TIPS
& TECHNIQUES |
Shortening
Wedding Gown from the Waist |
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Dress from Waist # 1 Sometimes the dress must be shortened from the waist. Here is a dress with an asymmetrical over skirt with shaped hem. |
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Dress from Waist # 2 Mark all seams, darts etc. with pins |
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Dress from Waist # 3 Be sure to mark all pertinent features. |
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Dress from Waist # 4 Because this dress was asymmetrical, it had to marked different from side to side. |
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Dress from Waist # 5 Besides marking, it also helps to take photos, so everything goes back right. Notice the center back of the overskirt is open. The whole over skirt is lined. |
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Dress from Waist # 6 Remove the skirt from the bodice. I choose to shorten the petticoat from the bottom, so I left it attached to the bodice lining. |
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Dress from Waist # 7 Here is another detail I wanted to document. |
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Dress from Waist # 8 This is the right over skirt panel. The left side of this is the center back, the right side is the photo #7 un-pleated and laid flat. Trace around the edge of the top and about 1 foot down on the c.b. and front curve. Transfer the pin markings to the paper. |
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Dress from Waist # 9 Slide the pattern down the desired amount. Notice the c.b. will have to be reshaped a little. Transfer markings. |
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Dress from Waist # 10 After I cut off the top and transferred the markings, I marked the adjustment for the c.b. |
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Dress from Waist # 11 This is the left over skirt panel. Left front under wrap is to the left and center back is to the right. I have made my paper pattern and slid it down the desired amount. Notice how much the Left side will need to be reshaped. |
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Dress from Waist # 12 This is the under skirt. Trace a pattern for the back along the waist seam and for about a foot down the side seam & center back. |
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Dress from Waist # 13 Trace the dress front by lifting up the back. Again trace down the side seam about a foot. Be sure to mark center front. |
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Dress from Waist # 14 Re-fold the skirt. The center front is to the left, the center back seam is to the right. Align and pin the side seams together. |
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Dress from Waist # 15 Keeping the center front of the paper on the c.f. of the dress, slide the paper down the desired length. Keeping the center back of the paper on the c.b. of the dress, side the paper down the desired length. Notice the side seams will need to be taken in to match the paper pattern. Now when I sew all this back together, it will fit exactly like the original, because I made a pattern! |
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Dress from Waist # 16 Here is the dress ready for the fitting. |
