DIY: Strappy Back Bra
And dare I add…sexy to the title?
I’m sure you’ve noticed that a recent trend for the past couple of years has been lingerie (and swimwear!) getting more complex and strappy. Lots of extra ties, crossing strings, layered straps…I just love it! Bra straps peeking out from under a shirt are no longer risque; they’re trendy and cute. Welcome to the era of underthings that are meant to be shown…and this DIY takes any old bra you might have and upgrades it into the strappy bra trend. Get ready for some major sexiness with this project.
Many brands come already with tons of great strappiness. (Victoria’s Secret, Only Hearts, Free People, and One Teaspoon are particular faves.)
I really liked this particular Victoria’s Secret bra (no longer available…but this is very similar) …but didn’t want to buy a whole new bra.
So what are you to do if you want a little sultriness but the lingerie you have needs a little upgrade? Add MORE straps of course! Here’s how:
You Need:
bra rings and sliders set / extra pair of bra straps (salvaged from a convertible or strapless bra, or bought as a separate item) / bra you don’t mind attaching the straps to permanently / matching thread / hand-sewing needle / pins / scissors
How To:
1. For the particular style I’m making, you have to cut off the ends of the bra straps. This bra had convertible straps, so I unhooked them and cut off the ends.
2. Thread both loose ends through a double-sided slider.
3. Now to create the upside-down V’s that will anchor each strap to the bra band. Take your two extra straps and cut off the ends. Thread a bra O-ring onto each. Pin down one cut end to the underside of the bra band, near the hook closure. (Note where the end is in relation to where the old straps connected.)
4. Pin the other end of the strap to the bra band, closer to the cups, to make an upside-down V on each side of the bra hook closure.
5. Thread the loose ends of the original bra straps through each O-ring. Fold the end of the original straps under and pin around that O-ring to secure.
6. Try on the bra to make sure all the straps lie correctly, and adjust the pinning if necessary. DO NOT CUT ANY STRAPS SHORTER until you’re ABSOLUTELY sure everything fits!
7. Once you’re sure you like the fit, now’s the time to sew. Trim the bra’s original straps shorter if necessary, and hand-sew each end onto the O-rings where you’d pinned.
8. Stitch down the ends of the upside-down V straps to the bands (after trimming the excess). I made 2 lines of horizontal back-stitching for extra security.
9. Now everything’s secured and your bra is strappy (-er). I wanted to add yet another layer of strappy goodness…so I hooked the convertible straps I got from the kit I’d purchased to each original strap-anchor on the bra band.
10. Then, since my bra had a double strap attached to each cup, I snipped the end so I could separate them and work with the outer straps only. These I attached to the cut straps from Step 9.
If you don’t have a double strap, use the extra strap material to connect the O-rings to the tops of the cups with some stitching.
And that’s it!
It sounds terribly confusing, but it looks incredibly awesome once done (and peeking out from flimsy tops and low-back dresses ;-).
Happy DIY’ing! (and happy strappiness 😉
xo
Carly
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Oh metallic lurex thread, how I love thee!! It adds so much dimension, so much Wintry sparkle, so much glamour to just plain old fabrics. But it’s a demon to clean.
I washed it multiple times, in both cold and warm water, and tried every stain remover known to woman. But nothing got the stain out of acrylic. That brownish-yellow stain would not budge. I tried to wear it after the unfortunate incident, but the stain was too obvious, and I felt self-conscious. I thought about discarding the sweater (heck, I had only paid $8.95 for it so it wasn’t a huge investment)…but I wanted to save it if I could.
sweater or top / black felt / fabric scissors / needle and matching thread / pins / graphic program to create your word if you’re not using the download below / printer (or print at an office store) / regular scissors
And that’s it! A pretty upgrade to a soiled mistake…and I’ve just saved a major piece in my wardrobe. How to cover a stain on your sweater is really as easy as a bit of felt, time, and thread!
This is something you will need to hand-wash cold and lay flat to dry. You could also use suedecloth or any other fabric that doesn’t fray when you cut it – leather or vinyl I would think a little tough to hand-sew but you could always try it if you prefer that look.
Shine on, my friends!
So it’s still Winter and I wanted a (p)leather skirt – midi length, so demure, yet made of a material that’s a little reminiscent of biker gangs. That’s just how I roll.
Hello all!
I snapped up a 
Unfortunately it was the last dress left and at a size 4 it was a little too tight here and there on me (at the time in February). The mantra I live by: 
