How to Repair an Underwire Bra

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: September 7, 2022 References Approved

Moleskin Patch

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Fabric Patch

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Sewing

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Q&A

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Tips

Do you have a bra with a protruding underwire? Don't throw the bra away! A protruding underwire is fixable with a few simple items. Decide on which method works best for you based on what you have on hand.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Moleskin Patch

1
Buy moleskin padding. This padding is found in the foot section at drugstores. Most moleskin comes in skin colors, so you may have a harder time matching it to your bra. It's used to pad corns and calluses, but today, you'll use it to fix your bra. A small package will do, as you don't need very much.^{[1]
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2
Cut a strip. Just like with the fabric, you will cut a strip of moleskin large enough to patch the hole.^{[2]
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Research source} You may want it large enough to go over the edge of the bra for more stability. Also, try to round off the corners so the fabric won't poke you.^{[3]
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3
Poke the wire back in. Find the place the wire is sticking out. Push it all the way back in, so you can't see the wire anymore. You may want to cover it up a bit with the fabric from the bra. Just stretch it out a bit and use the one side of the rip to cover it up.^{[4]
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4
Cover up the hole. Peel the paper backing off the moleskin. Put the strip sticky-side down over the hole, and bend it over the edge of the bra if you need to. Smooth it out with your fingers, and the patch is done.^{[6]
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- Make sure you spend some extra time smoothing with the moleskin. The moleskin needs the heat from your skin to really adhere to the fabric.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Fabric Patch

1
Cut a piece of thick canvas or fabric. You'll use this piece of fabric to patch the hole, so it needs to be large enough to cover it. You may want to bend it over the edge of the bra for extra security, so make sure it is big enough to do so.^{[7]
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Research source} You may also want to choose a piece of fabric that's similar in color to your bra. That way, that patch will blend in better.
2
Cut out a piece of fabric adhesive. The adhesive strip should be about the same size as the fabric strip. You can hold the fabric strip up to the canvas to measure it. As you hold it, cut around the strip.^{[8]
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- At the fabric store, you can find packages of two-sided fabric adhesive sheets. Some of these are iron-on, but for this project, using one that doesn't require ironing is better, as it's not a good idea to iron some bras.
3
Back the fabric strip. Peel off one side of the paper backing on the adhesive strip. That will reveal a sticky strip of adhesive. Carefully adhere the strip to the fabric, trying to get it smooth. The other side of the strip should still be backed with paper.^{[9]
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- Once you've got it backed, trim up the edges. Also, round off the corners so that they don't poke you later.
4
Push the wire back in the bra. Hold up your bra where the wire is sticking out. Push the wire all the way back in so that all you see is a hole. Try to cover the end of the wire up with a bit of fabric from the bra by moving it around until it's in a good place.^{[10]
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5
Put the fabric strip on. Remove the paper backing from the other side of the adhesive. Place the strip sticky-side down over the hole. You can bend the strip over the edge of the bra for more security. Smooth it down, making sure it is stuck well, and you're done.^{[11]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Sewing

1
Thread a needle. Start out by threading a needle. You'll want a fairly sturdy needle, but you don't want one so thick that you'll have a hard time pulling it through. Use a thick thread or double thread it for extra strength. Knot the end of the thread so it won't pull through the fabric.^{[12]
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- To double thread a needle, smooth two pieces of thread together. Cut the end so the pieces are even. Push both pieces of thread through the eye of the needle at the same time. Leave at least 4 or 5 inches of tail so that the needle doesn't come unthreaded.
- An easy way to knot the thread is to find the end of the thread. Hold it up against the needle so that the needle is facing towards the length of the thread, not the end. While holding the end of the thread against the needle near the eye, wrap the thread around the sharp end of the needle three times. Put your fingers over where you wrapped the thread, and pull the needle through. Still holding the loops with your fingers, let the length of the thread go through the loops until it knots at the end. Cut off any extra thread.
2
Push the wire back in. Find the place the wire is sticking out. Push it all the way back in. Gather the the two edges of the fabric that surround the hole by pulling up a bit on each edge and holding them together so that the edges meet, sticking up towards you.^{[13]
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3
Sew the edges together. With the edges together, start sewing on one end of the hole. Pull the needle through both edges. Loop the thread over the edges, and start on the same side again. Push the needle through again. Keep making this stitch (a whip stitch) until you reach the other edge of the hole. Knot the thread off.^{[14]
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- Make sure to make your stitches close together to keep the wire from escaping. Also, it's probably a good idea to sew a little bit farther than you think you should on each side to help reinforce it.^{[15]
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4
Reinforce the stitching. Use a bit of nail polish or fabric glue to reinforce what you've done. Simply paint or spread a bit of the substance over the stitching. Make sure to work it into the stitches if you can. Let the substance dry, and you're done.^{[16]
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Research source} You can also use superglue for this step.^{[17]
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Community Q&A

Question

What if the wire is broken?

Community Answer

Open the end with a seam ripper and pull out the broken wire and replace it with a new one. (You can fine them at JoAnn's Fabrics, Hobby Lobby, Michael's or Walmart). Once you slide a new one in, just secure the open end by stitching it back up.
Question

How can you fix it if the wire broke and was thrown away?

Adara Horn

Community Answer

You can purchase underwires from several stores online.
Question

Where can I purchase the correct size of rings to fix straps?

Community Answer

Jo-Ann Fabrics if you have one in your area. There's also Hobby Lobby, Michael's, and Walmart.