Altering RTW costume bra cups....need help...bust pic

[kjh9835]

dd16 bought a sailor costume this year, she had to buy the 3X-4X size in order for the jacket to fit but now the bra cups are way too big and too low cut. She does not want a "privacy panel" put into it because we can't find the right color and the costume has no red on it so that choice is out.

The sides fit as does the lower part of the cup but the upper half of the cup gaps quite a bit and is not next to the skin at all. I am going to pinch the fabric together in the front center and hand stitch over the boning in the cups in that area to help close the low cut (which makes gaping worse) but what about making the cups actually fit against her skin?

I have clear elastic left over from the bridesmaid dresses but don't remember exactly how I figured out how much to use/cut/sew. We do have and can get more body tape but she cannot wear a bra and without any support, I know the tape is not going to hold. We even have a strapless/backless "sticky" bra we tried to put on her but that did not help at all. Unless they make body tape in full sheets that I can cut to fit the whole uppper half of her/her costume, I don't know how to fix the gaping cups.

Please help as there is NO WAY she is leaving the house like this:

[MartySews2]

Kathy, if it were me, I would make the straps to the outfit wider & pull up the bra cups up to cover her cleavage. Also, you could make darts on the underside of the bra cups to take in the excess fabric or add a little padding to the top of the cups to fill out the cup more.
Marty

[bridesmom]

I was kind of going with the padding thing too, although that will make her seem more well endowed, which may not be the look you want either!

[Mule]

I like Marty's idea of the wider straps. And if they were positioned a little further in, they might help pull the cups up better.

What about stitching some lightly stretched clear elastic along the inside edge of the cups to help with the gapping? Not stretched tight enough to get the bunchy elastic look, but just to pull the edge in a bit. When I made the strapless dress for my DD last month, I used a little along the upper seam line where the bodice and lining were sewn together. It made the bodice curve in very slightly, and fit her with no gaps at all.

[lendube]

Regarding the privacy panel; I can't see how long the ties are but if they're pretty long you could cut a few inches off and use that fabric. I also think the wider straps would make a difference and help out. Out of what would you make the straps though.......?

[kaitlinnegan]

What about some trim or a modesty panel from a gold fabric? That might be easier to match.

I would probably just get a nude (or blue or white or gold) tank top to wear under it, but that's not a very elegant solution.

[kjh9835]

If the cups were held up better, the gaping would not be so bad. I went to the store today after working a 10 1/2 hour shift AND spending 1 1/2 hrs at the eye dr (not happy either), didn't get home til 7pm. I took the jacket with me this morning when I left at 330am and was able to find navy blue cotton that almost matches. Matches enough for wider straps anyway and/or maybe a panel too. No time to work on it tonight (too tired anyway).

Even if the wider straps work, I really would like a panel in the center and I could even add an anchor button/charm, etc. on it. I can use the clear elastic too once I find it (it's here somewhere).

Thanks,
Kathy

[Mule]

It's amazing how much effort we moms put into our kids....

[MartySews2]

I know what you mean Beth. My daughter came to me today & asked me to make her a showgirl skirt to wear for a Halloween party next Friday night. I told her that we would shop for fabric/pattern tomorrow but she would have to cut it out & I would supervise her sewing it as I have a large project due the first week of November so I won't be able to help her very much. Also, next Wednesday, I'm going away to a sewing retreat for 5 days/4 nights & won't be home to work on it. Twenty of my sewing internet friends are coming to Memphis & we're going to a retreat center nearby. This is my birthday party.
Marty

[sewingmom]

Marty, I am happy for you. That will be such a blast.