Rhiannon Hendricks
A wedding dress is an important purchase, and it's essential to get the right fit. Many brides are now buying their dresses online, and it can be tricky to get the sizing right. If your dress doesn't fit, don't panic. There are several ways to make a wedding dress bigger, and one option is to add a corset back. This guide will explore the steps to take if your dream dress is too small and how to adjust it using a corset back.
Characteristics and values of "can a corset back wedding dress be made bigger"
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reasons for needing a bigger wedding dress | Weight gain during the pandemic, incorrect sizing when ordering online, postponement of weddings |
| Solutions | Find an experienced seamstress, "let out" the dress by using fabric from inside the seams, replace a zip with a lace-up corset, add a modesty panel, add discreet panels |
| Considerations | Time needed for alterations and ordering more fabric, stitch marks may be visible on delicate fabrics |
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What You'll Learn
Adding a lace-up corset back to a wedding dress
A lace-up corset back can be added to a wedding dress to make it bigger. This is a common alteration that can be done by a professional tailor or at home with some sewing experience. Firstly, determine the amount of zipper length that won't zip and add at least one inch to get the required length of the lace-up corset. If there is a hook and eye at the top of the zipper, remove and keep it to sew back on later. Remove the zipper down to the spot where it can no longer be zipped.
Next, cut 1.5-inch-wide fabric strips on the bias. Cut enough strips for the lacing, loops, and back tie. Fold one of the longer strips in half lengthwise, with the right sides together, and sew a seam a quarter-inch from the open edge to create a tube. Turn the tube right side out or use a turning stick to push one end into and through the tube and pull it through. Measure the back opening length and decide how close you want the loops to be. Cut the lacing accordingly and mark the spacing of the loops on the interfacing. Sew the loops onto the dress, placing them at the marked spots.
Finally, lace the ribbon through the loops, adjusting the tension to ensure a comfortable and secure fit. Tie the ends of the ribbon into a bow or a secure knot, tucking in any excess ribbon. Adding a lace-up corset back to a wedding dress is a great way to gain a few inches and achieve a customised fit.
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Making a wedding dress bigger with a zip
If your wedding dress has a zip and is too small, there are several ways to make it bigger, depending on the style of the dress and the extent of the adjustments required. Here are some methods to make a wedding dress bigger:
Letting Out the Seams
Wedding dresses often have extra material in the seam allowances, which means they can be let out by around 1-2 cm on each side. This method can be used if the dress only needs to be slightly bigger. Keep in mind that stitch marks from the original seam lines may be visible on delicate fabrics.
Adding Fabric Panels
Discreet fabric panels can be added to the dress to increase its size. This method can be used if there isn't enough fabric to let out the seams. The panels can be added to the sides or back of the dress, depending on its style and the desired fit.
Adding a Gusset
If the dress is too tight in the bust area, a diamond-shaped gusset can be added to the side seams to increase the bust size without altering the waistline or neckline. This method allows you to add fabric without removing the sleeves.
Replacing the Zip with a Lace-Up Corset
Converting the zip closure to a lace-up corset back is another way to add extra room to the dress. Fabric loops are stitched down each side of the opening, and a modesty panel is added underneath the lacing for coverage. This option provides adjustability, ensuring a perfect fit.
Resizing a Back-Zippered Dress
If you need to resize a back-zippered dress, you can separate the bodice from the skirt at the waist using a seam ripper. Then, try on the dress inside out and determine how much you need to take in or let out on the sides. Pin accordingly, and sew from the armpit to the waist on each side. Finally, trim the excess fabric and finish the raw edge.
It is important to carefully assess the dress's style, fabric, and desired adjustments before choosing the most suitable method for making it bigger. An experienced seamstress can provide valuable advice and guidance on the best alteration techniques for your wedding dress.
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Adjusting the modesty panel
A modesty panel is a piece of fabric that sits underneath the lacing of a corset back wedding dress, covering the entire back to just below the hip. It can be adjusted to make the dress bigger.
To adjust the modesty panel, you can follow these steps:
Measure the back opening length:
Decide how close together you want your loops. The loops can be placed closer together for a more snug fit or further apart to allow for more room. Mark the spacing of your loops on the fabric with a pencil.
Cut the fabric:
Add 3 or more inches to your measurements to get the top width and length for the modesty panel. Cut the fabric with a slight inward curve at the bottom to create a triangular shape, which will help it to not be too bulky under the dress.
Pin and stitch the modesty panel:
Pin the left edge of the modesty panel to the inside left edge of the dress opening, overlapping it by about half an inch. Then, top stitch along the corset loops to secure the modesty panel in place. The modesty panel should only be sewn to one side, allowing the other side to lay across and stay in place once the corset is laced and tied.
