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Longline alterations success
A while ago I shared my frustrations about the lack of racerback/multiway and longline bras in my size (28GG/H). A few weeks ago, I traded with jennameowbles for a Freya Ivy longline in 30G - the cups on this model were said to run a little bigger than some of the other Freya longlines, so I hoped I might be able to either wear it on the smallest hook, or alter it by adding a stiff ribbon to control stretch.
When I received the Ivy, I was relieved to discover the cups were the perfect size. The band, on the other hand, stretched to over 33' - it's unstretched measurement was only slightly smaller than my ribcage. It provided no support, even on the smallest hook.
I was relieved to discover that the 30G Ivy had a 2" panel on each side made of a non-stretch fabric. By folding it over end-to-end, I could shorten the band by 1.5" on each side. I sewed it folded flat with some very messy chained handstitching (the green stitching in the picture, but this left a very thick triple-layered fold along the band, so I notched the band and sewed that flat (the red stitching).
Once this alteration was complete, the bra became quite wearable. However, because the length had been taken out of the sides, the bra straps were positioned a little bit further out than on the average 28GG. Rather than move them closer in, I decided this was the perfect opportunity to test altering it into a racerback configuration. This was also a great success (ignore the wonky way I did up the hooks in the racerback picture - taking a bra on and off quickly for pictures led to some...interesting hook arrangements).
I now own a well-fitted approximation of a racer-backed longline bra in a 28GG. Given this success, I feel confident I can alter a 30G Freya Deco longline for my strapless and multiway needs.
I've also decided to make this bra my ground zero for future test alterations. Next, I want to narrow the gore (it is a little too wide, and the band could afford to be a little tighter than it is, even post alterations. I also want to add a band stiffener of some kind (maybe a thick bias tape? along the bottom flange of the longline, to help control the crumpling and folding that happens.
http://imgur.com/a/F69Eb
http://imgur.com/a/F69Eb
Filed under Bra alterations
41 comments
Awesome! Just one question, how did you get into it? A longline with racerback straps... Did you have to loop your arms through first and then hoop the band?
Yep, I slip into it with the back undone, shake my boobs into the cups, and then hook the back. Fairly minimal scoop and swoop required after.
Hooking longline bras in general is a sort of contortionist act, since in my size I can't really do them up in the front and then spin around. I was concerned this one would be even more confusing, but it's actually a little easier, since the racerback straps hold the band steady while I'm doing up the hooks.
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