Bra adventures » Bra alterations

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

3 comments
- 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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switching bra wires and getting the new wire into the channel

Hard Wires and tall gores cause me problems so I have been swapping out wires with wires ill fitting bras and Bravo Bella Flex wires I obtained Love4Pollinators . I can remove the old wires with out problem but putting in the new wires is where I have problems. The Flex wires are very hard to get in ... I think mostly because the plastic/rubber tips. I use a rubber gripper like one used to open pickle jars, to move the wires into the channel. I cannot seem to get the last 1/2 cm of wire into the channel. Does any one have any tips?
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Shared on Aug 11, 2017 Flag this

4 comments
- Curvy Kate narrows the wire and wire channel near the gore. Lovely. But, it makes inserting a wire with uniform width almost impossible; unless the entire new wire width is as narrow as the narrowest portion of the original wire. Wacoal wire channels are uniform....
- I tried to insert the wires into a Cleo and a Ewa Michalak and they got stuck. I was able to insert them into my 30F - Pour Moi » Promise Underwired Non Padded Bra (5502) and my 32F - Wonderbra » Natural Push Up Bra (018N) with little problem
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7

changing wires and overlapping the gore of my Panache Clara bra

The wires of my Panache Clara bra (http://bra.pe/XWoK/) were not comfortable (at all), so I decided to change them with BravoBella wires. I had done this before on a Cleo Juna and it worked out pretty well. I was a little afraid of ruining this pretty Panache bra, but I'm glad I decided to do it. Last time ... it was a little difficult to cut the wire channel, even though I used a sharp, very small knife. This time I decided to use a razor blade. It was so easy to neatly cut the channel with a safety razor blade! I'd recommend it to anyone thinking of opening wire channels. I took out the wires of the bra and noticed they were so thick, I haven't seen any wires this thick before... I don't really see why a bra with small cups need wires this strong. For my 30DD Cleo Juna I had used BravoBella wires in size 32. This time, because the gore comes up so high, I bought size 36 wires, which worked out well. The wires are about 0.75" too short, but I didn't want to have them poking on my gore anyway. After having changed the wires I cut the fabric at the top part of the gore (about 1 inch). I used a lighter to burn off some fuzzy lace and then overlapped the wires. Finally, I reattached the ribbon. I don't have a sewing machine, but it was pretty easy to do everything by hand. It's hard to get your needle all the way through the wire channel, so with this bra I just decided not to try this. There's no need to anyway if you only make a cut in the top of the wire channels.
The bra feels much more comfy now, the wires don't poke and the gore doesn't irritate me much, although still a little. I guess I should just cut the gore, but am afraid the cups would look weird, and not really sure how/where to reattach the lace. I'm not sure how to attach pictures, so I made a new entry for this bra and will add a link to it below.

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30E - Panache » Clara Full Cup Bra (7255)

Pictures of how I changed the wires, tools needed, etc :)

http://bra.pe/XWuZ/

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Shared on Jul 14, 2017 Flag this

4 comments
- Awesome!!! Thanks for sharing your alteration with us :-) I will definitely try the razor blade and open the side of the channel (I usually cut a slit straight across the channel). Your method seems more discreet. :-)
- This is brilliant! Are those replacement wires slightly narrower than the original? I LOVE the design and stretch lace of the Clara, but it doesn't have enough immediate projection for me. I imagine slotting in narrow wires would cause the cup to project more, and might actually make this bra wearable for me.
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2

Underwire / gore overlapping / narrowing help?

Does anyone know a tutorial for the best method of making the alteration? Would it be best to do it with hand? I am very new sewer and am afraid to try this. I don't want to ruin the structural integrity and support of bra.

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Shared on Jul 06, 2017 Flag this

4 comments
- http://www.bratabase.com/knowledge/bra-alterations/#Changing-wire-fit maybe something here
- ^ yes this one looks good http://boobiusmaximus.livejournal.com/1474.html
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11

Dyeing my Cleo lily

I really love the fit of my 30G - Cleo » Lily Balconnet Bra (7351) bra, but I hated the bright blue color. I don't like blue in general, but this shade reminded me of cotton candy. I decided to dye it. I used iDye poly in violet. I never boiled it, but I let it ... simmer for 30 minutes. After rinsing it, I thought that it was still too bright so I returned it to the dye for about 15 minutes. The bra ended up turning an indigo color with violet sides and straps. The pink is mostly intact. I really love how it turned out!! I think that this color suits me better. The best part is that the bra didn't shrink and still fits me well!
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Dyed Cleo lily

Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet.

https://imgur.com/a/R1wXZ

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Shared on Jun 20, 2017 Flag this

10 comments
- Ooh, nice! I've been wanting to do the exact same thing to my blue Lily - I agree the blue and pink just isn't that attractive. I just need to get a pot that I can use for the dye process. Glad to know it'll turn out so pretty!
- Awesome!!
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Comexim order problems

I ordered two bras with modifications (reduced gore and cups, straps moved in) and just got the order. It seems they just did the straps and didn't do anything with the gore and cup height. Now they don't fit as the cups are too tall, surprise surprise... I've already sent an email to Comexim with my complaints but I'm not sure if they gonna do something about it. Did some of you experience the same and did Comexim solve your problem?

