Lyla Dejesus
It is a common fear for brides to worry about not fitting into their wedding dress. While it is easier to take in a dress than it is to let it out, there are still options to make a wedding dress bigger. The first step is to compare your measurements to the measurements of the dress to determine how much bigger the dress needs to be. The next step is to consult a seamstress or tailor about the options for letting out the dress, which may include letting out the seams, adding fabric, or replacing the zip with a lace-up corset.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Making a dress bigger is more difficult than making it smaller |
| Options | "Letting out" seams, adding fabric, adding a gusset, adding panels, replacing the zip with a lace-up corset, altering the back to be low-backed, adjusting the bust, waist, hips, or back |
| Cost | Alterations can be expensive |
| Time | Alterations can be time-consuming |
| Materials | Some materials are easier to alter than others; lined bodices are easier than French seaming |
| Seam allowance | Most wedding dresses have approximately 1" seam allowance on each side, which can be let out |
| Weight gain | Consider the possibility of weight gain when deciding when to have alterations made |
| Fittings | Multiple fittings may be required for the seamstress to get the right adjustments |
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What You'll Learn
Seek a seamstress/tailor with wedding dress experience
If your wedding dress is too small, the best course of action is to seek a professional seamstress or tailor with experience in altering wedding dresses. While there are DIY methods to make a dress bigger, a professional will be able to assess the unique needs of your dress and recommend the best course of action.
A skilled seamstress or tailor will be able to let out the seams of your dress, adding up to a couple of inches to the overall size. This is a delicate process that requires a lot of patience and precision, and a professional will be able to ensure that the alterations are done neatly and discreetly. They will also be able to advise on the best options for your specific dress, taking into account the style, fabric, and desired size increase.
If letting out the seams is not an option, or if your dress requires more significant adjustments, a professional seamstress can suggest alternative methods. For example, they may recommend adding gussets or panels to the dress, which can increase the size without altering the waistline or neckline. They may also suggest replacing the zipper with a lace-up corset back, which adds extra room and allows for adjustability.
When choosing a seamstress or tailor, be sure to discuss their experience with wedding dresses specifically. Ask about their process for assessing and altering your dress, and don't be afraid to request examples of their previous work with similar alterations. It is also essential to keep in mind that multiple fittings may be required to achieve the perfect fit, so be sure to plan ahead and allow ample time for alterations.
While it can be stressful to realize your wedding dress is too small, rest assured that a skilled professional can work with you to find a solution. They will be able to advise on the best approach to ensure you look and feel amazing on your big day.
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Let out the dress by using fabric from inside the seams
Letting out a wedding dress is a way of making it bigger by using the fabric from inside the seams. Wedding dresses usually have extra material in the seam allowances, which means they can be let out by up to one or two centimetres without requiring any structural changes.
To let out a wedding dress, first check that there is enough fabric inside the seams to let the dress out so that it will fit you. Turn the dress inside out and try it on. Use a marking pen to mark where it starts to get tight and where it starts to fit comfortably again. This will show you how much of the seam you need to remove.
Next, carefully remove the side seam stitches from the outer layer and lining of the dress, from the top to the bottom of the area where the alteration is needed. Cut the seam, rather than ripping it, to avoid increasing the size of the thread hole. If the seams aren't finished or are susceptible to fraying, you may want to finish the edges before manipulating the fabric.
If you have an enclosed seam, you won't need to sew anything up. If you have a dress with an extra amount of folded fabric, you'll need to sew it back up. Sew the dress and lining seam back together. From the inside, press the seams open. A sleeve board or clapper covered with silk organza works well for this step.
If stitch marks from the original seam lines are visible, you can reduce their size by dabbing a small amount of diluted vinegar (1:1 with water) on the original seam or the stitch line. Lightly brush with a new toothbrush, then press the fabric again using a pressing cloth.
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Add a gusset to the side seams to make the bust bigger
If your wedding dress is too tight around the bust, you can add a gusset to the side seams to make it bigger. A gusset is a diamond-shaped (or football-shaped) piece of fabric inserted into the garment to make it fit more comfortably.
