Junior Rasmussen
Wedding dresses are often designed to fit the average body type, which can lead to fitting issues, especially around the armholes. If you're experiencing discomfort or tightness in the armhole area of your wedding dress, you may be considering ways to make the armholes bigger. This can be achieved through various methods, ranging from simple adjustments to more complex sewing techniques. The process of altering armholes involves gathering the necessary materials, accurately measuring the desired size, and carefully executing the chosen alteration method. Whether you decide to let out the seams, adjust the sleeve width, or employ other creative solutions, it is important to ensure that your modifications maintain the overall shape and style of the dress while providing a comfortable and flattering fit.
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What You'll Learn
Measure the armholes of your wedding dress
To measure the armholes of your wedding dress, you can follow these steps:
First, put on your wedding dress and stand in front of a full-length mirror. Lift your arm so it is perpendicular to the rest of your body. It is easier to take an accurate measurement with a helper, but you can also measure the armhole of your non-dominant arm while using your dominant hand to hold and manoeuvre the tape measure.
Next, wrap the tape measure from the top centre of your shoulder and draw it down over the front of your shoulder and arm, stopping once the tape measure reaches the centre of your armpit. This measurement is sometimes referred to as the armhole depth.
If you need the full armhole measurement, continue wrapping the tape measure around your armpit and shoulder, bringing it up from behind your shoulder until it meets the starting point. Keep the tape measure flat against your body and vertically straight along the front and back of your shoulder.
Your full armhole measurement should be twice as large as your armhole depth. However, as the full armhole measurement may not be exactly double, it is best to take the actual measurement rather than doubling the depth.
Additionally, you can measure the armhole circumference by letting your arm hang naturally with a slight bend and bringing both tape ends up to meet at the top of your shoulder. Ensure the tape measure is horizontal and parallel to the floor.
By taking these measurements, you can accurately determine the size and location of the armholes of your wedding dress.
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Pin the sides of the dress together under the armpits
If you want to make the armholes of a wedding dress bigger, you must first try on the dress and pinch under the armhole to measure how much you want to let out. You can either make a mental measurement or use a measuring tape for more accuracy. Next, take off the dress and lay it on a flat surface.
Now, for the part you requested more detail on: pinning the sides of the dress together under the armpits. Take your sewing pins and carefully pin the sides of the dress together under the armpits. Make sure to mark the fabric under the armpit where you pinched and measured when the dress was on. This will ensure that you don't accidentally sew the armhole too tight or too loose. It is important to be precise during this step, as you want the armholes to be comfortable and not restrict your movement.
After pinning, it's time to sew. Try to make the new seam as parallel to the original seam as possible, even as you get closer to the armhole. Avoid creating a curve or point if you can. Before you sew the second side, try on the dress again and check that the armhole feels comfortable. Adjust if needed, then repeat the process on the other side.
Finally, try on the dress one last time to ensure the armholes are to your liking. If they are, cut off any excess fabric and zigzag or serge the raw edges to prevent fraying.
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Sew the seam in parallel to the original
To make the armholes of your wedding dress bigger, you will need to adjust the seams. This process involves carefully unpicking the existing stitches, adjusting the fabric, and then sewing the seam back together to secure the new shape.
Firstly, try on your dress and pinch the fabric under the armhole to get a sense of how much fabric you will need to add to the armhole. Make a mental measurement or, for more accuracy, use a measuring tape.
Next, take off the dress and lay it on a flat surface. Use sewing pins to secure the sides of the dress together under the armpits, marking the point where you pinched and measured when the dress was on.
Now, carefully unstitch the seam of the armhole, working from the bottom of the armhole up towards the shoulder. Once you have unstitched the seam, you can adjust the fabric.
This is where you will need to sew the seam in parallel to the original. When sewing the new seam, try to keep it as parallel as possible to the original seam, even as you get towards the armhole. Avoid creating a curve or point in the seam if you can. Sew the seam by following the shape that you cut out according to your pattern, using vertical princess seams. These seams go from the top to the bottom of the dress.
