How to Make Straps for a Strapless Dress

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Strapless dresses can be uncomfortable if you are constantly worrying about the dress slipping down. Straps can make you feel infinitely more comfortable, and also, can make your dress look more flattering. Luckily, if you have basic sewing skills and equipment, it is fairly easy to sew straps onto your strapless dress. With a little bit of planning and work, no one will even be able to tell your dress didn’t come with straps in the first place!

Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Picking and Measuring Your Strap Length

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  1. Different straps will require different amounts of fabric, so before buying your fabric you will want to figure out what kind of straps you want to sew on. [1]
    • The most common strap type is a straight back strap, where the straps are attached to the front and go straight over your shoulders, where they attach to the back of your dress.
    • Another strap type is a cross back strap, where the straps start in the front on one side and then cross in the back and are attached to the other side of the dress in the back.
    • The third basic type of strap is the halter strap, which attach at the front of your dress, go up your shoulders and tie behind your neck.
  2. Once you decide what straps you want, you will need to put on your dress to get accurate measurements for your straps. You also need a flexible measuring tape to take the measurements for your straps. The measuring tape will mimic the straps of your dress so you can see how much fabric you will need. [2]
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Straps for a Strapless Dress
    Wearing your dress, pin one end of the measuring tape where you would want your strap to start in the front of your dress. Both straps will be the same length, so it doesn’t matter which side you are measuring from. [3]
    • Make sure you are using the beginning of the measuring tape, the end of the tape that starts at zero. This will make measuring a lot easier.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Straps for a Strapless Dress
    With the end of the measuring tape pinned in the front, put the other end of the tape over your shoulder. Reach back with your arm and pin or hold the measuring tape to where you would want the strap to attach to the back. [4]
    • If you chose a straight backstrap, the measuring tape should be swung over the same shoulder.
    • If you chose a cross back strap, the measuring tape should go over your shoulder and go diagonally across your back.
    • If you chose a halter neck, the measuring tape should go up your front to the back of your neck.
  5. Go to a mirror, still with the measuring tape pinned in the back or held in place with your hand. With your back to the mirror, look over your shoulder. You should be able to see where the measuring tape in the back is being held in place. Take note of the number in inches where the strap should end. [5]
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make Straps for a Strapless Dress
    You will want to make the length of fabric you purchase a little more than the actual measurement of the measuring tape. This gives you some leeway when you are making the straps. [6]
    • For straight back and crossback straps, add four inches to the number. For instance, if your strap was 16 inches (40.6 cm), add four inches onto this so the final measurement is 20 inches.
    • For halter straps, add about 12 inches (30 cm) on to this number. You will need enough fabric to be able to make a tie in the back, so you will need more excess fabric.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Picking Fabric

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Straps for a Strapless Dress
    After you have figured out the measurements for the straps, you will need to decide what fabric to use for your straps. You will want the straps of your dress to look like they match your dress. The easiest way to do this is to find a fabric the same colour as your dress. [7]
  2. Finding the right strap colour for a patterned dress is less straightforward. Pick one of the more dominant colours in the dress and find fabric that matches that colour. [9]
    • For instance, if your dress is beige with yellow flowers and green leaves, try to find fabric that is either beige or yellow, depending on what you prefer.
    • Even though the straps aren’t patterned, matching the fabric to the main colour in the dress will make the straps look like they belong on the dress.
  3. If you don't want your straps to match your dress exactly, you could also find a fabric that looks good with it, even if it's not the same colour. For example, if your dress is a pastel yellow, you could find fabric in a pastel green that would look good with your dress colour.
    • More extreme contrasts in color and texture may be more suitable for casual rather than formal dresses.
  4. If the materials look mismatched, the straps will look out of place.
    • The easiest way to do this is to match the fabric of the straps to the fabric of the dress. For instance, if you are wearing a silk dress, find a silk fabric for the straps.
    • You can also pick fabric for the straps that adds a decorative element to the dress. For instance, you can use a lacy or differently-textured fabric to liven up a basic dress.
  5. Use the measurement in inches you calculated to buy enough fabric for the straps. [10] Many fabric stores measure in yards. You will very likely only need a half a yard, though you may need more if you are making halter straps. [11]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Cutting the Fabric

