About Dress Alterations - Tips to Alter a Dress

Whether you’re attending a wedding, prom, or any other formal event, wearing a dress that fits you perfectly is a must to ensure you look and feel your best! One size usually doesn’t fit all and many women find that they need to get their dresses altered. It can be scary handing your dress over to someone knowing that it’s going under the scissors and going to have stitches ripped out or hems shortened. No matter where you’re going to have your dress altered, these tips will help you to be prepared when getting your dress altered for the perfect fit.

Where to go: The first step to getting your dress altered is finding a place that is trustworthy and reliable. Bridal shops are great because seamstresses who have worked with wedding dresses are most likely comfortable altering any type of dress. Going to a private seamstress is a good option, but keep in mind that they may charge more for alterations. Even the dry cleaners can serve as a great and affordable place for minimal alterations. Another option that is extremely convenient is to have a family member with the right skills make the alterations for you.
Chirstmas Dress choices: 2019 evening dresses, mother of the bride dresses, wedding guest dresses 

When to alter: Getting your dress altered should be planned in a way that will ensure your dress is done on time and fits properly. Going to get your dress altered about three weeks before your event is recommended because it allows enough time to make changes. If you get your dress altered too early, you run the risk of having it not fit properly, since our bodies are constantly changing with weight fluctuations. On the other hand, if you take the dress in too late, you run the risk of having a poorly done job or just not having time at all to have it altered.

Working with your dress: If your dress doesn’t fit you perfectly, try going up a size and having it taken in. This is recommended because it’s generally easier to take a dress in than to let it out. When you get a dress let out, you run the risk of having to choose a fabric that could mismatch your dress. By purchasing a bigger dress, you don’t have to worry about a lack of fabric, and your tailor can work with the dress and your body. Similarly, if your dress is too long, you'll need to have the hem shortened to avoid tripping and fabric trailing. When you take your dress to get altered, try it on with the shoes you plan to wear, then have the tailor measure to make the hem work with your height.

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