George Boyle
Wedding dress alterations can be stressful, time-consuming, and expensive. It is important to consider the time and budget available when deciding whether to alter a wedding dress. Usually, a wedding dress can be altered by two sizes down and one size up. However, this depends on the dress, the amount of fabric available, and the skill of the tailor. Extensive alterations may require creative solutions such as adding a corset back, extra fabric panels, or lowering the back of the dress. It is recommended to consult a tailor specialising in wedding dresses to determine the best course of action.
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What You'll Learn
Wedding dress alterations can be expensive
The complexity of the alterations also influences the cost. Simple adjustments, such as changing the neckline or adding a bustle, are typically more affordable. However, extensive modifications, especially those involving multiple pieces or complex changes, can significantly increase the price. For example, customising a family heirloom gown or redesigning it can cost upwards of $1000.
The number of alterations required and the number of fittings needed to perfect the fit will also impact the final cost. Usually, three fittings are required, with the final fitting taking place a week or a few days before the wedding. Additionally, the person making the alterations will influence the price. Experienced wedding dress seamstresses with extensive expertise will charge higher rates, and prices can also vary depending on the geographic area and the cost of living.
It is worth noting that making a dress bigger is generally more challenging and costly than taking it in. Therefore, when purchasing a wedding dress, it is advisable to opt for a larger size that can be altered down rather than a smaller size that needs to be made bigger. This will help keep alteration costs down.
To avoid unexpected expenses, it is essential to plan alterations well in advance, allowing at least 3-5 months for the process. Last-minute alterations close to the wedding date may incur additional rush fees, and finding an available seamstress during the busy wedding season can be challenging.
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“Letting out” a dress to make it bigger
"Letting out" a dress is a way of making it bigger by using the fabric from inside the seams. Wedding dresses and formal gowns often have extra material in the seam allowances, which means they can usually be let out by about one size without any structural changes. Most dresses have a seam under each arm, and each of these seams can be let out by around 1-2 cm. This is a simple option if your dress needs only minor adjustments for a more comfortable fit.
The main downside of letting out a dress is that stitch marks from the original seam lines may show on delicate fabrics. However, this problem can often be solved. Another issue to consider is that if the fabric has been dyed with indigo or another type of dye that fades over time, letting it out might reveal darker dyed areas around each seam, making the alteration obvious.
If you need to make your dress bigger without using extra fabric, "letting out" may be a good option. However, if you need to make the dress significantly bigger, you may need to get creative with designs and side panels, and you may need to accept unavoidable pattern alterations. One way to add a lot of extra room to a dress is to replace a zip with a lace-up corset back. This method also has the advantage of being adjustable, so it can accommodate weight changes in the run-up to the wedding.
It is important to give yourself enough time to make alterations, to avoid last-minute pressure and hurried decision-making. It is recommended that you start alterations at least eight weeks before your wedding.
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Replacing a zip with a lace-up corset
Wedding dresses are often made to be notoriously small, and it is usually possible to alter a wedding dress by two sizes down and one size up. However, letting out a dress is trickier than taking it in, and replacing a zip with a lace-up corset is a great way to add room to a dress. This is a common alteration that a professional tailor can do, but it can also be done yourself.
To replace a zip with a lace-up corset, the zip is removed from the dress, and fabric loops are stitched down each side of the opening and tied together with a ribbon. A "modesty panel" sits underneath the lacing, covering the back to just below the hip. This type of fastening is adjustable, meaning that if your weight changes in the run-up to your wedding, the dress will still fit.
If you are thinking of adding a lace-up corset to your wedding dress, it is important to consider the fit of the entire dress. A lace-up back will only add width to the back and not the front or side seam. It is also important to consider the design of the dress. A lace-up corset may not suit the design of the dress, and it may not be possible to add a lace-up corset without losing some detail on the dress.
If you are considering replacing a zip with a lace-up corset, it is recommended that you take your dress to a professional seamstress for advice. Extensive alterations can be expensive, so it is worth calling around to different seamstresses to get a quote.
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Buying a bigger size vs. alterations
Wedding dress sizes vary from designer to designer, and wedding gowns are often smaller than regular clothing sizes. It is recommended to buy a dress that fits well rather than the size you want to be, and to buy a dress that is too big rather than too small.
It is generally easier to take a dress in than to make it bigger. A dress can typically be taken in by up to two sizes, while letting out a dress is more difficult and may only be possible by one or two centimetres, depending on the amount of fabric in the seam allowance. If there is not enough fabric in the seam allowance, a seamstress may be able to add a corset back or extra fabric panels, but this can be risky and expensive.
If you want to make your dress bigger, one option is to replace the zip with a lace-up corset. This will give you more room and allow for adjustments if your weight changes before the wedding.
Another option is to buy a dress that is a few sizes too big and have it altered to your exact measurements. Wedding dress alterations typically cost between $150 and $600, but can be up to $1000 for bigger customizations. It is recommended to start the alteration process at least eight weeks before the wedding, with a final fitting no later than two weeks before. It usually takes two to three fittings to alter a wedding dress, but this will depend on the volume of alterations required.
When buying a bigger dress, it is important to consider the style and whether you are willing to make pattern alterations. The closer the dress is to your size, the fewer alterations will be needed.
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How long before the wedding is it?
Wedding dresses can be altered to make them bigger, but this is usually limited to one or two sizes. Letting out a dress involves using the fabric from inside the seams, and this method can comfortably increase the size by 1-2 cm. If there is not enough fabric to let the dress out, a seamstress might add a corset back or extra fabric panels, but this can be risky and expensive.
With that in mind, it is important to give yourself enough time to make these alterations without being pressured into hurried decision-making. It is recommended that you start your alterations at least eight weeks before your wedding. This will help you to avoid stress and unforeseen wardrobe malfunctions. The number of fittings you will need depends on the volume of alterations and how much your body changes during that time. On average, you will need between one and three alterations sessions before the wedding day.
To allow for these fittings, it is recommended that you purchase your wedding dress between eight and twelve months before the wedding. This gives you plenty of time to shop around and find the right dress, and it ensures that you will avoid rush fees. It also gives the designer enough lead time to create your gown from scratch. Wedding dresses take between four and six months to make on average, depending on the complexity of the design.
However, some brides have purchased their dresses up to sixteen or seventeen months in advance. This can be a good idea to avoid dress regret, as you may find yourself comparing your dress to newer designs as your wedding date approaches.
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Frequently asked questions
This depends on the dress in question. Wedding dresses can usually be altered by one size, and sometimes two. However, taking in a dress is generally easier than letting it out, and extensive alterations can be costly.
Wedding dresses often have extra seam allowance, which means they can be let out by up to 1-2cm on each side. If there isn't enough fabric to let the dress out, a skilled tailor may be able to add a corset back or extra fabric panels.
The cost of making a wedding dress bigger can vary. Simple alterations can cost upwards of $300, while extensive alterations can cost $500 or more. It's best to call around to different seamstresses to get a quote.
