Any tailors or seamstress experts?

[vintagelover229]

Hello everyone!
I am sorry to post this in hangout, but it just gets more traffic over here, usually the same ladies in BBW or LIW also check this board, so here it goes!

First, I am not engaged yet. It is coming, and I have found the dress and I am in love with it. However, I am NOT in love with the price tag that comes along with this gown. So, after much hunting around on the internet, a few swapped emails later, I found a bride who has my dress used, and I would now be the 3rd bride wearing this gown. So, the price has gone down from buying it new (1400.00) to buying it used for under 500.00 . The dress is in good condition with no stains/tears, etc.

Now onto my question:
The dress is pronovias hebra (still haven't figured out how to add links with words so see link below, it's not the gown I'm buying but it's the one but larger) and it's a size 4. The bride who wore it before me is a petite woman but the height is perfect for me. However...the "girls" are not. The bride is a 32-34 B and right now I am a 34D, but with my workout plan and losing body fat and gaining muscle mass the girls will be sitting closer to a 32-34C. The gown is not a sweetheart neckline (which is good) and I'm pretty sure that a seamstress can make enough room for "me" in the dress, but her seamstress hasn't contacted her back yet (wedding season) and I just wanted to get a few others opinions on this situation.

I thought about getting a different used gown (like the one I'm linking to) but I am leaning against it for a few reasons. First because alteration fee's are expensive, I don't want to get it and find out the money I saved is now being spent on crazy alteration expenses. The second reason is because when a gown is that much larger, I worry that the gown will look funny if we take it in that much, that the whole shape and everything would change.

I know it's hard to say if the dress can/can't be taken out by pictures and that a seamstress needs to have either dealt with the dress before or needs to see the dress on, but I'm hoping I can get some input from someone.

Thanks in advance guys!

http://www.preownedweddingdresses.com/d ... ze-12.html

 

[mary poppins]

That is a beautiful, beautiful dress. I can see why you like it and I completely understand your desire to find it at a lower price. However, I see two concerns with the scenario you presented.

First, I don't mean to be Debbie Downer, but I would not count on losing the amount of weight you hope to in order to accommodate the girls. While I certainly hope you achieve your weight loss goal, there are plenty of stories here on PS from brides-to-be who did not lose the weight they wanted to before their wedding. There is a currently a thread in BWW about someone who is in that situation. No need to add stress to your wedding planning by starting off with a dress that you already know is too small. The more prudent course of action would be to go with a larger dress that can be reduced. A good seamstress can reduce a dress by a couple of sizes without ruining the integrity of the dress.

Second, it is my understanding that the former bride is going to ask her seamstress if the dress can be altered to accommodate you. Now, I am assuming you and the former bride do not live in the same area, otherwise you would talk to that seamstress yourself and not rely on the former bride. If I were in your situation (and assuming you couldn't or don't want to find that style dress in a bigger size) I would get recommendations for a seamstress or dressmaker in your area and then ask that seamstress or dressmaker what she can do given the facts you have presented. Just because the former bride's seamstress might be able to do something doesn't mean yours can. Also, the former bride has an interest in selling her non-returnable dress so she's not the most reliable source. Incidentally, I would also ask the seamstress how big of a dress she could be comfortable with reducing, pricing for both scenarios (too big and too small) and advice as to how to proceed.

Good luck . . . I hope you are able to make this beautiful dress yours!

 

[soocool]

I am not a tailor or an expert seamstress, but buying a used dress that you are not able to try on first is a disaster especially if you need to alter it.

Don't assume since the two of you are the same height that it will fit from the waist down. Things to think about : are you/she high waisted? Even if the 2 of you are the same bra size it doesn't mean that the dress will fit the same on top. There has to be enough seam (fabric left to take the dress out). Are you sure the bottom won't need to be altered? You are the 3rd person who would wear this dress, will you also be the third to alter?

 

[vintagelover229]

Mary Poppins:
Thank you so much for your reply! I'd like to add some additional details so that way everyone has a better understanding of everything. Also, if anyone knows a good seamstress in the Toronto area that would be great!

First, the dress is the correct size for me in every way except for the girls. And they may actually fit in there although I'm not 100% sure they will (I wear size small shirts, but they stretch a bit more than a wedding gown would!). It's not actually weight I'm losing, my weight is fine, but when I get fit and lose body fat, my girls are the first to tone it down a bit. So, there is no doubt in my mind that they will be smaller by the time the day rolls around (they are already on their way).

