https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/q-for-seamstresses-extra-fabric-at-upper-back-of-dress Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 21 Apr 2026 21:58:02 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/q-for-seamstresses-extra-fabric-at-upper-back-of-dress/page/2#post-1241286 Sun, 04 May 2014 04:12:11 +0000 Beth Ann 1241286@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Such an interesting thread!&nbsp; Diana, I'm like you in the front: wider rib cage (what I call singer's rib cage - lol) and a wider sternum.&nbsp; I have some of the same bra fit issues, too, but I'm as broad across the back as I am in the front.&nbsp; I have to size up in sheaths, but they generally work, even if they don't quite flatter.&nbsp; I have a slightly long waist, and at only 5'6, I need more length overall.&nbsp; I find that talls, when I can find them, actually fit well and I like the close-to-midi length!</p> <p>P.S.&nbsp; I adored the Vera Wang on you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/q-for-seamstresses-extra-fabric-at-upper-back-of-dress/page/2#post-1241283 Sun, 04 May 2014 04:08:11 +0000 Echo 1241283@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have this, too, and I seem to have the opposite body characteristics of many. I have a very long waist, and I tend to be broad and square across the shoulders. I am not sure it has anything to do with a "forward neck" since when I stand with proper posture the problem gets worse, not better. I think perhaps it means that most bodies are not straight and square across the back and that they taper in the back, too, although to a lesser degree than in the front. Perhaps the lack of back neckline darts is the issue. It sounds like more people might need them than not. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/q-for-seamstresses-extra-fabric-at-upper-back-of-dress#post-1241279 Sun, 04 May 2014 04:01:36 +0000 Diana 1241279@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Quick update: well, I measured my upper back and it appears to be just over 12". I may be measuring somewhat inaccurately but there is no way it is even close to 14". So that explains that. </p> <p>The dress I eventually bought has a draped neckline in both front and back, which hides the problem. It does look more draped on me than on the model. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/q-for-seamstresses-extra-fabric-at-upper-back-of-dress#post-1240312 Fri, 02 May 2014 22:34:08 +0000 Day Vies 1240312@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm not exactly sure since you said it even happens with petite sizing. It is an easy fix though. Darts either in the front or back in addition to having the seams at the top of the shoulder taken in -- grab your dress by the shoulders and squeeze the extra fabric between your thumb and fingers. This is what my seamstress did for my wedding dress and a sheath dress I had altered with the same problems. </p> <p>I hear you on the plunging necklines&nbsp; -- I'm not interested in pneumonia ;-)! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/q-for-seamstresses-extra-fabric-at-upper-back-of-dress#post-1240290 Fri, 02 May 2014 22:05:58 +0000 Aida 1240290@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Diana, it is for that exact reason that I am going to send back the floral dress; the slash neck doing this gape PLUS the zipper pooch is just too much alteration&nbsp;for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/q-for-seamstresses-extra-fabric-at-upper-back-of-dress#post-1240287 Fri, 02 May 2014 22:03:06 +0000 Diana 1240287@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>By the way, Angie if you are reading this I had a lightbulb moment and realized that this is why Many slash necks didn't work on me. Because the ones that are supposed to be fitted (as opposed to blousey oversized ones) are actually too big in back so they don't sit right and shift around. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/q-for-seamstresses-extra-fabric-at-upper-back-of-dress#post-1240251 Fri, 02 May 2014 21:31:11 +0000 Aida 1240251@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh wow those diagrams are great Diane! The vertical neckline darts make so much sense, I think that would a good fix for when this issue pops up with me as well. Thanks for sharing those! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/q-for-seamstresses-extra-fabric-at-upper-back-of-dress#post-1239905 Fri, 02 May 2014 15:35:41 +0000 Diana 1239905@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, that diagram is so helpful! Thank you! I'm going to save it for future reference. </p> <p>I'll have to get my husband to measure me but I'm pretty sure I'm narrower than 14" there. Plus sometimes I have to go a size up to fit my hips which would make it even bigger in the back. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/q-for-seamstresses-extra-fabric-at-upper-back-of-dress#post-1239891 Fri, 02 May 2014 15:27:49 +0000 Anonymous 1239891@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You would measure at a horizontal lined about 3 inches down from nape to the edge of shoulder where a sleeve seam would run down vertically. This photo show it better than my explanation.</p> <p>(can you tell I have time on my hands today )</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/q-for-seamstresses-extra-fabric-at-upper-back-of-dress#post-1239884 Fri, 02 May 2014 15:19:22 +0000 Diana 1239884@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes! Super helpful!