Altering a beaded Gown 101

Cont....

Altering a beaded Gown 101

Step two Side Adjustments:

   Once the liner is open and out of your way ,for this dress the machine is easy to use, ( many times you will do this by hand , especially if there is beading) but don't let the rouching fabric bother you, the manufacturer will pretty much always have those folds stabilized so it won't unfold on you, and in this view I chose to start at the waist and sew toward the top, but that is not always the case, each dress will be a little different , so use your best judgement .... 

you will have to play with that extra fabric and work it into place

 some people will cut it but I try never to 

cut my formals  then next will be putting the liner back

  the hanger strap is fun, it's a two step process

 first stitch it on upside down , then pull it back over the raw edge and stitch again,

 this not only gives it a stronger hold , but looks nicer too...

And thats it you did it!!!!

Step three Side adjustment with zipper 

remember each dress will offer different challenges , this is just a basic example of how it can be done , and as you work on projects you will begin to develop your own way of doing things. ( I never cut my formals and you may choose too) 

ok to begin , remove all hardware and hanger straps and open up liner....

view of liner opened up below

Next after you have it all exposed , then remove the zipper , 

**Note: sometimes it is not necessary to remove the zipper all the way , as is the case here we are tapering in the side and if you can get away with not taking the zipper completely out it will make it easier for you to put back together and not have to deal with the bottom of the zipper.... so in this example here I will not be showing you the technique for seaming the bottom of the zipper , there is a process for making that look nice and I am certain at some point I will be showing that too..

Ok back to our project..........here you will find when you lay the zipper in place it will not match up at the top of the dress, and because this is a rouched dress you can manipulate the folds to work

in your favor I am showing you that little cheat in the next photo....

this is the example on how to make it match,**Note: this is only possible if the fold is tiny and in most cases it should be   

Now just sew in place using a zipper foot and don't worry about the extra fabric, remember you are not cutting the extra so if it ever needs to be let back out it can be.

oh this view is the shorter side I didn't photo the longer side with the tuck as I was sewing it but just sew over the tuck as it is pinned and it will be fine ....next view will show that side already sewn.

Showing the tucked or longer side sewn in place 

Here you will just need to play with the extra fabric and work it into place , then just do the same with the liner it will take a little time but you can do it , then once you are happy with that just pin in place..

Then hand sew into place working you stitches as hidden stitches or slip stitch as some may call it,  and to do may just takes practice but you will get the hang of it.

heres a great link on Threads you can look at to help you.

 http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/7220/how-to-do-a-slipstitch

this is all there is to it I hope you will try it, and if you have any questions or maybe I didn't explain myself very well please feel free to comment I am always eager to chat....

till next time 

your sewing buddy Debbie