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Shared on Jun 08, 2017 Flag this

3 comments
- Yes I had a band custom to 100 and they were way off and ended up replacing the bra and I kept the one that was wrong. Not that I could wear it but at least I saved the postage back to Poland.
- I had a similar issue with my mixed colors bra, and since they ran out of fabric they told me I could return the bra (but I was so pissed I didn't, although I should have).
  I asked for the gore to be a total of 5cm (2 inches), a reduced cup (3cm), and thinner straps that were moved in. None of them were done. The gore was actually higher than most comexims I own. 😠
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2

Easy alterations

Has anyone had any experience in using these methods to shorten the band and take in the sides of the cups?
http://allsfairinloveandlingerie.com/?p=38
http://www.venusianglow.com/2010/07/tutorial-tightening-bra-band-without.html
I'm not that great at sewing, but I impulse bought a sewing machine a few years ago (things- my one true weakness) and I figure I should make some use of it, especially as I ... can't bear to let go of some of the bras I have, even though it'll take several alterations to get them to fit... Are they as easy/reversible as they look? I don't want to immediately go for something that can't be undone, as it'll feel like a waste of money when I inevitably mess up, which I will.
For the first one, do you think there's a better way to do it that isn't as noticeable? At the moment, this is the best one I can find on google, but prehaps someone else's google-fu surpasses mine
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How to Make Your Bra Cups Smaller

http://allsfairinloveandlingerie.com/?p=38

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Shared on May 22, 2017 Flag this
- I've taken in the bra at the gore but not the bottom of the cup. I found it pretty easy and quite reversible. Same with the band. I hand sew first, but I might machine sew the band for extra strength if I didn't care how it looked.
- That's a good thought! I didn't think of sewing it twice like that, that'd probably be better for me as hand sewing would probably be easier to undo if I mess up, then when that's done successfully I can secure it better with the sewing machine :) Thanks for the advice. I thought this might be a good thing to do to after swapping any wires to counteract any change in shape, because if it gaps noticably at the sides of the cup now, I figure it'll probably be worse once I swap out the wires and make it narrower :D
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7

TV show about bras...

Has anyone else watched Atelier on Netflix? It's a Japanese subtitled show about an atelier that makes custom bras. It's kind of amazing.

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Shared on May 02, 2017 Flag this
- watched the whole season in less than a week! lol :) wish it had more bras in it tho... :/
- ...I think I have a manga of my manga app with the word atelier in the name, actually, brb...
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Best bra extender for 2 hook Comexim?

I ordered some Comexim bras. Two fit, and the third is way too tight in the band. The 60 band on the one that is too tight measures about 27.5 inches in the band, and there's absolutely no way I'm going to be able to get that small... can't squish bone into place.

Does anyone have a recommendation for 2 hook ... bra extenders that would work on Comexim bras? I see a bunch on Amazon but I'm leery of buying them and finding that they only fit on one hook. For anyone wondering which was too small, it's the Mint Plunge. It's just a half inch to 3/4 inches too small, so it's not a deal breaker to me and nothing an extender won't fix. I wouldn't want to discourage anyone from getting it if they love it (it's so pretty!); just size up or get an extender and you should be ok

Thanks in advance! (And I do plan on putting measurements and reviews of these up eventually)
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Shared on Apr 13, 2017 Flag this

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- Most time I shop for bra extenders they provide the size in the description, pretty often they state how far apart the hooks are too. You can just compare this to your bra. If the descriptions on Amazon aren't providing that information, the ones on eBay do.
- My Comexims have three hooks. But I think Comexim uses cms between hook rows, standard North American extenders measured in inches won't line up quite right. You could order some cm extenders from Poland, or you can try to squish the closest inch unit (1/4 or half) on to the cm bra. I have done this, especially with cheeper extenders that are a little less exact and sturdy, and it can work out ok. Alternatively, if you can't find the right extender in two hooks, you can always use and extender with more hooks than the bra and just start at the bottom and leave the top hooks free. I sometimes bend the top edge of my three hook extenders overs and tape it with body tape if I have a lower backed top.
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Ewa Michalak

what can I ask for Custom in Ewa michalak? I know what I can ask to Comexim. but I don't know about Ewa michalak