Regarding the other bride selling the gown. She actually hasn't listed it on any preowned sites or bridal sites at all, so she could easily sell this dress to another bride (without dealing with the hassle of contacting her seamstress). However she's been really great about answering all my questions and even said she doesn't want to sell me a dress that isn't going to fit me, which is why we are taking the route of contacting and asking around. I was thinking because of the style of dress it is, and the fact we have the same bust line, but not cup, would help, but I have no clue how clothing designs work.

You are 110% correct on the skills of different seamstresses. I don't have one where I currently live. I would call one up and ask them but I'm afraid they are going to tell me they need to see the gown first. Which is really the only real way we can find out if they are going to be able to do anything about. But there is some good news! My boyfriend suggested that we drive down there to see if it will fit! There is a few snags in that plan, it's only a 6 hour drive, so that's not an issue, however immigration and driving back and fourth across the boarder makes me uneasy. The last time they did it they gave me such a run around I vowed I wouldn't drive across again! I've never had any trouble crossing in the airport, but the guy on the bridge had me on the verge of tears and almost didn't let me though! So, if I can avoid that it would be ideal.

ETA: Thats a very good idea to ask the pricing difference on the gown from taking it out/ taking it in. I wish my friend still had all his sewing stuff because he was good enough he could have made me a gown!

 

[vintagelover229]

I am not a tailor or an expert seamstress, but buying a used dress that you are not able to try on first is a disaster especially if you need to alter it.

Don't assume since the two of you are the same height that it will fit from the waist down. Things to think about : are you/she high waisted? Even if the 2 of you are the same bra size it doesn't mean that the dress will fit the same on top. There has to be enough seam (fabric left to take the dress out). Are you sure the bottom won't need to be altered? You are the 3rd person who would wear this dress, will you also be the third to alter?

She gave me her measurements and we are almost the same (her being slightly larger at the hips) but we are spot on every where else. She wore heels with the gown, making it long enough for me to wear flats and still be fine (I don't want to wear heels). I've tried on this dress twice now (both times to large) and it fit great along the bust and everything. I called an old seamstress of mine (she works next to a bridal shop who carries this dress) and I'm hoping she will be able to give me some more insight to it. I don't think the first bride altered the gown in any way. But all the concerns from everyone else is making me re-think the idea of buying it after it's been altered. I really do love this gown, and it's nothing like I thought I would ever get. I just can't afford the 1400.00 price tag + alterations + everything else that goes with it. I'm not allowed to work in the country yet, and so I'm trying to save everything I can!

 

[vintagelover229]

I just got off the phone with an amazing seamstress in the Houston area because I've met with her before, and because she's familiar with the gown I am thinking of buying. She told me that going though after a dress has been altered is much more difficult than alternating it the first time because the last seamstress may not have known what she was doing. She did say that the dress (when new) has enough fabric in the sides to actually take the dress UP an entire size and that letting out (by a very skilled seamstress) can indeed be done, but it can be very costly. She also said that if I'm taller than the other bride it can easily be fixed by lowering the gown and adding more to the top because of all the rouching(sp?) and it is easily hidden. She said to call a high end store in the Toronto area and find someone that deals with alternating bridal gowns and ask them what they think the cost would be. She told me (she's an expensive seamstress IMO) that she would charge 500-800.00 to alter the dress, so really, I wouldn't be saving much money at all (unless I buy it new and have that much in alteration fees). I am going to wait to hear back from the other bride and see what her seamstress says. If she thinks it can be done as well, I may go that route still. However I am really considering buying the dress a larger (but the only one right now is a 12...and I need a 4) and having it taken in instead. Any more input is still great though!
Thanks ladies!

 

[lyra]

If there's no rush, I'd wait. Also, are you totally set on this one dress and one designer? You might find something great at a bridal shop that is discontinued or is the sample dress or whatever. I would not buy a dress that had already been altered. Sizing down is way easier than sizing up. Wedding gowns may be several sizes smaller than street size, so it would be essential to know what size gown you should ideally be looking for too. You might be needing to size down a size 8 instead of sizing up a size 2-4, you never know. Also, some bridal places will give you some credit towards alterations if they are done on site. I live in the GTA but have no idea about shops here, sorry.

