Not sure if anyone would know, but how much should a dress really be altered?

[FutureAshleyDukes]

I have lost quite a bit of weight since last May when we were due to walk down the aisle. I know my wedding is over a year away, but I tried on my dress and it falls straight to my ankles. Luckily we didnt really spend much on the dress, but my mom spend hours making it and really can only go by patterns, she doesn't know how to alter dresses (apparently they are two very different things).

I found out if have lost 3 dress sizes since last May, will my dress still look to big or odd if i simply get it altered? Or should I start dress shopping again?

 

[minkydog]

I'd suggest taking it to a professional tailor and get an assessment if you really like the dress. No one wants to stand up on their wedding day in a dress that looks like it was remade. I would never try to alter a gown myself. A tailor will be able to tell you if alterations can be made reasonably or whether you're better off starting over.
Congrats on your weight loss

 

[FutureAshleyDukes]

Thank you! I think I'll do just that. I just hate to have to get a new dress after my mom spent so much time making it.

 

[hiwaygal]

When I went to have some minor things done to the dress I bought, the seamstress told me of a girl who wanted to wear her mothers wedding dress...the only problem? The girl was a size 18 and the original dress was a size 10...the seamstress said she was able to use fabric from the dress to alter it and make it look good... I wouldn't have a clue!!!

I think it really depends on how much you like the dress and how good a seamstress you have doing the alterations!

Good luck!

 

[ead79]

Generally speaking, it’s much easier to take things in than to let them out. I would advise going to an alterations place that has a LOT of experience altering wedding gowns. The fabric used in wedding gowns is often delicate and is very different to work with than standard fabric.

I actually gained weight in between buying my dress and my wedding, so we had to order extra fabric and beadwork and have it essentially remade. We went to an expert alterations place and you could NEVER tell that anything had been done.

I will warn you that extensive alterations can be quite expensive, so I would get an estimate from a highly recommended alterations place and decide if you like the dress enough to pay the alterations cost.

If you can’t find a good place and are willing to drive down here to Atlanta, I can recommend a wonderful place that did my alterations.

Congratulations on your weight loss!

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

I don't think there's any amount you shouldn't alter a dress (within reason, of course) I completely changed the neckline of my dress. For that reason (to be sure she had enough fabric), I bought a dress two sizes too big. Of course, it's had to be pulled in and tucked in all sorts of places. You're dress should fit you to flatter your figure... means different things for and to different people I knew a girl who purchased a cheap wedding gown and had it altered into an appropriate prom gown... there were A LOT of alterations there, that's for sure!


If your dress is well-made, I think a professional tailor should be able to help you. Be sure you're seeing someone who works well with you and is willing and able to work on a handmade dress. If not, maybe your mom would remake the dress to the right sizes now? You might want to leave it off until the latest you can so that you change weight or sizes too much on her again! Twice might be OK, but the third time, she might not be willing!

 

[married@wdw]

Absolutely go to a professional. I started Weight Watchers about 9 months before my sister-in-laws wedding -- I had the dress ordered at just about my highest weight, but I lost almost 100 pounds in the nine months, which equated to about 5 dress sizes. I found a wonderful seamstress who was able to alter my bridesmaid dress perfectly. There are certain things they will and won't be able to do -- with alterations, they may have to slightly change the look of the dress, but as long as you're going down in size, a good seamstress should be able to do something with it! Good luck!

 

[FutureAshleyDukes]

Oh my goodness, congratulations on losing so much weight! Also thank you for the advice.

 

[MrsTink04]

I used to work at a bridal salon and our (very talented) seamstress cut a size 20 gown down to a size 2. Yes...18 sizes, and it was beautiful!!! Call around, try to get some local recommendations of good seamstresses, and have it altered!


Good luck!!