Altering Beaded Belly Dance Bra Shoulder Straps

Alteration is a big part of belly dance costuming, and continuing from last week’s alteration project, I have one more example to show you.

Last week I showed how I altered my beaded belt and made it shorter. In this week’s video, you’ll see how I changed the shoulder straps of the matching bra from over-the-shoulder style to criss-cross at the back.

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So this blue bra came like this. I’ve already adjusted the hooks on the side straps so that the underbust fits me well. Now the shoulder straps go over the shoulders, straight down to the side straps. They are too long at this point, and I want to make these criss-cross, which feels more secure for me, and help bring the bra cups a little closer in the front.

Altering Beaded Belly Dance Bra Shoulder Straps

So here is what I did. Just like the belt, I first ripped the stitches holding the lining and the side straps. Also the stitches that held the straps.  

Then I tried it on to see how much length to add to the straps to make them criss-cross. Luckily, because the straps were too long to begin with, I did not have to add length.  

If you need to add length to your straps, you can do so by taking grosgrain ribbon, cover is with matching fabric. Or, what I was going to do if they were too short was to use this necklace that came with the costume, which I never use. So if you have matching accessories that you don’t use, you can cut those up and stitch them onto your straps.  

Now using my favourite craft & button thread, I stitched the straps onto the side strap base. As I was doing so, I noticed some sequins on the strap were really old, so I removed them, and tied the bead thread to make sure the rest of the beading wouldn’t come undone.  

And I fixed up the beading, and I basically copied the design from above. I used the beads and sequins I saved from fixing the matching belt.  

If you are curious about this beading technique, check out my beading posts 😉  

Beading Techniques 1: Single Line

Beading Techniques 2: Twist Line

How to Sew Sequins for Belly Dancers 1: Sequin Line & Fill

How to Sew Sequins for Belly Dancer 2: Sequins & Beads      

And finally I stitched the lining back on.  

And that’s it! Now the straps fit me perfectly, and they are criss-cross at the back just as I wanted.  

Just like the belt alteration, your bra will be different than mine, but I hope you can apply what you saw when you alter your bra.  

Also, it helps if you know the construction of belly dance bras well. Check out my posts on how to make a belly dance bra, if you are curious.  

And if you try altering your bra, please share your experience on Sparkly Belly’s Facebook page. And remember to sign up for the Sparkly Belly newsletter from the link below to get updates and free access to patterns and resources only available to newsletter subscribers.  

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Thanks for reading, and keep sparkling! 😀

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