Altering a Disney Store Princess costume??

[Mrs. Charming]

DD has quite a few Princess costumes that still fit her, but are REALLY hard to get her in and out of. Has anyone successfully altered one for easier dressing and undressing? I was thinking of ripping out a seam on the side or cutting the back to put some snaps or something in it. If you did this and it worked, how did you do it? If it didn't work, tell me what not to do!

Thanks!

 

[vettechick99]

I want to know too. DD still fits very well into hers, but it's a pain to put on and pull off. I hope someone has a solution!

 

[Mrs. Charming]

I can't imagine why they just don't sell them with snaps, a zipper, or even velcro.

Vettechick, don't you just have a few days left? How are you holding up? I can't even catch up on the Moms to be thread, lol.

 

[vettechick99]

I can't imagine why they just don't sell them with snaps, a zipper, or even velcro.

Vettechick, don't you just have a few days left? How are you holding up? I can't even catch up on the Moms to be thread, lol.

I know. For $60 they should think these things through!

Yes, Thursday is the big RCS day. I work all week so time will fly by I'm sure. I am feeling good though, especially since DH is going to DQ for me. How are you doing?

 

[Mrs. Charming]

I know. For $60 they should think these things through!

Yes, Thursday is the big RCS day. I work all week so time will fly by I'm sure. I am feeling good though, especially since DH is going to DQ for me. How are you doing?

No kidding.. you would expect a little more for what they charge for these teeny little dresses.

YAY Thursday! You're working all week? OMG! Go you! I think I'd have had to take mat. leave a while ago. I'm definitely sure it helps time pass, though. YAY for DQ.. I had some the other night, it was heavenly!

I'm so ready to be done. I don't think I'm going to make it to my rcs date of 9/1. I'm already having painful contractions here and there, his head is so far down that I feel like he's going to just fall out, and a whole lot of other TMI stuff. I guess I'm just sitting here waiting for something to happen.

 

[livndisney]

If the dress has a "stretchy" back and you cut it, it may fray and unravel. You would need to serge the raw edge to keep it from fraying. Also I would not suggest added velcro as it will snag the fabric.

If you REALLY wanted to alter a dress I would suggest taking out a shoulder seam and adding snaps. (Think baby tee shoulder snaps). Failing that you "could" add a zipper to the back but run the risk of unraveling if you don't serge the cut.

I got frustrated with the Disney dresses years ago and now I make DD princess dresses out of cotton so they are washable and easy to get into.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

If the dress has a "stretchy" back and you cut it, it may fray and unravel. You would need to serge the raw edge to keep it from fraying. Also I would not suggest added velcro as it will snag the fabric.

If you REALLY wanted to alter a dress I would suggest taking out a shoulder seam and adding snaps. (Think baby tee shoulder snaps). Failing that you "could" add a zipper to the back but run the risk of unraveling if you don't serge the cut.

I got frustrated with the Disney dresses years ago and now I make DD princess dresses out of cotton so they are washable and easy to get into.

Yep they're the stretchy ones. I wish I had a serger, I'd try that. The straps aren't the problem, it's the darn torso that gives us the hardest time. It fits her fine when it's on her, but when we're putting it on her... ouch. She wants it on but that's gotta hurt. I wonder if I could somehow just replace the back with another stretchier material, like that nice spandex-y stuff? Hmmm..

 

[vettechick99]

No kidding.. you would expect a little more for what they charge for these teeny little dresses.

YAY Thursday! You're working all week? OMG! Go you! I think I'd have had to take mat. leave a while ago. I'm definitely sure it helps time pass, though. YAY for DQ.. I had some the other night, it was heavenly!

I'm so ready to be done. I don't think I'm going to make it to my rcs date of 9/1. I'm already having painful contractions here and there, his head is so far down that I feel like he's going to just fall out, and a whole lot of other TMI stuff. I guess I'm just sitting here waiting for something to happen.

And Scooner has minor skin reactions to her dress, but by God we are going to wear that mess! She doesn't notice or itch, so we go with it. Bad mommy.

Yea, I have basically 12 days paid for my maternity leave, so I'm trying not to take any time beforehand. Isn't 12 days pathetic?

You are getting so close! It sounds like he's ready to come out. Don't squat or he might! DD has dropped some, but definitely isn't engaged. So it makes walking around a lot easier. I still have major backaches. But since I'm so close, it's ok. And I'm so excited that I'm days away from having a glass of wine, I can't stand it.

 

[livndisney]

Yep they're the stretchy ones. I wish I had a serger, I'd try that. The straps aren't the problem, it's the darn torso that gives us the hardest time. It fits her fine when it's on her, but when we're putting it on her... ouch. She wants it on but that's gotta hurt. I wonder if I could somehow just replace the back with another stretchier material, like that nice spandex-y stuff? Hmmm..

Which dress is it? Can you post a picture and maybe I can give you some suggestions?

 

[Mrs. Charming]

Which dress is it? Can you post a picture and maybe I can give you some suggestions?

It's actually all of her dresses. It's the toddler size Tinkerbell, and the ballerina style Belle and Cinderella, and the toddler Minnie dress. They all have a "stretchy" back that isn't so stretchy. I can't post a pic at the moment, I can't find the darn USB cord!