<br /> Where does one take the measurement? At the top of the shoulder from outside edges of the shoulder blades, or lower down? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/q-for-seamstresses-extra-fabric-at-upper-back-of-dress#post-1239873 Fri, 02 May 2014 15:12:12 +0000 rachylou 1239873@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, I'm learning so much! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/q-for-seamstresses-extra-fabric-at-upper-back-of-dress#post-1239852 Fri, 02 May 2014 14:58:01 +0000 Anonymous 1239852@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Is this any help Diana?</p> <p>BTW I just looked in my book by Winifred Aldrich on metric pattern cutting and they say 14" back width for a 36" bust.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/q-for-seamstresses-extra-fabric-at-upper-back-of-dress#post-1239843 Fri, 02 May 2014 14:52:10 +0000 Diana 1239843@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just for curiosity's sake: is there an "industry standard" for this measurement across sizes or is it determined by the particular style? Curious what is "supposed" to be standard back width for my 36" bust. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/q-for-seamstresses-extra-fabric-at-upper-back-of-dress#post-1239841 Fri, 02 May 2014 14:50:49 +0000 elpgal 1239841@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting thread. I am quite wide shouldered which are not sloped at all. My front necklines ride up too as Laura mentions. I never have these problems with tailored Indian clothing. </p> <p>Thanks for the tip about taking length off unevenly when shortening straps. Never thought of that!</p> <p></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/q-for-seamstresses-extra-fabric-at-upper-back-of-dress#post-1239785 Fri, 02 May 2014 13:49:38 +0000 Diana 1239785@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Am rethinking my decision not to take up sewing as a hobby now (I figured I shouldn't start hoarding fabric the way I hoard yarn, LOL). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/q-for-seamstresses-extra-fabric-at-upper-back-of-dress#post-1239783 Fri, 02 May 2014 13:47:31 +0000 Diana 1239783@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, I see. I was envisioning horizontal darts only. It seems like a complicated and potentially risky alteration , definitely not one I could do myself. And I don't trust most tailors and don't know a good one anyway (wish you were nearby, Diane!)</p> <p>One of these days I'd like to get a sheath dress custom made. I have a LOT of fit issues with sheaths, not just this one. My mom doesn't sew much anymore although somewhere I do have a cheongsam-style dress she made for me. I should have her alter it (it was made when I was skinnier) so I can wear it now. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/q-for-seamstresses-extra-fabric-at-upper-back-of-dress#post-1239779 Fri, 02 May 2014 13:44:20 +0000 Anonymous 1239779@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Or you could unpick the top third of the zip and fold in more fabric and re-sew it back in. Or a combination of that and a dart. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/q-for-seamstresses-extra-fabric-at-upper-back-of-dress#post-1239778 Fri, 02 May 2014 13:42:19 +0000 Anonymous 1239778@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well the darts usually go down vertically at the back so that tends to make the back shoulder narrower; then the front shoulder width is narrowed at the outer edge of the armhole. Hmm... or you could add vertical darts in the curve of the back neck and see if that helps. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/q-for-seamstresses-extra-fabric-at-upper-back-of-dress#post-1239775 Fri, 02 May 2014 13:36:18 +0000 Diana 1239775@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ah, that makes sense. I just realized that when I take up the straps on things with tank style straps I often take the length more from the back side. I'll have to try shoulder seam darts, although it won't fix the width. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/q-for-seamstresses-extra-fabric-at-upper-back-of-dress#post-1239768 Fri, 02 May 2014 13:31:47 +0000 Anonymous 1239768@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes I see what you mean, but they are set high aren't they? They are actually a bit straight before the ends round off.&nbsp;My slopey shouldered&nbsp;customers have shoulders that start to slope immediately as they leave the neck. You do look quite narrow too.&nbsp;&nbsp;Darts on the back&nbsp; on the shoulder seams may help you, you&nbsp;know.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/q-for-seamstresses-extra-fabric-at-upper-back-of-dress#post-1239760 Fri, 02 May 2014 13:23:01 +0000 Diana 1239760@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Better pic of my shoulders. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/q-for-seamstresses-extra-fabric-at-upper-back-of-dress#post-1239756 Fri, 02 May 2014 13:20:52 +0000 Diana 1239756@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Diane, I actually have quite rounded shoulders. They look square in these photos because I had to contort funny to take the photos (I'm holding up the phone at shoulder level). I do have a really short neck though and I know I tend to hunch too much. