How to adapt your underwired bra to a nursing bra.
First of all the bras have to be 'balconette' style, like this one as opposed to fuller cup, like this one
Then what I do is simply snip the shoulder strap where it joins the cup bit, and sew that into the bra clip - get your clips from a bra like this one
- also you will need the piece of elastic that goes from the band around your ribs, to the clip, to hold the shoulder strap on just like a nursing bra. Then do the nursing 'drop cup' clip, and then sew the supporting elastic in to the bra.
To summarise / simplify, there are 4 bits of sewing:
1. join the over the shoulder strap to the bit of the clip that has the hook on it
2. join the bottom of the bit of the clip that is now sewn to the shoulder strap, as in 1, to one end of the elastic - either removed from your nursing bra like the clip (in which case it will already be attached) or new elastic.
3. join the other bit of the clip to the top of the bra cup.
Finally, 4. Join the other end of the elastic to the fabric enclosing your underwiring, in an appropriate place and at an appropriate length, to fit your body.
Here's a photo of my first one - I used a navy blue u/w bra and the bits from a white nursing bra, so you shoudl be able to see what I mean!
I also found this link which may help. More wordy, different clip, same principle.
www.mother-wear.co.uk sells the clips if you don't want to carve up your old nursing bras.