wedding dress woes?

Question

About 5 years ago a friend of the family passed away, and upon doing so she apparently bought me a wedding dress. She said that because my parents had died she wanted to make sure I had a wedding dress. The dress itself is gorgeous but I would like to make slight alterations. For example, there are puffy sleeves and I want them removed so it's sleeveless. My biggest problem is the fact that the dress was bought so long ago. I will definately have to have it let out as much as possible and more than likely have a panel added. Does anyone know roughly how much this cost? Any experiences with panel adding I should know about? I just thought it was such a sweet thing for her to do for me and I would much rather wear it (if possible) than go buy another dress, I may not have much money to work with in buying another gown. Any suggestions? I call around locally and nobody speaks english! I don't know what to do but I don't want this gorgeous dress to go to waste. Thanks

Thank you all for your advice. There was someone in the family a while ago that owned a tailoring shop but that has long been closed. Hopefully I can still get in contact with them. I will probably have to look outside my area. Thank you again...I guess it's a good thing I have a year to prepare. I figure however, with us having a small personal wedding for only close friend and family, all decorations (favors, bouqets, isle runner, table decor) is being done by myself and what little help I can get, and for our reception we decided to have a huge bbq on my friends property and thats when the real party will begin :) So I think by us saving money by doing everything ourselves-I may have the money for these VERY important alterations. One last idea I was thinking about (but only as a thought) was perhaps instead of adding a panel to the back (which is where it will be needed), maybe making the back a tie up with matching ribbon instead of zip up....maybe?

Answer 1

i have to say if you don't know anyone who can sew then its going to cost you, but how much depends where you take it. one will cost you as much as a new dress and others will cost you less then a new dress you just have to call around and take the dress every where you go.. wish you well and wish i could help you more. but if you must buy a new dress don't worry there are ways to have a part of that dress walk down with you on your wedding day.. like have a Hanky made from it and take parts of it to make a Vail piece and so on use your imagination.. good luck

Answer 2

Tailoring usually costs a few hundred dollars. Where do you live? I know a great tailor in Westminster, CA!

I think your idea of a tie-up panel is a good idea. That way you have the ability to tie it tighter or looser after the alterations are done. Good luck!

Answer 3

It is generally expensive but you could cut the cost a little by providing the material for the panel you want added. You can get it a t a craft store or even at wal-mart. good luck. sorry about your friend :(