Completely Bummed About Dress Alterations

[hawaiianorangetree]

So i took my dress to get altered last night and the dress maker told me that she couldn''t make the back fit and keep the back in the same shape / style. I''m so bummed, it never occured to me that this might be a problem. There is no time to take the dress to anyone else as the wedding is in a week.
Even when there was a good chance that i wouldn''t even have a dress, i wasn''t as stressed out as i am now.

The dress before..

 

[hawaiianorangetree]

Ready for alterations..

 

[lucyandroger]

I''m so sorry

Even though it''s not what you wanted, you still look beautiful and you''re going to feel gorgeous on your wedding day for sure.

 

[cara]

Oh what a shame! Its a lovely lovely dress though and you will look beautiful. I see why you wanted to keep the V and think I can tell why the seamstress thought it wouldn't work (though I am no expert) so I think this is just an unfortunate twist.

 

[galeteia]

Hm, since the fabric is sort of gathered at the waist, could she add two panels of that fabric to narrow the V? I assume the structural integrity of the straps was what made it impossible to angle them after shortening them so much. What about chiffon or lace panels insert to create that V shape? It won''t be exactly the same, but it could be very pretty.

 

[yssie]

Oh no, that's disappointing

It does look beautiful on you though, as it is now, if that helps!!

 

[blueroses]

I am sorry. You have an image in your head and suddenly you know it won''t be that anymore....but the dress is still really lovely--and you have a gorgeous figure and your back (which is going to be what most everyone is looking at during the ceremony) is going to look beautiful whether it''s in a V or inverted V/square shape. But I really am sorry.

I think Galateia offers an interesting thought though....What the seamstress did was structural. But...I wonder if any extra fabric could be added to do something purely decorative?

No matter WHAT happens you will be stunning. Hang in, honey.

 

[CasaBlanca]

HOT...you look simply stunning in your dress! (from the front as well as the back!)

The reflection in the mirror is the angle everyone is going to see and remember! You are going to be magazine cover beautiful! I had to re read and re read to even comprehend what your issue was.

You see, your back is so lovely I actually think this new alteration is more flattering! If that small difference was necessary to get the front as perfect as it is, it was worth the change! Yes it is different, but with your back you should embrace it!

Honest...it is so pretty. The back almost looks more grecian goddess or more ethereal...really.

Blue Roses was right...hang in there honey! I think your focus should be directed elsewhere. This is not worthy of your stress...Embrace it!

 

[hawaiianorangetree]

Thanks everyone for your kind words. I know that it is just a little thing but it''s really bothering me! ha ha.

Thank you Lucy, Cara, Yssie, blueroses and casablanca for your thoughts that it still looks good! My MIL said she thought it looked better too, but i did think that she may have been trying to appease me. You''re right blueroses, i have been picturing it for 9 months and now it is just not the same. I will get used to it though!!

Galateia, i think the reason it can only be altered like that is because there is no waist in the dress, it is one whole length. The panels probably would creat a V effect again but I should be happy that you can see more of my back now anyway, since backless is what i am going for!

 

[OUpearlgirl]

Can she not remove the applique at the shoulder, shorten the strap there, and then put it back? Your dress is a Maggie, right?


Most of her beadwork is sewn on to tulle and then added. I imagine that it could be done this way.

 

[Iowa Lizzy]

I think it''s still gorgeous! No one will know that the dress was to come to a complete V. I''m so jealous that you can even rock the backless look!

The dress is stunning, front AND back!

 

[kama_s]

HOT, I''m of no help, but I did want to say that your dress looks stunning on you. I know the back''s different from what you imagined it to be, but it looks damn hot (for the HOTtie that you are

) as is too.

 

[honey22]

Date: 3/4/2010 9:31:10 PM
Author: OUpeargirl
Can she not remove the applique at the shoulder, shorten the strap there, and then put it back? Your dress is a Maggie, right?



Most of her beadwork is sewn on to tulle and then added. I imagine that it could be done this way.

Ditto. Are you sure of her abilities? I know you are stretched for time but a few quick phone calls and perhaps an email or two with the pics you have might get you another answer? I really think she could come up with a better way, but then again, I am not a dressmaker.

ETA - I just looked at those pics again and I personally wouldn't be letting her do that to your dress. Surely she can take it up from the top? It loses it's effect and looks like she has just pinned it up in a rush job. Sorry to be so frank, but I would want the truth!

 

[galeteia]

Date: 3/4/2010 9:55:32 PM
Author: honey22

Date: 3/4/2010 9:31:10 PM

Author: OUpeargirl

Can she not remove the applique at the shoulder, shorten the strap there, and then put it back? Your dress is a Maggie, right?


Most of her beadwork is sewn on to tulle and then added. I imagine that it could be done this way.

Ditto. Are you sure of her abilities? I know you are stretched for time but a few quick phone calls and perhaps an email or two with the pics you have might get you another answer? I really think she could come up with a better way, but then again, I am not a dressmaker.


ETA - I just looked at those pics again and I personally wouldn''t be letting her do that to your dress. Surely she can take it up from the top? It loses it''s effect and looks like she has just pinned it up in a rush job. Sorry to be so frank, but I would want the truth!

Seriously? If that''s how the dress is constructed, good grief- find yourself a second opinion, and if you must have alterations done at that store, bring them the second opinion and get a different seamstress, they probably have more than one of staff, or ask for your alteration money back.

 

[monkeyprincess]

That''s too bad. If I were you, I would definitely get a second opinion, so you at least know for sure that is your only option before you alter the dress. Not that it would be the end of the world, if that is your only option, but it is just such a shame after all the stress you went through to finally get your dream dress.

 

[hawaiianorangetree]

Date: 3/4/2010 9:31:10 PM
Author: OUpeargirl
Can she not remove the applique at the shoulder, shorten the strap there, and then put it back? Your dress is a Maggie, right?


