DIY...Dress alterations?

Unless you're a professional, this is a bad DIY for anyone to do.

What she said^

I would never attempt to do that.

I'm pretty familiar with garment construction and sewing, and I did my own alterations on a bridesmaid dress once....but I would NEVER attempt alterations on my wedding gown.

Unless you're a professional, hire a professional.

I was tempted to do it since mine just need simple hemming and the material of my gown is not too soft, and I could probably do it, but I will leave it to professional just to be sure it'll be okay.

I'm no where near a seamstress.. I can barely sew a button, but even if I was pretty talented..I'd be way too scared to even try. Not worth the risk. If I'm shelling out hundreds for a beautiful dress I'm not about to screw it up and ruin it.

I have heard stories of alteration nightmares. Concerned on where to find someone who I can trust.

I'm hemming my own dress. I'm not paying someone to do that but the bust... Nope. I'm paying someone for that!

I do have sewing skills, so just weighing it out and getting opinions from others.

No my dress would look a mess!

The fabric on wedding dresses typically is much more difficult to work with.

If you look around you can most likely find a local seamstress who deals only in wedding/formal wear and is cheaper than a mainstream shop.

I'm getting my dress hemmed and the dress size taken in multiple sizes for around ~$200.

I wouldn't even dream of trying to take that on.

Thanks everyone. What do you look for when you choose a seamstress that you feel would be able to trust with your dress? I appreciate your help on this!

I wouldn't do that

I am going to do my own hem, and most likely add straps as well, but I'm still debating on that part. Taking in the bust, I would leave to a seamstress. I'm not sure I understand the argument that bridal fabric is more difficult to work with, a person experienced in sewing has had experience with difficult fabrics. If you learn/know how to work with the fabric by using smaller needles etc. and taking your time you should be fine. I think people on this forum just assume that those of us who are wanting to do our own alterations just think in our head we know how to sew, but don't really. Be realistic about your sewing abilities, the time it will take, and the time you have available. I too would be too nervous to leave my wedding dress to someone else. At least I know my own capabilities. I would rather screw something up and have it be my own fault, than to trust someone to do a great job and be disappointed.

I too will be altering my own dress. I am fully confident in my abilities. I've altered other wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses. I will be taking in the side bodice 1/2 and hemming 1". If you're fully confident in your abilities and skills go for it. If your doubting yourself it might be best to have someone else do it. Do what feels right

My mom did my wedding dress. She is not a pro, and it took her forever, but she really wanted to do it. She did a really good job in the end. She hemmed and did a bustle. This was not an easy task as I had a multi-layered poly/tulle dress...

I've done minor alterations on other dresses DIY, like sewing in a bra etc. If you don't feel 100% confident you can do it, you should probably hire somebody. Look at ratings and reviews and pick someone.

My FMIL is a seamstress and will be doing mine. I don't think I have the skills for sewing -

I need to shorten my dress and take it in as well. The thing with my dress is that to shorten it, I can't just cut on the bottom cause it will changed the look of the design so I have to take apart the dress at hip and pull up to shorten it from the top, then I have to take the top part and pull down to adjust the top, and take it in on the sides... way over my head on that.

if you feel confident you can do it, go for it - you will save a couple of hundred dollars

Oh dear this has bad written all over it unless you're a professional seamstress

I'm putting the bustle into my second dress. It's a pretty simple alteration, and pretty straightforward. I'm having the shop hem it and do the reshaping under the arms/taking the bust in, just because I have a lot of beading and there are appliqués on the skirt that I don't want to be responsible for removing and repositioning. They did the same alterations to my main dress.

Eta: I do have extensive sewing experience, even on fabrics my dress is made from. I just don't want to deal with it, and if they screw up, it's on them.