Don't Ruin it! How to Shorten the Waist of a Low, Open Back Wedding Gown | Bridal Gown Alterations

[@juliettelynne5861]

Brilliant! I've been sewing for 40 years and think I know every technique. Ha!! Learn something new every day. Also, your drawing skills are incredible too! Thank you as always. 😘

[@terrymccann7044]

Thank you for detailed description of this alteration. Videos are always amazing.

[@BridalSewing]

So nice of you

[@adriennegonzales2636]

Omg yes.... the floating apex..... so many tell-tale signs of long waist. Sometimes I just take a breath and pin different combinations of solutions to see what handles the most in the fewest moves. What a great discussion on a complicated topic!

[@BridalSewing]

Thanks!

[@williejoereynolds2637]

Oh my goodness, I just don’t think I could do this alteration. I will watch again.thank you for sharing

[@BridalSewing]

You can do it. ❤

[@katewooden9937]

Thank you so much!! You are a guru at showing all the tips and tricks

[@yesm450]

Rare, isn't it? How lucky for us.

[@michellecothrun1048]

Wow - amazing tutorial!! Thank you!!! So many wonderful points to glean. I love the challenge of these more advanced alterations. I feel bad for the bride that has to pay for it though! Some of the issues covered are similar to what I'm working on now. I keep telling my bride that her body is not the problem. There is nothing wrong with her shape. The dress is to blame!

[@SewingwithSessi]

Brenda this is soooooooo informative like really I love that you are providing this Thank you

[@madeleineschwarrtz7433]

I have seen the need to shorten waist many t I mes, but never had the guts to do it....will get a 2nd hand gown at a thrift shop and practice,!!!!! Thank you for all these details..

[@deniset1742]

Another wonderful video! Thank you very much.

[@rosejacks8662]

Thank you so much for this masterclass on alterations. This was fabulous info!❤

[@user-je7pp2wg3m]

I'm not on this level, but this is still good to know. Love channel!

[@deliaweber9220]

Thank you for another great tutorial!

[@cherylsimmons784]

I hope that, one day I can come sit with you and watch you work. You do everything so well, especially expressing the garments by sketching. Thanks for sharing

[@BridalSewing]

Aww, thank you!!! I'd love to have you. ❤️ We are having a virtual retreat this fall.

[@713Joanne]

What a great video….I wish I had seen this earlier…..I am now working on taking an A-line dress to a semi mermaid….thank fully there is only 4 layers! Thanx again for all your videos…..

[@deborahkyllo9626]

LOL and OMG..I can’t count the number of times the Bridal Shop I work with has told a Bride the dress could be altered by doing XYZ….then they are in front of me and I’m looking at a seam that has no allowance to let it out or there is no seam at the waist and the body of the dress is panels of lace with a scoop at the bottom of the lace…or they’ve made up a name for a bustle….I then tell the bride what will be better. They usually go with my suggestion.

[@BridalSewing]

Haha. Yes! That reminds me of the time a bride came in saying the stylist told her to tell me her dress needed a "nip & a tuck." I laughed and said, that's a surgery. 😂😂 She said that's what she thought too.

[@shmwmlam3953]

What a great indetailed lesson. Looks like lot of work for the dress though. How much would you charge for this much complicated alteration

[@vickinathan8777]

So informative. I have run into this a few times so this will be really helpful. How do you go about pricing for this? Thank you!

[@BridalSewing]

Check out my block scheduling video about setting your shop rate, and then look at how long this sort of thing will take with that particular dress.

[@kristiyourweddingdresser6716]

I have never needed to attempt the detach front entirely, I have shorten the straps and lowered the arm hole. But, I feel like I'm getting a master degree in how to do it better? differently? at the very least the way it should be done for a very petite bride. Keep em coming Also, I have been needing to add or double up the boning in a lot of dresses with brides who are more well endowed, this dress looked like a prime candidate for more support. Did you add any additional boning?

