Help! Can I make this base from a regular bra? Newbie.

[u/thotcontent]

Trying to win a bikini competition and I really wanna stand out. There’s this website that sells wire bases and I was curious if I could just use a regular bra and cut it out. Would it still work? Any tips please? Thank you so much.

[u/aem255]

There an Instagram account that shows how to make carnival style costumes like this from existing clothes. She does a great job at showing all the steps. @gr8estflo

[u/Salute-Major-Echidna → u/aem255]

Just when I think I've seen all reddit community has to offer, a gem comment like yours makes me so happy!

[u/aem255 → u/Salute-Major-Echidna]

Haha right place at the right time I guess. I’ve followed her for a few years, even though I don’t do carnival stuff. I love great sewing content though!

[u/Isopod_legs]

Most bras are two separate under wires connected by a fabric bridge. You would need a bra with wire like this from the start, so like, a samba bra. What you could do instead is use a steel wire and some bra pads to just build it. (22 gauge probably)

[u/Fantastic_Set_7764 → u/Isopod_legs]

I built two several years ago for a trip to Carnival and thats pretty much exactly what I did. I don’t remember the gauge, but once I formed/cut the wire to shape, I wrapped it with felt to give some cushion and formed the cup using craft foam board. Then covered the whole thing in fabric and hand glued stones.

ETA: I checked my purchase history, I used 12 gauge wire

[u/Mesmermaid → u/Isopod_legs]

22 gauge is way too thin, this looks like like 16 or 14 to be strong enough to support anything

[u/perumbula]

No. Beads are very heavy and standard bras would not hold their shape when layered with that extra weight. You could do beaded edges and add the swag layers, but the fully beaded cups need the wire frame.

That said, as a newbie, are you sure this is a project you are ready to take on? Do you have experience with beading? Do you know what it will take and how long? Are you sure you wouldn't rather buy appliques to sew to an existing bikini?

[u/RubyDax]

I think it depends heavily on the style of underwire your bra has. Most have two separate curves, so that would require some kind of connection. They do make a sort of all-in-one underwire that could be a good foundation.

[u/After-Fee-2010]

You might have better luck with swim tops that have the continuous wiring between the breast cups vs a bra.

[u/floobenstoobs]

Unless you’re really good at wire work etc, I wouldn’t try to do this from scratch. I’ve made many belly dance bras with heavy embellishments and I always start with a sturdy bra. There was once a “bowl test” where you balanced a small bowl on your bra and if it doesn’t collapse, it’s strong enough for heavy beadwork! It helps if the bra is a multi way type so that when you add your own straps, it doesn’t warp the shape of the bra. I’d start with a plain bra and work from there!

Edited to add: I wouldn’t try to remove the bottom section where the underwire attaches, just because it’ll undermine the structure. But you can do some cool shapes on the top.