Junior Rasmussen
It is a common concern for brides-to-be to wonder if their wedding dress can be made bigger. The good news is that, in most cases, it can be altered to a larger size. There are a few ways to go about this. One way is to utilise the seam allowance, where extra fabric along the seams can be let out to accommodate a larger size. Another method is to replace a zip with a lace-up corset back, providing flexibility and an adjustable fit. However, it is important to consult a professional seamstress or tailor, as the feasibility of alterations depends on various factors such as the style, material, embellishments, and initial size of the dress. Additionally, certain fabrics like chiffon or organza may be more challenging to alter, while materials like satin or lace may be more forgiving. While alterations can be costly, they can ensure that brides feel comfortable and confident on their special day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ease of alterations | It is easier to make a dress smaller than bigger |
| Buying second-hand | Second-hand dresses may have already been altered, making it more challenging to adjust the size |
| Seam allowance | Wedding dresses usually have larger seam allowances, allowing them to be let out by up to 1 inch |
| Fabric type | Certain fabrics, like chiffon or organza, may be more challenging to alter significantly compared to satin or lace |
| Dress design | The style, material, embellishments, and initial size difference can impact the feasibility of making a dress bigger |
| Extent of adjustments | Minor adjustments can be made by letting out the seams or adding discreet panels |
| Corset back | Replacing a zipper with a lace-up corset back can add flexibility and adjustability to the dress size |
| Cost | Alterations can be costly, ranging from $300 to $500 or more |
| Skilled seamstress | Finding a skilled and experienced seamstress is crucial for ensuring alterations are done skillfully and enhance the beauty of the gown |
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What You'll Learn
Seek an experienced seamstress
If your wedding dress needs to be made bigger, it is important to seek the help of an experienced seamstress. While it is possible to make alterations to a wedding dress yourself, an expert will be able to assess the feasibility of modifications and provide guidance on what alterations are possible without compromising the dress's integrity.
An experienced seamstress will be able to assess the dress and determine the best course of action for making it bigger. This may involve letting out the seams, adding panels, or replacing a zip with a lace-up corset back. They will also be able to take into account the style, material, and any embellishments on the dress to ensure that any alterations are done skillfully and enhance the beauty of the gown.
When choosing a seamstress, look for someone who has experience with wedding dress alterations. They should be able to provide you with examples of their previous work and explain the process they will use to make your dress bigger. It is also important to discuss the cost of alterations upfront, as they can be expensive depending on the type of fabric and complexity of the alterations required.
It is worth noting that while an experienced seamstress can work wonders, there are limits to how much a dress can be enlarged. The extent of the alterations may be limited by factors such as the initial size difference and the overall proportions of the dress. Therefore, it is always recommended to buy a dress that is closer to your current size to minimize the need for extensive modifications.
By seeking the help of an experienced seamstress, you can feel confident that your wedding dress will be altered skillfully and with the utmost care. Their expertise will ensure that your dress not only fits you comfortably but also enhances your special day.
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Assess the dress's feasibility for modifications
The feasibility of modifying a wedding dress depends on several factors. Firstly, the style of the dress and the material it is made of play a crucial role in determining the viability of alterations. Dresses made from certain fabrics like chiffon or organza may pose more challenges when making significant changes compared to those crafted from more pliable materials such as satin or lace.
Additionally, the initial size of the dress and the desired amount of enlargement are important considerations. While a dress can typically be enlarged by letting out the seams, there are limitations. Wedding dresses usually have larger seam allowances, allowing for some expansion, but extensive modifications may be required if the desired size increase is substantial. It is worth noting that the presence of intricate designs or embellishments might hinder the ability to significantly adjust the size.
The structure and construction of the dress also influence the feasibility of modifications. For instance, a dress with a bodice composed of panels can be adjusted by adding additional panels, although fabric matching may become an issue. In some cases, the back of the dress can be altered, such as replacing a zipper with a lace-up corset back, providing both flexibility and elegance.
Furthermore, the availability of extra fabric is a crucial factor. If the dress does not have sufficient fabric in the seams to let out, discreet panels can be added to increase the size. However, this approach may be more costly and could potentially affect the overall aesthetics of the dress.
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Letting out the seams
Before attempting to let out the seams of a wedding dress, it is important to determine whether this is possible. Wedding dresses, formal gowns, and fancier dresses typically have extra material at the seams, which can be let out to make the dress bigger. To check, turn the dress inside out and examine the side seams. If there is extra fabric at the side seam, it will be folded along the seam, and removing the stitches will unfold the extra fabric.
