"Letting Out" a Bridesmaid Dress?

[contempgal]

Anyone ever had to do this? How big of a deal is it?

I'm in my cousin's wedding in a couple of months. He is like my brother and while I'm uncomfortable in the "wedding" situation because I'm Pooh sized, there was no way I could say no. Well, we ordered our dresses some time ago and they came in recently.......I had to order the largest dress size they had and while it "fits", it is so tight that it scares me. Yes, I can diet ...... and have been really for a while but I don't know if I want to take that chance of it still not fitting.

And please don't flame me.........I already feel terrible about this and know my weight is a huge issue. The last thing I need is the "you need to go on a diet" attitude.

 

[saucymb]

No flames from me! I was in a wedding in 2000, and in the three months from when I first tried on the bridesmaid dress and the wedding itself, I gained about 15 pounds and it was very tight!

Find a good seamstress, take her the dress, and she'll know what to do. If it's only a little tight, and expensive to alter, why not check into wearing a matching wrap? It would possibly be cheaper than alterations, you may be able to buy one or your seamstress can make one maybe?

As far as dieting, I know that when I completely cut out soda/pop, I dropped 10 pounds in just 2-3 months. Easy to do, though the rest of the diet wasn't so easy!

Have fun, and really, don't worry about it. You'll be gorgeous!

 

[contempgal]

Thanks saucymb.......I was actually thinking about the shaw option and looked on the website for the bridal shop we used and found one that would work. I may look further into this.

I actually stopped drinking soda about 6 months ago and besides 1 Sprite, I haven't cheated. I had been walking every other day on a local recreational trail but haven't done as much over the past month because I have been fighting major back pain. I need to start back with that.

At this point, I'm just so disappointed with myself and upset that I'm having to do this.

I'll look into finding a good seamstress too. My sis just called and said her friend had to have a bridesmaid gown let out recently because she was pregnant. I'll find out who she used.

 

[Costumesaremylife]

You are not the first person to have this problem. Go to a real tailor/dressmaker, or if you trust the people at the bridal store ask how much fabric you should get to have it let out a bit, they should be able to do this. Call the store where you got the dress, or if there is a manufactuer/designer look them up on the web so you can contact them to find out if they have extra fabric for sale, they usually do so that people cna have sleeves put on, dresses let out or jackets/wraps made to match. Then just have it let out. I don't know how much it will cost. This is definately not a new problem for special occasion. My friend had to do it for her prom dress. Horrific shade of pink too. Oh the ninties!


Everyone always beats me to the punch! Oh well.

 

[roseprincess]

Did you order the dress from a bridal shop nearby you? If you did, they should have a seamstress in the premises to "let out" the dress during your fittings.
If the dress was not ordered from a nearby bridal shop, I would suggest to look for a tailor or seamstress, usually there are tailors/seamstresses when you bring in your cleaning.
My dad is a tailor,he has his own shop and does "take-ins' "let out" of dresses, suits, pants. Too bad you don't live in my area, I would refer you to my dad. He has been a tailor for over 40 yrs.
And I am pooh size, so I know that feeling of something is too tight.

I hope you will be able to find a good tailor/seamstress to help with your dress.


Rosemarie

 

[clh2]

One of my bridesmaids needed alterations done, to get more width at the top of the dress. The seamstress she used took some fabric from the bottom, on each side of the side seams, and used it to give to add a gusset (hope that's what it is called) on each side of the bodice.

Good Luck!

 

[Chris2597]

One of the bridesmaids in my dd's wedding had to drop out because her dress didnt fit. I felt so bad for her....She had a baby during the planning phase of the wedding and the dress fit tight right after the birth of the baby....and everyone thought that within 4 months of the wedding she would have time to get down a bit more....Well....she didnt....I am sure the stress of being a new mom contributed, but she gained and there was no way she could wear the dress....Everyone felt terrible about it.

 

[SDFgirl]

Maybe you could get one of those tummy/butt/thigh-sucking in bodysuits?

Sorry, I don't know the official name. They're not attractive, but it'll be under the dress so who cares?

Best of luck to you! I'm sure you'll figure something out...

 

[jellymanoffspring]

Don't feel bad....I worked in a bridal shop and they did this with bridemaids dresses all of the time!

All of the previous advice was correct...at the shop they ordered some fabric from the manufacturer (be prepared at the shop I worked at ..the fabric was not cheap) and added Gussets on each side.....

It would probaly be less expensive if you find a good tailor...instead of the one at the Bridal shop.....check with him/her first

 

[winniedapooh]

When I was thinner and in my 20's I was in SIL wedding. I hated the dress and made them order me a size bigger because I have such a wide back. They did this begrudginly. Meanwhile I got really sick and lost 12 pounds. Went back for the fitting and the blasted thing was too tight around back and side area. The girl said it was a good thing they had ordered the bigger size. I had it altered with no problem. Fast forward after 3 baby. Gained lot of weight and brother getting married. I was in the wedding and SIL found this hideously ungly flowered creation at Chadwicks she wanted. It went up to size 14 but that was back after child 1, lol. Did I mention I have a back like a football player, even when thin? I, luckily, found some matching material at a local fabric store and the seamstress fixed the sides and no one could tell. I think I burned that dress after the wedding. There are a lot of things the seamstresses can do.

 

[disfanatiks]

No advice...Just a !

 

[DMickey28]

I was a bridesmaid in my best friends wedding. We bought the dressing in February. I was working a job I hated, and was stressed to the bone. I had lost about 30 lbs working there. The wedding was in August. Wouldn't you know when the dresses came in and I finally got mine (we lived far apart) I was about 15lbs heavier. That thing was TIGHT. I used a shawl and it worked out great! Not the most comfortable but I didn't look as bad as I though I did, squeezing into a dress.

No flames from me about weight loss. It's not easy AT ALL. I have 20 lbs to lose for a crusie in late October 10 weeks away. I have nothing that fits a rotate the same few outfits that do fit. However, I still haven't made it off my butt to work out or anything. I am too tired and achy, and yet I know that once I start to exercise the tiredness and achiness will go away as a result!!

 

[Southern4sure]

If you already have the dress, look at the inside seams and see how much room you have to let it out. Some dresses can only be taken out 1/4 - 1/2 inch on each side. How far until the wedding? Dont diet but if you lower your carb intake (sugars, breads and potatoes mainly) and continue your walking you should see a difference soon. I hate bridesmaid dresses. You always have to order a huge size than what you really need and then it arrives so much smaller....

Good luck and I hope you can find a good seamstess.

 

[princess pooh]

My mom is getting her dress let out before my wedding. It can be done but it's important to find a really good seamstress. I ended up losing weight before my friends wedding and the dress was too big to start with. I tried to save money by going with the cheapest seamstress and the dress looked terrible.
Get yourself a beautiful wrap too and remember...bridesmaid dresses don't look good on anyone!