How to Shorten Shoulder Straps Take up Shoulder Straps at the Seam

How to Shorten Shoulder Straps Take up Shoulder Straps at the Seam
This vid will show you a couple of different ways to take the straps up. I also do a little razor work and hand sewing. The wording gets a little tricky! I hope it makes sense while you watch the process. Any questions? Leave them in comments down below. Please be kind. :)
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How to Use a Razor for Sewing: • How to Use a Razor Ins...
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[@bonnieoman407]

Thank you so much for this video! My daughter's friend asked if I could take up the straps on her prom dress and I said sure then I saw that it had several layers with lace and embroidery. I didn't think I could do it. Then I googled a how-to video and this came up and it was EXACTLY what I needed to teach me how to do this. Thank you! Thank you!

[@terrimartin3034]

Love the client language (loft) versus shop talk: " Bunchy". " poufy " Another favorite. Thank you!

[@BridalSewing]

Thanks! I try to make my verbiage approachable and understandable, both for the sake of clients and newbie seamsters. I tend to favor visual words with expression and a real conveyance of what is going on vs. stiff terminology.

[@connieriter9897]

I wish I knew about years ago. You are a wonderful teacher. I have been sewing for 60 years many weddings. I have learned more in the last 3 weeks than working with the experts. Please keep up the great work

[@BridalSewing]

Thank you so much. ❤❤

[@connieriter9897]

@@BridalSewing now I'm going to try taking in the bust line. The woman is only a size 4. I think the front of the dress would fit a lest a 6 would you

[@sewingstoryprojects6178]

I'm just coming on here to thank you for this video. I was able to use it to shorten the straps on my daughter's prom gown. She was quite impressed. Also, as an aside, I found an applique pin stuck inside when I opened it up! Ahhhh! I fished it out so all is well. Not sure it would have ever poked her but still.....I was surprised to find it. Thanks again! Onto the hem next! Following one of your hem videos! :)

[@gauge1581]

I can listen to your voice the whole day. Thanks for the video.

[@BridalSewing]

Wow! Thank you! One of my biggest hesitancies in starting this channel was not liking my voice. Lol I don't care for my accent and I have an excessive amount of vocal fry that I have not been able to remedy. Ug.

[@gauge1581]

It’s kinda rather soothing with the high and lows. Sounds like you are a young person. You’re excellent instruction adds to the clarity. I find your channel informative and approach is unique.

[@BridalSewing]

Thanks so much! :) & thank you for watching!! :) 🎶✂️

[@deliaweber9220]

Ditto!

[@christypoos9728]

Well done. I have learned sew much from you. Just did a 5 yard horse hair hem and darts in a lace top for a prom dress. Needless to say Mom and client were so thrilled with the end result. Thank you.

[@sarahknobel8908]

Thank YOU so much for this tutorial. I do have sewing experience but this channel is AMAZING to refresh my skills! Thank you INFINITELY… love your posts! ❤️

[@hoosierhen]

Thank you so much! This video guided me thru altering my daughter's prom dress with confidence. I've put it off for weeks fearful of a disastrous result but it turned out extremely well. Daughter is happy as there is no evidence an alteration was even done.

[@calliekeavey5487]

Thank you so much! I needed to shorten the lace straps of my bridesmaid dress and certainly didn’t want to spend any more money on it. This was perfect because my straps were basically the exact same type! 💙

[@panayiotaprocopiou6611]

Thanks for the clear instruction.

[@jocelynamberg6759]

This was so helpful!!! Thank you for your explanations and demonstrations!

[@brendawood3427]

I have never seen anyone use a razor blade. You are so skillful because I would be bloody by now.

[@BridalSewing]

Haha!!! Give it time. :) I have a video on how to use it. You may love it! :)

[@Kendracane101]

Love this video! You are so detailed and helpful! I am attempting to tailor one of my own outfits for my wedding weekend (not my dress, I'm too scared!). This has given me the confidence to try!

[@terryjanisch905]

I’ve always gone thru bodice too but never was able to line the shoulders perfectly. Thank you

[@zipperfixer7007]

My compliments on the trailer.

[@Stephenthegun]

Thank you! Informative and helpful. Also, you are not arrogant that your way is the only way. Refreshing and encouraging.

[@BridalSewing]

My goals!!! 🤗 ❤🧵✂️❤

[@yvettesaxon8572]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I’m an experienced seamstress but started my alterations business 7 months ago. It’s going great and I’m so grateful for your help in showing best ways of coming out with professional results. Cheers from Australia ❤️

[@MandyWildman]

Thank you for this!

[@madelynsmith1116]

Beautiful! What a great tutorial

[@katewooden9937]

Love this xxx

[@deananightingale8197]

Thank you! Very helpful❤

[@ruthcline5465]

Very helpful, watching you handle the fabric for these alts helps a lot. I use the first method most of the time opening the inner seam only. I like to see the outer edge to be original, but off opening both makes more sense I really like your hand sewing to close it up. Very pretty.

[@BridalSewing]

Thank you for watching. ❤

[@mariaandress7083]

Love it!

