Franklin Dean
A wedding dress is often a significant investment, and it is important that it fits the wearer perfectly. However, weight fluctuations and ill-fitting dresses can cause stress for brides-to-be. One solution to make a corset wedding dress bigger is to add a corset back. This involves removing the zipper and replacing it with a lace-up back, which gives more flexibility in sizing for the waist and bust. This alteration allows the wearer to tighten or loosen the dress as needed, resulting in a more accurate and comfortable fit. To achieve this, one can follow online tutorials or seek the expertise of an alterations vendor or professional tailor.
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What You'll Learn
Remove the zipper and replace it with a corset back
One way to make a corset wedding dress bigger is to remove the zipper and replace it with a corset back. This is a common alteration that a professional tailor might do for formal dresses to get a custom dress fit, but it can also be done at home. This method will add a few inches to the back of the dress, but it won't make the front or sides bigger.
First, mark the highest point where the dress can be zipped up, ensuring that the wearer can still sit down in it. If there is a hook and eye at the top of the zipper, remove and keep it to one side to sew back on later. Next, remove the zipper down to the spot you marked.
Now, you can start creating the corset back. Decide how many loops you want and how far apart they will be. Cut strips of fabric or ribbon to the desired length and fold them in half, clipping them in place on the back of the dress. Sew a seam 1/4 inch from the open edge the full length of the strip, making a tube. Turn the tube right side out using a safety pin or a turning stick.
Finally, stitch the modesty panel into place. Lay the bias strip right-side up, then place another bias strip on top, right-side down, and sew from the top right to the bottom left. Trim off the excess, open the seam, and press with an iron.
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Measure the back opening length and decide how close you want the loops
Adding a corset back to a wedding dress is a great way to make it bigger. This method is ideal for dresses that don't zip all the way up, and it can add a few inches to the back of the dress.
To start, measure the length of the back opening where the zipper was. This will determine how many loops you need and how far apart they should be. For example, if your dress opening is 12 inches long, you may decide to space your loops 1 inch apart. This means you will need 11 loops.
The number of loops you need will also depend on the type of fabric or ribbon you use. If you want to use ribbon, consider using a wider ribbon for more coverage and modesty. You can also make your own ribbon out of fabric by cutting long strips and joining them together. If you use fabric, keep in mind that it may not be able to withstand a lot of stress, so you can't lace it up too tight.
When deciding on the spacing of your loops, it's important to consider the overall length of the lacing and how much flexibility you want in the sizing. Closer spacing between loops will give you more options for tightening and loosening the dress in different areas.
Once you've decided on the number and spacing of the loops, you can start creating them by sewing along the edge of the dress opening to form a tube. This will be the casing for your lacing. You can then insert your ribbon or fabric strips through the tube, creating the loops that will be used to lace up your corset back.
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Sew the modesty panel to one side of the dress opening
To sew the modesty panel to one side of the dress opening, start by pinning the left edge of the modesty panel to the inside of the left edge of the dress opening, overlapping it by half an inch. This will ensure that the modesty panel is securely attached to the dress and doesn't shift or move when being worn. Once pinned, you can begin stitching. Sew along the edge of the modesty panel, following the line of stitching you created for the corset loops. This will ensure that the modesty panel is neatly attached and blends seamlessly into the design of the dress.
The modesty panel is designed to provide additional coverage and hide any skin that may be exposed by the lacing or opening of the corset back. It is typically made from the same fabric as the dress to ensure a cohesive and elegant look. When attaching the modesty panel, it is important to consider the placement of the loops and lacing. The modesty panel should be sewn in a way that allows the lacing to function properly and lie flat when the corset is laced and tied.
You can create the loops with bias strips, sewing them together in a perpendicular manner. Sew from the top right corner to the bottom left corner, then trim off any excess fabric. Press the seam with an iron to create a neat and crisp finish. Join the remaining strips together to create enough length for the tie. You can also use extra fabric from hemming the dress or purchase matching fabric to create the loops and ribbon for the lacing.
