Help! I need this mostly for reassurance as I'm worrying myself silly right now. I just got my dress which I still think is just beautiful. I've been pretty clueless about things to keep in mind when shopping for a dress and now realize that alterations chould be challenging. I'd be curious to hear from people who've had a chiffon layer wedding gown.
Examining it and trying it on, I realize I will have two big problems with alterations (that I had not thought of earlier):
1) The gown has a satin base skirt with a chiffon overlay that is embroidered with silver thread and beading. The chiffon is attached to the satin skirt in only a couple places. Otherwise they are separate layers. I'm wondering how do I bustle this or is it not possible? The chiffon looks delicate and I don't see how this is going to happen without tearing it.
2) There is an embroidered trim at the bottom and embroidery in the bottom quarter of the chiffon skirt. The gown's a-line (satin and chiffon layers) falls from below the bust all the way to the floor without a seam break. Therefore, the only way to alter the length of the gown is from the bottom of the dress. At the time I tried this at the store, it seemed like we'd be able to shorten from the bottom by removing the trim and a little of the plain section of the chiffon and leave me with the the right height. Now, I see that even with 3" heels probably 1/2 inch of the main embroidery on the skirt could touch the ground. What do I do? How weird will it look to cut off part of the embroidery? Do I have other options (other than buying a different dress)? Taking the dress in from the bust would be complicated because of the beading. Argh, I hate being so petite!
So before I consult with some alterations people, I'd appreciate any ideas that I can keep in mind. Thanks for your advice!
It looks like there is a seam just under your bust. A good seamstress can shorten the gown from this point and pull the skirt up, while also taking it in.
Regarding the bustle... a good seamstress can do this as well by bustling both the satin skirt and the chiffon. If the chiffon is really delicate, you may just need to have more points to your bustle so that no point has too much weight on it.
Go see a bunch of alterations places and talk to them. They'll tell you what they can do, but I'm sure it'll work out just fine. The dress is gorgeous by the way :)
It definitely possible to do a bustle. I have a silk chiffon dress (two layers) like you described, and it's 100% doable. Talk to an experienced seamstress - they will know what they're doing!
Hi - you dress sounds beautiful. I too have chiffon dress of 5 layers and it is a sheath, so it had to be altered from the bottom. Unfortunately, I can't have it bustled b/c of the many layers of very delicate fabric and the weight. It seams with yours it will be doable. Def do your research on good seamstresses.
Help! I need this mostly for reassurance as I'm worrying myself silly right now. I just got my dress which I still think is just beautiful. I've been pretty clueless about things to keep in mind when shopping for a dress and now realize that alterations chould be challenging. I'd be curious to hear from people who've had a chiffon layer wedding gown.
Examining it and trying it on, I realize I will have two big problems with alterations (that I had not thought of earlier):
1) The gown has a satin base skirt with a chiffon overlay that is embroidered with silver thread and beading. The chiffon is attached to the satin skirt in only a couple places. Otherwise they are separate layers. I'm wondering how do I bustle this or is it not possible? The chiffon looks delicate and I don't see how this is going to happen without tearing it.
2) There is an embroidered trim at the bottom and embroidery in the bottom quarter of the chiffon skirt. The gown's a-line (satin and chiffon layers) falls from below the bust all the way to the floor without a seam break. Therefore, the only way to alter the length of the gown is from the bottom of the dress. At the time I tried this at the store, it seemed like we'd be able to shorten from the bottom by removing the trim and a little of the plain section of the chiffon and leave me with the the right height. Now, I see that even with 3" heels probably 1/2 inch of the main embroidery on the skirt could touch the ground. What do I do? How weird will it look to cut off part of the embroidery? Do I have other options (other than buying a different dress)? Taking the dress in from the bust would be complicated because of the beading. Argh, I hate being so petite!
So before I consult with some alterations people, I'd appreciate any ideas that I can keep in mind. Thanks for your advice!
posted by dmdwed 55 posts 5 months agoIt looks like there is a seam just under your bust. A good seamstress can shorten the gown from this point and pull the skirt up, while also taking it in.
Regarding the bustle... a good seamstress can do this as well by bustling both the satin skirt and the chiffon. If the chiffon is really delicate, you may just need to have more points to your bustle so that no point has too much weight on it.
Go see a bunch of alterations places and talk to them. They'll tell you what they can do, but I'm sure it'll work out just fine. The dress is gorgeous by the way :)
posted by awhalley 56 posts 5 months agoHi there,
It definitely possible to do a bustle. I have a silk chiffon dress (two layers) like you described, and it's 100% doable. Talk to an experienced seamstress - they will know what they're doing!
posted by Maude 131 posts 5 months agoHi - you dress sounds beautiful. I too have chiffon dress of 5 layers and it is a sheath, so it had to be altered from the bottom. Unfortunately, I can't have it bustled b/c of the many layers of very delicate fabric and the weight. It seams with yours it will be doable. Def do your research on good seamstresses.
posted by mleeeee 16 posts 5 months ago