To all you people nifty with a needle!

RedVelvetCurls
RedVelvetCurls Posts: 304 Member
in Chit-Chat
Does anyone know an easy way to re-size a dress? I've tried Google of course but I get all these tutorials on like, cutting them up first and sewing them back together and I do NOT trust myself to do a good job of that.

I only want to take my dresses in about 2 inches at the waist, and maybe take the length up on another by about 2 inches. I don't have a machine either, I usually just sew by hand.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! :flowerforyou:

Replies

  • Izzwoz
    Izzwoz Posts: 348 Member
    Hey you! I'm no expert at amending clothes but I am getting ok at making them :-) I guess it hugely depends on how "fancy" the dress is ... Is it a single layer, has it got lining, lots of seams or is it quite straight forward? Is the fabric patterned or plain? If is is quite straight forward and no pattern to try and line up, a simple set of darts around the waist should do the trick ... Send me a pic if you want and I can have a look?
  • RedVelvetCurls
    RedVelvetCurls Posts: 304 Member
    Oooh, well I can send you photos, will I just PM them to you? I'm afraid my dresses have a lining, one of them is very complex actually... Only one has a pattern but I'm not bothered if it matches up or not. Also I'm unsure about the number of seams, I'll have to show you I guess!
  • MFPRat
    MFPRat Posts: 201 Member
    Sounds kind of complicated. I think I'd find a seamstress.
  • RedVelvetCurls
    RedVelvetCurls Posts: 304 Member
    MFPRat, you're probably right, I'm just trying to save a little money hahahaha! Plus I really SHOULD learn this, just in case I have a family of my own or need to do a favour for a friend. :laugh:
  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    Sounds kind of complicated. I think I'd find a seamstress.

    Seriously, Ms. Lee down the block can hook you up for cheap. :wink:
  • PlayerHatinDogooder
    PlayerHatinDogooder Posts: 1,018 Member
    IN.

    For the tattoos and drugs!

    EDIT: Nevermind this is about sewing. :embarassed:
  • Silver_Star
    Silver_Star Posts: 1,351 Member
    this is what i do.

    i wear the dress inside out.

    stand in front of the mirror and pinch/hold the dress at the waist and mark it with a material chalk at the point where youre comfortable with the tightness.. mark on both sides.

    take off the dress, spread it flat and pin the sides where you marked it.
    draw an even curve with the chalk and tack/ baste it ( correct term?).....then try it on again.

    when youre happy with the fit then sew. Hope this helps?
  • lambchristie
    lambchristie Posts: 552 Member
    Does anyone know an easy way to re-size a dress? I've tried Google of course but I get all these tutorials on like, cutting them up first and sewing them back together and I do NOT trust myself to do a good job of that.

    I only want to take my dresses in about 2 inches at the waist, and maybe take the length up on another by about 2 inches. I don't have a machine either, I usually just sew by hand.

    Any advice would be greatly appreciated! :flowerforyou:

    Since you don't sew or even own a sewing machine, take your clothes to the cleaners ... they do alternations.
  • labeachgirl
    labeachgirl Posts: 158 Member
    Oooh, well I can send you photos, will I just PM them to you? I'm afraid my dresses have a lining, one of them is very complex actually... Only one has a pattern but I'm not bothered if it matches up or not. Also I'm unsure about the number of seams, I'll have to show you I guess!

    If it has a lining, you have 2 fit details to worry about, which is likely too complicated. I'd just go to a local alterations place.

Categories