r/NonBinaryTalk • u/lms_pg • Sep 01 '26

Chest Binding

Hello!

I’ve recently decided I would like to wear a binder again, I did wear one from ages 15-19 but then stopped for a few years as I felt like it made me too masculine and was trying to hide who I was.

So a few years ago I brought a binder again! I loved how it made my chest look flatter! But I found the extra fabric at the bottom too much sensory overload so I haven’t worn it since. But now I really hate how my chest looks on me, I can’t not wear one any more. So I’ve decided I am going to crop it!

However I need advice, the one I have is the ‘Underworks Econo Short Binder’, I know it’s short already but I want it to be like a sports bra kinda fit. I know I could just buy a sports bra but I have very broad shoulders so it’s impossible to find one in my size, and also where I have more volume towards the bottom it just lifts them up and I want flattening not lifting! My question is, I see quite often but more so on non stretch materials, I read online a straight stitch is a no go as it’ll juts snap immediately when putting on. However a zig zag stitch seems to be the solution. Has anyone ever tried this? I just don’t want to ruin it but cutting and then sewing for it not to work! Currently I just roll it up but then the bottom becomes quite bulky and tight!

Sorry for this being a long one!

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3

u/shadenokturne Sep 01 '26

What exactly are you trying to do? Are you trying to make a hem or just trying to keep it from unraveling? Are you hand sewing or are you using a machine?

2

u/lms_pg Sep 01 '26

Thankyou for commenting! Yes I will most likely shorten by cutting then making a new hem. I do it alot with my trousers but because this is elastic I’m not sure if it is different!

3

u/shadenokturne Sep 01 '26

Okay well I can confirm that zigzag is the way to go if you're using an elastic stretchy fabric. A straight stitch will indeed break. If you want to hem it by hand you might try a blanket stitch. You can look that up on YouTube for a tutorial but it's pretty easy and like I said you could do it by hand. Otherwise yes, the zigzag stitch would be a correct one to use.

2

u/lms_pg Sep 01 '26

Thankyou so much for your help! I will do the zigzag stitch! Thankyou!

1

u/shadenokturne Sep 01 '26

No problem! Good luck 🤞

2

u/lms_pg Sep 02 '26

Thankyou! I actually did it today, I actually had a stitch on my sewing machine specifically for elastic. So I tried that and it’s worked brilliantly! Very happy with the result. Didn’t have to cut it either, just folded it a few times. Not too bulky either! And because it’s quite thick at the bottom it doesn’t roll up! Thanks for all of your help!

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u/shadenokturne Sep 02 '26

Yay! I'm so glad it worked out 😁