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Shared on Apr 08, 2017 Flag this

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- I've heard that only modification that they will do is smaller/bigger band, cups if they're not listed or to change styles between models. They won't move straps in, lower cups or change wires
- Ewa doesn't do custom the way Comexim does. At best, you can possibly get a style change (depending on the style), and you might be able to ask for a size that the bra doesn't come in. I say might because if you ask for a 60K M style bra, she'll probably say no.
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Bravo Bella Underwires

Do you have an extra #40 and/or #42 flexwire? If yes, I'm interested.

Would you like a pair of #34, #36, and/or #38s? I have some to share. Many thanks to Anya99

Here is a link to the wire dimensions:

underwire sizing

wire dimensions size tip to tip width depth 32 7 1/2" 4 5/8" 3" 34 8 1/4" 4

https://bravobellabras.com/pages/underwire-sizing

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Shared on Mar 19, 2017 Flag this

9 comments
- I might Have some .. if not hers some that I pulled from bras I took apart . I will take a look unless you want the bravobella wires specifically . I don't remember what size I ordered but it was ridiculously small for me , I need a 52 however I save all underwires because you never know lol .
- My gosh you guys are pros... I don't even know how to interpret the request! This is a level of technical I aspire to!
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1

Mar 15, 2017

a new band for workout?

Pretty 52

This support keeps the girls in place when you exercise! 🍉🍉💪 Credit: Booband

https://www.facebook.com/Pretty52Official/videos/1811898728852223/

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Shared on Mar 15, 2017 Flag this

5 comments
- Interesting but still would need a sports bra. I suspect on cup sizes over D it may not do much.
- Unnecessary with a sports bra that fits properly.
  
  I can't imagine how that could be even remotely comfortable, either.
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15

Underwire Swap Experiment

Ok, so I've finished my album, finally. I have extremely narrow roots so I always feel my underwires, even in reputedly very narrow cups. I found a replacement wire designed for a 3-4 cup size smaller bra and ordered a whole lot. I have torn open the wire channels of almost all my bras to see what ... replacing the wires would do. I have shown a Freya, two Cleos, a bunch of CKs and Flirtelles, EMs, Comexims, Avas, Gaias, a Kinga, a Miss Mandalay, a Gorsenia, an Impimi, and two Empreintes. I only own two padded bras and I haven't quite figured out how to reduce the cup volume lost to the narrower wires. I have one plunge, one side support, a bunch of half cups, and the rest are balconnettes. If anything is unclear - let me know. Otherwise, I hope this is helpful for someone!
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Underwires | Bratabase

http://bra.pe/YrG/

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Shared on Mar 14, 2017 Flag this

19 comments
- I admire your work. it's wonderful!
- AWESOME!! Thank you, @maddy2596!!
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2

Swapping out underwires

I've come to realize, with my sensory issues, I need fairly soft wires. The wires in my Impimi Adell are just way too hard to for me to even wear. But it fits me perfectly and it's beautiful, I'd really like to keep it.

How involved is the process to swap out the wire?Anyone have a good tutorial?

I have literally ... never sewn before (save for making a doll outfit when i was 10 that quickly fell apart). If it's as easy as opening the wire channel, swapping the wire, and sewing it back shut, I think I could attempt it. Or is it not that easy?
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Shared on Mar 13, 2017 Flag this

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- It is that easy...except for Curvy Kate who, thoughtfully, narrow both their wires and wire channel near the gore. Replacement wires that don't narrow near the gore won't fit into the channel. Otherwise, in my limited experience, it is easy.
- Usually wire channels are sewn on top of elastics and then it is moderately easy to switch wires if you use a seam ripper to open the seams. Wire channel material usually frays easily, so be careful.
  
  However, what do you mean when you say you need softer wires? Do you mean you need stretchier wires? If so, switching wires can help although it probably affects how the bra fits. I´m asking this because I have noticed that the cut of some bras lead to the wire area feeling very stiff and hard against the body, even if you use quite stretchy wires (I noticed this when I sew a copycat bra of the Masquerade Rhea! The bra feels very stiff).
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6

