A nursing bra in any size
When you need bra's in a size that is not within the ranges that are sold, it isd
difficult to find a well fitting nursing bra. A solution to this problem is
altering a well fitted bra. This is also a nice idea if you wear a regular size but
would like to wear a pretty bra for a special occasion.
It is scary to use the seam ripper on an expensive new bra, but once you are finished
you will have a perfect nursing bra.
Using either reclaimed clips and the little piece of fabric that goes from the nursing
clips to your arm pit, or with bought clips, a piece of ribbon and some soft elastic band you
can make your own nursing bra out of an ordinary bra.
Pregnant and nursing moms can wear underwire bras but it is even more essential
than normal that the bra fits absolutely perfectly, so you don't damage the glands
and tissue in the breasts. I would not wear an underwire bra in the first 6 - 12
weeks after childbirth because your breasts can change considerable in size in that
timeframe so you need the flexibility of the usual maternity and nursing bras.
When buying the bra, be careful to mind the following:
- Where do you adjust the shoulder bands? The bra won't do if this is on the front end of the bands, it must be on the back.
- Where are the shoulder bands attached to the cup? It must be right above the cup and not somewhere higher up near your shoulder like on some bra's that are embelished.
- Try the bra on and let the shoulder strap slide of your shoulder. Can you open the cups easily and do you get good access to your breast? Or is this bra cut in such a way that it doesn't open far enough? A bra with underwires that are too high (like all full coverage bras) won't do.
You need:
- Soft elastic band. It must have the strenght of ordinary elastic bands, but feel soft to the touch. If your habberdashery doesn't carry t he type pictured on the photo's, you can use fold over elastic or lingerie elastic.
- About 5 cm or 2 inches of ribbon
- Nursing bra clips. Either reclaimed or newly bought
- Seam ripper
- Pins
- Yarn
- Bra
Foto 2: Carefully detach the shoulder band from the cup.
Foto 3: The shoulder band is detached. If you removed a bow, keep it for the ‘finishing touch’.
Needed for the next step: the clips, about 2 inches of ribbon and a piece of soft elastic band. You measure the length of the elastic band on the bra: the distance from the top of the cup to the place where you are going to attach it in the armpit area, plus a little extra for seams.
Attach one part of the clip to the shoulder band, be carefull to attach it with the right side to the front.
Fold the piece of ribbon double lengthwise and sew it on the front size of the top of the cup. You will need this ribbon as reinforcement and lengthening of the top of the cupof your bra.
slide the ribbon and if possible the top end of the cup through the bottom part of the clip. The bottom of the clip I used has no front and back side, if yours does, clip it on the top end first so you don't have to rip it open again. Sew the clip on the bra cup.
If you attach both ends of the clip you can wear the bra. But should you open the clip, the shoulder band would get lost on your back. Therefore you need to install an elastic band between the shoulder band and your bra.
http://www.xs4all.nl/~hhayes/foto/beha09.JPG
Attach either end of the the elastic to the top end of the clip and your bra. Choose a strong part of the bra band under your armpit.
Hint: If you recycle a clip from a worn out nursing bra, you can recycle the bit of fabric that they used. Just keep it attached to the clip and sew it on to the seam under your arm. In this case you don't need the soft elastic band in the previous picture.
now you can re-attach the bow, to make it look sophisticated. All done!
Translated and put online in February 2011