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/q-for-seamstresses-extra-fabric-at-upper-back-of-dress#post-1239642 Fri, 02 May 2014 09:03:51 +0000 Anonymous 1239642@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm, I think Vildy has a point. Your shoulders are quite square, i.e. higher than your clavicle. Also I think your upper back may be a little narrower than the dress was made for.&nbsp; Imagine someone with much more slopey shoulders and a wider back neck measurement and that's who this dress would fit. It probably could be fixed, though I expect the top section of zip would need to be removed and the shoulder line and back neck tweeked too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/q-for-seamstresses-extra-fabric-at-upper-back-of-dress#post-1239457 Fri, 02 May 2014 03:01:47 +0000 Vildy 1239457@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I read in a knitting book that the tops moving up at the throat has to do with where your shoulder line is in relation to your clavicle. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/q-for-seamstresses-extra-fabric-at-upper-back-of-dress#post-1239373 Fri, 02 May 2014 01:35:56 +0000 Diana 1239373@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Elpgal, that makes sense! I know my rib cage is bigger in front, and I have a very wide sternum, which results in wide set breasts. I think I decided at some point that my ideal bra size is actually a 32 in back and 36 in front. I make do with wider set 34s but they are not perfect.</p> <p>Laura, I get that thing with the shifting necklines too. It's very annoying! </p> <p>Aida, how interesting that you have broad shoulders and still get this problem! I'm thinking it may be more common than I thought. Laura's point about tailoring not being what it used to be is interesting - I wonder how often manufacturers even consider this measurement any more! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/q-for-seamstresses-extra-fabric-at-upper-back-of-dress#post-1239282 Fri, 02 May 2014 00:30:58 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1239282@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I definitely have forward shoulders/neck - a lot of people do these days thanks to all the time we spend on computers - and a narrow upper back as well. I get that thing with some tops where I'm constantly pulling them *down* because the neck in the front migrates upwards as I move. I've given up wearing RTW slash-neck or boat neck tops because they always end up choking me. Of course ill fitting shoulders can make both the hiking back and the hiking forward of tops worse. </p> <p>With sewing patterns, I regularly take out an inch or so in the back neckline, which is a lot, and if I'm doing something properly tailored I really should move the shoulder seam forward and rotate the sleeve to compensate. (But instead I sew simple knit tops and call it a day, most of the time!)</p> <p>If you look at those classic 50s-60s day dresses, either the dresses themselves or the vintage patterns, there's often both a shaped CB seam and back neck darts, to get a tailored but well-fitting fit around the neck and upper back. Nowadays we've got knits and stretch wovens and most dresses aren't that well-tailored anymore. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/q-for-seamstresses-extra-fabric-at-upper-back-of-dress#post-1239277 Fri, 02 May 2014 00:27:56 +0000 elpgal 1239277@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't have the link handy but I remember reading that this is related to the rib age shape too. If your ribcage has more volume in the front, it causes this sort of fabric pooling in the upper back. </p> <p>I have this a lot and it makes higher backed clothing very difficult to fit. The ribcage shape also causes wide set breasts. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/q-for-seamstresses-extra-fabric-at-upper-back-of-dress#post-1239276 Fri, 02 May 2014 00:27:30 +0000 elpgal 1239276@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don have the link but I remember reading that this is related to the rib age shape too. If your ribcage has more volume in the front, it cause this sort of fabric pooling in the upper back. </p> <p>I have this a lot and it makes higher backed clothing very difficult to fit. The ribcage shape also causes wide set breasts. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/q-for-seamstresses-extra-fabric-at-upper-back-of-dress#post-1239213 Thu, 01 May 2014 23:28:11 +0000 Aida 1239213@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This happens to me quite a lot too, Diana! I had always attributed it to forward neck; even my broad shoulders don't even out this fabric for me. If the back waist length contributes, I'm going to guess that's a big player for me; I'm normal torsoed but short waisted so the backs of things rarely&nbsp;fit right. The alteration sounds messy &gt;&lt; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/q-for-seamstresses-extra-fabric-at-upper-back-of-dress#post-1239212 Thu, 01 May 2014 23:27:24 +0000 Diana 1239212@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, Laura. That's what I suspected. I have ALL of the things you described: forward neck (maybe just bad posture, LOL), narrow back, short waist. Oy. Sounds like a tricky alteration too. </p> <p>Huh. I wonder if this is another reason why v necks tend to be so low on me? Because the excess back fabric makes the shoulders and neck in front slide forward to compensate? </p>