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| Imperfections Can Be Beautiful |
A mastectomy without reconstruction requires
some clever underwear to look normal. Mastectomy bras are available for
purchase at a high price, but they may not be the style you like. Many look
Victorian and fit up around the neck, while others are itchy fabrics. Revising a purchased bra gives you a better selection and more choice of styles. You may also find the price worth the effort. The Fruit of the Loom bra shown here is about $8 in 2014, compared to $80 for a mastectomy bra.
You can choose a bra you like and turn it into a mastectomy
bra in a few easy steps. You’ll need a straight-stitch sewing machine and
ordinary sewing supplies, along with a purchased bra and a fabric square or
squares the size of the bra cups. You’ll need two squares of fabric for a
double mastectomy bra and just one for a single left or right side. A soft knit
fabric seems to work best for the cup pocket that holds a prosthetic breast.
Wash the bra and the fabric you plan to use for the lining
or pocket the way you normally launder bras, using the same water temperature
and drying in the dryer, if you dry your bras. This allows the bra to shrink
before you start sewing.
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| Wash and Dry Bra and Fabric for Inside Pocket |
Lay the purchased bra on a flat surface with the inside
facing you. Choose the side you need to revise and place the fabric square
along the top edge of the band (bottom of the bra), with the edge of the square folded under about 5/8 inch. Make certain your fabric square will fit all areas of the cup.
Determine where you want the opening pocket for the
prosthesis to slide in place. Most purchased bras have the opening on the side
near the arm, but opening at the top keeps the prosthetic in place and makes
the underarm area of the bra smoother. If you choose the side for the opening,
leave the side and part of the underarm seam open or your prosthesis might not fit.
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| Pin the Fabric in Place Starting at Center of Bra |
Trim the bottom edge about 5/8 inch longer than the bra and fold the bottom edge under 5/8 inch and pin it in place above the elastic band.
Trim the arm side and the top edge of the fabric
individually and pin the fabric piece in place all around the bra cup. You want
it to be flat and smooth, not cupped like the front surface. (If you've had a double mastectomy, unpin and use the fabric to make a mirror image with another fabric square by placing right side to right side and cutting the shape. Pin the fabric back in place.)
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| Continue Pinning Clockwise Around the Cup Edge |
Unpin the side you want to leave open for the pocket, but
don’t unfold the edge. Stitch along the open edge with your sewing machine
straight stitch with thread the same color as the bra. This gives the open edge a finished seam and some structure. Pin the edge back in
place.
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| Stitch Around the Bra Leaving an Opening for the Prosthesis |
Starting at the top center of the bra, sew with a straight stitch where you’ve pinned the fabric
down to connect the lining fabric to the bra. Turn the garment and stitch around the bottom, making sure you're stitching above the elastic.Stitch three sides of the
edge of the bra cup where you’ve pinned the fabric, leaving the opening at the
location on the cup that you’ve chosen.
Trim the threads and try the prosthesis into the opening. (Repeat
the process for the other side if you have a double mastectomy.)
Save money and put your sewing skills to work with an easy revision to a purchased bra. Once you learn this technique, you'll be able to revise any ordinary bra to fit your new body shape.
See you next time!
Linda
cajunC
http://www.cajunc.com
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| Stitching Shows A Little from Front |
Save money and put your sewing skills to work with an easy revision to a purchased bra. Once you learn this technique, you'll be able to revise any ordinary bra to fit your new body shape.
See you next time!
Linda
cajunC
http://www.cajunc.com
