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Impossible Bridal Gown?

When someone says a bridal alteration is, "Impossible", I think of the Oscar & Hammerstein song from Cinderella that I loved so much as a child.   


Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, Impossible (1965)


I get a lot of calls from brides telling me that another place told them their dress could not be altered.  Many times it is the store where they bought the gown.  I understand the limitations gowns have to the altering process but in truth, most people who say it's impossible just don't know how to do it. 


In discussing difficult alterations keep several things in mind:

  • 1. Structural Limits

    Any alteration is limited by the fabric and seam structure of the gown. Many things can be done on one dress that can't be done on another depending on these factors.  


    If a needed alteration will harm the structural integrity of the gown than the bride has to weigh that with her comfort level to find a fit that both looks good and lets the gown function as the design intended.

  • 2. Delicate Fabrics

    There are aspects that delicate fabrics have that can make the taking out and replacing of stitches a tricky thing to do. In these cases you want to keep the changes down to the minimum necessary to avoid stressing the fabric. 

  • 3. Design Elements

    The design elements of the gown may not lend itself to easy altering. 


    For instance: 


    A gown that has no waistline can not be hemmed at the waist. 


    If there is only 1" of fabric in the seam allowance the seam can be let out only 1/2".


    Beading that is sewn on after the lace is attached to the gown will fall off if the lace is moved. 

  • 4. Fit Verses Design

    Some alterations for desired fit can be done but will change the design of the gown so that the bride may not like the result. These things need to be explained to her in great detail before any sewing is done so she will not be surprised by the outcome. 



  • 5. Poor Fit Factors

    It is important to remember that the alteration lady did not create the fitting problem. Many factors go into poor fit. Sometimes the bridal store ordered the wrong size. Often the bride gains or looses weight during the long wait between the ordering and the receiving of the gown. Some gowns fit differently than the store sample that was tried on and fit just fine because the design sizes in a funny way. 

  • 6. Little is Impossible

    Little is impossible, but it may take a lot of out-of-the-box thinking and creative sewing to get the fit to be where the bride wants it. The bride has to be educated as to the ramifications of any thing that may be tried. 

Impossible?

Our Visitors ask Questions

  • Bias Dress 2 sizes too big

    added March 2011


    Hi Leanna,


    I came across your site online when doing a search. I have a quick question about alterations on my silk bias cut wedding gown.


    I fell in love with it at a sample sale but it was about 2 sizes too big. I was concerned about rippling along the seams in the front but was told by the boutique that it could be altered without problem....however when I brought it to the alterationist (is that the correct word?) she said that she could take it in along the back seam where the zipper is but that it would be impossible to eliminate the rippling along bust and hip in the front because of the bias cut. She said to take it in at the side/front seams would only worsen the rippling effect.


    Is this truly impossible or do I need to find another seamstress?


    I've attached photos after the dress was pinned. In one a sash is used to distract from the ripples although the overall style of the dress is certainly changed.


    Thank you very very much! Kat.


    Hi Kat,


    Bias cut fabric is notorious for doing this. It is not easy to fix and someone with no bias experience probably wouldn't know how to attempt it. It can be helped by releasing and hand sewing the seams, but that might not totally eliminate all the ripples and it's a delicate and extremely time consuming task. Steaming can also help. Even if you changed ladies, you might still have some rippling. 


    I can't see from the pictures - are there side seams? It's usually proper to do sizing at the side seams. You may be creating the ripples by pulling it at the zipper. The front part of the body is relatively flat where the hip area is curvy. When you pull at the zipper the whole dress shifts to the back and the flat part of the front is pulled into the curvy area at the hip and can cause rippling especially in bias fabric.


    I hope this helps answer your qiestion.


    ~Lea


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