Lyla Dejesus
Wedding dress alterations are often needed to achieve the perfect fit. Brides may only realise they need to make changes at the last minute, but many alterations are DIY-friendly. Shortening the hemline, removing sleeves, or adding a train loop and button are simple alterations that don't take much time and can be managed by beginners. However, more complex alterations like taking in the waist or replacing sleeves are best left to professionals, especially if you have no sewing experience. Before altering your wedding dress, it's important to try it on with your wedding shoes and move around to identify all the necessary changes. This will help you create a comprehensive alteration plan, ensuring you only have to make changes once.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common alterations | Adjusting the size, adding or removing features, sleeves, or a train loop and button |
| Considerations | Fabric, style, embellishments, and body type |
| Customization | Adding embroidery, floral applications, or family or couple memories |
| DIY-friendly alterations | Shortening the hemline, removing sleeves, adding a train loop and button |
| Difficult alterations | Taking in the waist, replacing sleeves, recutting the front pieces, moving princess seams |
| Preparation | Trying on the dress with wedding shoes, moving around in it, writing down necessary changes |
| Train attachment | Using safety pins, sewing buttons, attaching a ribbon or rubber band loop to the bottom of the train |
| Waist alteration | Determining fabric to be removed, removing embellishments, drawing a new seamline, sewing a new stitch |
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What You'll Learn
Hemming a lace dress
Hemming a lace wedding dress can be a tricky process, but it can be done. Here are some steps and tips to help guide you through the process:
First, try on your wedding dress with your wedding shoes and move around in it as you would on your actual wedding day. This will help you determine the ideal length for the dress and identify any other necessary alterations. Mark the desired length with chalk or pins.
If your dress has a separate lace trim or applique at the hem, it can be removed, the dress hemmed, and then the lace reattached. This is a delicate process and may require the expertise of an experienced seamstress, especially if the lace is intricate or delicate. They will ensure that the lace is not damaged during the process and that it is reattached securely.
If your dress does not have a separate lace trim, the seamstress may need to lift the skirt from the waist or take it up at the seam where the flare starts. This is a more complex process as it involves removing and reattaching any appliques and readjusting the waist darts.
If you are confident in your sewing skills and choose to hem the dress yourself, there are a few DIY methods you can consider. One option is to use fabric glue to secure the hem in place, ensuring that the glue is suitable for the fabric of your dress. Another option is to create a temporary hem with fabric tape, which can be easily removed if adjustments are needed.
Remember to consider the timing of your alterations. Hemming a lace dress can be time-consuming, especially if it is a complex process. Allow for enough time to make the necessary alterations and, if possible, have your final fitting a few weeks before the wedding in case any last-minute adjustments are needed.
By following these steps and tips, you can successfully hem your lace wedding dress, ensuring that it fits you perfectly and flatters your unique style.
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Adding sleeves
Types of Sleeves
When adding sleeves, it's essential to consider the style of your wedding dress and the overall look you want to achieve. Some popular sleeve types include:
- Cap sleeves: These are short sleeves that typically cover slightly below the shoulder. They are easy to add and can be made from various fabrics such as lace, tulle, or beaded designs. Cap sleeves are perfect for sleeveless dresses with existing straps, creating a seamless and elegant look.
- Long sleeves: Long sleeves offer more coverage and are ideal for fall or winter weddings. They can be added to sleeveless or strappy dresses, providing both romance and comfort. Consider elbow-length sleeves or a flowy style that falls past your fingertips for a romantic vibe.
- Puff sleeves: If you want to make a statement, puff sleeves are a bold choice. They add volume and drama to your wedding dress.
- Off-the-shoulder sleeves: Off-the-shoulder sleeves are a romantic and versatile option. They pair well with various dress styles, including ball gowns and A-line dresses.
- Illusion sleeves: Illusion sleeves are made from delicate fabric in shades of nude, ivory, or white. They can be embellished with appliques or other decorations to create a custom look.
- Detachable sleeves: Detachable sleeves offer versatility and can transform your look from the wedding ceremony to the reception. They are perfect for bold brides who want options.
Working with a Professional Seamstress
While it is possible to add sleeves yourself, especially with detachable options, working with a professional seamstress is recommended for a seamless experience. They can guide you in choosing the right sleeve style for your dress and ensure a perfect fit. It's best to schedule a consultation with a seamstress about three months before the wedding to allow time for multiple fittings if needed. The seamstress can use excess material from the dress's hem to create the sleeves or source matching fabric.
DIY Options
If you're a DIY bride, detachable sleeves or removable straps are excellent options. You can purchase these separately and attach them to your dress using snaps or other fasteners. This allows you to add sleeves without permanently altering your dress.
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Customising with embroidery
Customising a wedding dress with embroidery is a great way to add a unique and personal touch to your special day. Here are some tips and ideas to help you get started:
Planning Your Embroidery Design
Before you begin embroidering, it's important to have a clear idea of what you want to create. Take the time to sketch your design on paper, considering the placement and overall look of the embroidery on the dress. This will help you visualise the final result and make any necessary adjustments before you start stitching.
