How to Make a Bra Purse
Choose a padded, underwire bra., Cut the straps off., Cut the bra cups apart at the center., Choose a fringe for the bottom trim., Glue the trim to the underwire., Glue the other bra cup on top., Decorate your bra further., Choose a final trim for...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Choose a padded
Most people find that a B or C cup works best.
A strapless bra, or a bra with removable straps, will give you less work and a nicer finish in the end.The bra doesn't have to be new, but it should be clean and in good condition.
Avoid push-up bras.
They have too much padding, and you won't have enough room inside. -
Step 2: underwire bra.
Use a pair of fabric scissors to cut the back straps off.
Follow the curve of the wire so that no straight edges remain.
If your bra has removable shoulder straps, unhook them now.
If your bra has regular shoulder straps, cut them off at the seam., Most bras will have a little tab in the middle connecting the two cups.
You will need to cut this off for a smoother finish.
Once again, follow the curve of the underwire so that the connecting material does not show.
Discard the little tab you just cut off. , While not completely necessary, this can take your bra purse to the next level by making it look more like a purse and less like a bra.
Choose some ribbon, beaded fringe, or tassel fringe, and measure it along the underwire.
Cut the trim to fit.
You can use the same color as your bra or a nice coordinating color. , Flip one of your bra cups over so that the inside is facing you.
Draw a line of hot glue or fabric glue along the underwire.
Quickly press the hem of the fringe into the glue.
Make sure that the tassel part of the fringe is sticking out from under the bra cup. , Draw another line of glue along the other cup's underwire.
Place the two cups together.
Make sure that they align, then pinch your fingers along the bottom of both cups, sealing them together. , You can attach extras, such as lace, appliqués, or bows to your bra purse using hot glue or fabric glue.
You can also stitch them on by hand using a needle and thread.
For a fancier touch, glue a ruffled trim along the top each of each bra cup.
Layer your trim.
Glue down some ruffled lace trim first, then glue down some skinny ribbon along the top hem.
Cut embroidered or bridal lace trim into shapes, and use those as appliqués.
Don't get too carried away.
Less is often times more! , Choose a thin, decorative trim, such as rickrack, braided cording, or sequins.
Measure it across the bottom/underwire of your purse.
Double the length, then cut the trim accordingly. , Draw a line of glue along the bottom edge of the purse, right along the underwire.
Press the final trim into the glue.
Flip the bra purse over, and finish gluing the trim on the other side., A ribbon closure works great with a bra purse because of how dainty and feminine it is.
Velcro closures are more practical, but less pretty.
Choose one of the closure methods from below for your purse. , Cut two pieces of skinny ribbon.
Heat seal both ends by holding them near a flame until the raw edges melt.
Glue the end of one ribbon to the top-center of one bra cup.
Repeat with the other ribbon for the other bra cup.
Tie the ribbons together into a bow to close the purse.
For extra security, tie a small knot into the end of each ribbon first.
Glue the knot to the inside of the purse., Buy some self-adhesive Velcro dots.
Get white if you have a light colored bra or black if you have a dark colored bra.
Peel off two matching dots, then stick them to the inside of each bra cup along the top-center edge.Sometimes, self-adhesive Velcro dots don't stick very well.
If they keep falling off, use hot glue or fabric glue to attach them instead. , Get two flat, silver-colored magnets.
These magnets are much stronger than the typical black ones.
Glue each magnet to the top-center inside edge of each bra cup.
Measure across the top edge of your bra purse, and cut two pieces of ribbon according to that length.
Coat the back of each ribbon with glue, then stick it to the inside top-edge of each cup.
This will cover the magnet, help it stick better, and give you a nice trim on the inside.
The ribbon needs to be wide enough to cover the magnet. , A closer it not mandatory for a bra purse.
If you don't want a closure, you can leave it off entirely.
This is a great option if you are using your purse to store potpourri. , You can reuse the bra straps, or you can use ribbon, lace, cord, or even a chain.
The options are limitless! Choose one of the options below. , Punch a hole into the top-center of each bra cup.
Set a grommet into each hole using a grommet setter.
Open up two large jump rings, and hook them onto each end of your desired chain.
Slip the jump rings through the grommets, then close them.
Open and close jump rings using needle nose pliers.
Pull the two halves past each other, like a door.
Don't pull them away from each other, like a drawer.
If your chain is big enough, weave a skinny ribbon through the links. , Trim the shoulder straps down to the same length; omit the plastic or metal sliders.
Overlap the ends by ½ inch (1.27 centimeters) and secure with glue.
Glue the other ends to the inside of each cup.
Glue some extra trim around the seam at the strap, where the two shoulder straps connect.,, This is not completely necessary, but it can really take your bra to the next level.
Find two small bows or ribbon roses.
Put a dab or hot glue or fabric glue below each strap, right where it connects with the purse.
Press your bow or flower into the glue.
Use miniature bows or flowers, like the type used to decorate lingerie.
Anything bigger will look tacky. -
Step 3: Cut the straps off.
-
Step 4: Cut the bra cups apart at the center.
-
Step 5: Choose a fringe for the bottom trim.
-
Step 6: Glue the trim to the underwire.
-
Step 7: Glue the other bra cup on top.
-
Step 8: Decorate your bra further.
-
Step 9: Choose a final trim for the bottom.
-
Step 10: Glue the final trim to the purse.
-
Step 11: Decide what sort of closure you want.
