I need to add some boning to my wedding dress... the wiring that goes up/down in the midsection of the dress... I bought the dress at a Brides Against Breast Cancer event, so its a little older, and used. I need to add some wire so that the dress doesn't bunch at all in the midsection. It already has "cheap" boning in it... the wires are very flimsy.... so I could take out the old and add new, or just add new in addtion....
What would you use to do this? What kind of wire?
How would you do this? I don't really care what the inside of the dress looks like ... the dress was cheap, and I don't want to spend a fortune trying to fix it.
Let me know what your suggestions are :) Thanks!
2006-08-25 03:17:27 · 7 answers · asked by Lisa S 3 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
The best kind of boning to use is (for maximum strength and flexibility) is spiral boning. You can get it at http://www.farthingales.com. You can buy it in pre-cut, pre-tipped lengths. If the cheap boning is already in a case - the easiest way to do it is to use a seam ripper to open the tops of the casing and pull out the boning and measure it. Purchase the replacement boning in spiral boning and put it in the old casing and then hand sew the casing shut again.
If you have any more questions you can e-mail me personally - I have made several corsets for myself and other people and can help you with any questions concerning the boning, replacing the boning, or most sewing questions. :-)
2006-08-27 15:31:46 · answer #1 · answered by vanilla_loli 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is "featherweight" boning at any good fabric store, you can find it where it is already inside a cloth sleeve that you can slipstitch to the lining. I'd add new, right alongside the old, instead of trying to take out the old.
For really firm support, go to Home Depot, usually in the electrical section, and buy a bag of the largest cable ties they have- about 1/2" wide and 36" long. 1 bag will be plenty. You can cut these to length with wire cutters (round the ends) and make fabric casings with bias tape (again, slipstitch to lining). I used a ton of these to make my Elizabethan corset; they're pretty sturdy. Whatever you do, do NOT use metal unless it's specifically designed corset boning- you don't want rust or something on your dress.
2006-08-25 07:50:29 · answer #2 · answered by Megan S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't use wire unless you want to be miserable during your wedding.
Fabric stores such as Joann's carry boning. If you are replacing the older stays, on the inside you will make a small slit & insert it into the tube-like seam. If you are ADDING the boning, you will probably need a seamstress to do this. Take it to a fabric store with you & see if someone there sews. Not all salesclerks do.
2006-08-25 03:27:31 · answer #3 · answered by weddrev 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From personal experience, I can tell you that the dress fitting properly is more important than you think it is. I didn't want to spend a ton on alterations. The result was that the top didn't fit me correctly and bunched in all the pictures. The hem wasn't quite right, and people kept stepping on it all day (including me and everyone who danced with me). Don't be afraid to spend some money on it, and definetely ask a professional!
2006-08-25 05:41:50 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I were you, I'd go to a local fabric/craft store and ask them to assist you. (Bring your dress in - at least have it in the car when you go)
They'll want to help you b/c they want to sell their wares to you (ie boning).
So they'll be able to give you the tips on what products to use and how to go about it.
If it's a sweet old lady, you might want to explain the situation to her and see if she knows of anyone local that would do it for next to nothing. You never know if she (or one of her friends) is looking for some part time work....or a hobby.
Oh one other thought. You could get on www.craigslist.org and see if you can find someone locally to Barter with. For example you could trade house cleaning (work) for the alteration OR trade an item for the alteration. -It's worth a shot.
2006-08-25 03:20:42 · answer #5 · answered by Corn_Flake 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
not unless you can find an old dress that some boning in it. other wise the craft/fabric store should have the boning.
Good Luck
2006-08-25 03:21:13 · answer #6 · answered by red_firecracker77 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to a bridal shop in your area; their tailors are the absolute best! And they are not really expensive, but you'll get the look you want.
2006-08-25 11:59:46 · answer #7 · answered by Lydia 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