Bra repair

[LuvOrlando]

Anyone have any ideas how to repair bra underwires? Mine always seem to poke through but no matter what I do the stitching won't hold. Is there a special fabric I can sew over where the tips lie? Also, has anyone ever come across a good brand of replacement under wires for when they snap? I probably have so much trouble because I put them in the washer and dryer but there is no way I'm draping them all over with my 11 yr old DS and his friends wandering around all the time so until he's 20 and out of the house I need help with repairs.

OK thanks to anyone with suggestions

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

The only way to truly keep them in good shape is to hand wash and line dry.

What about a little collapsable drying rack in your bedroom where you can shut the door? I just hand wash them in the sink, let them sit in a towel to absorb water, then dry overnight.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

I look at underwires as Victoria's Secret Expiration Date: When I get poked, they get tossed.

Also, if you dry your underwire bras and the underwires come out in the dryer, they can get into the mechanics and kill your dryer.

If you put them in the washer when they're starting to poke through, they can also come loose and kill your washing machine (either by piercing the rubber gasket in the front loader machines or going through the holes and blocking a discharge hose in the toploaders).

 

[rcraw45425]

I'm so ticked off at the bras I was wearing, they were from Soma, a division of Chicos and cost as much as Victoria's Secret ones. THe last three I would wear for around 2 months and then the uderwire would just break, always at the bottom, then begin poliong through at the bottom. Since we don't have a Soma within 50 miles, I started covering up the "poke through" with moleskin, how sad is that ? Just bought some $10 ones at Walmart, no underwire, they fit better and my wallet is a lot happier.

 

[badblackpug]

Pretty much there is no replacing them. Once the wire is out, it will never stay back in, and if they break just forget it. I pay way more than Victoria's Secret. No way I would wash and dry them. I wash them on the "ultra handwash" setting, eith Woolite, in my washer and ALWAYs hang to dry.

 

[reducereuserecycle]

if the wire is bothering you the best thing to do is just pull it out and now you have a wireless bra.

 

[idofabric]

You can buy new underwires at most major fabric stores. The underwires on most bras are in a fabric casing, when my wire breaks I cut a small slit in the casing and slip the broken one out, replace it and then use small stitches to sew the hole up. If I need to replace the casing I would use a bais tape- you can buy it in a package, made by Wrights or other companies. You might need to hand sew it on.. and I would just sew a piece on top of the area that has the hole, not replace the entire casing. I have never had to add a piece on my bras, I just hand sew the hole as I said... but you may need to. I have used the bais tape method when repairing corsets and dresses that have boning in them, like a wedding dress or formal.
I wash mine in the washer and hang them to dry on a single hanger. You could hang the bras on a plastic hanger behind your closet door, or if you have your own bathroom in their maybe? They do tend to dry quickly as a lot of bras are made to dry quickly as you wear them so you don't get itchy areas under the bra.
Hope this helps! It really is not hard to fix. It is important to deside if the bra is worn out, or stretched out from machine washing. If so then it is not worth fixing, you won't have the suport you want even with new underwires.

 

[lauralana9]

Anyone have any ideas how to repair bra underwires? Mine always seem to poke through but no matter what I do the stitching won't hold. Is there a special fabric I can sew over where the tips lie? Also, has anyone ever come across a good brand of replacement under wires for when they snap? I probably have so much trouble because I put them in the washer and dryer but there is no way I'm draping them all over with my 11 yr old DS and his friends wandering around all the time so until he's 20 and out of the house I need help with repairs.

OK thanks to anyone with suggestions

I found this on You Tube a while back. Haven't tried it yet but I did book mark it. Seems a pretty easy way to repair an underwire. I'm expecting one of mine to go any day now, I'm about due.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrZq5mbS9sI

Are you using any kind of a bag or ball for washing your bras? It really helps cut down on the wear and tear. I bought a Bra Ball a while back, its plastic, you put your bra in it to protect in the wash. I think it will only fit up to size C. Didn't know that when i bought it I now use the Tide Bra Bag, its NOT a big lingerie bag, its sorta barrel like. Fits one on each side. My DD under wires fit fine.

I found it at walmart for maybe $6-$7. Well worth the $$ considering the bras last longer. Defiantly rethink the dryer though, could you stash then in your room? The heat wrecks the elastic.

 

[PinkRhombus]

I have the same problem. Have two in my dresser waiting for me to figure out what to do.

I'm contemplating putting some hot glue over where it poked through. I don't what I'm going to put over the glue at that point. Thinking of putting something cushy over top of the glue while it's still hot.

 

[NotUrsula]

I have the same problem. Have two in my dresser waiting for me to figure out what to do.

I'm contemplating putting some hot glue over where it poked through. I don't what I'm going to put over the glue at that point. Thinking of putting something cushy over top of the glue while it's still hot.