 

[Mrs. Charming]

And Scooner has minor skin reactions to her dress, but by God we are going to wear that mess! She doesn't notice or itch, so we go with it. Bad mommy.

Yea, I have basically 12 days paid for my maternity leave, so I'm trying not to take any time beforehand. Isn't 12 days pathetic?

You are getting so close! It sounds like he's ready to come out. Don't squat or he might! DD has dropped some, but definitely isn't engaged. So it makes walking around a lot easier. I still have major backaches. But since I'm so close, it's ok. And I'm so excited that I'm days away from having a glass of wine, I can't stand it.

Haha I know what you mean about the dresses... come heck or high water, DD is wearing that dress and there isn't a thing I can do about it! lmao

12 days?!! Gosh, that's horrible. I'm sorry.

Yeah I'm definitely getting close. This little man wants *out.* Haha it's funny, I've actually avoided squatting! I was tempted to ask at the OB on Thursday about an internal exam, but since that's no guarantee of anything, I figured I'll go with the flow. My next appt is 8/20... lmao... if I make it that far.

OMG I totally hear you on the glass of wine. I can just taste a Margarita right now! lol. I actually bought a can of frozen pina colada mix the other day just to have a virgin one!

 

[princessmom29]

Be very careful if you do decide to alter them. That fabric frays very easitly, and will stretch slightly if you sugre it. Also you are going to end up actually making it a little smaller by opening the back and adding anything as you will need a seam allowance. Also, I would use a ballpoint needle on that type of fabric so that you don't run it sewing. I really thing your best bet is to just open the shoulder seams like a PP said and put in snaps if it is hard to get over her haed, or it you know someone with a hidden zipper foot, you could get a hidden zipper put into the side if it is really tight in the waist area going over the head. One of DD's dresses is hard to get the waist over her head and arms as it doesnt stretch well at the waist.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

Be very careful if you do decide to alter them. That fabric frays very easitly, and will stretch slightly if you sugre it. Also you are going to end up actually making it a little smaller by opening the back and adding anything as you will need a seam allowance. Also, I would use a ballpoint needle on that type of fabric so that you don't run it sewing. I really thing your best bet is to just open the shoulder seams like a PP said and put in snaps if it is hard to get over her haed, or it you know someone with a hidden zipper foot, you could get a hidden zipper put into the side if it is really tight in the waist area going over the head. One of DD's dresses is hard to get the waist over her head and arms as it doesnt stretch well at the waist.

Hmm. SO ... it looks like this isnt going to work. Should I take it to a tailor or just buy 2 sizes up (lol)?

 

[princessmom29]

Hmm. SO ... it looks like this isnt going to work. Should I take it to a tailor or just buy 2 sizes up (lol)?

I know, I know. I just got the parks tiana dress for my DD. We are not going until March, but I wanted to have her size! She wears a 6 so I ourdered a 7/8 thinking it would be plenty big. It fits fine, and is even a bit big once I get it on, but the waist has NO give and if she wasn't so small through the chest, it wouldn't go on!

You might bw able to get away with adding a zipper if she has a little room in it, but it will not lay perfect at the bottom and you will have to cheat it a little. It would definitely be easier to get it on and off. If she cannot get it on at all it might be worth trying it. Just turn over as little as posible when putting the zipper in and be very careful lining it all up.

 

[dizmom2mwjk]

and make them smaller where they need to be...

My dd is 4 and I bought her an Ariel dress as a reward for potty training...we have almost all the others as hand downs from her older sisters/cousins...
I bought a 7/8, sewed lup the straps so it did not drag on the floor so much, AND it was on clearance...because the older girls did not want them as much?...as she grows, I can let out the straps...

With her Belle gown, the 4-6x is so long it dragged on the ground when we first go it, and has velcro on the back where it opens already...but there is a spot where it can be sewn easily upwards to make it shorter and then let out longer when she grows...

Start buying them one size larger...then pin or sew it... Up North, we have to wear coats for Halloween, also, so then she can have room for the coat under the costume as well....and the layers to go with it

 

[Mrs. Charming]

and make them smaller where they need to be...

My dd is 4 and I bought her an Ariel dress as a reward for potty training...we have almost all the others as hand downs from her older sisters/cousins...
I bought a 7/8, sewed lup the straps so it did not drag on the floor so much, AND it was on clearance...because the older girls did not want them as much?...as she grows, I can let out the straps...

With her Belle gown, the 4-6x is so long it dragged on the ground when we first go it, and has velcro on the back where it opens already...but there is a spot where it can be sewn easily upwards to make it shorter and then let out longer when she grows...

Start buying them one size larger...then pin or sew it... Up North, we have to wear coats for Halloween, also, so then she can have room for the coat under the costume as well....and the layers to go with it

That's an awesome potty training reward!! DD just has to finish up potty training when we're out, and we're *done*! Maybe a new dress can help that, lol (clearance really helps, of course!)

I do think I'm going to buy a size larger. I remember pinning DD's old Belle dress up, so I don't see why I can't just do that now with little stitches. I think that'll work much better, and then I can easily just sew little snaps on it to tighten it up in the back and then just remove the snaps if/when she'll wear it when it's her actual size.

Halloween is such a crapshoot here... some years it's super warm (75-ish) and some Halloweens we've gotten snow. LMAO. So, I definitely appreciate the ability to layer under the dresses too!