Supplies:
- Bandeau Bra
- Elastic to match or dye it to match
- Thread to Match
- Tailor’s chalk or bar of soap
- Pins
- Scissors
- Sewing Machine
- Rhinestones optional
Directions:
- Choosing Your Materials
I am going to use black elastic that is satiny and shiny. It is really good elastic. If you cannot find this type of elastic, you can just use regular elastic if you are going to cover it with rhinestones. If you are not going to cover the elastic strips with rhinestones, you may want to cover the elastic strips with fabric that matches the bandeau bra. If possible, you want the elastic to match the bandeau bra. Consequently, you may need to purchase white elastic and dye it to match or cover the elastic with matching fabric.
- Preparing the Bandeau Bra
To accomplish this look, you need to open up the back of the bandeau bra and add two horizontal straps across the back. The first step is to have the dancer put on the bandeau bra. Using tailor’s chalk or a bar of soap, mark the back where you want the bandeau bra to end and the straps to start. You do not want the straps to extend all the way to the side seams because when the girl moves forward too much side boob will be exposed. Therefore, you want to make sure to mark the back of the bandeau bra a couple of inches back from the seam plus about an extra half inch on each side that will be folded underneath when you are done. So, I am going to go ahead and cut about two to two and a half inches from the side seam. Then I am going to fold the bandeau bra in half and match the two side seams together. I will then be able to see if the distance from the side seam matches on both sides. At this point, if the sides do not match, I can cut them to match. You can mark it with tailor’s chalk or a bar of soap if you are nervous about it. However, you do not want to use anything that is permanent to mark the bandeau bra. Since the side/back of this bandeau bra is slightly off, I am going to even them out.
- Cutting the Elastic
Using the rectangular piece that was cut from the back of the bandeau bra as a guide, I am going to cut the elastic the same length plus two inches. I am adding the two inches because I want to have an inch to play with at each side. Additionally, if the bandeau bra was a little too tight, you can add a little elastic to allow for that. If it was a little loose, cut the elastic slightly shorter.
- Pinning the Elastic to the Bandeau Bra
Now, I am going to pin one of the elastic strips to the bandeau bra with the front of the elastic facing the front of the bandeau bra. Do the same with the other piece of elastic. One of the pieces of elastic will line up with the top of the bandeau bra and one will line up with the bottom of the bandeau bra. Just make sure that the side of the elastic pieces that you want to have showing is facing the front of the bandeau bra. Next, I cut a small piece from the part of the bandeau that I cut away from the bra. Then, I am putting it on top of the elastic that is pinned to the bandeau bra and creating a kind of a sandwich with the elastic in the middle. For this bra, want a few gathers in the center, so I am using a piece of fabric that is smaller than the bandeau bra. You could sew this seam flat and without gathers. However, I want the gathered effect because this particular girl is a little busty.
- Sewing the Elastic to the Bandeau Bra
I am going to make sure to back stitch before I start sewing the seam. I am sewing parallel to the edge and am sewing straight to the end and then backstitching again.
As you can see, this creates a sandwich effect. The reason I am doing that is that I wanted those gathers there so it gives it a little pinched look on the side. Then we can pull the little piece back to the inside of the bra. Then with the little piece folded back to the inside, I can top stitch the bandeau, elastic and the little piece of fabric together. You need to use a zig zag stitch here to help it stretch. Make sure to backstitch at both ends. This will give it a finished look. It will also give it a little bit more strength and durability. Because the wearer will be going to be moving her arms around, these two seams will take a lot of pressure. Consequently, you want to make sure to make the seams really strong. If the elastic causes the seam to be too thick, you can trim it a little. But, make sure you do not trim it too close to the seam or the elastic does will probably pull out of the seam. Also, you want that elastic to be included in that overstitch so that it is really strong.
Next you want to do the exact same thing on the other side of the bandeau bra. Just remember to sew the outside of the elastic facing the front of the bandeau bra.
As you can see, I now have a very cute, updated version of a bandeau bra.