-
Step 12: Add a ribbon closure for something dainty and feminine.
-
Step 13: Use Velcro for something more practical.
-
Step 14: Try a magnetic closure.
-
Step 15: Consider skipping the closure altogether.
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Step 16: Choose a strap.
-
Step 17: Use grommets and jump rings to attach chain straps.
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Step 18: Re-use your shoulder straps if you don't want to throw them out.
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Step 19: Consider using some extra trim
-
Step 20: such as ribbon or braided cord.Cut it down to the length you want
-
Step 21: then glue the bottom ½-inch (1.27-centimeter) to the top inside edge of each cup.
-
Step 22: Add a final touch.
Detailed Guide
Most people find that a B or C cup works best.
A strapless bra, or a bra with removable straps, will give you less work and a nicer finish in the end.The bra doesn't have to be new, but it should be clean and in good condition.
Avoid push-up bras.
They have too much padding, and you won't have enough room inside.
Use a pair of fabric scissors to cut the back straps off.
Follow the curve of the wire so that no straight edges remain.
If your bra has removable shoulder straps, unhook them now.
If your bra has regular shoulder straps, cut them off at the seam., Most bras will have a little tab in the middle connecting the two cups.
You will need to cut this off for a smoother finish.
Once again, follow the curve of the underwire so that the connecting material does not show.
Discard the little tab you just cut off. , While not completely necessary, this can take your bra purse to the next level by making it look more like a purse and less like a bra.
Choose some ribbon, beaded fringe, or tassel fringe, and measure it along the underwire.
Cut the trim to fit.
You can use the same color as your bra or a nice coordinating color. , Flip one of your bra cups over so that the inside is facing you.
Draw a line of hot glue or fabric glue along the underwire.
Quickly press the hem of the fringe into the glue.
Make sure that the tassel part of the fringe is sticking out from under the bra cup. , Draw another line of glue along the other cup's underwire.
Place the two cups together.
Make sure that they align, then pinch your fingers along the bottom of both cups, sealing them together. , You can attach extras, such as lace, appliqués, or bows to your bra purse using hot glue or fabric glue.
You can also stitch them on by hand using a needle and thread.
For a fancier touch, glue a ruffled trim along the top each of each bra cup.
Layer your trim.
Glue down some ruffled lace trim first, then glue down some skinny ribbon along the top hem.
Cut embroidered or bridal lace trim into shapes, and use those as appliqués.
Don't get too carried away.
Less is often times more! , Choose a thin, decorative trim, such as rickrack, braided cording, or sequins.
Measure it across the bottom/underwire of your purse.
Double the length, then cut the trim accordingly. , Draw a line of glue along the bottom edge of the purse, right along the underwire.
Press the final trim into the glue.
Flip the bra purse over, and finish gluing the trim on the other side., A ribbon closure works great with a bra purse because of how dainty and feminine it is.
Velcro closures are more practical, but less pretty.
Choose one of the closure methods from below for your purse. , Cut two pieces of skinny ribbon.
Heat seal both ends by holding them near a flame until the raw edges melt.
Glue the end of one ribbon to the top-center of one bra cup.
Repeat with the other ribbon for the other bra cup.
Tie the ribbons together into a bow to close the purse.
For extra security, tie a small knot into the end of each ribbon first.
Glue the knot to the inside of the purse., Buy some self-adhesive Velcro dots.
Get white if you have a light colored bra or black if you have a dark colored bra.
Peel off two matching dots, then stick them to the inside of each bra cup along the top-center edge.Sometimes, self-adhesive Velcro dots don't stick very well.
If they keep falling off, use hot glue or fabric glue to attach them instead. , Get two flat, silver-colored magnets.
These magnets are much stronger than the typical black ones.
Glue each magnet to the top-center inside edge of each bra cup.
Measure across the top edge of your bra purse, and cut two pieces of ribbon according to that length.
Coat the back of each ribbon with glue, then stick it to the inside top-edge of each cup.
This will cover the magnet, help it stick better, and give you a nice trim on the inside.
The ribbon needs to be wide enough to cover the magnet. , A closer it not mandatory for a bra purse.
If you don't want a closure, you can leave it off entirely.
This is a great option if you are using your purse to store potpourri. , You can reuse the bra straps, or you can use ribbon, lace, cord, or even a chain.
The options are limitless! Choose one of the options below. , Punch a hole into the top-center of each bra cup.
Set a grommet into each hole using a grommet setter.
Open up two large jump rings, and hook them onto each end of your desired chain.
Slip the jump rings through the grommets, then close them.
Open and close jump rings using needle nose pliers.
Pull the two halves past each other, like a door.
Don't pull them away from each other, like a drawer.
If your chain is big enough, weave a skinny ribbon through the links. , Trim the shoulder straps down to the same length; omit the plastic or metal sliders.
Overlap the ends by ½ inch (1.27 centimeters) and secure with glue.
Glue the other ends to the inside of each cup.
Glue some extra trim around the seam at the strap, where the two shoulder straps connect.,, This is not completely necessary, but it can really take your bra to the next level.
Find two small bows or ribbon roses.
Put a dab or hot glue or fabric glue below each strap, right where it connects with the purse.
Press your bow or flower into the glue.
Use miniature bows or flowers, like the type used to decorate lingerie.
Anything bigger will look tacky.
About the Author
Roy King
A seasoned expert in education and learning, Roy King combines 5 years of experience with a passion for teaching. Roy's guides are known for their clarity and practical value.
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