The Fat Nurse’s Guide to… Adding straps to a strapless top.

Post featured on the Skorch Blog!

Okay, so the time has come! Last night I decided to finally sew some straps on my jumpsuit I got from Jen’s Fashion Plus. If you have a strapless top and you’re struggling, like I was, to keep it over your boobs – be it too big or too small – here’s a short tutorial of the method I used.

I was thinking about making it a halter top but the back was also struggling to stay up, so instead of making two “normal” straps I used an idea from a dress I already own. I sewed two bits of ribbon at the front and two at the back, with the intention of tying the same sides together to make straps with a pretty bow. That meant that I could choose how tight I wanted the straps to be, or even make it a halter neck if I really wanted.

First, I got some ribbon from the local market, I thought black with white spots would fit the kinda army/nautical theme that I think matches the jumpsuit. I got 1.5metres I think. I cut the ribbon in to four equal pieces. NOTE: DO NOT DO THAT. You will want the back pieces to be longer than the front pieces or it can be a pain in the ass to tie. It’s fine and I can do it, but in future I’d make the back straps about 5cm-10cm longer than the front straps. I have learned. And hey, if it’s such a nightmare to tie you can always get someone else to tie it for you ;)

DIY

I then sewed over the edge of the bit I cut that I wanted to attach to the inside of the top. It’s messy but it will stop it from fraying and you can’t see it anyway.

DIY

At this point, Chloe thought it was an awesome idea to attack the ribbon. Note: Do not utilise a cat’s aid in this project.

Chloe

After that, I put the jumpsuit on and pinned where I wanted the straps to be on the front. I then layed it flat and pinned where I wanted them to be on the back so they lined up. Then I simply sewed it to the inside of the top, using dark thread and small stitches on the outside, this is what the inside looks like.. Messy, yes, but it will stay in place firmly. I went over all four sides, especially the top part sewing it right to the edge of the suit, so that it appeared seamless and didn’t roll down and show my messy stitching.

DIY

And this is the outside.. Repeat the above step 3 more times and you have added straps!

DIY

And some pictures of the finished edit.

DIY

DIY

DIY

DIY

If you tuck the back straps in you can wear it as a halter like this, I don’t think I will though.
DIY


Jumpsuit @ Jen’s Fashion Plus.
Leggings @ Yours.

Aaand here is a better picture of the DP dress from yesterday:
Lace Ruffle Dress

Close-up
Lace Ruffle Dress


Dress @ Dorothy Perkins
Leggings @ Yours.

And some orange nails!
China Glaze Cruisin'
China Glaze, Cruisin’.

Crossposted to FATSHIONISTA

14 Comments

  1. Posted March 12, 2010 at 12:56 PM | Permalink

    Fantastic idea to customise – means you have a unique outfit!

    • Fat Nurse
      Posted March 12, 2010 at 12:57 PM | Permalink

      Yeah! And I’m trying to wear these leggings at every opportunity too, I have yet to find the perfect combination but hopefully I will do :(

  2. Amanda
    Posted March 12, 2010 at 5:03 PM | Permalink

    Love the ribbons – Nicely done! (I’ve also learned that cats like to “help” with changing guitar strings – such useful creatures, those.)

    • Fat Nurse
      Posted March 12, 2010 at 5:05 PM | Permalink

      Thank you! My cat seems to want to be involved with everything she shouldn’t be, I can imagine guitar strings would make your kitty feel useful :P

  3. Ankaret
    Posted March 12, 2010 at 5:35 PM | Permalink

    Wow, that is awesome. Now if only the weather would turn warm enough for strappy tops…

    • Fat Nurse
      Posted March 12, 2010 at 5:36 PM | Permalink

      Here’s hoping. It’s raining here today :( Not looking too bright.

  4. Pat Swift
    Posted March 12, 2010 at 6:34 PM | Permalink

    You are so cute and so talented….How great are you!!

    • Fat Nurse
      Posted March 12, 2010 at 6:37 PM | Permalink

      And you are very complimentary. Thank you :)

  5. Posted March 12, 2010 at 10:08 PM | Permalink

    Great job Devon! I love it and you’re soooooo gorgeous!!!! :)

    • Fat Nurse
      Posted March 12, 2010 at 11:29 PM | Permalink

      Thank you Jen <3 I made it tutorial style so that if anyone else wants to buy it but they have small boobs they can alter it too! Can't wait to start wearing it now actually :D

  6. Alyssa
    Posted March 13, 2010 at 5:34 AM | Permalink

    Wow- I LOVE what you did to the jumpsuit!!!

    You look absolutely adorable <3

    • Fat Nurse
      Posted March 13, 2010 at 11:57 AM | Permalink

      Aww thank you!

  7. Posted March 13, 2010 at 6:58 PM | Permalink

    This is an awesome idea that I never would’ve thought of. I don’t buy strapless things because I can’t seem to get them to stay where I want but I might have to try this. I loooove that jumper!

    • Fat Nurse
      Posted March 13, 2010 at 8:35 PM | Permalink

      Aw thanks! You should definitely do it, I will in future too!


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