[@jeanneheck902]

I am new to your videos and it is wonderful! Thank you sòoooooooo much!

[@BridalSewing]

Welcome!! :)

[@keishaemoore]

A surgical scalpel works very nicely in place of the razor blade, it is also much easier to hold and control. Thank you for sharing your technique.

[@BridalSewing]

Many people prefer the ergonomics of the hand held knives. I often go through a razor or two per day, so the knives, (or even x-acto brand knives that can have replaceable blades) are quite cost prohibitive for me. I also *personally* get more accuracy the closer my hands are to the seams. 🤗

[@mrsalibooboo]

thank you for this xx

[@iheartbridalcouture5989]

I usually leave all the seam allowance. A lot of my brides/prom girls sell their gowns and want peopleto have the optionof letting it out. I sometimes trim some and press pound it flat as I can. Bless those girls hearts who went thru the bodice!!!

[@BridalSewing]

I'd say 90% of my brides say don't cut the seam allowance out. They do like it reversible! :)

[@joannpage6691]

Brave girl with that razor😲! Great video.

[@BridalSewing]

Lol

[@debiperkins]

😱. Omg! I almost fainted when I saw the razor. You are the master with that thing. I should be sewing, but I can’t stop watching. I do alterations for a gown rental, so I do a lot of fudging, never trim. Keep it in the original state. I have found so many tips on your site. Still having palpitations over the razor. My seam ripper is laughing. Naughty girl. You rock!

[@BridalSewing]

Lol!!

[@deliaweber9220]

@@debiperkins LOL!!!!

[@Pri-Cilla]

Hello there. Do you have the video on how to adjust the straps and also the left olver fabric in the back of a dress straped like the first one and a v back? Sorry if Im asking for too much. Lol, but we never know until we ask. Im very grateful for your videos

[@jennettex]

"Sew" helpful!

[@LDSKami]

Why have I been going up through the bodice when this seems so much easier than wrestling with all that 😂

[@BridalSewing]

Oh, no!! 😱 Say it ain't so! Oh, gosh, girl. I can't wait til March!!! We are gonna have a blast & save you piles of time! ❤

[@sueiverson258]

Love how you leave whenever you can enough to reverse an alteration. Sure there are times when you simply cannot such as hemming or raising a waistline- but you can always go back in and remove extra fabric if it causing issues after a fitting to double check your results. Another time I will cut off seam allowances right away is on a men's shirt with the glued flat-fell seams. Taking those out is truly a pain so I will cut all I can and only remove what I must to blend in. Thankfully we aren't seeing the glued seams in bridal... So far...

[@BridalSewing]

Ug. I hate sewing on men's shirts!! Lol

[@debbieperkins7270]

You inspire me to be better. Have done 5 gowns in the last month and a half. I am an idiot. 😵 Got to set my you tube set up on my tv.

[@BridalSewing]

Thank you for watching so faithfully.

[@diptitank1943]

Thanks for posting this video! What is the sewing machine foot called in your video?

[@rusbac]

Another great video! I'm a quilter and you've given me the courage to make minor alterations to my wedding dress. Is there a good book/resource that explains how each seam changes the shape of the dress? For example, I would imagine that taking in the underarm/side seams would create a different shape than taking in at the front or rear seams. Thanks!

[@BridalSewing]

Hey congrats! I have a vid on here about my favorite sewing books. That even flips through them a little bit so you can choose for yourself. But How to Alter a Wedding Gown sounds like the one you may be looking for?

[@geethaanjali2755]

please show the it's bodice pattern cutting

[@claudiah5507]

Omg amazing video. What hand stitching style do you use? And is there anything you can do to make straps like that not too far apart(fpr narrow sholders) ? I just ordered a customer brides made dress and the straps are too far apart and too long. (Im super short and have very narrow shoulders) I dont think I can do anything for the straps being too far apart But shortening the straps will make it look much better. Thanks for taking the time to do this!!! I love the second method! I will be using this for sure!!!

[@BridalSewing]

I may add this to my next video! It is a common question, and it is an easy fix. Stay tuned! :) remind me if I forget-I don't want to leave you hanging.

[@hannahdupuis1703]

This video was super helpful and exactly what I was looking for ! The only thing is that I wish you would have used a different color dress because it's hard to see the white strap with the white sewing machine behind it

[@BridalSewing]

Lol I only sew bridal. 🤣😂😂

[@lisamccoy4216]

Enjoyed this video. Question: do you always use double thread when hand stitching, or just at shoulders? I've always used single thread, especially where there might be extra bulk. What is your thought process on using the double thread? Thanks.

[@BridalSewing]

I almost always double it. If that's too bulky, I switch to a lighter thread weight.

[@melissabrown3162]

Such a great tutorial! I have been altering wedding gowns for 7 yrars now. Most of mine are to shorten the hemline. I have my 3rd dress in 7yrs that needs the straps shortened. Crazy, I know. I actually have similar type straps fpr this gown. I do have a question. How do you shorten the straps when the width of the straps are tapered? I need to shorten these straps by a full inch. The width of the straps on the front of the gown are thicker than the back side of the straps. Thoughts or suggestions?