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Straps for a Strapless Dress
    You may want thin spaghetti straps, or you may want straps that are a little thicker. Decide in inches how thin you want your straps. Keep in mind that a slightly thicker strap could give you more comfort and security if you are worried about your dress slipping down. [12] Just make sure you have enough fabric for the width you want. [13]
    • If it’s a formal or elegant dress, you may want to sew thinner spaghetti straps.
    • If it’s a casual dress, you could go either way.
  2. This will be the measurement for the width of your fabric when you cut it. You need to multiply the number because you will be folding the fabric in half width-wise and sewing it to create your strap. [14]
    • For instance, if you want your straps to be half an inch thick, multiply this number by two and add ¼ of an inch so that your width will be 1¼ inches.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Straps for a Strapless Dress
    According to your measurements for the width and length of your fabric, cut the fabric. You may want to cut along a ruler to make sure that you are cutting straight. [15]
    • For instance, say you calculated that you needed 20 inches (50.8 cm) of length for your strap and 1¼ inches of thickness. If you got a yard of fabric, cut a 20x1¼ inches rectangle. This will be the material you will use to make your strap.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Straps for a Strapless Dress
    Since you are making two straps for your dress, cut another rectangle the same measurements as the first rectangle. You can lay the first rectangle you made over the fabric and cut around it if that makes it easier.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Creating the Straps

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Straps for a Strapless Dress
    You may need to pin the fabric for it to stay folded. Make sure to pin near the crease of the fabric, because you do not want to put the pins in places that you will be sewing. Your fabric should be folded so that the wrong sides face outward and right sides, or sides you want to show, are facing each other. [16]
    • You want the wrong sides facing out because you will soon be turning the strap right side out.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Straps for a Strapless Dress
    Use a sewing machine or hand stitch to Sew down the length of the fabric ¼ inch from the edges of the fabric using a running stitch. Then trim the edges of the fabric to make the allowance slightly smaller. Make sure to use a thread that matches the colour of the strap. Do this for both straps. [17]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Straps for a Strapless Dress
    Both of your straps should now look like tubes, with a little excess fabric after the seams. Take a set of small scissors and cut a small slit into the tube, about ½ inch from the end of each strap. [18]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Straps for a Strapless Dress
    Take a bobby pin and insert it so that one prong of the pin is inside the tube and one prong is outside. Push the bobby pin down the slit, still with one prong inside the tube and one outside. [19]
    • You can also use a safety pin, but be careful not to prick yourself when using one.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Straps for a Strapless Dress
    The easiest way to do this is to scrunch the fabric of the strap around the bobby pin. [20]
    • Hold the bobby pin vertically with the base of the pin facing downwards and the prongs facing upwards.
    • Pull the fabric down by scrunching it until you see prongs of the bobby pin emerge out of the other end.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make Straps for a Strapless Dress
    Grab portion of fabric with the slit near the base of the pin. Pull up. This will turn the tube right side out, so that the excess fabric is hidden inside the tube. [21]
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make Straps for a Strapless Dress
    Now that the straps are made, iron them to make them flat. If you are having trouble getting the straps to lay flat before you iron them, safety pin the straps. Leave them this way for an hour or so and then come back and iron. [22]
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Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Sewing the Straps to the Dress

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Straps for a Strapless Dress
    You need to turn the dress inside-out because you will be sewing the straps to the inside of the dress. This way the stitches will be less visible when you are wearing the dress. [23]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Straps for a Strapless Dress
    Place the straps so that they start two inches below the neckline of the dress. Pin them close to the top of the neckline, a little further down from where you will be sewing. [24]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Straps for a Strapless Dress
    If your dress has a lining, sew the straps only onto the lining of the dress. This way you won't be able to see the stitching when you are wearing the dress. If your dress does not have lining, make sure to use thread that matches the color of the straps to make the stitching less noticeable. [25]
    • Hand-stitch vertically so that the two inches of strap fabric is stitched against the dress. Then stitch horizontally about ¼ inch from where the straps hit the neckline.
    • If you are sewing halter straps, this is the final step. Halter straps tie at the neck, so you do not need to sew the straps in the back.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Straps for a Strapless Dress
    If you are sewing straight back straps or crossover straps, you will need to also pin and sew the straps to the back of the dress. Keep two inches of the strap below the neckline. Pin the straps to the lining about ½ down from where you will be sewing.
    • If you are making crossback straps, you will need to cross the straps diagonally so that the straps are pinned to the opposite sides of the dress as in the front.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Straps for a Strapless Dress
    Follow the same sewing procedures as you did when sewing the straps to the front of the dress. Make sure that you are only sewing the straps into the lining of the dress if your dress has lining.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    I want to attach Alencon lace to a strapless wedding gown. How do I finish off the back of the straps around the neck?
    Community Answer
    If you are sewing with Alencon lace, hand-stitch instead of using a machine. Lace can easily get caught or snagged in a machine, so it's better to hand-sew. It you are making a halter with the lace that attaches instead of ties at the neck, use a whip-stitch or even a basic running stitch with thread that is the same color as the lace, either white or off-white. However, if it is a dress as important as a wedding dress, consider getting it professionally tailored for the occasion.
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      Tips

