Let’s move on from cooking to practical home repairs! Bras are expensive and most often break in two places: the underwire comes out or the straps pull out.

There is one trick that seamstresses use to make the repair not just temporary, but to make the bra hold better than new. Here is the “secret” method:

⚡ The “tunnel tape” trick (or a piece of strong ribbon)
Most people simply tuck the underwire back in and sew the hole up. But the underwire is sharp and in a week it’s out again.

What you will need:

Needle and strong thread (ideally in the color of the bra)
A piece of strong satin ribbon or, even better, a patch from the pharmacy (fabric)
Clear nail polish
Procedure: Repairing a protruding underwire
Securing the underwire: Tuck the underwire back in. If its end is sharp, coat it with clear nail polish or put a drop of superglue on it. This will create a smooth “cap” that won’t cut through the fabric as quickly.
Reinforcing from the inside: This is where the trick comes in. Don’t just sew the holes. Take a small square of strong ribbon (or a strong fabric patch) and place it over the hole.


Thick “entling” stitch: Sew the ribbon to the bra with very thick stitches close together (so-called satin stitch). You are not just sewing up a hole, but creating a new, solid barrier through which the underwire will not pass.
Final safety precaution: Once you have sewn it up, go over the area with nail polish (from the inside). The fabric will harden and the underwire will no longer move.
What if the straps are pulled out?
If your bra is not holding up and the straps are at their maximum, just shortening them will not help.

Peer tip: If the elastic in the straps is already “tired”, sew a narrow cotton ribbon to the inside of the straps. It does not stretch, so the strap will not stretch further and the bra will have the necessary support again.

Table: When to repair and when to throw it away?
Problem Solution Verdict
Underwire is sticking out Trick with ribbon and polish Fix it!
Broken underwire Replace with a new underwire (can be purchased at a haberdashery) Fix it!
Stretched circumference Shortening of the fastening (moving the hooks) Fix it!
Ruined cup (pressed out) Thermal deformation cannot be reversed Throw it away.
Do you have a problem with underwires, or are you annoyed by falling straps? If you want, I can advise you on how to make an “invisible” bra under a backless dress from an old bra!