Choosing the Right Techniques and Materials
The type of fabric and embroidery technique you choose will depend on the fabric of your wedding dress. For example, if you're working with delicate fabrics like silk organza, you may want to draw your design, carefully tack the organza in place, and then treat it as a waste canvas, snipping away the fabric after embroidering. If you're working with polyester satin, as one embroiderer did, you may want to use a water/heat-soluble pen or a heat-soluble stabiliser to transfer your design, being mindful of potential stains or discolouration.
Adding Embroidered Details to the Dress
Once you've finalised your design and chosen your technique, it's time to start embroidering! You can add embroidery directly to the dress fabric or create separate embroidered pieces that can be sewn on later. This gives you the flexibility to work on the embroidery independently and ensure it's exactly how you want it before attaching it to the dress. Remember to consider the placement of your embroidery carefully, especially if you're adding beading or crystals, as you may need to work around seams.
Embroidering the Inside of the Dress
In addition to embellishing the outside of your wedding dress, you can also add a special touch to the inside. Embroidering the inside of your wedding dress with your initials, wedding date, or a heartfelt message can make it even more meaningful. This is a wonderful way to incorporate something old, new, borrowed, or blue into your ensemble, following a beloved wedding tradition.
Final Thoughts
Customising your wedding dress with embroidery can be a rewarding and creative process. Remember to plan carefully, choose the right techniques for your fabric, and take your time during the embroidery process. By adding these unique details, you'll create a wedding dress that truly reflects your personality and style. Happy crafting!
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Removing sleeves
First, you will need to carefully unpick the sleeves from the dress, ensuring that you do not damage the fabric of the dress itself. Depending on the style of the dress, you may need to adjust the bodice after removing the sleeves to ensure a good fit. If you are happy with a strapless look, then you could stop here. However, if you would like to add different sleeves, or more coverage, you could consider slip-on sleeves or a bolero. Slip-on sleeves are unattached and can be worn with a strapless dress, often featuring an elasticated top to keep them in place. Bell-style tulle or lace slip-on sleeves can add a bohemian flair to your bridal look. A bolero, on the other hand, will give you long sleeves and is a good option if you want to match your wedding dress fabric or hue.
If you are making your own alterations, it is important to be aware that you may need multiple fittings to get the perfect fit, and you should also consider the style and fabric of your dress, as this may limit your options.
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Shortening the waist
First, decide on the length you would like your dress to be. If you have a dress that is already the perfect length, you can use it as a guide. Place the dress on top of your wedding dress and measure the length. If you do not have a dress to use as a guide, you can measure the desired length by putting on your wedding dress and using a measuring tape from your natural waist to the place you want the hem to end.
Next, you can begin to shorten the waist. If your dress has false folds, iron them down before you start. If you are only looking to shorten the dress by a few centimeters, you can use a belt to cinch in the waist and pull up the excess fabric. This method is simple and effective for loose-fitting dresses, but it may not work for more structured gowns.
If you want to permanently shorten the waist, you will need to cut the fabric. First, remove any unwanted elements, such as an old elastic waistband, and decide where you want to make your cut. Chop the excess fabric from the middle of the dress, ensuring the graphic or pattern on the bottom of the skirt remains intact. Then, pop the top of the dress into the bottom, with the right sides facing and raw edges lined up. Secure the fabric with a couple of pin tucks in the center of the front and back to shrink the waist. Finally, sew through both layers of fabric to secure the raw edge to the underside of the dress, and cut off any excess threads.
It is important to note that some dresses may be too difficult to alter yourself, especially if they are made from delicate fabric, include embellishments, flare out significantly, or have multiple layers. In these cases, it may be best to seek professional help from a seamstress or tailor.
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Frequently asked questions
First, determine how much fabric must be taken off. Put the dress on and pinch the excess fabric where the stitches are. If the stitches are on the sides, use safety pins to mark the material that needs to be removed. If the stitches are only on the back, take off the same amount of fabric from both sides of the stitch. Remove any embellishments close to the stitches. Turn the dress inside out and replace the safety pins on the reverse side. Insert them along the seamline and use chalk to draw a new seamline. Sew a new straight stitch along the chalk seamline.
Slip-on sleeves can be pulled up your arms and don't need to be attached, making them perfect for strapless dresses. You can also add a single shoulder strap with floral decoration. If you want to attach sleeves to the dress, consider the timing as this type of alteration takes time.
Ask a friend to help you. Put the dress on with your wedding heels and ask your friend to lift the train. Attach the end of the train to the middle back of your waist using a safety pin. Sew a button where the safety pin was, choosing one that matches the dress design. Sew a ribbon or rubber band of a matching colour to the bottom of the train. Put the dress on again and check the train drapes as desired.
Customise the dress with family memories or something old, new, loaned or blue. You could also add the initials of your partner inside the bodice. From a practical perspective, you could add tapes, buttons or hooks to manage the train.
Contact a seamstress as soon as possible. They may not want to see you until a month or two before the wedding, but good seamstresses get booked up quickly. If you are unsure about any alterations, ask your wedding dress retailer or a professional dress alteration company for advice.