      • Try to measure your strap lengths accurately so that they don’t turn out too tight or too loose.
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      • If you feel unsure about your sewing ability, consider taking the dress to a tailor.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://sewaholic.net/saltspring-sew-along-3-straps/
      2. ↑ https://sewaholic.net/sewing-the-cambie-dress-straps/
      3. ↑ https://2morrowsdress.com/2015/09/easy-ways-to-add-straps-to-strapless-tops-and-dresses/
      4. ↑ https://2morrowsdress.com/2015/09/easy-ways-to-add-straps-to-strapless-tops-and-dresses/
      5. ↑ Alterations Express. Alteration, Tailoring, and Dry Cleaning Specialists. Expert Interview. 15 September 2021.
      6. ↑ https://randomcreativity.wordpress.com/2011/05/31/adding-sleeves-to-a-sleeveless-dress/
      7. ↑ https://2morrowsdress.com/2015/09/easy-ways-to-add-straps-to-strapless-tops-and-dresses/
      8. ↑ Alterations Express. Alteration, Tailoring, and Dry Cleaning Specialists. Expert Interview. 15 September 2021.
      9. ↑ https://so-sew-easy.com/estimating-extra-fabric-pattern-matching/
      1. ↑ Alterations Express. Alteration, Tailoring, and Dry Cleaning Specialists. Expert Interview. 15 September 2021.
      2. ↑ https://so-sew-easy.com/estimating-extra-fabric-pattern-matching/
      3. ↑ https://2morrowsdress.com/2015/09/easy-ways-to-add-straps-to-strapless-tops-and-dresses/
      4. ↑ Alterations Express. Alteration, Tailoring, and Dry Cleaning Specialists. Expert Interview. 15 September 2021.
      5. ↑ https://www.seamwork.com/issues/2015/01/4-tricks-for-making-spaghetti-straps
      6. ↑ https://2morrowsdress.com/2015/09/easy-ways-to-add-straps-to-strapless-tops-and-dresses/
      7. ↑ https://oneshetwoshe.com/2015/04/how-to-make-a-dress-from-pre-smocked-fabric.html
      8. ↑ https://www.positivelysplendid.com/2014/07/sew-pillowcase-top-dress.html
      9. ↑ https://www.seamwork.com/issues/2015/01/4-tricks-for-making-spaghetti-straps
      10. ↑ https://www.seamwork.com/issues/2015/01/4-tricks-for-making-spaghetti-straps
      11. ↑ https://www.allfreecrafts.com/sewing/sewing-tips/sew-turn-straps/
      12. ↑ https://www.seamwork.com/issues/2015/01/4-tricks-for-making-spaghetti-straps
      13. ↑ https://www.allfreecrafts.com/sewing/sewing-tips/sew-turn-straps/
      14. ↑ https://oneshetwoshe.com/2015/04/how-to-make-a-dress-from-pre-smocked-fabric.html
      15. ↑ https://thediymommy.com/pre-shirred-fabric-nursing-dress-tutorial/
      16. ↑ https://2morrowsdress.com/2015/09/easy-ways-to-add-straps-to-strapless-tops-and-dresses/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you’re worried that your strapless dress might not stay up, make straps for it to feel more comfortable and confident. Decide what kind of straps you want, like a straight backstrap, a halter strap, or a cross back strap. Once you pick a style, you'll want to measure how much fabric you'll need to make your straps so you can buy the correct amount. Additionally, consider how thick you want your straps to be. After all of your measuring is done, you can pick a fabric that is the same color and texture as your dress. Then, all you'll need are a needle, some thread, and a bobby pin to make the straps. To learn how to pick a fabric for a multi-colored dress, keep reading!

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        Apr 29, 2017

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