Wedding dress problems.?

Question

I found my dream dress. It's exactly what I wanted, but there's a problem.

I'm a very short woman (4'11") and I know that it's going to have to be altered like crazy and the reason I love the dress is the design and detail at the bottom.

I don't want to loose that detailing. Is there any way of having the dress altered without them cutting off the bottom?

Is there any way I could have the dress custom made by the designer to my measurements? I know I may still need alterations in the bust and whatnot, but it's the length I'm worried about.

Answer 1

Most store have the dresses custom ordered for you once you pick it, so each dress is made-to-order kind of thing.  So when you are ordering your dress they will be able to request it to be made shorter.  Really what they do with dresses that have embroidery or beading near the hem is they request the details be placed higher up the skirt dress. Then the seamstress will then hem the extra fabric of your dress to suit you, but you won't loose the details because they will be moved up on the dress ordered for you.

Answer 2

Yes and yes

Answer 3

This depends a LOT on the style of the dress. With some dress styles, they actually shorten them by taking them up at the waist. A dress with a definite waist (where there's some type of seam at the waist) will be taken apart, have some fabric cut out, and then sewn back together at the waist to make it shorter. However, if the front of your dress is all one piece, they can't do that. This would be a great question to ask a seamstress. Bring her the dress (or at least some pictures of it) and ask what she can do.

Answer 4

I had detailing (edging at the bottom of my dress), they took off the edging and then cut the dress.  Then reattached the edging.  It is expensive to do this, so check into the costs of alterations before you purchase the dress.  This is one thing I wish I did but I had already bought the dress.  It was worth it in the end, it was my only splurge on the wedding.

Answer 5

Yes, it's called hollow to hem. What they will do is take the seam where the bodice meets up with the skirt and alter it from there. My dress had to be altered that way due to detailing on the bottom too. It will probably cost a little extra up front, but will save you money on other alterations later on.

Answer 6

any dress can be custom made.  If the designer cant make the dress to your measurements take as many photos as you can and hire a dress maker.

Unfiortunatly altering an exsisting dress the detail would be lost unless they can remove the skirt and take it up from the waist, not the bottom.

Answer 7

I have a similar problem, and the ladies have said a good seamstress can take it up where the skirt part joins the bodice. its costs more but saves the shape and detail. My dress comes in 3 standard length options, and I'm between shortest and mid, due to height of heels... if you're good in heels, you could get away with short length...

Answer 8

A good seamstress should be able to take it apart at the place where the skirt meets the bodice, and shorten it from there.  Also, another option may be to try to contact the dress maker directly, tell them your situation, and see if they could custom-make you the dress you want in your size.  It will cost more in the end, but if that's the one you love, it might be worth the extra money.

Answer 9

A custom dress or altering it will probably triple the price. I would find a dress you like in a petite size from a designer that does them. That dress won't look the same when it is made for someone who is shorter. Different body types look better in different styles. You may not like these dresses but it gives a description of how petite gowns are made differently.