[@BridalSewing]

You have to taper the straps too

[@melissaklaassen9200]

What type of thread do you use for this type of hand sewing and do you use thread conditioner or wax?

[@BridalSewing]

Usually my basic gutermann thread. If I need wax, sometimes, I use it.

[@evelynhall7946]

The sleeves I need to alter look exactly like these but they also have a split (at the shoulder) flutter sleeve attached. How would I go about altering something like this? The fabric is super thin and gauzy so I am not sure I could hem it again if I cut it.

[@BridalSewing]

Do you have the style number so I can look up what you are describing?

[@melanieshelton7566]

When I sew, I tend to always “divide and conquer”. I have a hard time getting all the layers right and getting good stitch placement at the same time. How can I build comfort to sew things in one pass?

[@BridalSewing]

Experience. So...practice, practice, practice :)

[@BronzeGoddess87]

What foot are you using for the strap?

[@BridalSewing]

I love commercial invisible zipper feet & I switch between left & right feet as needed. The right foot gets me super close to the action on jobs like this. The left foot gets me perched on an itty bitty hem when doing a rolled hem. Etc.

[@djbustarful]

This is exactly what I need to do to my dress

[@francesmitchell4400]

i have a question can you do a video on a grown that has strap with slevees. need to shorten the strap not the slevee thanks Fran

[@BridalSewing]

It's sad, but you have to take the sleeve off to shorten the strap. Then put back on.

[@paulasiefert2059]

What are your thoughts on using beeswax in thread?

[@BridalSewing]

I do that sometimes! :)

[@jaynemedley114]

I wish I was nearer 🙈

[@debiperkins]

Jane, I’ll pick you up and we will make a road trip go play. That was my first thought. Gotta have my son help me be able to put this on the smart tv. I’ll be in heaven.

[@shelleyellis4329]

Me too!

[@terryjanisch905]

Would it be easier to open opposite seam without the understitching.

[@BridalSewing]

I think it's kind of 6-one, half dozen the other. It's def easier to open that way, but after you take it up, you would want to sew the understitching back in so that the way it lays matches the rest of the strap, then hand sew the side you used for access. If you open at the understitching, the way you catch the seam allowance while hand stitching it closed can make it lay similar to if you had understitched it. (With proper pressing of course.) I don't think there is a wrong way & I do it differing ways depending on the gown.

[@amykinley]

What do you do if there is a nonslip strip on the strap?

[@BridalSewing]

Remove it from the strap at that spot you are working on, then after you do the alteration, see if it lays best if you snip it at the middle of the excess and overlap the extra. You can also lift it off, then open up the shoulder seams & snip the silicone elastic in the middle and sew each part straight out to the straps' ends. Then do the alteration. I hope these make sense. It's hard to explain in writing! 😂

[@debbieperkins7270]

Help!!!! I just did a gown. BIG busted. Long wide shoulder strap. Shortened. No problem . It seemed to Work, just seemed tight. What is the correct way to do this? Checked for videos, but did find what I needed.

[@BridalSewing]

Can you email me please? My contact info is on my channel homepage. I need pics. I don't think I understand.

[@debbieperkins7270]

I just sent one that was just before finishing. I just want to know what is correct for off the shoulder. Some don’t want them to hang, but be more fitted. I tell them that it is an either/or situation. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@Kyleigh.Lindner]

What do I do if there is no shoulder seam?

[@BridalSewing]

This is beyond youtube comments. Haha there would have to be pictures involved. You can DM me on insta.

[@Daniellasanche]

How do you take up shoulders without making the armhole too small? This is always an issue I have...it fits well, but then her armhole is too small

[@BridalSewing]

When you take it up that much, you often have to drop the armscye, (armhole at the bottom.) But... if you are running into that issue, you are more than likely pulling it up way too high. Then the apex of the bust will sit too high. Then, she'll have gapping at the bust. There's a waterfall of issues that come up. First, align the bust apex of the dress with her bust apex. Then, see how much strap to take in. It should only be enough to align the apexes. Then take in the dress. Most commonly, this problem starts from a stylist or mom insisting that the dress just needs the straps yanked up to high-heaven, resulting in all these other problems. The real problem is usually about 4 inces lower. 99% of the time, the problem is the girl is short-wasted and she needs the length of the bodice shortened to fix all of this stuff. This is why pro seamstresses don't take orders from moms and stylists. ;)

[@Daniellasanche]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to me, this is very helpful! ​@BridalSewing

[@emmapatrick5250]

How to know how much to charge for this job?

[@BridalSewing]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/g52nh2VsrcaeitE

[@ruthcline5465]

U

[@ruthcline5465]

Thanks for another helpful video, I like the idea of my Alts being reversible. It helps me keep things very neat and clean while I’m working. I discovered the hard way to keep my hand sewing just right and not cinched up too tight. A few re-sew sessions taught me to relax.