How to Alter a Bridesmaid Dress

Lots of occasions may arise in which you might require to alter a bridesmaid dress. Perhaps the dress is a bit too long or short. Oftentimes, bridesmaid dresses are purchased well before the wedding date. During the time between the purchase of the bridesmaid dress and the wedding date, the bridesmaid could have either gained or lost weight, meaning that her bridesmaid dress will no longer fit her. In lieu of purchasing a whole new dress, you can just alter the dress you already have. With just a bit of sewing skill, the process to alter a bridesmaid dress yourself isn't that hard.

Things You'll Need

Tape measure

Fabric marker

Pins

Seam ripper

Iron

Needle

Thread

Sewing machine

Serger

Step 1

Get your bridesmaid to model her dress for you. Use the tape measure to measure how much fabric should be altered, and then use a fabric marker to mark the dress according to the measurements. Pin up any other pieces of fabric that need to be altered to mark those alterations as well.

Step 2

Help your bridesmaid carefully remove her dress so that she is not poked with any pins you used to mark alterations, and then lay the dress out on an even surface. Use the seam ripper to remove the seams where the alterations are to be made. Seam rippers will let you cut the thread of the seams without damaging the fabric of the dress.

Step 3

Use your markings to decide where to re-sew the seam. Start by ironing the crease of the seam flat.

Step 4

Alter the length of fabric needed for the new seam. Refer to your measurements to pin the dress where the new seam will be. Use the tape measure to measure any measurements and to help ensure that the pinned seam is straight and even.

Step 5

Use a needle and thread or a sewing machine to sew the new seam. Remove the pins, and iron the seam when you are finished sewing it. Complete the seam by stitching along the length of the seam on the inside of the dress. Trim the edges with pinking sheers, which generate a zigzag pattern that reduces fraying and prevents raveling. You may use a serger machine to finish the seam if you wish.

Tips

Conduct your alterations on a dress form to make the technique less hard.

Warnings

Ensure that your alteration measurements are correct before altering the dress; otherwise, you could destroy the bridesmaid dress.