Deborah Chan
A wrist loop is a useful addition to a wedding dress, especially if you want to avoid fussing with a bustle or having someone help you arrange your train. It is a simple way to hold up your train and prevent guests or yourself from stepping on it. You can choose to let the train flow and move as you wish, and it looks fun on the dance floor! A wrist loop can be easily added to your dress by a seamstress or you can even do it yourself.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Why use a wrist loop? | It is more romantic than a bustle and allows the train to flow and move as you wish. |
| When to use a wrist loop? | During the first dance and when taking photographs. |
| Who can attach a wrist loop? | A seamstress or yourself. |
| How to attach a wrist loop? | Using a nice piece of silk cord or double-sided satin ribbon, sew it onto the underside of the train. |
| Where to attach a wrist loop? | On the center back seam about 1/3 of the way from the hem to the waist. |
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What You'll Learn
Using a wrist loop to hold your wedding dress train
A wrist loop is a great way to hold your wedding dress train, especially if you are eloping or won't have anyone to help you with your dress. It can be a simple and elegant solution, and much more romantic than a bustle. It is also a good option if your dress is too heavy to be bustled, or if you don't like the look of bustles.
To make a wrist loop, you will need a nice 1/2" wide piece of double-sided satin ribbon that is long enough to slip easily onto your wrist. Sew this ribbon to the center back seam on the underside of the train, about one-third of the way up from the hem to the waist. Then, make a small opening in the seam and slip the loop through to the outer side of the train. You can then place your wrist through the loop. It is usually worn on the right wrist for your first dance, but you can switch it to your left wrist when your right arm gets tired.
You can also buy a wrist loop train bracelet online, which can be added to any dress or skirt with a train. These are usually handmade and can be easily sewn onto your dress. They are perfect for heavy dresses and long trains, and allow you to dance and move around comfortably without needing any help.
If you are unsure about adding a wrist loop, you can try it out by pinning a loop to the base of the center back seam near the hem to see if you like the effect. The back of the skirt may ride up a little when you have the loop on your wrist, but this doesn't mean you can't still do it.
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Sewing a wrist loop on yourself
Sewing a wrist loop onto your wedding dress is a great way to add convenience and elegance to your special day. Here is a step-by-step guide to sewing a wrist loop onto your wedding dress yourself:
Prepare the Materials
You will need a nice piece of silk cord, ribbon, or double-sided satin ribbon about half an inch wide and long enough to slip onto your wrist easily. You may also require a needle and thread for sewing.
Plan the Placement
Decide on the placement of your wrist loop. Typically, wrist loops are attached at the very back of the train. However, if your lace layer is longer than the underlay, you may want to attach the loop about an inch back from the bottom of the underlay, being careful not to pierce through the top layer of fabric. Another option is to attach the loop to the center back seam on the underside of the train about one-third of the way from the hem to the waist.
Sew the Wrist Loop
Now it's time to sew the wrist loop onto your dress. If your dress has a lace overlay that is longer than the lining, take the lace to the bottom of the lining with a few small stitches where you want the wrist loop to be. Then, sew on your ribbon loop. If your dress has a longer lace layer than the underlay, flip the underlay over and hand-sew the wrist loop onto the underneath layer, being careful not to pierce through the top fabric layer. Make sure the ribbon or cord is strong enough to hold the weight of the dress and comfortable on your wrist.
Test and Adjust
Once you have sewn the wrist loop, test it out by slipping it onto your wrist and lifting the dress. Ensure that the loop is large enough to comfortably fit your hand through and that it is securely attached to the dress. If needed, make any adjustments to the placement or size of the loop.
By following these steps, you can add a wrist loop to your wedding dress, ensuring both functionality and elegance on your special day.
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Attaching a wrist loop to a lace wedding dress
Firstly, source a nice piece of silk cord or double-sided satin ribbon that is long enough to slip onto your wrist easily. The ribbon should be around 1/2" wide. You can also purchase a wrist loop train bracelet from Etsy, which can be easily sewn onto your dress.
Next, decide where to attach the loop. If your dress has a lace overlay that is longer than the underlay, you can attach the wrist loop to the underlay, being careful not to pierce through the top layer of fabric. You can hand-sew the loop about an inch back from the bottom of the lining with the lace, using small stitches. This way, when you pick up the dress by the wrist loop, you will carry the underlayer, and the lace will be picked up naturally with it.
Alternatively, if your lace overlay is longer, you can sew the wrist loop directly onto the lace. Take the lace to the bottom of the lining with a few small stitches, and then sew on a ribbon loop. You can use a slightly thicker ribbon for added strength and comfort. Ensure the ribbon loop is big enough to slip your whole hand through.
