ven though your wedding dress is ordered in the closes standard size to your measurements, it's common for some adjustments to be necessary. This is because our bodies are unique, and can also fluctuate regularly, so standard sizes will fit differently on every body. In this case, you might require some minor modifications like shoulder adjustments or alterations to side seams. Here are our top tips for how to get the best results when getting your gown altered.
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- Once you find your dream dress, plan on needing some type of alteration if you want the “perfect” fit.
- Search for a seamstress who has experience altering wedding dresses
- Ensure the seamstress has availability to complete your dress before the day you need it.
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Making Changes to Your Dress
- Make sure you go to your first fitting with your seamstress in plenty of time so the alterations can be completed without being rushed.
- Plan on having one or two appointments before the final alteration is completed on your dress.
- Take the shapewear, undergarments, and shoes that you will be wearing with your dress to your first appointment with your seamstress.
- If you plan to make significant changes, e.g. making a dress modest, make sure you can get the fabric and/or accessories that match or compliment your dress in plenty of time to ensure they are available for your alterations.
- A good seamstress can take a dress in multiple sizes and still make it fit well, but this should be discussed prior to purchasing the gown.
- When only a little bit is needed such as ½ inch versus 2 inches, the cost will be the same because it requires the same amount of work to take in ½ inch as it does to take in 2 inches.
Finding a Seamstress
Know Before you Go
- A dress can be let out 1 to 2 inches.
- Changing one thing on a dress can result in additional alterations because the pattern of the dress may be changed, which will require making adjustments so the dress will fit appropriately.
- If a dress needs the shoulders shortening, it may result in higher neckline, bust, waist, armhole and shorter length on the dress. Evaluate how raising the shoulders on the dress may impact the rest of the dress before executing.
- A good seamstress can do build-ups, add or remove sleeves, change necklines, add or remove lace! Before you make this decision, consider that each of these changes can add to the cost of alterations and add to the amount of time it takes to complete your alterations.
- Tighter is not always better as you may end up with extra creases and wrinkles on the gown, if it is too tight.
- It is still possible to have a dress hemmed, even if you have lace on the edge of your dress. The lace will need to be removed and reapplied, so it may incur an extra charge, dependent on the seamstress.