Most of her beadwork is sewn on to tulle and then added. I imagine that it could be done this way.

Yeah my dress is a Maggie. The dress is already pretty tight under my arms, there wouldn''t really be any room to fit my arms in if she was to shorten the straps.

 

[monkeyprincess]

Don''t stress about it. You still look awesome in it! And only the people who have seen the pictures will even know it is not in its original form.

 

[hawaiianorangetree]

Date: 3/4/2010 9:55:32 PM
Author: honey22

Date: 3/4/2010 9:31:10 PM
Author: OUpeargirl
Can she not remove the applique at the shoulder, shorten the strap there, and then put it back? Your dress is a Maggie, right?



Most of her beadwork is sewn on to tulle and then added. I imagine that it could be done this way.

Ditto. Are you sure of her abilities? I know you are stretched for time but a few quick phone calls and perhaps an email or two with the pics you have might get you another answer? I really think she could come up with a better way, but then again, I am not a dressmaker.

ETA - I just looked at those pics again and I personally wouldn''t be letting her do that to your dress. Surely she can take it up from the top? It loses it''s effect and looks like she has just pinned it up in a rush job. Sorry to be so frank, but I would want the truth!

She did!!

She made my SIL''s wedding dress, bridesmaids dress and MIL dress so she did come recommended, I am worried that if i ask for a second opinion and then no one else can do it she wont want to do it either. Apparently she is a very good dress maker, but she was a little on the crazy side!

 

[Luckyeshe]

Honestly, I think it still looks great! You''re gonna look stunning! I see why you would want to keep the back the same, but I think the new look is just as nice!

 

[hawaiianorangetree]

Thank you for your compliments Travel goddess, karma_s and monkey princess!! That's really really sweet of you. Thank you for making me feel better about the dress.

ETA Thank you luckyshe!! I think once i get my head wrapped around it being different i will like it.

 

[mrscushion]

I'm sorry about this, HIT. However, I do think it still looks gorgeous, even with the squared off V in the back.

 

[honey22]

Date: 3/4/2010 10:51:42 PM
Author: hawaiianorangetree

Date: 3/4/2010 9:55:32 PM

Author: honey22

Date: 3/4/2010 9:31:10 PM

Author: OUpeargirl

Can she not remove the applique at the shoulder, shorten the strap there, and then put it back? Your dress is a Maggie, right?




Most of her beadwork is sewn on to tulle and then added. I imagine that it could be done this way.

Ditto. Are you sure of her abilities? I know you are stretched for time but a few quick phone calls and perhaps an email or two with the pics you have might get you another answer? I really think she could come up with a better way, but then again, I am not a dressmaker.


ETA - I just looked at those pics again and I personally wouldn''t be letting her do that to your dress. Surely she can take it up from the top? It loses it''s effect and looks like she has just pinned it up in a rush job. Sorry to be so frank, but I would want the truth!

She did!!


She made my SIL''s wedding dress, bridesmaids dress and MIL dress so she did come recommended, I am worried that if i ask for a second opinion and then no one else can do it she wont want to do it either. Apparently she is a very good dress maker, but she was a little on the crazy side!

Yeah, I realise that but what I meant was it might look the same way when she is done KWIM.

I saw your post about the dress being too tight in the arms to take up, that makes a difference I guess.

I have been thinking about it since I posted, and having the two pics right there made me feel the way I did, but the more I think about it, you are not going to have a picture of the way it was supposed to be, so people are not going to compare. It''s still gorgeous and you look stunning in it, I just meant that if I had a choice I would have preferred another option.

I hope I havn''t made you feel worse about your dress. Honestly, when all is said and done, you are going to look like a knockout and your hubby might just have heart failure when he sees you in that gown!

 

[hawaiianorangetree]

Date: 3/5/2010 4:52:59 AM
Author: honey22


Yeah, I realise that but what I meant was it might look the same way when she is done KWIM.

I saw your post about the dress being too tight in the arms to take up, that makes a difference I guess.

I have been thinking about it since I posted, and having the two pics right there made me feel the way I did, but the more I think about it, you are not going to have a picture of the way it was supposed to be, so people are not going to compare. It''s still gorgeous and you look stunning in it, I just meant that if I had a choice I would have preferred another option.

I hope I havn''t made you feel worse about your dress. Honestly, when all is said and done, you are going to look like a knockout and your hubby might just have heart failure when he sees you in that gown!

Aww thanks Honey! I understand what you meant about the first option being better than the second, and you are also right about the second one still being pretty. On the day it wont matter, and that''s what matters right?

I have been pestering MIL about the dress maker all day saying that i am not too sure about her and she keeps reassuring me that she is a professional and that everything will be done beautifully. I guess i am just going to have to have a little faith!!

 

[princessplease]

HOT, I''m sorry that this happened

Either way, you look so beautiful!!!

 

[LadyBlue]

HOT, I like your new dress better

It makes your waist look very small. Now you own an original desing

 

[gls]

HOT, You look absolutely HOT in your dress!!!
Dont worry about the alterations I think it still looks amazing and suits you to a t.
IMHO I think that the squared off back looks better, however if its not too late and you still want the v-neck, would the double sided tape work?

 

[oddoneout]

I think it looks great.

 

[shertz1981]

You look stunning, and will no matter what.

I totally see why you''re upset though, and definitely encourage you to get a second opinion. To my inexperienced eyes, it looks totally fixable

 

[violet3]

I''m sorry you are dissapointed HOT, but i really love the back just as much with the alterations as without! you look beautiful

 

[Amanda.Rx]

It''s such a gorgous dress! Try going to someone else! There''s got to be SOMEBODY that can fix it the way you want it!