Does anyone have any suggestions for the repair of underwire bras when the wire starts poking through the fabric? I have tried hand-sewing them but they just poke through quickly all over again. Also, any suggestions for keeping this problem from occurring in the first place? Bras are too expensive to discard after a few months of use!
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Those wires are mostly just cut off with a machine, not treated on the ends, and sometimes not even rounded on the corners, so they will poke through, and then you will buy more...end of story. But if you insist and want to get your moneys worth, no matter if it's already damaged (like I do), then push the wire as far back as possible, and hand sew it in place just like you were mending a hole right at the end of the wire so it can't move at all. Then of course mend the first hole. The movement of the wire and our body creates the chances of the hole beginning. Quick fix, keep a piece of suede leather around to hot glue a patch on it, if you're a pro with a thimble, maybe it could be sewn onto the bra hole, colored patches can be found at craft stores. Good luck.
I am wearing the right size (professionally fitted once a year, every year), wash in delicate, hang to dry, and they still poke out. But it is usually with the less expensive ones, I must say. I find that Olga bras don't do it. But I still have to contend with the ones that do! NEVER buy Naomi&Nicole - what crap!
I like the idea of using the fleece. Years ago I had only 2 or 3 bras at any one time that fit fairly well. When a wire would poke thru, I pushed it back in, covered the hole with a piece of wide elastic, wrapping it front to back over the edge of the bra. (Mine usually poked thru under the arm.) Then I handstitched this in place. The wire couldn't poke thru the elastic.
Now that I am older, er, have more life experience, I wash the bras in a bag on the delicate cycle and then hang them to dry. Haven't had a "poker" in quite a while.
I was teaching one day, & my under wire poked out & came out my collar. That was hard to explain! I now don't buy under wire bras. I did hear that the under wires might contribute to cancer.
Wow! Great tips. I have a very expensive bra that I bought at a lingerie store, had professionally fitted, yet it is the ONLY bra I've owned that had the underwire poke through. I believe it's because my other bras had a rounded end to the underwire, whereas this bra's underwire was sharp and not rounded. So this dispells the claim that an expensive professionally fitted bra will eliminate the problem.
I love the bra otherwise, and will try some of the tips posted here. Thanks!
You may not believe this, I know I didn't when I saw and heard it.
The life span of a bra is only three months. I know; could have knocked me over with a feather. I ware mine for years.
My son and I were watching that show 'How It's Made' and they were showing how bras were made and everything, and that's what they said, the life of a bra worn on average everyday is only three months.
I only ware bras with under-wire and I never put mine in the drier. Over the years I've had a few that the wire poked through, they were either very old or very inexpensive.
Sometimes I would take needle and thread and try to close the hole up where it poked through, usually it only held for a few warings before it poked through again.
I wrap the tip of the wire with a bit of duct tape and then stuff it back in...and handstitch it closed. I find that even handwashing and hanging bras to dry doesn't always help. Sometimes I think it's because the end of the wire wasn't filed properly during the manufacturing process.
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Request: How do I keep bra underwire from poking out?
Archived on 08/15/2008
Almost every bra that I have owned has done this. After a month or so of wearing it, the underwire on the left one always starts to poke through the fabric, (on the inside part where the front of my chest is.) And it hurts like the dickens! I've tried sewing them up and it never works. I've adjusted my bra different ways. I've tried different sizes (36A to 34/36B) and it STILL happens! Even the Victoria's Secret ones! I have to have the underwire ones, but I'm tired of spending money on bras, but I gotta have em!
josmith
Answers:
RE: How do I keep bra underwire from poking out?
Do you put your bras in the dryer? I have found that since I stopped doing that, and hung them up to dry instead, that they last a lot longer (and the underwires don't poke out anymore!). (02/02/2005)
By El
RE: How do I keep bra underwire from poking out?
