sell it because I don't really love sewing unfortunately. I'm at the stage of my bra ...career where i have several that fit and I have limited drawer space so need to prune away the ones that aren't very good for me.
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Juki Sewing Machines

Anyone have experience with Juki and sewing knits like cotton t-shirts?

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Shared on Sep 09, 2017 Flag this
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9

Porcelynne vertical wires

In case anyone else is thinking of ordering them, a review of Porcelynne's heavy gauge vertical wires:

I ordered these because while Comexims work best for my shape (close set, center full, immediately projected, narrow root,) their underwires are not strong enough to adequately support the weight of my breasts even when requesting stronger wires, especially when it comes to containing ... my center fullness.

Porcelynne's website has a lot of different kinds of underwires. I chose the heavy gauge vertical wires because I was looking for Panache-like strength and it seemed like these would fit the bill as well as being a good shape for my imf. They did not have a list of underwire sizes, though they did have a printout where you can compare underwires you already own to various sizes on the printed page. I chose to google the various underwire sizes so I could order based on stated width and length. I chose a size 48 based on that, and the underwires I received are true to size. It took five days from order to my front door.

Unfortunately, these are not as strong as Panache wires. They are very similar in size, shape, and strength to my Comexim underwires, though the Porcelynne underwires are a little bit stiffer. When tried alone, they were not strong enough, so I ended up combining them with my Comexim wires and put two in each cup. I found it easiest to insert them together, and while it's a tight fit and not always easy to get them in, the doubled up wires provide the strength and support I need.

Bottom line: I will probably order again as doubled up underwires don't bother me and it makes everything fit so much better. Plus, if I only have to perform one tiny alteration to get a comfortable, supportive fit, I'm a pretty happy camper!
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Shared on Sep 09, 2017 Flag this

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- This is excellent info, ennakym . Thanks!
- Awesome! I'm going to get two pair of their vertical flats and test them out as my imf is super flat.
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Giving away an altered bra

Ok, so I have to face facts. A bra I altered quite a bit still does not fit well enough to hide the creased cup, and I find myself hardly ever wearing it. It was also not nearly as pretty in real life as it was in pictures.

Since it's been altered, I can't really sell it, so I'll probably ... just post it as a giveaway. My issue is, as everything I've done is reversible, would it be better to reverse the alterations, or leave them in the hopes that it'll make someone out there happy? Leave it up to the person getting the bra?
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Shared on Aug 25, 2017 Flag this

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- Did the alterations drastically change the band size?
- About a band size, so not that drastic. I also narrowed the gore and swapped the hard wires out for softer wires.
  
  Actually, I'll be taking the soft wires back, as I'd rather hold those for future bras. I'll put up new measurements in the listing if I don't reverse the alterations.
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3

Comexim alterations

I have finally found an alteration that Comexim won't do!

A while ago, I read from someone that they thought Comexim's 'stronger' wires were just double wires in each cup, so I took a set of flexible wires from a bra that didn't fit and put them in one of my Comexim bras - without removing the original set. It ... worked really really well, which was exciting because their wires, even when requesting stronger, have always been too flexible to handle my heavy breasts and, more specifically, my soft center-full tissue.

So when I ordered a few more Comexim I asked them to put in double wires, but they said it wasn't possible. On the plus side, I did discover that they already put their strongest wires in my size (100HH). But I know already from previous orders they will still be too soft.

I've seen a couple places online to buy underwires but has anyone tried them? I've cannibalized some bras to use their wires before, but Comexim wires are shorter than anything I have that doesn't fit - it's part of what makes them fit me so well since they don't poke me in the armpit.

tl;dr where can I get underwires that actually show me their dimensions and not just 'fits a C cup!' which is just utterly useless information to me?
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Shared on Aug 16, 2017 Flag this

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- I've seen printable pdfs on sites that sell wires that show the wires in actual size. Here's one: http://www.bramakingblog.com/underwire-size-charts/. Here's another: http://deofsf.com/Resources/Bra-Underwire-Charts.pdf. I think pretty much every bra-and-corset-making supplier offers these charts.
  
  Print PDF at 100%, remove the wire from your Comexim, and match by laying over the PDF.
- Ah, very helpful, thanks finallygotboobs! The only ones I was finding were going by cup size for some reason and so were just totally useless for my purposes.
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