How To Alter A Dress? – Beginner’s Guide
There are a few reasons why you may want to learn how to alter a dress. Perhaps you have a special occasion coming up and don’t have anything that fits quite right, or maybe you’ve lost weight and all your clothes are now too big. Learning how to alter clothes can be a great way to save money, too – instead of having to buy new clothes every time something doesn’t fit perfectly, you can just adjust the ones you already have.
There are a few basic alterations that everyone should know how to do, such as taking in a seam or hemming a skirt or pants. There are also more advanced alterations, like taking in the waist or adding darts to a shirt, which require a bit more skill. But don’t worry – even if you’re a beginner, you can still learn how to do these alterations. Let’s tell you a thing or two about how to alter a dress.
Tips On How To Alter A Dress
Know Your Measurements
There are a few standard measurements that you need to know before you go ahead and adjust your dress size. For most women, their bust size, waist size, and hip size will be different. Knowing your exact measurements is key to altering the right dress size for you.
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To begin with, measure around the fullest part of your bust. This is usually at the nipple level. Next, measure your waist circumference. This is the smallest part of your torso, typically just above your belly button. Finally, measure your hip circumference. This is the widest part of your hips, usually around the buttocks.
Once you have your measurements, you can use a size chart to alter the dress.
Experiment With Old Clothes
Try it out with old clothes first before you start altering a new one. This way, if something goes wrong, you will not have ruined a new piece of clothing. You can also use this time to figure out what techniques work best for you and what types of alterations you are most comfortable with.
Be Patient With Yourself
Altering clothes can be a bit tricky, especially if you are new to them. So be patient with yourself and take your time when trying out new techniques. Rushing through the process is likely to lead to mistakes and unhappy results. By taking things slow and steady, you will be able to achieve better outcomes and have more fun in the process too!
Altering The Neckline
There are a few ways that you can alter the neckline of a garment. If you have a sewing machine, you can use the zigzag stitch to create a new neckline. You can also use bias tape to create a new neckline. Bias tape is a type of fabric tape that is made from strips of fabric that have been cut on the bias. The bias is the diagonal grain of the fabric, and it is this grain that gives bias tape its stretchiness. Bias tape can be used to bind or edge fabrics, or to create new shapes.
To use bias tape to create a new neckline, first, measure around the opening of the neckline and add 1 inch for seam allowance. Cut a piece of bias tape that is the same length as the measurement you just took. Sew the ends of the bias tape together to create a loop. Place the bias tape around the neckline opening, with the right sides of the fabric facing each other. Pin in place. Sew along the edge of the bias tape using a zigzag stitch.
Altering Armhole
1. With the right side of the fabric facing you, fold the fabric in half so that the two shorter edges meet.
2. Line up the armhole on the folded fabric with the one on the unaltered fabric and pin it in place.
3. Sew along the pinned line, using a zigzag stitch or a stretch stitch. This will create a new armhole that is larger than the original.
4. Cut away any excess fabric from around the new armhole, being careful not to cut through your stitching.
5. Hem the opening of the armhole by folding it under twice and sewing it in place.
Altering Long Sleeves
If you would like to alter the length of your long sleeves, there are a few different methods you can use. The first method is to simply fold the fabric up at the desired spot and sew it in place. This is a quick and easy way to make a small alteration, but it may not be as secure as some of the other methods.
Another way to alter the length of your long sleeves is to sew a new hem. This will create a more permanent alteration, and it will also help to keep the fabric from fraying. However, it can be a bit more time-consuming than folding and sewing.
Finally, if you want to change the length of your sleeves by a significant amount, you may need to cut the fabric and sew a new sleeve. This is a more involved process, but it will result in a longer or shorter sleeve that looks much more professional.
Read Also: How to Make a Dress Shorter
Altering Trouser Waistline
If you’d like to alter the waistline of a pair of trousers that don’t fit quite right, it’s not too difficult. All you need is a few basic supplies and some time to spare. Here’s how to do it:
1. Start by measuring the waistline of the trousers. You’ll need this measurement to determine how much fabric to remove from the waistband.
2. Cut off the excess fabric from the waistband, using sharp scissors. Be careful not to cut into the seam!
3. Once you’ve removed the excess fabric, fold the waistband over so that it covers the raw edge. Sew it in place using a sewing machine or by hand.
4. Try on the trousers and adjust the waistband as needed. You may need to trim a bit more fabric off of the waistband, or you may need to sew it a little bit tighter.
5. Once you’re happy with the fit, press the waistband flat using an iron. This will help keep it looking neat and tidy.
There you have it! By following these simple steps, you can easily alter your clothes to get a perfect fit.