If there is enough extra fabric to let the dress out, the next step is to try on the dress inside out and use a marking pen to mark the fabric at the top of where it starts to get tight, and again at the bottom where it starts to fit more comfortably. This will indicate how much of the seam to remove. Next, use a seam ripper to remove the stitches at one of the sides of the dress, starting at the top mark and ending at the bottom mark. Be careful not to rip any of the fabric while removing the stitches.
If the dress has an enclosed seam, no further sewing is required. However, if the dress has an extra amount of folded fabric, the seam will need to be sewn back up. It is important to note that stitch marks from the original seam lines may be visible on delicate fabrics, and this method will only add a few extra inches to the dress.
If the wedding dress has a gathered skirt, it is possible to let it out by removing the elastic and replacing it with a larger one. Additionally, adding a diamond gusset to the side seam, with the widest portion at the waistline, can add several inches to the waist. If the dress has a side zipper, a diamond gusset can also be added to the back or front, although it may not look as good unless it is covered up or designed with contrasting fabric.
In some cases, it may be necessary to consult a professional seamstress, especially for ornate or beaded wedding dresses. A skilled seamstress can advise on the best course of action and perform complex alterations such as rebuilding the bodice or adding fabric to the front of the dress.
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Adding panels
Fabric panels can be added to the back, sides, or underarms of a dress, or additional fabric can be sewn into the side seams, back, or other areas where extra room is needed. This is a common method for making a dress bigger. The more vertical seams a dress has, the more it can be let out. If a dress has a lot of seams, you may only need to let out each seam by a small amount to achieve the desired size.
If the entire dress needs to be bigger, side panels can be added, but this will involve altering the waist, bust, and sleeves as well. If the dress has a side zipper, a diamond-shaped gusset can be added to the back or front of the dress. However, adding a gusset to the front of the dress will not look good unless it is designed with a contrasting fabric or covered up in some way.
If the dress is too small around the bust and waist but fits well around the hips, the back of the dress can be restyled by lowering the back or removing some fabric to create a keyhole back. This will allow the dress to fit more comfortably without affecting the overall look.
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Replacing a zip with a lace-up corset
Firstly, put on the dress and mark the highest point where the zip can be fastened. It is important to ensure that the wearer can still sit down comfortably with the zip done up to this point. If there is a hook and eye at the top of the zipper, carefully remove it and keep it safe to sew back on later.
Next, determine how many loops you will need for the lacing. Typically, they are spaced about 1.5 inches apart, but this can be adjusted depending on the amount of space available for the corset back. Don't forget that you will need loops on both sides, so once you have decided on the number of loops for one side, double it for the total.
Now, you can start creating the loops. If you need to hem the dress, you can use the extra fabric for this. Alternatively, you can use ribbon or create your own fabric strips from matching fabric. Fold the strips in half, right sides together, and sew down the long seam. Then, turn the tube right side out and press it.
Once you have created the loops, it is time to sew them into the dress. Pin the modesty panel to the inside of one edge of the dress opening, overlapping by about half an inch. Then, stitch along the top edge of the modesty panel to attach the loops to the dress. The modesty panel will sit underneath the lacing, covering the wearer's back and providing extra modesty.
Finally, thread the ribbon through the loops, lacing it up like a shoelace, back and forth through each loop. You can start from the bottom or the top, depending on whether you want the bow to sit at the top or bottom of the corset. And that's it! You have successfully replaced the zip with a lace-up corset and made your wedding dress bigger.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to make a wedding dress bigger, including:
- "Letting out" the dress, or making it bigger by using fabric from inside the seams.
- Adding panels to the dress to make it bigger, which is an option when there isn't enough fabric to let out the dress.
- Replacing a zip with a lace-up corset back.
- Adding a wider modesty panel to a dress that already has a lace-up back.
- Discussing options with a tailor, such as altering the back to be low-backed instead of letting it out.
Wedding dresses typically have larger seam allowances than other dresses, so they can usually be let out by up to 1 inch. Most dresses have seams under the arms that can be let out by 1-2 cm.
Stitch marks from the original seam lines may be visible on delicate fabrics. Additionally, if the dress has already been altered, the extra fabric in the seams may have been trimmed, limiting how much the dress can be let out.
Yes, certain fabrics are more forgiving for alterations. For example, satin and lace are easier to alter than chiffon or organza.
The cost of alterations varies depending on the dress and the type of alterations required. Simple alterations can cost a few hundred dollars, while more complex alterations can cost $500 or more.
