Question for sewers & tailors

Hi all! I've been off for quite a while -- let's just say there is "a lot going on in the US" that is taking my attention. Plus, I've been spending much less $ on clothing for the last several months, and a hiatus from YLF has helped, frankly. But, today I have a question that I knew only the very smart and skilled ladies at YLF could help me with.

I just bought a Tucker NYC dress on ebay (it's selling on the Tucker site for $375, and I bought it on ebay for $50 from a lovely young woman in Santa Monica who wore it once and found it unflattering for her large chest). I'm thrilled to be able to give the brand a try. (I'm imagining this dress with the Boden Catherines (which I ordered), and also with my StanSmiths and a jean jacket.)

But, I am a little worried that the waistband MIGHT be a little tight, since I don't have much of a waist. If it is, is it possible to have a tailor open it up and extend the elastic? Even by one inch?

If the dress ends up wrong for me, I know it will be perfect for my tall and willowy daughter, so it was worth the $50. But I'm really hoping it will work for me.

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7 years ago

approprio

(website)

Veteran

Beautiful dress! I can't be sure, but it looks like a very simple alteration to me. Just open the waistband casing and adjust or replace the elastic.

Welcome back by the way. There are many of us fasting and dieting with shopping right now, so perhaps you can join the support group

Anonymous

I'm curious to see what the expert sewers here tell you.
As a non-sewer-who-is-expert-at-challenging-my-tailor, I believe yes, that should not be a problem. But I think the elastic should be removed and replaced with a proper sized piece, because adding to the existing elastic would lead to some lumpiness at the seam. It looks like this is a tunnel waist and that the elastic isn't sewn to the silk. If it is sewn together all around and if the silk is thin, it could be a little tricky to execute without damaging the fabric.
Another option might be to remove the elastic altogether and wear a belt.
I hope this works out for you, because it is a beautiful dress! If not, your daughter is very lucky! I just passed on ab Ebay prize purchase to my own daughter - she borrowed it when she came home for a visit and it just looked so darn good on her!

viva

Thanks approprio and Ryce! The possibility of simply removing the elastic is one I will absolutely keep on hand. That's really interesting to me... depending, of course, on overall fit, etc. But given my shape that might really work. Would you do that yourself, Ryce -- take out the elastic? Or is this something a tailor should do?

cindysmith

I'd have a tailor do it just because I would be afraid that I would rip that fabric. I agree with the others that it should be doable, it's just well beyond my skill set

Should be doable , and easily, as long as the elastic is encased and not stitched through. And yes, a seamstress will replace it with a longer piece, not add to it . But all that aside - what a gorgeous print! This is one beautiful dress , and I hope we get to see it.

Ginger

Oh, yes, substituting a longer piece of elastic should be a straightforward alteration. Ryce is correct, you don't want to just extend the original piece; but it's not tricky to replace. It just means opening the seams at both ends instead of one.

Personally I would not take out the elastic... but that is solely my approach. I tend to look a lot better in more structured waists. Loose, belted ones tend to hang strangely on me. I think we're built very differently, though, so what's not good for me may be perfect for you. It's a great suggestion, and absolutely something you could try out with your tailor.

My mother was a professional seamstress, and she did this sort of thing a lot. If the elastic isn't stiched down, you can simply remove it and replace it with a longer piece of elastic. Just attach a safety pin to the elastic and work it through the casing.

Sara L.

I hope the dress works out for you because I really like the print and overall style.

JAileen

I'm not positive without looking at it, but it sounds simple, like something I would actually attempt on my own. So, yes, most likely it's very doable.

Karie

As long as the elastic is in a casing and isn't stitched directly into the garment you should be fine to remove it and put in a larger piece.

Marilyn

I agree.....looks doable. It will just be less gathered once done.

Lovely dress.

rachylou

Brilliant question... and answers!!

aloha emily

Active Member

Check to see if the elastic is stitched down anywhere- sometimes it will be anchored with a line of stitches at the center back or side seams- because that means more unpicking before threading a new piece of elastic through the casing. Is the dress lined? Because that will affect the alteration as well.

Well, the dress arrived and it really is lovely! I don't think I actually need to alter the elastic after all. It just fits - not tight at all, but definitely right at my body (so I will keep all of this advice should I gain weight). I will try to get a picture for you all. Thanks for the help everyone.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Just saw this post, and I'm glad it fits!

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