Create the bias strips:
You will need to create bias strips for the corset loops and the back tie. Cut 1.5-inch-wide fabric strips on the bias (at a 45-degree angle to the selvage). Join the bias strips together by sewing them perpendicular to each other and trimming off the excess fabric. Fold the strips in half lengthwise, with the right sides of the fabric together, and sew a seam along the open edge to create a tube.
Turn the tube right side out:
There are a few methods to do this. You can use a safety pin to pull the tube through itself, or you can sew one end closed and use a turning stick to push it through to the other end.
Adjust the lacing:
Try on your dress and adjust the lacing to your desired fit. You can tighten or loosen the lacing as needed to achieve a comfortable and accurate fit.
By following these steps, you can adjust the modesty panel of your corset back wedding dress to make it bigger and more comfortable.
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Letting out a wedding dress
It is possible to make a corset back wedding dress bigger. One way to do this is by adding a lace-up corset to the dress. This involves removing the zip from the dress and stitching fabric loops down each side of the opening, which are then tied together with a ribbon. A "modesty panel" can be added underneath the lacing, extending from the back of the dress to just below the hip. This not only makes the dress bigger but also allows for adjustability.
Another option is to "let out" the dress, which involves using the fabric from inside the seams to make the dress bigger. Most wedding dresses have approximately 1" seam allowances on each side, allowing the seams to be undone and resewn to make the dress bigger. This method can typically increase the dress size by one or two sizes. However, it is important to note that letting out a dress is more challenging and costly than taking it in, and may not be possible depending on the structure and material of the dress.
If there is insufficient fabric to let out the dress, discreet panels can be added to make it bigger. This involves adding a panel of fabric and corset loops to the back of the dress, which can provide up to 5" of additional space. To achieve the desired fit, the loops can be tightened or loosened as needed.
When altering a wedding dress, it is essential to consult an experienced seamstress or tailor who can advise on the best course of action and ensure that any adjustments are made properly. It is also important to consider the timing of alterations, with the first adjustments ideally made two months before the wedding and a final fitting two weeks prior to ensure the gown fits perfectly.
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Adding discreet panels to a wedding dress
A wedding dress can be made bigger by adding discreet panels to the garment. This method is useful when there isn't enough fabric to "let out" the dress. The process involves cutting fabric strips on the bias, which involves cutting at a 45-degree angle to the selvage. These strips are then sewn together to create the loops and lacing for the corset back. The number of loops required depends on the desired spacing and the length of the dress opening.
To add discreet panels to a wedding dress with a corset back, you can follow these steps:
- Remove the zipper: First, determine the highest point where the dress can be zipped up. Remove the zipper down to that spot, ensuring it remains accessible at the very bottom. Cut the zipper about half an inch above where it needs to stop, fold over, and sew.
- Create the loops: Cut fabric strips on the bias, about 1.5 inches wide. Sew these strips together to form a continuous strip, which will be used to create the loops and lacing. Fold one of the longer strips in half lengthwise, with the right sides together, and sew a seam along the open edge to create a tube. Turn the tube right side out.
- Determine loop spacing: Measure the back opening length and decide how close together you want the loops to be. Mark the spacing on the fabric or interfacing, typically spaced about 1-1.5 inches apart.
- Create the lacing: Cut the lacing into segments based on the desired loop spacing. Join the segments to create the full length of lacing needed.
- Attach the loops and lacing: Pin and stitch the loops to each side of the dress opening, ensuring they align with the markings made in the previous step. Thread the lacing through the loops and tie together.
Additionally, you can add a "modesty panel" to provide more coverage and adjust the fit. This panel sits underneath the lacing, extending from the back to just below the hip. The modesty panel can be made from fabric similar to the dress and is typically triangular or rectangular in shape. It is attached to one side of the dress opening, with the other side laying across and staying in place once the corset is laced and tied.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can make your dress bigger by adding a corset back. You can do this by removing the zipper and stitching fabric loops down each side of the opening, then tying them together with a ribbon. You can use extra fabric from the hem to create the loops and ribbon.
A modesty panel is a piece of fabric that sits underneath the lacing of a corset, covering the skin on the wearer's back. If your dress already has a lace-up back, a wider modesty panel may be all that's needed to make the dress bigger.
Yes, it is much better to buy a dress that is too big than too small. You can then take it to an experienced seamstress to be altered.
"Letting out" a dress involves using the extra fabric in the seam allowances to make the dress bigger. Most dresses have seams down each side under the arm that can be let out by around 1-2 cm.
