Sewing School -- Part II

I very often have people asking me to help them add straps to a dress.  Many formal dresses come with optional spaghetti straps, but many less formal dresses don't.  And those spaghetti straps are silly anyway - they don't add anything toward the look of the dress!
Here are some ideas for adding straps on a strapless dress...

a simple white strapless dress

A small ribbon attached in the center and tied behind the neck adds a little support, but not a lot more coverage

A little more coverage is given with a fairly wide piece of fabric (this works really well with sheers like chiffon or tulle) in a ruched halter style --       
                                 attached just in front of the arms                           or spread across the entire front

 Try two wide strips of lace

 straight across the shoulders

 or crisscrossed in the back

or switch it up a bit and crisscross it in the front

Here's a wider piece of lace (contrasting fabric would be pretty too) again in a halter style, but without the gathers.

 Ribbon is an easy addition.  You can use it in a lot of the same ways that we just looked at with the lace..

simple straps

 halter style

Really, the possibilities are endless!  Depending on the fabric and style of the dress, you should be able to come up with something the compliments and enhances the design, while at the same time adding a little more coverage or support.

Is there any method you have used to put straps on a dress or top?  Please share!