[@BridalSewing]

Yes, she did need additional boning. I also needed to invisible tack the folds of her skirt to be more flattering. We still needed to hem a few inches off, and put in a bustle. Lots to do with this dress! :)

[@boredmollusca]

thanks again for all your videos.

[@carolynmiller2116]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. My bride has sheer gussets on the side seams. I'm pretty nervous.

[@kimradouglass6195]

Love this advanced tutorial thank you. Most brides I have helped just trust me to know and figure out the fit. So, to answer your question I would do how I felt was the correct way to achieve the result they ultimately want. Just in case you see this... When you hand sew the laces do you use a clear or matching thread? I would also be curious what kind of stitching you use.

[@BridalSewing]

I think this was my lightweight gutermann that we used for this one. It needs to be stronger than invisible thread. I'm thinking this was a mix of whip and running, with of course the right side stitches being shorter, more discreet, or half depth.

[@terryjanisch905]

Great great job as always Brenda.

[@BridalSewing]

Thank you!

[@angiep1360]

You are such a gift to us. Thank you

[@BridalSewing]

Thank you for watching. ❤

[@irenehall7682]

I had another "ahh haa:)" moment. You are a great instructor. This will definately help me improve my results. You asked for comments about making the alteration the way the bride wants or as you feel us best for rhe dress. When the bride shares what the bridal gown says about alterations needed, I listen. Then I find common ground-that we want a great fit, while keeping all the design elements she loves. Then I discuss another way that can be accomplished, besides only shortening the straps, for instance. This communication is so important to build trust. If she insists on her method, then I move forward with it and make the best of it.

[@algonquinsewingdesignstudi9155]

You asked the question, "Do you alter the dress they way the bride requests or do you alter according to the end result of the bride's request. I alter to the final result of the request. This in only an option where you have built trust. I'm very good at talking with and educating the bride about how and why I will alter it this way, work at building trust, managing expectations and giving no surprises along the way.

[@BridalSewing]

Thank you for your insightful comment. I appreciate it.

[@juliefranck8510]

Genius!! Love it thank you!!!

[@BridalSewing]

Thank you for watching. ❤

[@tarchambo]

Thanks!

[@BridalSewing]

Thank YOU!!

[@tarchambo]

If I had noticed the link before, I would have been donating every time I watch. Now I know!

[@BridalSewing]

Oh, tysm

[@adriennegonzales2636]

So when a bride asks for something to be done a certain way if it's incorrect I'll explain in detail... otherwise I explain how to achieve the look she's going for and usually she's just as surprised by what needs to go where to make it work.

[@terryjanisch905]

I’m doing this exact alteration presently. It’s a crummy DB that should of never been sold to this petite bride. I made the mistake of referring to her body type as short waisted. She loved it in the salon after they had it all clamped in the back. Her breasts are sitting at her waist. I’ve suggested a professional bra fitting with a structured long line corseted bra for her gown. This gown lacks any structure except for a few misplaced bones. This is very helpful wher I am now. Wish me luck with her next fitting. She’ll have her correct undergarments. And I’ll go from there. Her breasts need to be put in there place first.

[@nataliegomer673]

I've altered both ways. I usually just explain the end result and choose the technique that works best.

[@liav4102]

This is my body type and oh boy have I had some comical experiences with a waist in the right spot and the shoulders up to my ears 😂

[@kathleensmith1522]

