Junior Rasmussen
Wedding dress alterations can be an emotional, time-consuming, expensive, and confusing process. It is common for brides to be unhappy with the alterations made to their wedding dress. A botched alteration job on a wedding dress can be fixed with a little effort and creative thinking. It is important to assess the damage, such as a crooked hem, bunched-up seams, or ripped fabric, and brainstorm solutions. For example, a crooked hem can be fixed with a simple hand-sewing technique, while bunched-up seams can be fixed by re-sewing them. If the fabric is ripped, it is best to take the dress to a professional seamstress. If the seamstress who botched the job offers to fix it, it may be worth letting them try, but if you don't trust them, it is better to cut your losses and find a different seamstress or tailor.
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What You'll Learn
Assess the damage: Is the hem crooked? Are the seams bunched up?
It is important to assess the damage and decide on the next steps. Firstly, is the hem crooked? If so, it may be possible to trim the threads and turn the dress right side out. This can help to straighten the hem and improve the overall appearance. If the hem has been cut messily, as in the case of a bridal dress where the lace flowers were cut in half, it may be necessary to find matching lace appliqués to replace the damaged sections. This can be challenging, especially if the wedding is fast approaching.
Another issue that may have occurred is bunched-up seams. This is commonly seen in mermaid or trumpet-style gowns, where the fabric bunches up in the midsection when walking or sitting. This can be due to the dress being too tight, causing the fabric to gather towards the waist instead of sliding smoothly over the hips. To remedy this, the dress may need to be let out at the hips or side seams. However, in some cases, weight loss may also reduce the bunching, as the fabric will have more room to slide over the hips.
In addition to these issues, there may be other alterations that are unsatisfactory. For instance, the dress may have been cut too much under the arms, restricting movement, or the design may have been altered without prior knowledge, affecting the overall appearance of the gown. In such cases, it is essential to communicate clearly with the seamstress and decide whether to give them another opportunity to fix the issues or seek help elsewhere.
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Fix a crooked hem yourself with hand-sewing
If your wedding dress has been altered poorly, it is understandable to feel upset. However, it is important to remember that there are options to fix it. While it may be frustrating and stressful, try not to panic. Here are some suggestions on how to fix a crooked hem yourself with hand-sewing:
- Prepare your workspace and gather the necessary tools: You will need a needle, thread that matches the colour of your wedding dress as closely as possible, pins or clips, a ruler or measuring tape, chalk or a fabric marker, an iron, and a pair of sharp scissors.
- Iron the dress: Before making any adjustments, it is crucial to remove creases and bumps from the dress. Use the iron to create a smooth and flat surface, ensuring that the hemline will be accurate.
- Measure and mark the desired hem length: Put on your wedding shoes and wear the dress. Stand in front of a mirror and decide on the ideal length for the new hem. Use the ruler or measuring tape to measure the desired length from the floor. Mark this point with pins, chalk, or a fabric marker. You may find it helpful to have a friend assist you with this step to ensure accuracy.
- Trim the fabric: Cut the fabric to the desired length, leaving enough space to turn up the hem. Be careful not to leave too much fabric, as it can make the hem appear bulky.
- Fold and press the hem: Fold the edge of the fabric up by about 1/8 inch (3 mm) past the seam and press it with the iron. This step helps create a neat and precise hemline.
- Hand-sew the hem: Thread your needle and use a blind stitch technique. Start from a seam line on the wrong side of the hem and make small stitches, catching just one thread from the outside fabric with each stitch. Space the stitches about 1/4 inch (5 mm) apart along the fold. Continue sewing until you reach the end of the hem.
- Finish and secure the hem: Once you've reached the end, press the seam flat and cut off any excess fabric. If you're working with sheer fabric, trimming the raw edge of the seam allowance close to the seam will make the hem less noticeable.
