How to reinforce a heavy coin bra?

Hello Dina,
I just bought a coin costume - really heavy authentic currency.
I bought a new push-up bra and covered it in fabric (thanks for those tips too!) and sewed the bra cover on. The whole bra has stretched a bit, due to the weight of the coins, so I hiked up the straps.

The problem I'm still having is that I feel like the weight of the coins is pulling the cups open (especially during undulations). I'd prefer to keep my shows family oriented! Is there any kind of "surgery" or add-on I can do to the cups without having to start over again?

ANSWER:
The illustration, showing the inside of the bra, shows how I reinforced the bra I used as a base for a heavy coin cover. It's from Book #5, Tribal Toppings for Bellydancers.

I hand-sewed dress boning along the top edge and center of each cup, so the bra can't move or bend. (Of course, it's easier to do this BEFORE adding the coin cover!!)

If you use the type of boning that consists of a plastic strip inside a cotton casing, pull out the plastic first. Sew the casing inside the cups, leaving one end open, then insert the plastic and close the end. Make sure to sew the casing along its edges only, so the inside is open for the plastic to fit into.

I fold the ends of the casing, sew them very securely and cover them with an extra strip of twill tape to make sure the boning doesn't poke through (painful!) I also trim the ends of the plastic into a rounded rather than a sharp square shape, so it's less likely to work its way through the casing, or cut the threads.

If the casing is put in BEFORE you cover the bra, you can sew through all layers of the bra, which is easier than sewing into the lining only. You can wait until the bra cover is done to insert the plastic and secure the ends of the casing. That way it's easier to cover the bra, because it's more flexible before the boning is inserted.

There's also a fibrous sew-through type of boning without a casing. This is harder to sew directly into a bra because of the stiffness, but there's no chance of it working its way out of a casing. It's even more important to round the corners and cover them well, otherwise they will be sharp.

A second strap, as shown, helps distribute the weight and and support the cup. It could connect to the main strap as shown, or be parallel to it. Use a sturdy grosgrain ribbon, twill tape, or strip of interfacing and cover it with fabric, trim or coins to match the rest of the bra.

I use felt to line the back neck strap, so it's more comfortable.

Dina Lydia
Costume Goddess

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