Shorten Simple Straps

What you will learn

• Marking a strap length on the body
• Detaching a strap
• Reattaching securely

Materials and tools

• Garment
• Seam ripper
• Pins
• Chalk
• Matching thread
• Hand-sewing needle, sharps size 8
• Iron and board
• Measuring tape

Before you start

• Put on the garment with the bra or underlayer you will wear with it.

1. Stand in front of a mirror. Pull one strap up until the top sits where you want it. Check that the neckline and armhole lie flat. Pin the strap at the new position, and have a helper check the back.
2. Take the garment off and measure how much the strap was shortened. Check the second strap against it. Both must match.
3. Turn the garment inside out. Find where the strap is attached, at the back or the front. Look at how it is sewn: it may be folded into a seam or attached with a few lines of stitching.
4. Use the seam ripper to open the stitching at the attachment point, about 1 in (2.5 cm) on each side. Take care not to cut the strap or garment.
5. Slide the strap out, move it by the amount you need, and pin it at the new position. Do not trim the extra strap yet.
6. Baste the strap in place with a few long stitches, then try on the garment. Check that the strap stays on the shoulder and the top lies flat. A strap that has been shortened too much pulls the neckline.

7. When the fit is confirmed, sew the strap with small backstitches, 1/8 in (3 mm) long, stitching back and forth over the old line at least twice. Make the stitching strong, since straps carry weight.
8. Trim the extra strap to 1/2 in (12 mm) and turn it under or secure the cut end with zigzag or overcasting. Tack it flat.
9. Press carefully with a pressing cloth. Repeat on the second strap.

Tips for a neat result

• Straps that are adjustable already can be changed with the slider. Use this method only for fixed straps.
• Sew each strap with the same number of stitches, so they match.

Common mistakes and fixes

Check your result

• Both straps are the same length and sit comfortably.
• The neckline lies flat and the stitching is firm.