Finally, try on your dress again and check that the armholes are now to your liking. If you are happy with the fit, cut off any excess fabric and zigzag or serge the raw edges of the fabric to prevent fraying.
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Try on the dress and check the armholes
Trying on your wedding dress and checking the armholes is a crucial step in ensuring a comfortable and flattering fit. Here are some detailed instructions to guide you through this process:
Trying on the Dress:
When trying on your wedding dress, pay close attention to how it makes you feel. Are you comfortable and excited to wear it? Can you move your arms freely without feeling restricted? Take your time and move around in the dress to get a sense of its comfort and fit. It's important to feel confident and happy with the way the dress makes you look and feel.
Checking the Armholes:
Begin by lifting your arms and moving them in different directions to ensure that the armholes provide a full range of motion. Check if the armholes are too tight or restrictive. Pinch the fabric under the armhole to gauge how much adjustment is needed. If the armholes are too tight, you may need to consider letting out the seams or making alterations to increase the width.
Making Adjustments:
If you find that the armholes need adjustments, you can start by measuring the desired amount to be added or removed. You can use sewing pins to mark the areas that need alterations. It is important to ensure that any adjustments made to the armholes complement the overall fit and style of the dress.
Seeking Professional Help:
If you are unsure about making alterations yourself, it is advisable to consult a professional seamstress or tailor. They can provide expert advice and ensure that any adjustments to the armholes are done correctly, maintaining the integrity of the dress.
Final Fitting:
Once the desired adjustments have been made, try on the dress again to evaluate the new armhole size. Check for comfort, mobility, and overall fit. Make sure that the armholes are not too tight or too loose, and that they complement the style of the dress. This final fitting will ensure that your wedding dress is ready for your special day.
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Cut off excess fabric and serge the edges
Once you have tried on your wedding dress and are happy with the size of the armholes, it's time to cut off the excess fabric. This step is crucial to ensure that the dress fits perfectly and looks neat. Use sharp scissors or a fabric cutter to carefully cut away the extra fabric, being mindful not to cut too close to the new seam. It is always better to cut less fabric first and then adjust as needed.
After cutting, you will be left with raw edges that need to be secured to prevent fraying. This is where serging comes in. Serging is a type of stitching that creates a neat and durable finish to the edges of the fabric. If you have a serger machine, you can use it to stitch along the raw edges of the armholes, securing the fabric and creating a clean finish. The serged stitches should be close to the edge, overlapping slightly to ensure that no fabric is left unsecured.
If you don't have access to a serger machine, you can also use a zigzag stitch with a regular sewing machine. Zigzag stitching will also prevent fraying and provide some stretch to the armhole area, ensuring comfort and ease of movement. Like serging, the zigzag stitch should be close to the edge, with each stitch slightly overlapping the previous one.
Finally, try on your wedding dress one more time to ensure that the armholes still fit comfortably and that the serged or zigzagged edges lie flat and smooth against your skin. This step is important as it ensures that any adjustments made during the process have not affected the overall fit of the dress.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to make armholes bigger. One way is to cut the armholes out from the seam allowance, creating more room. Another method is to use a seam ripper to carefully remove the stitches from the armholes and then sew them closed with a sewing machine, using a zigzag stitch. Additionally, you can add a dart at the side seam to release the fullness and give you more room.
If you want to keep the sleeves, you will need to adjust both the armhole and the sleeve cap. You can do this by marking a horizontal line about a third of the way down the armhole and cutting across. Then, slide the fabric apart until you get the desired length.
Yes, if you do not want to alter your wedding dress, you can opt for wearing a garment underneath, such as a tank top or a camisole, to fill in the arm area. Alternatively, you can discuss taking in the sides of the dress with a seamstress to create more room without changing the armholes.
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