 

[MustangGal]

Have you tried on similar dresses yet? And do you know what type of wedding you'll be having? I've seen a lot of brides get a dress, then change their mind when it doesn't fit the venue. I was a 4 dress bride myself, I kept buying them on ebay without ever going to a bridal salon. Once I did I realized what fit me best and that made a huge difference.

 

[vintagelover229]

If there's no rush, I'd wait. Also, are you totally set on this one dress and one designer? You might find something great at a bridal shop that is discontinued or is the sample dress or whatever. I would not buy a dress that had already been altered. Sizing down is way easier than sizing up. Wedding gowns may be several sizes smaller than street size, so it would be essential to know what size gown you should ideally be looking for too. You might be needing to size down a size 8 instead of sizing up a size 2-4, you never know. Also, some bridal places will give you some credit towards alterations if they are done on site. I live in the GTA but have no idea about shops here, sorry.

Lyra: We need to have a PS get together after I get all my goodies up here! I would love to meet other folks in the area! I've gone bridal gown shopping a few times now and the first time I tried on the gown I love, I knew I loved it, but didn't want to go with it because I was afraid with the spanish style bottom that my photos would look dated. I was at a bridal salon here speaking with a girl who didn't know what kind of dress she wanted and I told her about this one. I walked up to a rack at random trying to show her what it looked like and said, well this looks close...and realized it WAS the dress! I tried it on again (along with another gown) and just loved it to much to go with anything different (at least so far).

I would like to say every part about the dress is going to fit me. Our measurements match up, just our cup sizes dont. After speaking to the seamstress on the phone, she assured me that it CAN be done, but ONLY if you have the right seamstress and it can cost a lot of money going that route. I know for a fact that I am a size 4 in that particular gown (been measured and everything) and so the question is if my girls are going to fit in there and if the other seamstress did a wack job on the gown or not.

Have you tried on similar dresses yet? And do you know what type of wedding you'll be having? I've seen a lot of brides get a dress, then change their mind when it doesn't fit the venue. I was a 4 dress bride myself, I kept buying them on ebay without ever going to a bridal salon. Once I did I realized what fit me best and that made a huge difference.

I have tired on different styles of dresses and ones similar to this. There are a few maggies I could try on, but I'm not sure I'd really be saving all that much in the long run. I have tried this gown on twice now, and so it's not like I'm buying the dress without any clue of how it looks on me, etc. The good news is if it doesn't fit (if I go this route) I'm sure I can sell it because it's a hard dress to find used!
I'll post pics of me in a sample the fist time I tried it on.

 

[lyra]

Well, do NOT worry about how dated your dress will look in the future. In 20 years or even 10 years, it WILL be out of style! Who cares? Get what you love now don't worry about trends or anything else. You look gorgeous in that dress! Good luck!

 

[packrat]

Nothing really to offer, just wanted to say that dress is gorgeous and it looks great on you-I hope it works out for you!

 

[smitcompton]

Hi,

Thanks for posting the pictures. The gown looks gorgeous on you. Lifts my evening.

Annette

 

[vintagelover229]

Well, do NOT worry about how dated your dress will look in the future. In 20 years or even 10 years, it WILL be out of style! Who cares? Get what you love now don't worry about trends or anything else. You look gorgeous in that dress! Good luck!

Awww thanks lyra! I love the dress I really do! After I tried it on (in this pics was the 1st time) I decided to pass on it because I didn't want it to look dated. But when I was at a different salon (different country even) and walked up to the rack, this was the first gown I touched and I didn't even realize it was the same gown until I looked closer at it. I tried it on again and decided I don't care if I look dated in it. I love it now, and that's what I'll remember then! I could buy it new, but I'd have to sell it after the fact (I personally can't fathom keeping a dress when it cost that much, I wish I could though) and so if I buy it used, or a sample gown, I would actually keep it in a HOPE chest or something.

Nothing really to offer, just wanted to say that dress is gorgeous and it looks great on you-I hope it works out for you!

Thanks hun! I really really really do love it. And seeing the photos just makes me fall in love with it all over again! I LOVE IT!

Hi,

Thanks for posting the pictures. The gown looks gorgeous on you. Lifts my evening.

Annette

Awww that is so sweet to say! I'm glad I could "help" in some way! I'm going to get this dress, it's just a matter of WHERE it's coming from and how much it's going to cost me. I'm really excited and my boyfriend even offered to drive me to Philly to let me try on the dress just to be sure. I doubt we'll go that route but road trips with him are always a good time!

Thanks so much everyone!