You can either use a fabric glue or sew the fabric back together. (02/02/2005)
I was told by a person that fits bras at one of the large department stores, that it is because you are wearing the wrong size bra. Go to a department store where they are trained to find your correct size. The one I went too was able to just look at me and tell what size I should wear. She told me she had over 20 years of experience. (02/02/2005)
By Debbie
RE: How do I keep bra underwire from poking out?
Have you tried having your size checked at the department stores? They will measure you and tell you if you are getting correct size. This is important. (02/02/2005)
By BJ
RE: How do I keep bra underwire from poking out?
I stopped wearing underwires and go with a good support bra instead. Cheaper and way more comfy! But not nearly as sexy. But I've been married awhile and my husband can just live with it! LOL! Actually, I keep one black underwire for special occasions. He's happy and I'm comfy the rest of the time!
Heather (02/02/2005)
My daughter had this problem until I ripped the side seam and pulled the wire out cut it off about 1/2 inch, rounded it, filed it to make it smooth, put it back in and sewed right next to the part that was cut out and then sewed up the side. Now that she is in college and she doesn't buy those type, she buys the ones with a more firm cup, it seems to work for her. RoseMary
(02/03/2005)
By Rose Mary
RE: How do I keep bra underwire from poking out?
First of all, wash your bras separately in a delicate cycle and in cold water. Secondly, never put them in the dryer. Thirdly, size has a great deal to do with it; sometimes just being fit for the correct size by a professional in a department or specialty store helps. I have noticed, too, that if you buy the higher end bras that tend to be substantially more expensive, the underwire is enclosed in padding. I realize that the expense may seem frivolous, but think about it; if you buy a more expensive one and don't have to replace it for five or six years, it winds up being significantly cheaper in the long run.
Keep your eyes peeled, too. Several times a year, various brands have big sales at department stores, and sometimes you can get one for free, or get them for a significant discount. Look for discontinued colors, too. They are often reduced to less than half. The support and durability of a more expensive bra more than compensate for the cost in the long run. Also, use a special lingerie wash. They are designed to be less harsh on the elastic, etc. Before I had my own washer, I used to wash my bras in the bathroom sink once a week. I just hung them up to dry on hangers on the shower door. (03/17/2005)
I love lingerie. And sometimes the prettiest and most expensive bras are cheaply made, so I have had this problem a lot. I can offer a quick comfort fix, if it is important for you to wear a bra a bit longer, or before you can repair it.
Rip an eraser out of the bottom of a pencil. I put a touch of super glue on the end of the wire.. and then jam the little sucker on there. works every time. (06/22/2005)
By designisaverb
RE: How do I keep bra underwire from poking out?
Soft & Strong, fleece fabric is the answer: The easiest & most comfortable fix is to buy about 1/4 of a yard of "Fleece" type of fabric in a color that matches your bra. Then simply cut a piece of this soft fleece fabric & glue it, (with fabric glue) to the underside of your bra. It will be super comfy & will stop any underwire from poking through! The fleece fabric will be soft & pad the underwire. Plus, it's strong enough to wrap around any stray wires, & will NOT ravel or fray like most fabric. (If you have a really nasty wire poking through, you can first wrap or tape a bit of strong duct tape to it, before gluing the fleece to it. But remember, once you've used duct tape, you might as well forget ever washing it!)
* The Fleece will cost about a buck & the fabric glue about $3. (I like the brand that's clear & in a clear bottle because you can wash, dry & dry-clean this brand). So for under 5 dollars you'll have enough to fix all of your bras, both past & future! (09/19/2007)
As a 42H I find it difficult to find a truly well-fitting bra so when I do find one I like, I make it last as long as possible. Wires eventually break for a variety of reasons and replacing them is easy if you can find them in the first place.
I buy mine from www.bramakerssupply.com but I know they are also available at www.sewingchest.co.uk and I am sure there are other suppliers out there. A pair of new wires will cost you around $3 or $4 which is a lot less than the cost of a new bra. These sites also sell replacement hooks, straps, etc. (11/09/2007)
