Post # 1

Member
81 posts
Worker bee
Hi bees! I wonder if one of you has gone through alterations on your wedding dress such as the upper part of one dress and the lower part of another drees. Here is what I want to do but I dont know if this will look good or if it is possible to make?
combine the upper part of the Allure 8714 style wedding dress with the Demetrios 981 style wedding dress and how much do you think this alteration is going to cost? My wedding will be held at the end of April 2011. I would appreciate your honest opinion and if there is any seamstress around here I also would appreciate your sincerity.
My problem is I hate the halter neckline of Demetrios and I love the portrait or off the shoulder neckline of Allure dress but the skirt of the last one is so simple and I love embroidery.
HELP!!!
Post # 3

Member
1937 posts
Buzzing bee
I’m not a seamstress, but here’s my unprofessional opinion. I think it would be very difficult to combine these two dresses. The first and major reason is because (based on the pictures), there is no horizontal seam separating the bodice from the skirt. There appears to only be side seams, therefore there is no natural place to attach the top and bottom. Secondly, there are different lace patterns on the two dresses.
If you primarily like the Demetrios dress, other than the neckline, I would talk to a seamstress just about altering the neckline (preferably before you purchase the dress). They may be able to alter the dress to an off the shoulders look instead of a halter top.
Post # 4

Member
81 posts
Worker bee
dear evabostonterrier,
your opinion sounded more than professional to me! thank you!
Well, thinking of what you said, I cosidered just to cut off the halter neckline only from Demetrios dress and add some tull over the sweetheart neckline (like in the Allure dress to be continued to the back) on to Demetrios dress and add the off the shoulder or portrait neckline and sleevs with matching demetrios pattern embroidered tull sleevs to the demetrios, also adding tull to make a V back , and to make it not that low. Does that sound more possible? not changing any tull or lace at all! will it look great?
Post # 5

Member
1828 posts
Buzzing bee
You can totally have the neckline changed from a halter to off-the shoulder like in the Allure dress. Adding sleeves is always a bit of a pain, so it might be more costly than say, making the halter into a strapless, but it can be done. I can’t find a really good pic of the demetrios dress, so I can’t tell the seam structure on the armpit/neckline, but it looks like there’s enough fabric there. Although it will also have to do with the individual construction of the dress, as there is lining, interlining, boning, etc to think about.
Post # 6

Member
1426 posts
Bumble bee
I think it would be very difficult to combine dresses by two different designers. The fabrics may not match, and what one considers “diamond white” the other might consider “ivory” etc. Plus, you’ll likely have to buy both dresses first, and then pay the cost to put them together.
I would say you might want to either keep looking, find a way to add to the skirt of the allure dress, or find a dressmaker who will custom make you the combo dress from scratch, rather than trying to combine two existing dresses.
Good luck, I’m sure you’ll find something great!