underwire replacement for super narrow roots

So, my new wires arrived from Bra Makers Supply (bramakers.com) and I think I can make them work. However, because I need a taller centre gore for my soft tissue and centre fullness, I put both wires into the same sleeve back to front. I am using their Vertical wires in a size 40 and have ... just reordered a bunch. I have not yet completed a bra so when my new order arrives I think I will put an album together to show my different attempts. I think it is working, but I want to try out a couple different bras before I post. As it is, narrower wires cannot fix a badly fitting bra! Bras that otherwise fit except for being slightly too wide, which is almost every bra I own, seem to work. Bras that are fundamentally too shallow or badly shaped, don't seem to respond very well. Plus, bras that are way too wide end up having too much fabric on the side, even if they quad a little to begin with. At 2.50 CAD a pair (thus 5 a bra for me) it seems a pretty cheap and easy fix for me. I still have to find models with narrow enough set straps, but this could be my solution. NB narrowing the wires does not substantially increase the immediate projection at all. I'll keep you posted!
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Shared on Feb 28, 2017 Flag this

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- I look forward to your album :-) Good luck and the best of skill ;-)
- If you need a place to put the pics you can always add your franken-bra either under unknown brand/unknown model or as whatever bra it was before and say it's been altered (as a 2nd entry if you already added the bra pre surgery) and put the pics of it there.
  
  Additionally you can create an album for it http://www.bratabase.com/my/albums/ to narrate your story.
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1

Calculation to find cup volume/area?

Due to my stupidly narrow roots, it's been recommended to me that I try swapping out underwires on any bras I like with underwires that fit. However, that comes with a problem. How do I know what cup width and depth to go for? The bras I have tried at the moment, while having the right amount of depth, are ... also too wide, and are therefore made for someone with a larger cup volume than what I have. If I swap out the wires of one I already have, I have been told the excess space from the width will transfer to the front, and I'll have too much depth. But I'd rather not risk guessing on a width/depth combo, buying a bra, replacing the wires, and finding I guessed wrong. Ideally, I would have a calculation to work out the volume/area I need, and the volume/area of what any potential candidates are before/after adding the wires. Anyone know of any such calculation?

For context, I need a width of approx 3.6, and a cup depth of approx 8.1.

Thanks!
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Shared on Feb 20, 2017 Flag this

15 comments
- You've tried 6 bras and someone todl you to try customizing your own? that seems extreme . . .
- this is kind of insane but here's a architectural dome volume calculator: http://www.monolithic.org/calculators/dome-calculator
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6

has anyone else ever done this?

Tried a new alteration the other day and it seems to work fairly well, but I was wondering if anyone else has ever tried this? I put a horizontal dart in the top edge of the cup from centre gore straight into the cup. Originally, the ribbon cut on the bottom edge and gaped on the top edge. ... This design may allow for a ribbon edged cup without the closed, cutting problem for FoT/tall roots, but without a lot of upper fullness, it just hung at an outward angle. This dart tightened the upper (outside) edge of the ribbon and in effect "loosened" the lower (inside) edge. It also lowers the cup height at the centre. It only fits because this bra had a little extra room for my centre fullness and a little extra room at the top of the cup by the strap already.

Anyone else have any recommendations/experiences?
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32GG - Miss Mandalay » Paris Balconette Bra

Bratabase: Bra database where you can compare bras and see how they'll fit you.

http://bra.pe/XVKJ/

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Shared on Jan 12, 2017 Flag this
- Yes. I do this with quite a few bras now, especially those where the gore is too high. I buy the bra one size too big, replace the wires with shorter, narrower ones, and then fold the gore over so the bra doesn't gape at the top and the wires are enclosed. Works to give me the right sized gore and a bra that neither cuts in nor gapes.
- I must try this. Just need to find a gore I can collapse smaller than 1.6"
  
  Telescoping gores...I need one :-) They have them for ladders that support 400+ lbs. Surely, we could design a gore for 20 lbs or less ;-)
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3

straps

SHOP - All Bra Straps & Clothing Straps – Strap N&#...

Fabulous decorative dress straps, bra straps for every occasion and every day we

https://www.strapnguard.com/collections/shop-all-bra-straps-clothing-straps

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Shared on Jan 09, 2017 Flag this
- Fun!
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4

home alterations

I just finished my first ever home made bra alteration! I moved the strap attachment inwards by an inch or so on my Curvy Kate Tease Me Padded Bra (SG2001). One minor mistake with the ribbons, but otherwise, looks good, I think! If only it were so easy with non-padded bras!!! I only just posted the pics so they need to be approved yet.

30H - Curvy Kate » Tease Me Padded Bra (SG2001)

http://bra.pe/XUqN/

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Shared on Nov 04, 2016 Flag this
- Awesome! Yay for being crafty! I've done three now, with varrying degrees of success.... one to overlap a gore on a Cleo Lucy, one to take in a band, and one to take in floppy lace on a cup. It's nice being able to alter things to make them fit better.
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