Someone PLEASE HELP Me Fix My Wedding Dress...

I bought this dress before i got pregnant at a thrift shop and now it doesnt fit at all. my stomach got wider and the zipper wont go all the way up. I LOVE this dress and want it to be my wedding dress for when i get legally married. Please give me ideas on how i can fix it...

Front...
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Back...
<br>
How Low The Zipper Goes...

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8 replies since 30th January 2011 • Last reply 30th January 2011

Reply #1:

Hi, It very much depends on where the fit is too tight.

Measure across your front bust from nipple to nipple. That should be the same width as your centre front piece.

You could add a V panel into each side seam if you need extra on your sides.

If you need more fullness on the back add V panels into the back seams (not at zip edge)

The lace trim could be split in half across it's length to give you extra to work with.

Depending on how you adjust it you could put the bow at the back.

Another way is to take the top part off completely. Use the centre front piece as a centre panel for a new corset type top. The 'spare' bits can be used to give more fullness in the waist area on each side seam or back seams depending on where you need fullness. Looking at the fabric it will be ok to invert the design so your spare fabric will go further. Keep the zip on the skirt part it will make it easier to match up the top.

I personally would go for a remake of the top. Yep it may sound drastic but it would work out easier in the long run. It's much more complicated to alter than remake. Just take a panel of the fabric with you. It looks like a mid weight brocade in a fairly popular colour. Even if you get plain to match you will have the detailed front panel and the lace to balance up the design.

You could draft up a paper pattern for the top and do a mock up in a fabric like curtain lining. Check out my corsets for basic pattern ideas. They are a good starting point. I had the same thing with a thrift shop dress for my handfasting ceremony. I ended up getting a velvet dress from a thrift shop as well to make the top and used the original bottom. No one notices if you have a good eye for fabrics....Lol ;D

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Reply #2:

I'm not good at sewing and I bet Sheila will be of much more help than I can be but maybe you can remove the zipper and make the back a corset to give you more room. You can either add fabric to open V or you can leave your back open.

to go for these looks:

http://sangmaestro.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/wedding-dress-with-corset-bodice.jpg

http://bios.weddingbee.com/pics/37024/Kristals_Pics/dress-corset-back-510x655.jpg

http://media.onsugar.com/files/ons/260/2601459/50_2008/ce/EricaandJustinWedding131.jpg

http://romanticweddingdresses.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/corset-back-wedding-dress.jpg

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Reply #3:

thank you so much guys this was alot of help...i think imma go with the first picture that Lo posted or the last...super excited that i can fix it and not use it for scraps thanks again

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Reply #4:

Hi, if you use the corset back one cut your zip down. You will still need it to get into the dress Happy

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Reply #5:

ok thats a good idea thanks

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Reply #6:

Since you are getting bigger you should try an insert of wide elastic much like you'd find on a girdle. Ask your dry cleaner if they have a seamstress, she should be able to help you in the process. Good luck to you.
Glenda

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Reply #7:

It's a shame you don't live near me, I could have rustled up a dress in an afternoon. Good luck x

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Reply #8:

thank you guys so much for your advise <3

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