How to properly tailor dresses at home yourself

If your favorite dress has become too big, it is a good sign, but to continue wearing it, you need to take it in to fit your figure. There are two options for this: take it to a studio or model it yourself. The article discusses how to take in a dress yourself without the help of a specialist.

How to take in a dress at the waist

If the dress fits well in the shoulders and chest, but hangs a little at the waist, then you can take it in by 1 size yourself. There are several ways to do this. Firstly, you can make a slit in the front and sew in buttons or a zipper, secondly, make darts, thirdly, take in at the side seams. The choice of method will depend on the style of the product, the desired size, fabric and the skill of the master.

Dress with buttons

To reduce the size of a product with buttons or a zipper, you need to know how to take in a dress on the sides at home. If the buttons are on the side, it is enough to sew them further by 1-2 cm, due to which the product will become narrower.

With the help of a zipper

Zipper is another cool option for sewing a dress. In addition, it will allow you to update the model, change it and diversify it. So, the algorithm of actions:

• First, you need to try on the dress to understand how many centimeters it needs to be taken in;
• then it is cut in half along the back or ripped open along the seam, if there is one;
• on each side, the fabric is folded as much as it is necessary to reduce the volume of the dress (if you need to remove 5 cm in total, then the fold is done by 2.5 cm);
• It is important to select a zipper according to the length of the cut and baste it on one side and then on the other;
• The next step is to try on the dress to see if the size is right or if more adjustments are needed.
• If everything is OK, then the zipper is sewn on with a machine and ironed.

You can use small hidden zippers that are built into the seam and are practically invisible, or massive decorative ones that will become a new decoration for the dress.

Breast reduction

To make a dress smaller in the chest, the method with buttons or a zipper is not very suitable. It is better to use the darts method. They can be vertical and horizontal.

Horizontal darts help to reduce the size of the garment in the chest area, and vertical darts can narrow the dress along the entire length of the bodice.

First, you need to put the product on yourself and measure with chalk approximately the area where you need to adjust the item. After that, make a dart using a basting stitch. Before you stitch it tightly, you need to try on the product.

Changing darts

Darts are adjusted only if the dress does not stick out completely on the figure, but only in some places, for example, it is too big in the chest. Then you need to adjust the darts, that is, take them in a little so that the product becomes a little narrower.

Step-by-step method for updating darts:

• You need to put on the dress, twirl in front of the mirror and determine in which places it needs to be made smaller;
• all the “excess” is pinned to mark the places for adjustment;
• then the item is removed and turned inside out;
• Based on the intended volumes, it is necessary to baste the darts, try them on and sew them with a machine stitch.

To make sure the seams are not noticeable, they must be ironed or steamed before wearing the item.

Sew in the armhole

If the dress is wide in the sleeves and under the arms, it is recommended to take in the armhole so that the garment fits nicely on the figure. To narrow the neckline for the sleeve, you must first mark it. Then put on the clothes and find the shoulder point and armpit folds. To do this, hold a ruler under your hand and mark the front and back notches with chalk along its upper line. It is necessary to measure the garment on underwear and with shoulder pads, if they are supposed to be worn when wearing the dress.

Shorten the skirt

There are several ways to shorten a skirt, and they will depend on the style of the dress:

1. A-line means uniform expansion at the bottom. To shorten this style, you first need to put on the garment and mark the desired length of the skirt. From the marked line, measure down 2-3 centimeters for allowances and make a baste or draw a line with chalk. You need to measure from the hem to the waist, but not vice versa! It is important to measure the same distance on all sides, and then cut off. Before stitching, a new seam is folded slightly and basted. It is recommended to stitch after a control check.
2. A straight skirt is much easier to shorten than other models. Even a beginner can handle this task. The product needs to be folded along the seams and smoothed out on a hard, flat surface. Then, from the bottom to the top (to the desired length), marks are made on the right and left with chalk. Then the lines are connected, a straight line is drawn that will be parallel to the bottom. All that remains is to cut the free edge evenly, hem it and stitch it. It is important not to forget to iron the seam so that it is not noticeable.
3. Skirt with pleats. Before taking in or shortening a pleated garment, you need to wash it and let it hang on a hanger for a few days. At home, it is easier to shorten such a skirt from the top than from the bottom. First, the skirt is ripped off from the bodice and the belt, so the extra centimeters are removed, and then the belt is sewn back in place. In a studio, it is done differently. The pleats are leveled with a special sender, the length is trimmed, like a trapezoid or a sun flare, and then they are pleated back.

In the studio

The need to hand over a sarafan or dress to a studio appears if you can't do it yourself or don't have a sewing machine. It's also better to trust a master if the dress has a complex cut or needs to be changed by 3-4-5 sizes (then only a professional can remake it).

It is also important to remember that there are certain specifics when working with elastic fabrics. They can shrink or deform when stitching, and in order not to ruin the product, it is better to trust the seamstress.

If the dress has a complex pattern and many elements, then it will be difficult to reduce its size on your own. In this case, it is better to take the dress for a girl or woman to a studio, experienced seamstresses will do it well. Assess the rationality of your choice, this option is not always economically justified. It should be remembered that different fabrics used for sewing dresses have different quality characteristics, for example, linen and knitwear. They stretch and lie differently, this should be taken into account when altering finished products.

Shrinkage after washing

This method is only suitable for natural woolen items. When exposed to high temperatures, they tend to shrink, that is, to shrink. If the dress has lost its shape or stretched, it is recommended to soak it in water at +50–80 degrees. The hotter it is, the more it will shrink.

It is worth remembering that the item will not stretch back, so it is important to be careful. It is better to wash by hand to control it in a timely manner.

Thus, the process of changing the size of your favorite dress after reading this article will not be so difficult for any girl or woman.