It's been one of those days. It seems like I am picking stitches more than actually sewing! And to top it off one of my daughters friends asked me to alter her wedding dress - a size 8 dress down to a size 0, take the shoulder straps off, and hem it up - 4 layers! She came to try it on today and we could not get it zipped! She told me that she quit smoking because she is pregnant and put on some weight! So now I'm back to letting it out again. Luckily, I had not cut away the excess yet. Three weeks till the wedding. Know it's back work. Thanks for listening.

I can imagine how you are feeling. What you are doing is a mammoth job. You need a medal for taking this on.

Folks must think we are fairy godmother's! In your case, I'd say you were. Bless you for your patience.

You poor thing. Maybe putting elastic in hahaha.. Keep smiling :)

1 comment

by kustomkuddle 29 Jun 2017

Elastic would be a good idea, except it is form fitting through the hips and then flares out. Similar to a faux mermaid style.
I keep telling myself to smile. THanks

Oh my, this was a huge project to begin with. You have my ear any time. I hope you manage to finish it with fingers intact.

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by kustomkuddle 29 Jun 2017

Thanks for the ear. I may be pulling some hair out by the time I'm done with this dress.

Great story, thanks for sharing. You are wonderful for making her impossible wish come true.

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by kustomkuddle 29 Jun 2017

Thank you.

Wow you did a great job on basically remaking the dress. What a huge task you undertook. I'm glad you left the excess fabric so you could let it out again, that would have been a nightmare if it had been cut. Hope the wedding is a huge success. Love Chris

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by kustomkuddle 29 Jun 2017

I think I said a little prayer of thanksgiving about leaving the excess fabric when she tried it on and we could not get it zipped up! LOL.

Oh my. That has to be frustrating. I hope it works out. I did snicker a bit. Pregnancy has the affect of gaining weight..

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by kustomkuddle 29 Jun 2017

I had a feeling the dress wasn't going to fit when I heard she was pregnant. Glad I called her in when I did.

Wow. What a job. I sure hope it's appreciated. Been in that kind of situation myself years ago. My best to you/Lillian

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by kustomkuddle 29 Jun 2017

Thank you. I'm sure everything will turn out ok.

Had to laugh. A few years ago a very good friend called to say her sons fiancée had picked up her gown from the store where she had it made and paid it off over 6 months. Well she was so sure she was going to loose all this weight she ordered it 2 sizes smaller. Guess what 1 week to the Wedding and no weight loss. Shop would do nothing as it was her mistake. Was asked if I could rescue it by putting panels down the sides to make it bigger. When I asked if they could get same matching fabric was told oh that is not what she wants. She wants you to put Red panels down each side. I said a very firm NO can't do it.
The dress was altered by someone else who put in Red down the sides. Would have to be the worst dress I have ever seen.
I wouldn't cut any excess off if you can help it.

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by kustomkuddle 29 Jun 2017

Oh my! Red panels! I can see why you would say no. I told this bride that the dress was let out as much as it will go. She was talking about getting some type of body binder to wear under the dress!

Oh my...if she had only told you earlier that she had been gaining weight and pregnant...you could have had an earlier fitting and perhaps saved much aggravation...bless your heart!

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by kustomkuddle 29 Jun 2017

I had heard she was pregnant, but didn't think she had gained that much weight. When I first fit the dress, she could barely keep it up. Today, even after I let the seams out, we barely could get it zipped.

You are good to be able to alter a wedding dress that much. I think you remade it. You are making a very happy bride.

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by kustomkuddle 29 Jun 2017

She was desperate. She and her Mom had been out dress shopping and had talked about alterations that could be made to the dress. Unbeknownst to her, her Mom bought her the dress as is without alterations. The bride wasn't in love with it so my daughter asked if I could maybe turn it into something she likes. So far she is happy with it.

I feel your frustration. Just as well you hadn't cut the excess away. I worked for someone altering gowns and she insisted the extra always be cut away straight away, that was until something similar happened. Luckily I hadn't listened and was able to re-alter the gown without drama. It's frustrating but you will get there.

Sorry but your comments have made me laugh. People have high expectations of those that can sew. Your a star and tomorrow will be a better day

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by graceandham 28 Jun 2017

You can be a Hero for this bride.

by kustomkuddle 29 Jun 2017

Yes, I think we have all been there a time or two!

by asterixsew 29 Jun 2017

Hope today has been better. You have had some great replied AND reminded me that I was asked to turn a size 8 or 10 beautifully embroidered coat to fit a size 16... It looked beautiful when I finished but it took ages and it didn't help that we lived a 3-4 hour journey away so fittings were difficult