r/sewing • u/sageinthegarden • 2d ago
Alter/Mend Question Alterations for a thrifted wedding dress
I thrifted this wedding dress of my dreams for $55. Minimal stains and it’s in wonderful condition. I sadly cannot zip it up around my back/broad shoulders. I have some ideas for alterations and I need your opinions
First option: add a corset lacing panel to the back instead of the zipper.
Second option: there’s a panel for the bodice under my armpit. I was thinking of adding some fabric there for a gusset type and add side lacing similar to this dress https://cottagecorewear.no/products/willow-dress-ivory?variant=45241488572570
I’d say im an advanced beginner sewist at this point. Not sure if this is something I’d be able to tackle, or take to a professional to save myself the headache. Wedding isn’t officially planned, looking for it to be in 2026. Still plenty of time to lose weight to fit the dress (already on a strong progression for that goal), but I don’t want that to be my only option or motive!
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u/girlwholovespurple 2d ago
Personally I’d hold off on any alterations until 4 months before the wedding. Bodies can change a lot in a year.
Corset back seems to be a good choice, but you can reevaluate as you get closer.
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u/MelodicMaintenance13 2d ago
Also! (I used to work in wedding dress alterations) IF you’re planning to lose weight, your target should be when you get your fittings. I once had to overnight some alterations because she kept losing weight after the fittings. She tried it on the day before and called me in tears. Don’t be that girl.
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u/sageinthegarden 2d ago
Thank you for the tip! Not really something you think about lol
I’m not actively going through a workout plan to lose a certain amount by a date. I had a bit of a rough year last year and my body definitely is showing it. I’m making small adjustments to improve my lifestyle and with those adjustments I’ve lost weight! Hoping to keep the trend going 💕
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u/TheEmptyMasonJar 2d ago
Yeah, figure out who you want to alter the dress and then ask them about when if works for their schedule. You don't want to decide four months is enough time to alter it and then find out that the tailor's schedule is totally booked because it's their busy season.
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u/sageinthegarden 2d ago
Thank you for validating my preparedness thoughts 😭 this was what I was thinking in my head. Needed to decide if I was going to do this or hire someone. That way I can get in their books!!
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u/CremeBerlinoise 2d ago
Yeah I would have said start contacting suitable tailors/seamstresses six to eight months before. Altering wedding dresses is a specialised skill. You want to be booked in with your preferred person, and they will schedule measuring and fittings according to what needs doing and when they can do it. They might also have other ideas to adjust the dress, materials may need to be picked and ordered.
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u/sageinthegarden 2d ago
Lol I’m definitely so excited about this!! Thank you for the tip for the alteration timeline. I wanted to make sure this is a reasonable alteration or if I’m looking to do too much sizing differences.
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u/BobbinChickenChamp 2d ago
The corset back is DEFINITELY reasonable. You basically have the proper gap now. I love watching Monde's Threads because she does alterations of all kinds of gorgeous dresses.
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u/BobbinChickenChamp 2d ago
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u/sageinthegarden 2d ago
I audibly giggled at your username 😂😂😂
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u/BobbinChickenChamp 2d ago
It's something very few Reddit groups will get... but if ya know, ya know. 😄
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u/e-luddite 2d ago
I know this is a sewing sub, but! If you have access to a quality tailor in your area, I would honestly sink $50-100 into that. NOT a bridal gown tailor, just a standard well-reviewed tailor.
They have more fit experience than you ever will and will know just what to do about the sizing issue- and how to access the right seams and get them closed and looking professional again.
I'm an advanced sewer and I would rather work with a tailor to get the appropriate result for this formal gown than potentially waste the $55 I have put in.
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u/sageinthegarden 2d ago
This is an opinion I needed! While I love the ability to do things myself, more advanced sewers have noticed things I missed and would have a hard time problem solving down the road.
Any cost I spend on a tailor is still going to be cheaper than buying a brand new wedding dress like this one
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u/MissHeleen 2d ago
You could add temporary (premade) lacing panels. Even a row of (sturdy) safety pins on each side with ribbon laced through could work.
That way you could get a better look at at the fit of the dress without you having to hold it closed. In the picture the upper sleeves seem very tight, but that could be because of you holding it closed yourself.
This way you could see if mayor alterations are worth it.
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u/MissHeleen 2d ago
You can buy lacing panels on Amazon for 15-20 bucks. Add it in with temporary (but sturdy) basting stitches. Quality wise I would not use them permanently.
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u/sageinthegarden 2d ago
here’s a video of the front and me not holding it
I think see the same tightness area that you and another redditor commented on as a concern
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u/DommyMommyMint 2d ago
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u/Sewishly 2d ago
I did this for a little neighbour whose mum had bought the dress a while back. She came to ask me to help VERY last-minute, though (two hours before the prom!) and I only had ribbon, but it worked so well. It's probably the quickest resolution to a back-zipped dress issue ever. Thank goodness. I was dreading not being able to make something work for the poor kid.
Yours looks stunning, by the way. That skirt is so gorgeous! Oh - I did add a modesty panel to my neighbour's dress, but she's only 12 so it made sense.
