Siren's Easy Coin Bra
Designer: Saiedeh and Yasmine. Co-owners and directors of Sirens In Sanity -- Benicia, California
Difficulty Level: 7

ITEMS NEEDED TO MAKE IT:

• A hard cup bra: It's important to choose a bra that fits well. If you choose a bra that is the same color as the coin scarf, you can even leave the straps on and use them. If you wear a vest or bodysuit, you won't see the straps anyway. [Photo]
• One Single-Row Coin Triangle Scarf. Note: You may also use a Multi-Row Coin Wrap or Bead Pearl Shaw [Photo1] [Photo2]
• Straight Pins, needle and thread.
• If possible, a friend to help. It will be easier to get a great fit if you have your friend pinning while you're wearing the bra.

DIRECTIONS:

Step 1: Pinning the scarf to the bra.
Put the bra on. Take the flat edge of the coin scarf and line it up at the bottom edge of the bra so the coins hang over the edge. Pin it in place. (Be sure you hold the pointed edge of the bra in a straight line upward, so that the center of the flat edge is in line with the center front.)

After you have pinned the lower edge in place, fold down the point so that the line of coins sits just on top of the tip of the cup so that the coins dangle down. Pin the coin line in place. Be careful with those pins if someone is in the bra! Ouch!

Next, take the bra off. Pin the excess material at the top of the bra to the inside and pin around the top edge. (If your hip scarf is really big there will be lots of excess material to tuck. If you are careful to lay it really flat, it makes a nice lining for the inside of the bra cup. Needs a close parenthesis after cup.)

This is what it will look like at this point.

Step 2: Time to Sew!
This top must be sewn by hand. Sew the areas you pinned, starting at the first area. This way you can work from the bottom up. It's more important that you secure the scarf well, rather than sew perfect stitches. Use a simple in and out stitch. If there is a lot of elastic in the lower edge, keep that in mind and sew looser rather than tighter stitches to allow it to stretch a bit. If the material in the sides of the bra is really thin, be sure to keep your stitches in the lower elastic. This will give it strength and stability. Stop stitching the lower edge just outside of the cup where the under wire meets the elastic side material. Be sure to sew from the center (out, first one side then center) out on the other. Make sure that the center point doesn't shift when you sew. Take your time to evaluate it along the way; you don't want the pointed edge off center!

The Cups: Once that lower edge is secured, you can start working on the coin line across the top of the cup. Secure the point in place, this will allow you to manipulate the coins where you want them. Sew from the center to the strap. Repeat with the other cup. The material at the upper-center of the bra can be gathered down so it matches the line of the bra. You can make it plunge deep, or shallow depending on the look you prefer. Secure the gathers in place. You can pin a broach in this space if you'd like to dress it up.

Turning the top edge material into the cup: Carefully sew the leftover material to the inside of the cup. Try not to bunch it up or you will lose space inside the cup when you put it on. Make sure you secure it thoroughly. Also, carefully work around the strap to finish it off nicely. Remember, the details make it look more professional. It's an easy bra, but you don't want it to look homemade.

The back ties: The nice thing about this bra top is the ties of the scarf. Because you will be pulling them back over the bra, you won't be able to see the undecorated bra underneath at all. You can either tie them or secure them with hooks or snaps if you prefer. They look cute hanging down the back!

Hints:

• Most coin scarves have yarn crocheted to hold the coins. Try to sew on the edge where the crochet and the material meet. It's stronger there. Avoid using that crocheted edge as a securing point.
• If you wear a larger bra, look for a larger hip scarf so you have plenty of material to cover the bra totally. The same is true for a smaller bra, look for a smaller scarf.
• If you use a more heavily beaded or coined scarf, work the same way, lower edge to upper edge, in layers. You may contact Sirens at www.sirensinsanity.com if you want to know how to sew on the more ornate scarves.