Does anyone know if its possible to alter a dress up a size?

Question

I have found one of my bridesmaid's dresses on ebay but it is a size too small. It is possible to alter it up one or two sizes?

Answer 1

Usually with formal wear they don't leave enough seam allowances for you to size the dresses up.  You also need to keep in mind that the dress being sold was probably altered to fit the person selling it so you are not getting a perfect size X so some places may actually be two or three sizes too small.

Chesney has an idea with using hem fabric to create a panel, but usually you will need to hem ALOT to cover both side seams and it is pretty obvious where the panels are.  Besides that fact the cost of such labor intensive alterations will far outweigh any savings you may be getting by buying the ebay dress.

Since you havn't purchased the dress then you should definately skip this one and find another.

Answer 2

it depends on how much fabric is available in the seams. I had this issue with a couple of girls...however as an idea, if the dress needs hemmed, take that fabric and it can be used to make a panel in the dress.

Answer 3

As a rule no.Dresses that fancy usually have no room for letting out.Very small seams.