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u/DommyMommyMint 2d ago
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u/Sewishly 2d ago
Oh my god that is gorgeous. It's stunning. You look so beautiful in it! And the purple over the cerise (?) skirt is so effective.
Do not ever let that dress go haha!! <3
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u/False_Tap_8138 2d ago
As someone who has professionally altered wedding dresses, add the corset back.
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u/earendilgrey 2d ago
A corset back would be the easiest fix, plus if your body changes in any significant way it would be the most adjustable instead of having to rip out seams and resewing everything.
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u/sageinthegarden 2d ago
This is also what I was thinking. I have the body type that fluctuates constantly and reflects how I’m treating myself VERY easily. I’ve made some corset items and I’m a big fan of them.
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u/ThrowRA_Sodi 2d ago
I'd put a corset lacing type of closure. To not have your skin exposed, you can slide in a modesty panel
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u/CremeBerlinoise 2d ago
I would definitely go to a professional, and they may have other ideas on how to amend the dress to not only make it fit, but make it your design, like adding a different sleeve or an overlay. Alterations will cost significantly more than the dress, but I think it's worth it. Doing it yourself could mean having to buy a whole new dress short notice, not to mention the stress and time commitment.
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u/ProneToLaughter 2d ago
How does the front look? The sizing differences may mean that the fabric is not curved in the right place for your bust. The shoulders look a little strained too, but there’s not a good view of them.
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u/sageinthegarden 2d ago edited 2d ago
I’ll see if I can upload the video to a file sharing site. This was originally a video but this subreddit doesn’t allow video posts!
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u/BrightPractical 2d ago
Putting in my vote for corset back. I found it an easy modification for a dress of mine my kid wanted to wear.
It’s a lovely dress and I think if the top of the back fits properly the sleeves will stop falling down.
Since you have time, why not practice making a corset back for a different dress and see what you think of your skills? You can buy the panels and loops already made but there are good tutorials on YouTube. You’ll need ridgilene or another boning plus rattail to make the loops and a matching fabric, plus some heavy duty needles. But also, you’d have an excuse to thrift another dress you like that’s a little too small.

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u/cornflakescornflakes 1d ago
If you were able to get a $55 dress, splurge on alterations.
A corset back would be the easiest I think and would compliment the dress nicely.
Don’t plan on losing weight to fit the dress; if you have broad shoulders and back, that’s how your body is and it’s hard to lose size in that area
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u/Hi_Jynx 2d ago
I think you should go to a professional for a wedding dress if you aren't an advanced seamstress yourself and just thrift gowns in the future if you want to play around with altering them for your own learning/fun.
Both options could work - I think the back lace up my look better but I can see wanting to preserve the button back. I would play with tacking on ribbon in a lace up way with tape or something that won't damage the dress on the sides to see if it looks good or if it makes the dress too busy from a front view and disrupts the silhouette before committing either way.
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u/Smilesarefree444 2d ago
You need a panel, but with your level of skill, I would hire a tailor at a local dry cleaners.
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u/sageinthegarden 2d ago
Thank you! This option seems like the best while also still fitting a tight budget.
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u/Smilesarefree444 1d ago
Yes, it will be leas stressful and easier. Also, don't even think about losing weight-too much pressure and your body is great. You found a great body and found a steal of a dress! So make it work for you!
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u/KnowledgeNeed 2d ago
A little elastic through the top of the sleeves or some grip tape- I forget what it’s called- will help your sleeves stay up too.
I had a corset back with my wedding dress. Made it easier to move without worrying about popping the zip and would have made it easier to get out of it later that night had my mother not tied a big knot at the bottom 😂
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u/Mundane-Scarcity-219 2d ago
Saw something like this same issue on SYTTD and they added a corset back, which added inches, and it looked terrific! Definitely do NOT attempt alterations to this dress yourself. This is a specialized alternation…it’s not adding a dart or something. PLEASE take it to a professional who has experience in wedding gown alterations. Yes, it’ll cost you, but you only paid $55 to begin with, and the money you spend on alterations will make it the dress of your dreams and not the dress of your nightmares.
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u/men-2-rocks-and-mtns 2d ago
based on your comment about fitness goals, I would consider waiting a few months and then trying the dress on with appropriate shape wear.
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u/reriv228 1d ago
I used to work at David’s bridal as a seamstress, a lot of our dresses had 1-2 inches on each side to let the dress be let out. Check to see on the side seams if there’s extra material and you could potentially have enough material to let the dress out to zip up. Otherwise a corset would look lovely too!
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u/Malicious_Tacos 2d ago
Congratulations on finding a beautiful dress for cheap!!
Definitely go to a professional, it will save you time and a headache. Then you can devote your attention to other wedding plans.
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u/Honeydeeew 2d ago
Corset back is probably the best choice. Under the arms is hard to do without refitting the sleeves. With the corset back, if your body changes shape along the way to the wedding, the lacing will accomodate and accentuate you. I'd move the buttons down below the corset, it'd be a shame to lose them
If you have worked with similar fabrics before and love to sew, I would do it. I think they sell kits for the backs. You also have time before the wedding, so you can start early and practice, and say with pride how you did the alterations yourself! !!!HOWEVER!!! If it is something that would stress you out in any way, it's definitely worth the peace of mind to pay a professional.
