Dress Alterations

[Callie]

I recently purchased a floor length ballgown on clearance for $12.50! I plan on wearing it to my sorority formal this fall, but I was curious for opinions on alternations. I feel like I need the top made a bit smaller, and some straps added. I wasn't sure how much these would run?

 

[Janepod]

I recently purchased a floor length ballgown on clearance for $12.50! I plan on wearing it to my sorority formal this fall, but I was curious for opinions on alternations. I feel like I need the top made a bit smaller, and some straps added. I wasn't sure how much these would run?

$40-$50 around here.

 

[Pigeon]

Probably more than that here. I had dd's prom dress altered. It was strapless and needed taking in a bit on top and hemming about an inch. I also had it pressed. It was $125, more than the dress cost!

Do you have straps that just need to be sewn on or will the person need to take fabric from the dress, make straps and attach them? That will be more.

 

[Ceila]

You'll get the best information from calling some local places directly to get pricing. You may need to be seen for them to give you an accurate estimate. Many dry cleaners offer alterations, so you can check with them as well as seamstresses in your area.

 

[lizabu]

I was referred to a seamstress who works out of her home. She was very good and charged only $25. Had I taken it to someone who has a shop it would have cost much more so be sure you ask around.

My DDs grad dress had to be taken in at the bust and shortened a couple inches

 

[NotUrsula]

Visit a good fabric store and check their bulletin boards. There will be lots of folks who do basic alterations, and they will charge you less than taking it to a custom dress shop.

The nature of the alterations will determine the price. If the issue is a simple set of darts, it can be done in 10 minutes, but if the bodice needs to be removed, reconstructed along with the lining, and then reattached to the skirt, that will take a good half-day (including fitting and marking), and will accordingly cost a whole lot more.

If you can find jewel straps that you are happy with, get those; much less effort to attach them than to have to snip out a seam allowance in order to construct straps out of the dress fabric.

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

Although it wouldn't be a professional, perfect fix, if this is a strapless gown that just needs a bit of "tightening" at the top, you might ask one of your friends (or their mothers) who know how to use a sewing machine if she could take a look at the dress and see if she could re-sew the side seam on either side of the bodice, by making it as tight as you need it on top and tapering it down to the current waist. I haven't seen the dress, but that might work, depending on how it is constructed and if there is "boning" (a rigid plastic piece you can feel through the fabric) involved.

As for straps, I like the idea of the jeweled straps another poster suggested. Look around a fabric store for ideas. You may find a number of creative alternatives. Ask for help, as the people who work there probably all sew.

These ideas might help, if your goal is to keep the cost down as low as is humanly possible. Good luck!

 

[Callie]

Thanks for the suggestions! My mom is actually really good at the sewing machine, so she might be able to help with the straps. I think some diamond type ones would be cute, since it has sequins at the top. I really need the top just taken it at the top top part. I'll check local fabric places, and ask around. Heck, they might just need to sew me in!

 

[clh2]

A good seamstress can handle this. Depending on if the top has beading is one of the factors that impacts the cost.

We know a great seamstress-did similar alterations to dd'sprom dress, and shortened 9 layers of tulle for around $50. (Not straps though). The bodice was beaded, and that is more work.

Dd had straps added to a homecoming dress, and that was about $10. Iirc.

But-about the straps-if the bodice was fitted properly-would you need straps? Of course-do what would make you most comfortable! The last thing you need to worry about is needing to hike your dress up all night! I think that depends if there is boning in the bodice or not!

Great deal on the dress!

 

[aprilgail2]

I was referred to a seamstress who works out of her home. She was very good and charged only $25. Had I taken it to someone who has a shop it would have cost much more so be sure you ask around.

My DDs grad dress had to be taken in at the bust and shortened a couple inches

Same thing with my daughters dress- I was referred to a lady that does it out of her home, she took it in on top, added straps because it was strapless and took it up a inch and she charged me 20.00!

 

[Callie]

I have a very very large chest, so I really don't feel comfortable having it strapless. I had one last year for our formal, but it had an elastic on the top, so it stayed up.

 

[redlight]

12.50? You got that for almost free.

 

[Callie]

12.50? You got that for almost free.

There were a TON priced that low. I assume it was because it was the end of July, and they needed room!