Covered straps are a luxury feature that can elevate any design. They are actually very simple to make, once you know how!
When drafting our latest sewing pattern, the Oly bra, I didn't have any bra strap elastic to match the salmon pink fabric I was using, but I did have some elastic that had spent a bit too long in the dye bath for a previous project. This was a great opportunity for me to make some covered straps to match!
1. Cut your fabric
I cut my fabric 1.5x the length of my bra strap; for a more ruched strap cut the fabric longer.
My elastic was 1cm wide so I cut my fabric 3cm wide.
It is important to cut the fabric on the bias as this will give the strap some give and will sit nicely over the elastic.
2. Sew the fabric
Fold the fabric in half lengthways, right sides together and stitch the full length of the piece with a 5mm seam allowance. Trim the excess seam allowance to 2mm.
Depending on the fabric you use, you might want to sew a small row of zigzag to prevent fraying.
3. Turn through
Using either a rouleau maker/loop turner or your preferred method, turn the strap all the way through so the raw edges are hidden, then press flat. I usually use a bobby pin by snipping a hole at one end, threading my bobby pin through the hole and then passing it down through the tube to turn the strap through.
4. Insert the elastic
Carefully push the elastic through the channel. I attach my bobby pin to the end to have something to hold on to and to prevent losing the strap end.
5. Stitch to secure
Once you have fully inserted the elastic, stitch a couple of rows of straight stitch at each end to secure the strap. This is when you can adjust how much of a ruched effect your strap has, trimming any extra if it is too ruched for your taste.
Now you can attach your strap to your garment as you normally would.
Overall, I am happy with how my covered straps look on my Oly bra. I made a matching pair of skimpy french knickers so this will make a really lovely sleep set.
Have you every tried making covered bra straps? Would you try making them in the future?
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