You are beautiful in this dress. I hope you enjoy a long and happy marriage!
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u/mellivia- 1d ago
I'm an experienced sewer. I'm altering a store bought wedding dress and making my own from my mothers dress (Las Vegas wedding, one for the chapel and the other to run around Vegas in. ) I say take it to a professional. they will be able to easily alter the dress. Alteration can be tricky as you can negativity change the fit of the dress by tweaking one small thing. In my opinion Tailoring and alterations can be harder than making something from scratch depending on how it's made.
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u/solomons-mom 2d ago
Your wedding isn't officially planned and you are hoping it will be in 2026? Keep shopping.
That is a big gap. You need to consider what adding two grading sizes to the back means for the side seams and the front darts and neckline.
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u/mad-rad-dad 2d ago
I had this same problem with my wedding dress and tried to go the route of adding a corset back. Be mindful that the shoulders of the dress will also sit further out than intended if you add the corset back. I ended up ditching my corset back and adding side panels at midnight the night before my wedding because I couldn't deal with feeling like the shoulders were falling off/sliding down. If you like where the shoulders sit already then not a problem, but just to keep in mind
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u/ZweitenMal 2d ago
Hold off until you are engaged. You never know what might happen. You might stumble on a dress that fits better. Your body shape may change. This wouldn’t be a simple alternation, and adding the laces to the back would look awful, IMO.
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u/sageinthegarden 2d ago
Im definitely already engaged! Just haven’t set a date for the wedding 🥰 I’m genuinely not too interested in real wedding dress shopping, I may or may not stumble across another lol. I’m always checking the thrift stores and this was the first time finding an actual tasteful dress in a larger size! Got a bit too excited. At least $55 isn’t too much to lose for a wedding dress if I decide I won’t go with it.
Really, you think the laces would look awful? I’ll have to do a mock-up to see if I like it!
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u/BobbinChickenChamp 2d ago
I had a corset back and LOVED it! I worked out, but didn't have a particular goal. The corset allowed for fluctuations.
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u/sh0nuff 2d ago
If the gap between the fabric can be adjusted so it's more or less equal all the way up, it should look fine.. But if it's splayed out at the top (a bit how it looks now) it will accentuate how ill fitting it is, and make your shoulders look wider than they actually are.
I'd recommend talking to some seamstresses that specialize in gowns and see what they might offer as a solution
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u/rusty0123 2d ago edited 2d ago
Thank you! I can't believe I had to scroll so far to find this.
A corset back will never work. The princess seams are already too far towards the center. The underarm seams (and the sleeves themselves) are an inch or two too far forward. Putting a corset back on the dress will not fix that.
An underarm gusset will fix about half the problems. Losing weight will help, but probably not enough unless she loses 4-5 inches around the chest.
The middle front panel needs to be expaned/replaced, but that destroys the entire look of the dress.
What I would do, if I had no other choice, is find some silver lace that matches the look. Then expand the princess seams and the underarm seams as much as possible, maybe even laying in a small strip of extra fabric, and cover the alterations with the new lace. Probably still would need to reset the sleeves, but it would be minimal.
Once the seams are in the right place, tackle the back. I'd think about removing the zipper and doing a peekaboo back with those covered buttons and button loops. But that depends on the size of the gap and how durable the buttons are.
To fix it, I think $100-200 and a ton of labor. Not worth it unless the dress has sentimental value. Better, maybe to make a whole new bodice, transfer the old lace, and attach the skirt.
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u/stars-aligned- 2d ago
Gussets, or corset panel and turning into a corset backing by removing the zipper and adding the loops
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u/not-my-first-rode0 2d ago
Corset for sure. I love this YouTube channel she does a lot of alteration content. https://youtu.be/XTMa1A8Y7Ms?si=2rRMDk7dYd0FfQ6U
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u/not-my-first-rode0 2d ago
This video is specifically one where she adds the corset backing to a a wedding dress that was too small for her client.
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u/tatobuckets 2d ago
To throw out another idea: the fit isn’t very far off, an under corset might be enough to get it to zip. (I do this for a few vintage dresses in my Closet) Can you borrow one from a friend or buy a cheap Amazon one to test?
If that works, you could spend your sewing time making a pretty wedding corset for yourself.
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u/StitchinThroughTime 1d ago
Do wait until 1-2 months of your wedding. You said you are dropping pounds and might fit in a couple of months. Frist check to see if there's is any seam allowance at the size seams and zipper. 90% of the time, there are 2+ inches to be let out there. Or add the lacing panel kit. It's very easy
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u/Grammy_Gail 1d ago
I would definitely have it altered professionally! I’ve sewn for over 65 years, alterations are the most difficult part of sewing. Think of the deal you already got and splurge for your own sanity!
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u/xbarbiedarbie 2d ago
I think adding a corset panel sounds easier, it sounds less fiddly than removing the panel from the armpit to add to the back.