Finally, decide where to position the loop. Usually, the loop is attached to the centre back seam on the underside of the train about 1/3 of the way from the hem to the waist. Then, make a small opening in the seam, through which the loop is slipped to the outer side of the train. This is usually worn on the right wrist for your first dance but can be moved to the left wrist when your right arm gets tired.
You can also set the wrist loop lower on the centre back seam than is usually done, but this may cause the back of the skirt to ride up slightly. You can try this by pinning a loop to the base of the centre back seam near the hem and seeing if you like the effect.
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Pros and cons of a wrist loop vs a bustle
A wrist loop is a simple way to hook your wedding dress train up with ease. It is usually made with a thin string or a nice 1/2" wide section of double-sided satin ribbon, long enough to slip onto your wrist easily. It is sewn to the center back seam on the underside of the train about 1/3 of the way from the hem to the waist.
A bustle, on the other hand, is a more complicated way to manage the train of a wedding dress. It involves folding the excess fabric to make it look like a seam at the back, with a few loops hidden among the lace and some buttons on the inside of the skirt.
Wrist Loop Pros:
- It can be more romantic to be able to spread out the train for pictures, and it may look nicer than a bustle.
- It is a good option for those who want to elope or have a small wedding without a reception, as it allows the bride to manage her dress without assistance.
- It looks really elegant and old-fashioned on some dresses.
- It is a good option for those who do not like the look of bustles.
- It can be useful for getting into and out of cars, walking down the aisle, and taking pictures.
Wrist Loop Cons:
- The weight of the train on the wrist can get heavy very fast, causing wrist ache.
- It may be annoying to have the train attached to your wrist all night, and it may get in the way of eating and drinking.
- It can be difficult to dance with the wrist loop, and it may get in the way of other people on the dance floor.
- It may be hard to find pictures or examples of wrist loops to show your seamstress.
Bustle Pros:
- It is a more practical option, especially for long and heavy dresses, as it keeps the train off the ground and prevents people from tripping over it.
- It allows for free use of both hands/arms without having to worry about the train.
- It can be done underneath the dress so that it is not visible.
- It can be more comfortable for dancing and moving around, especially for thinner and lighter trains.
Bustle Cons:
- Some people may not like the look of a bustle, especially if it is not done neatly or if it is too voluminous.
- It may not be suitable for all dress styles, especially those with a lot of fabric or lace at the back.
- It can be more complicated to create, requiring alterations and the addition of buttons or loops.
- It may not always be reliable, as the buttons can sometimes break.
Ultimately, the decision between a wrist loop and a bustle depends on personal preference, the style of the dress, and the practical considerations of the wedding venue and activities. Some brides even choose to have both options available as a backup.
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How to dance with a wrist loop
Wrist loops are a great way to hold up the train of your wedding dress, especially if you want to dance. They can be easily moved from your right wrist to your left wrist as your arms get tired.
To attach a wrist loop to your wedding dress, you can use a 1/2" wide piece of double-sided satin ribbon. Sew the ribbon to the center back seam on the underside of the train, about 1/3 of the way up from the hem to the waist. Then, make a small opening in the seam and slip the loop through to the outside of the train. This will allow you to place your wrist through the loop and hold up the train of your dress.
You can also purchase a wrist loop train bracelet online, which can be easily sewn onto your dress. These are perfect for heavy dresses and long trains, and they can be hooked up with ease using thin string.
If you are worried about the weight of the train on your arm, you may want to consider a bustle or a wrist strap instead. However, a wrist loop is a romantic option for your wedding dress, especially if you want to spread out the train for pictures.
Remember to plan ahead and don't wait until the last minute to add a wrist loop to your dress, as seamstresses may be booked up.
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Frequently asked questions
A wrist loop is an alternative to a bustle, which is used to hold up the train of a wedding dress. It allows the wearer to hold the train of their dress by looping it around their wrist, freeing up their hands and preventing people from stepping on the train.
You can either ask a seamstress to attach a wrist loop to your dress or do it yourself. To do it yourself, you will need a 1/2" wide piece of double-sided satin ribbon long enough to slip onto your wrist easily. Sew the ribbon to the center back seam on the underside of the train about 1/3 of the way up from the hem. Then, make a small opening in the seam and slip the loop to the outer side of the train.
A wrist loop is a good option for brides who want to avoid the fuss of having someone else bustle their dress. It also allows for more freedom of movement and can look fun and romantic on the dance floor. However, some brides have reported that the weight of the train on their arm gets heavy quickly, and it can be tiresome to hold it up for a long time.