When sewing the modesty panel, it is important to consider the overall fit and comfort of the dress. The modesty panel should be attached in a way that allows for flexibility and adjustability, as one of the main advantages of a corset back is the ability to tighten or loosen the dress as needed. Ensure that the modesty panel is sewn securely and lies flat, enhancing the overall look and functionality of the dress.
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Use bias strips to create the loops and ribbon to lace up
Adding a corset back to your wedding dress is a great way to make it bigger and more flexible in terms of sizing. You can make your own bias strips to create the loops and ribbon or you can purchase ready-made strips of loops. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use bias strips to create the loops and ribbon for your corset wedding dress:
Preparing the Bias Strips
Firstly, you will need to cut your fabric on the bias. This is done by cutting your fabric at a 45-degree angle to the selvage, resulting in a triangle-shaped piece of fabric. This cut will give the bias strip its stretchiness. The number of strips you need will depend on the length of your dress's opening and how close together you want your loops to be. As a rule of thumb, you will need about two inches of cording per loop and one loop per inch of opening.
Creating the Loops
Once you have your bias strips, fold one of the longer strips in half lengthwise, with the right sides of the fabric together. The wrong side of the fabric should be showing on the outside. Sew a seam about a quarter of an inch from the open edge along the full length of the strip, creating a tube. Turn the tube right side out using a safety pin or a turning stick.
Spacing the Loops
Now, you need to decide on the spacing of your loops. Measure the back opening length of your dress and mark how close together you want your loops to be. For example, if your dress opening is 12 inches long, you may decide to space your loops about one inch apart.
Sewing the Loops
After deciding on the spacing, pin your loops in place at the dress opening. You can use a grid on a sheet of paper to ensure that your loops are evenly spaced. Machine-stitch the loops into place.
Joining the Bias Strips for the Ribbon
To create the ribbon, you will need to join multiple bias strips together. Lay one bias strip with the right side up, then place another bias strip on top with the right side down, so that the right sides of the fabric are together. Sew from the top right corner to the bottom left corner, trim off the excess fabric, open the seam, and press it with an iron. Repeat this process to join the remaining strips, creating one long continuous bias strip.
By following these steps, you can create a custom-fitted corset wedding dress with beautiful loops and ribbon lacing.
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Ask an experienced alterations vendor for help
If you're unsure about making alterations to your wedding dress yourself, it's a good idea to ask an experienced alterations vendor for help. They will be able to advise on the best course of action and ensure that any changes made to the dress are done so with precision and care.
One alteration that a professional might suggest is the addition of a corset back. This is a common adjustment that can add width to the back of the dress, allowing for more flexibility in sizing. The process involves removing the back zipper and replacing it with a lace-up corset, which can be tightened or loosened as needed. This is a particularly good option if your wedding is fast approaching, as it is a relatively simple alteration that can be done close to the date without the need for extensive fittings.
If you decide to go ahead with adding a corset back, the alterations vendor will guide you through the process and may even offer to create a custom corset that complements the style of your dress. They will carefully remove the zipper and any hook-and-eye closures, ensuring that these can be sewn back on later if desired. The vendor will then measure the back opening length and determine the placement of the corset loops, which can be made from extra fabric or ribbon.
The modesty panel, or the piece of fabric that covers the skin at the back of the dress, will also need to be considered. The alterations vendor will ensure that it is sewn securely into place and lays smoothly over the lacing. They may also offer advice on how to care for your dress after the alterations, including how to tighten or loosen the corset for the perfect fit.
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Frequently asked questions
Adding a corset back to your wedding dress is a great way to make it bigger. This method is suitable for dresses that don't zip all the way up, and it will add extra room.
You will need a few basic items to make this alteration. If you need to hem your dress, you can use the extra fabric to create the loops and ribbon to lace up.
First, remove the zipper. Then, decide how close together you want your loops to be and sew them into the dress. You can use ribbon or fabric strips to create the lacing.
If you want to keep the zipper, you can add a corset panel to the back of your dress. This will allow for some fluctuations in size without having to worry about the dress not fitting.
Adding a corset back will only make the dress bigger in the back, not the front or sides. If you need to make the dress bigger all around, you may need to order more fabric specific to your gown.
