Has anyone ever modified a bra ?!

[PollyannaWhittier]

Not sure whether to post this in Arts & Crafts or Style & Beauty

I bought a bra recently, mislaid it and didn't get round to trying it on until the return deadline had passed. Turns out the wires come so high up the front that they stab me in the breastbone every time I lean forward !

I'm sure I remember someone making a bra a few years ago, and other people giving suggestions, so I wondered if anyone could give any tips / tell me if my plan is really stupid ?!

I was planning to:

• cut / unpick the wire channel at one end and remove the wire.
• cut an inch or so off the front end, seal the metal with nail polish /radiator paint so it doesn't rust.
• thread the wire back in and sew the hole back up.
• sew across the channel at the front so the wire can't slide up to where I don't want it to be.

Any opinions ? It's going to be a rather expensive experiment, but the alternative is a £40 bra sitting in a drawer not being worn so I figure it's worth a shot Thanks !

A less fiddly solution is just take the wires out and keep it as a ' round the house/relaxing' type bra. I do this when one of my underwires pokes through. I need good support as I'm a 38F so don't wear them out but they are fine for slouching around at home.

I think sewing the channel up is going to alter the fit across the front unfortunately

Sell it as brand new with tags.

Your fix will be fiddly and affect the support and fit of the bra so may be ultimately unsatisfactory.

Not hard to adapt but you'll need fairly substantial cutters not jewellery type small cutters.

From the inside either unlock the very top of the channel (where it's rubbing), or make a small hole with sharp scissors.

Poke the wire up through and cut about half an inch. Your issue won't be rusting it will be the sharp edges. You'll need to bind these with some tape. Cloth tape and stitch it so it's secure will do.

Ease it back into the channel and sew up. Stitches to secure the empty channel are also needed otherwise the wire works it's way back to the front from the sides.

I've done this before. Just be aware it changes the way the bra looks at the front a bit.

You might just want to list it on eBay and buy something comfortable.

Have a look to see if you can remove the underwire without cutting. You might be able to unpick a few stitches and make a small opening.

I had to remove the underwire from a bra once for a similar reason. And it made it far more comfortable.

Yes, i always take the wires off, put additional elastic and sew everything together at the back

You could cut the wire down but you will most likely need wire cutters to do it. I would then rasp the edges smooth so they aren't sharp then if you get some plumbers tape, wrap it tightly around the edge to make it blunt and you should be good to go.

I often customise bras because I’m an unusual shape. Usually cut them in the centre and add in an inch or two of band so that the cups are further apart. They don’t always look brilliant but they’re pretty comfortable. (I probably wouldn’t wear them on a date though)