A friend asked me to alter her wedding dress for her 40th anniversary. It is chantilly lace with a sweerheart neckline and a fill skirt ans big puffy lace sleeves that narrow above her elbows. The back is lace with the lower half lined. It is decorated with heavy appliques and trims. She needs about 2 inches added at back neck, 10 inches in bust and 6 inches in waist. Today I took out side seams. I planned to add 2 inches to each side seam. The front fits fine across the front but the back is the problem. I am thinking of taking out the back darts and adding at least an inch to each side of the back and inserting a longer zipper so she can step into the dress since it is so difficult to get over her head. I have been sewing for 60 years and altered many prom dresses and my daughter's wedding dress but never anything like this. I am not going to cut anything unless I am sure. I will be using a similar lace and can add trim as needed. I was thinking of raising the waist (only as a last resort). To make matters even worse, I asked her to get a bra with support (well endowed) before I did anything and she ended up with a strapless bra that looks like shapewear with no support. She has clear straps I suggested she use but doesn't understand what I meant. She does,however, look ok even in that bra but no hope of pulling in anything with support. The dress is inexpensice with no boning. I just want to make the dress meet ar the back and sides and can cover any additions with trim or the pattern in the lace. Not asking for a detailed alteration plan, just wondering if any ot this will work. She knows I do not have experience in this area and will be happy to be able to wear her dress.

[@terrimartin3034]

Grateful

[@hilereypolliard6947]

Thank you.

[@BridalSewing]

Thank you for watching!!

[@cynthiafields4611]

How would you alter this if the under layer doesn’t have a waist seam?

[@BridalSewing]

Sometimes you have to make one. Other times, you can lower the bust apex if the gown is too big when you start with it.

[@lynncasey4372]

Take up the straps first. I think this is more complicated than necessary. Yes, I am short waisted. Love your chanel.

[@BridalSewing]

But that's not going to work on every dress & if I changed this video to take up the straps, then no one would learn how to do this. This has to be done sometimes.

[@lynncasey4372]

@@BridalSewing Im just saying that's what I would tackle first.

[@BridalSewing]

Yes, definitely best to do the more simple affordable route first.

[@shoreegalgamdy5869]

Can you translate your videos toan Arabic language alot of Arabian pepole like your lessons

[@BridalSewing]

I wish I could. I do not know how. 🤗

[@shoreegalgamdy5869]

The Arabs are oppressed by most other educational and cultural programs. There are no translations of this language, even though they were among the first scholars in the past. It is really unfortunate.

[@marlahill1291]

Hello. Nice job. However.The brides will not pay the cost to do this . The most they will pay is $250.for all alterations including pressing.

[@BridalSewing]

Not my brides. & I try to be optimistic for those new to this industry. *Most* markets will happily pay a fair amount for this alteration. There are always cheap brides out there, but I won't work for them if they want to be that unfair.

[@helpmerhonda7155]

I was recently quoted by a bridal salon the “average” price for bridal alterations is $850. Asked them to give me a general idea for how much alterations would be for the dress I had on (wasn’t in love with it, just wanted an idea of what I’d be looking at - no lace, no bling, didn’t even need to hem) $875!

[@BridalSewing]

I have money vids about this topic. Pricing should be fair. Fair to everyone- the sewist & the bride.

[@deborahkyllo9626]

@@helpmerhonda7155 I do bridal alterations….they very often cost as much as the dress…the last dress I did for a bride the hem alone was $300 due to the complexity…three sets of horse hair that were each enclosed in between two layers of fabric. There were cheaper ways but this bride wanted to be exactly as I had taken it apart.

[@helpmerhonda7155]

@@deborahkyllo9626 and that goes back to the point you made about there being less costly ways to do the alterations but the customer wanted it done exactly the same way it had previously been done (more labor intensive) thus more costly. Which you should absolutely be paid fairly for the work you do. I was just shocked at the statement made by the bridal shop the average price for alterations was $850.

[@Spartacusvsklaus]

I enjoyed the video but hated the audio. I was listening on earbuds and was scared multiple times by the changing audio. Very embarrassing, I was listening in my office and I cried out thinking someone was yelling in my ear from behind me.

[@BridalSewing]

Hi. :) This was a long time ago and I've invested heavily since then. I'm not sure how to help you with your complaint, as it is in the past & we can't make changes. 😂😂 I guess just listen to newer ones??