How do I fix broken stays in a bustier?
February 10, 2010 8:13 AM Subscribe
One of the stays on my bustier has popped out. How can I repair it?
I've got a bustier that I use with low backed or halter top dresses, but one of the metal stays has torn a small hole through the fabric enclosing it, such that it comes up out of its enclosure and pokes me on the underside of my breast when I try to wear it (ow!). Attempts to hand stitch the hole shut have failed (the stay just pops through it).
Is this something that can be repaired at home? If not, can a regular tailor do it, or does it need to go to someone who specializes in this kind of garment? Or is this like the underwire popping out on a bra, where I'm better off just replacing it? (I hope not; it was expensive, and I've only worn it twice!)
I've got a bustier that I use with low backed or halter top dresses, but one of the metal stays has torn a small hole through the fabric enclosing it, such that it comes up out of its enclosure and pokes me on the underside of my breast when I try to wear it (ow!). Attempts to hand stitch the hole shut have failed (the stay just pops through it).
Is this something that can be repaired at home? If not, can a regular tailor do it, or does it need to go to someone who specializes in this kind of garment? Or is this like the underwire popping out on a bra, where I'm better off just replacing it? (I hope not; it was expensive, and I've only worn it twice!)
Is there something that you could cover the stay with so that it doesn't keep popping out? I know what you're describing and it sounds like if you put a hot glue bead on top and let it dry, then resewed by hand the sharpness would be gone and it wouldn't be as likely to poke through again.
posted by amicamentis at 8:58 AM on February 10, 2010
posted by amicamentis at 8:58 AM on February 10, 2010
Response by poster: I'm going to call the place where I got it and see what they can do for me.
And the hot glue idea is a good one. While duct tape might work, I don't think it would be good for the fabric.
posted by ocherdraco at 9:29 AM on February 10, 2010
And the hot glue idea is a good one. While duct tape might work, I don't think it would be good for the fabric.
posted by ocherdraco at 9:29 AM on February 10, 2010
You can buy fusible interfacing at any fabric store and use it to patch the hole. Just buy the smallest amount you can, cut out a circle a little larger than the hole, and then use an iron to fuse it to the fabric. It comes in black and white, usually. You can stitch around the circle by hand for extra stability. This is what we do in the theater costume shops where I work.
posted by apricot at 10:31 AM on February 10, 2010
posted by apricot at 10:31 AM on February 10, 2010
If you've only worn it twice I'd take it back to the shop to see what they can do.
Otherwise, if you have decent sewing skills you could buy some coutil or cotton duck and, sew a patch over the worn boning channel if its on the inside. You could also try filing down the bone so it is just a bit shorter, to relieve some of the pressure on the fabric and/or try wrapping the end of the bone with something soft (ribbon, floss, etc) before sewing everything back up. Also, you might want to look at the corset makers group on livejournal to see if there are other solutions.
posted by squeak at 10:54 AM on February 10, 2010
Otherwise, if you have decent sewing skills you could buy some coutil or cotton duck and, sew a patch over the worn boning channel if its on the inside. You could also try filing down the bone so it is just a bit shorter, to relieve some of the pressure on the fabric and/or try wrapping the end of the bone with something soft (ribbon, floss, etc) before sewing everything back up. Also, you might want to look at the corset makers group on livejournal to see if there are other solutions.
posted by squeak at 10:54 AM on February 10, 2010
Fusible interfacing is pretty "rip-py," though, apricot. I have a hard time believing it will hold up not without some other fabric alongside it. I've had this happen to any number of bras (ugh).
I think squeak's solution (ditto putting a bit of padding on the end of it) plus perhaps sewing a tiny piece of thin plastic behind the fabric (bit of gallon milk jug) might do the trick. The plastic will help keep the metal boning wire from forcing its way through the fabric again but it's washable and can be stitched through to keep it in place. I used to use it as a stiffener for some other theatre costume pieces.
posted by bitter-girl.com at 11:01 AM on February 10, 2010
I think squeak's solution (ditto putting a bit of padding on the end of it) plus perhaps sewing a tiny piece of thin plastic behind the fabric (bit of gallon milk jug) might do the trick. The plastic will help keep the metal boning wire from forcing its way through the fabric again but it's washable and can be stitched through to keep it in place. I used to use it as a stiffener for some other theatre costume pieces.
posted by bitter-girl.com at 11:01 AM on February 10, 2010
The woven kind of fusible interfacing is more substantial. I should have specified. The knit kind is definitely too tear-prone.
posted by apricot at 12:38 PM on February 10, 2010
posted by apricot at 12:38 PM on February 10, 2010
Best answer: I've been fixing this sort of thing for a good long while and my preferred method is - darn the hole and darn it good. Really really good. Then apply a layer of superglue or nail polish - hot glue might work but since you've already over-darned the hole and made it kinda nubby, you don't want a glob of glue on there too. For extra security (i.e. weightbearing struts in bustiers) I would do the patch/interfacing + darning + superglue.
It does depend on where it's busting through - is it a seam or a flat bit that's worn through? Seam busting is somewhat easier to fix but means there's an underlying issue with how the weight is distributed so it may keep doing it. If it's more of a worn hole through a flat bit, it's probably just been an unlucky wear and the fix should stick.
posted by geek anachronism at 2:51 PM on February 10, 2010
It does depend on where it's busting through - is it a seam or a flat bit that's worn through? Seam busting is somewhat easier to fix but means there's an underlying issue with how the weight is distributed so it may keep doing it. If it's more of a worn hole through a flat bit, it's probably just been an unlucky wear and the fix should stick.
posted by geek anachronism at 2:51 PM on February 10, 2010
Response by poster: For what it's worth, I removed the offending stays (another popped out after I wrote this) for immediate wear, and am now following geek anachronism's advice about darning.
posted by ocherdraco at 12:15 PM on March 12, 2010
posted by ocherdraco at 12:15 PM on March 12, 2010
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posted by hot soup girl at 8:49 AM on February 10, 2010