A little wad of cotton pulled off a q-tip. Keep it small and relatively flat, though, so that you can get it back under the casing. You'll need to open up a few extra stitches before you'll be able to maneuver it back in properly.

I've cut way down on this problem by putting a few dabs of Fray-Chek on the stitching and casing around the ends of the wires of new bras. It helps to strengthen the fibers just right there. Can't help on the issue of broken wires -- I've never had a wire actually break. Always be sure to hook the hooks on your bras before putting them in the wash; that helps a little bit in terms of preventing tangles.

You've GOT to stop putting them in the dryer; that is money down the drain. One spot that you might be able to use: is your furnace/air conditioner behind a closet door? If so, mount some hooks on the inside of the door to hang the bras (as long as there is enough clearance that the fabric won't come near the machinery.) There is a LOT of air circulation in an HVAC closet, and they will dry quickly; they should easily dry overnight on the back of the door.

 

[lauralana9]

You've GOT to stop putting them in the dryer; that is money down the drain. One spot that you might be able to use: is your furnace/air conditioner behind a closet door? If so, mount some hooks on the inside of the door to hang the bras (as long as there is enough clearance that the fabric won't come near the machinery.) There is a LOT of air circulation in an HVAC closet, and they will dry quickly; they should easily dry overnight on the back of the door.

You really dont even need this, I toss my padded bras on the arm of the sofa over night. They are dry in the am. (No kids! )

 

[Redwitch]

Kids or no kids - do not put your bras in the dryer. I wash mine, with the hooks closed, in a laundry bag. Always hang to dry. As suggested, get a collapsible drying rack or just sling over a hanger and hang in the closet if you feel the need to hide them.
I never dry my panties, bras or socks. It makes them last so much longer - I have three, four year old bras that are going strong.

 

[QVCshopper]

if the wire is bothering you the best thing to do is just pull it out and now you have a wireless bra.

That's what I always do--more comfy that way, too!

 

[lila]

I wash mine, with the hooks closed, in a laundry bag. Always hang to dry

This is what I do as well. Personally, I would toss the ones you have now.

 

[dislal]

A little OT here, but I was just wandering how anyone can wear underwire bras. I buy them and end up pulling the wire out because they are always poking meI HATE THEM!!!

 

[fofinia]

I've used the bias tape to cover up a wire poke through. And so far it hasn't come undone yet.

And I guess I'm in the minority with you. I wash and dry my bras. Much to the horror of my mother and sister. I don't notice them getting worn out any quicker than when I hand washed and air dried. And I enjoy the fresh smell after they are dried. And well it's just a whole lot easier.

Good luck!!

 

[kathie859]

A little OT here, but I was just wandering how anyone can wear underwire bras. I buy them and end up pulling the wire out because they are always poking meI HATE THEM!!!

Maybe you need to be fitted to insure that you are buying the right sized bra? It's not enough that it hooks around your body As a DD gal, I can't imagine NOT having underwires. The underwires that I buy are not the old metal type--they are well covered plastic and really comfy in the correct size. In the wrong size, they dig into my sides or cause noticable bumps on the front top.

 

[tinytink]

How about mole skin?

 

[CathrynRose]

You really dont even need this, I toss my padded bras on the arm of the sofa over night. They are dry in the am. (No kids! )

Or hung from a hanger hook - they'll dry overnight, too.

When the underwire pops thru, I stuff it back in and just hand stitch, stitch, stitch it shut (like a little thread ball. ) and it always stays shut, after that.

I know everyone is different, but I'll hook my bra's on hangers in the laundry room. I have an 18 and 14 y/o son's. It never occured to me that they 'shouldn't see them'. They're just pieces of clothing. They know I wear them. It's not like they're nippless or something. I dunno....

Anyways....

How about mole skin?

Do you know, I went to a Buffett concert this past Saturday. Wouldn't you know, an underwire popped through. I had brought mole skin for any blisters (hey... I knew we'd be tailgating for 8 + hours! ) After fighting with the wire to go back in, with no luck - I whipped some out and put it over the underwire edge that was poking me. Worked like a charm.

In a pickle - it *does* work.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

And I guess I'm in the minority with you. I wash and dry my bras. Much to the horror of my mother and sister. I don't notice them getting worn out any quicker than when I hand washed and air dried. And I enjoy the fresh smell after they are dried. And well it's just a whole lot easier.

Good luck!!

I'm apparently in the minority as well I've found that my Frederick's of Hollywood bras, in addition to fitting as well or better than Le Mystere and Wacoal (and costing half as much) will wash and dry. (I use the handwash cycle for 4 minutes - nothing but bras, then I make sure all the cups are in their proper place, and tumble dry for 15-20 minutes with only the bras in the dryer.) My oldest 4 bras are a year old and still look pretty good. (I'm a 34-36 DD and wear full. . .uhm. . .structural garmets, so to speak.) Of course, I've still got a couple of Wacoals that I wear, and they've held up pretty good.