Remember to take your time, be patient, and don't hesitate to remove and re-sew if needed. Hand-sewn hems can achieve a refined and durable finish, resulting in a sturdy and nearly invisible seam. While it may be challenging, fixing a crooked hem yourself can ensure that your wedding dress fits and flatters you perfectly on your special day.
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Re-sew bunched-up seams
If your wedding dress has bunched-up seams, you may need to re-sew them. This issue could be due to the dress being too tight, especially around the hips, causing the fabric to bunch up towards the waist.
Firstly, assess whether the dress is too tight. If it is, you will need to let out the seams, particularly around the hips, to create more room for movement and reduce the bunching. This may involve letting out only the underlayer of the dress, such as the satin layer underneath a lace overlay, as seen in some wedding dresses. It is important to note that letting out the seams will likely make the dress longer, so it may need to be re-hemmed to maintain the desired length.
If the dress is not too tight, the bunching may be caused by the fabric type, as certain fabrics, such as crepe, are known to wrinkle easily. In this case, a seamstress can help get the dress fitted so that it lays flat when standing, but any movement may still cause bunching.
Before re-sewing the seams, it is recommended to pin the fabric in place and try on the dress to ensure a comfortable fit. Additionally, adding gussets to the side seams around the hips can be an alternative solution to reduce horizontal bunching.
It is always advisable to seek the help of a professional seamstress, especially for intricate wedding dress alterations, to ensure the best outcome.
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Steam out or press wrinkled fabric
It is important to know what your wedding dress is made of before deciding to steam out or press wrinkles. Taffeta, silk, and other natural materials should not be steamed, as this may leave water marks and damage the fabric. Instead, iron your dress on a silk setting.
Fabrics like satin, polyester, chiffon, and other synthetic materials are safe to steam to remove wrinkles and folds. If you have access to a handheld steamer, hold it six to ten inches from your dress. Holding it too close may damage the fabric, and you never want to place the steamer directly on the gown. Run the steamer slowly down the length of the gown to smooth out any creases or wrinkles.
If you do not have access to a steamer, there are other ways to steam your dress. One method is to hang your dress on the bathroom door and run a very hot shower, creating your own steam room. Cover the bathroom floor with towels and leave the door open, so the dress does not get overly damp. Then, wrap your arm in a dry, white towel and run it down the length of the gown, smoothing out any wrinkles.
If you are unsure about steaming or ironing your wedding dress, it is best to consult a professional. Dry cleaning specialists know how to get creases out of a wedding dress, and there are many reasons why hiring a professional may be preferred over steaming or ironing the dress yourself.
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Add embellishments to cover imperfections
If your wedding dress has been altered incorrectly, you can add embellishments to cover up any imperfections. Embellishments can be purchased from your local fabric or craft store. Beads, pearls, crystals, gems, rhinestones, lace, sequins, and embroidery are all popular choices for DIY wedding dress embellishments.
When choosing beads, consider the weight of the fabric. Lightweight fabric can only hold so much weight. If adding beading to the neckline, leave space under the arms to avoid chafing and discomfort. You can sew beads along the seams of the dress, either vertically or horizontally.
Lace can be used to create sleeves or change the neckline detail. For example, you can use lace to create an illusion neckline and sleeves for a strapless dress. Match the embellishments in the lace to that of the rest of the dress for the best effect.
If you are not an experienced seamstress or crafter, you may want to seek advice or help before attempting to add embellishments to your wedding dress. Another option is to buy a vintage wedding dress from a thrift shop that already has the embellishments you require.
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Frequently asked questions
Don't panic. It is fixable. Assess the damage and decide whether you can fix it yourself or if you need to take it to a professional seamstress. If you are not happy with the original seamstress, find a different one.
Ask your bridal boutique for recommendations. They may have an in-house seamstress.
If the seams are bunched up, you may be able to fix this yourself by re-sewing them. If the fabric is wrinkled, you may be able to steam it out.
You may be able to remove the alteration seams yourself. If not, you can point out that the seams are not well done.