The gusset will start right under the armpit and end at the waist seam. This method allows you to add material without removing the sleeves or changing the waistline and neckline. If your dress has a side zipper, you can also add the gusset to the back or front of the dress. However, adding it to the front may not look very good unless you use a contrasting fabric or cover it with lace.
If your dress has a gathered skirt, you can also let it out by removing the elastic and replacing it with a larger one. You can also detach the skirt from the dress, add a front panel, and reattach it with a gather at the waist.
It is recommended that you consult an experienced seamstress to discuss your options and the best way to alter your dress.
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Detach the skirt, add a front panel, and reattach with a gather at the waist
If your wedding dress is too small, one option to make it bigger is to detach the skirt, add a front panel, and reattach it with a gather at the waist. This method can add width to the hip area of the dress. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do this:
First, put on the dress and identify the areas where it feels too tight. This will help you determine how much you need to expand the skirt. Next, lay the dress flat on a clean, spacious surface and use a measuring tape to carefully measure the amount by which you need to increase the waist size. Mark the skirt with pins or tailor's chalk at the points where you plan to make adjustments.
Turn the dress inside out and carefully detach the skirt from the rest of the dress. Cut off any excess fabric from the top of the skirt if needed, ensuring that the bottom of the skirt is still wider to accommodate the hips. Then, purchase matching fabric or use the excess fabric from the skirt to create a front panel. You can get creative with the design of the panel, adding ruffles or using contrasting fabric to create a colour block look. Attach the front panel to the skirt, and then reattach the skirt to the dress with a gather at the waist. This will create a stylish and comfortable fit.
If you are unsure about your sewing skills or are working with a valuable wedding dress, it is recommended to consult a professional tailor or seamstress. They can provide expert guidance and ensure that complex alterations are executed flawlessly. However, keep in mind that general alterations can be costly, ranging from $300 to $500 or more.
Additionally, there are other methods to make a small wedding dress bigger. One option is to replace the zip with a lace-up corset back, adding extra room and adjustability to the dress. Another option is to "`let out`" the dress, using the extra fabric from inside the seams to make it bigger. This method can typically enlarge a dress by one size without any structural changes.
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Replace the zip with a lace-up corset
If your wedding dress is too small, one way to make it bigger is to replace the zip with a lace-up corset. This is a common alteration that can be done by a professional tailor, but it can also be done yourself. This method will give you more flexibility with sizing for the waist and bust, as you can tighten or loosen the lacing as needed.
First, you need to remove the zip from the dress. Then, you need to create the corset loops. To do this, sew a seam 1/4 inch from the open edge of the fabric strip, creating a tube. Turn the tube right side out using a safety pin or a turning stick. Next, measure the back opening length and decide how close together you want your loops to be. Typically, they are spaced about 1-1.5 inches apart, but this can vary depending on your preference and the amount of space you have. Pin and stitch the modesty panel to one side of the dress opening, leaving the other side free to lay across and stay in place once the corset is laced and tied.
Now, create your bias strips by placing one strip on top of another, right sides together, and sewing from the top right to the bottom left corner. Trim off the excess fabric, open the seam, and press it with an iron. Join any remaining strips together. Finally, lace up your new corset! You can start from the bottom or the top, whichever you prefer. Thread the lacing through the bottom two loops, then lace it back and forth like a shoelace.
Remember that you can use any width of ribbon you prefer for the lacing, and you can even make your own out of fabric if you can't find a matching ribbon. This alteration will give you a few extra inches in the back of the dress, but it won't make the front or sides bigger, so keep that in mind when deciding on this method.
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Frequently asked questions
First, don't panic. Many brides face this issue, and there are options to address it. You can consult an experienced seamstress about letting out the dress, which involves using the fabric from inside the seams to make the dress bigger.
Most wedding dresses have approximately 1" seam allowance on each side, so the seams can be undone and sewn to make the dress bigger. Compare your measurements to the measurements of the dress to determine how much bigger the dress needs to be, and how many seams you can let out.
If you need more than a couple of inches, you can consider adding a gusset, diamond gussets to the side seams, or side panels. You can also replace the zip with a lace-up corset back, which will give you more room and be adjustable.
The cost of alterations can vary, but general alterations are often $300 or more. It's a good idea to consult a seamstress for a quote, and to keep in mind that you may need multiple fittings to get the right adjustments.
