Temporary dress strap shortening? ETA backup outfit in comments

A dress I rented for this weekend is too long in the torso for me. It has straps about an inch thick at the shoulders, and there’s just too much fabric for it to lay flat on my shoulders. The dress fits me well otherwise. I don’t have time to experiment with getting another size - i’m either going to wear it or go with my backup dress.

I need to know if there is anyway to temporarily sure in the dress straps. I know sewing a temporary stitch is often a solution for people, but I do not so, nor can I rely on the fact that I’ll be able to encounter someone who can do it for me before my event. I’m afraid of safety pins puncturing the dress. ( I saw old advice on here about using safety pins on the inside of the dress but I’m not sure how feasible that is.) I made a quick attempt to do something with him tape, but I can’t figure out how to work that without it being on the outside of my dress and catching my hair.

Can this be temporarily done without stitching, or should I just send the dress back to rent the runway and go with my back up? I need to decide tonight and execute my decision tomorrow, basically. I’d vastly prefer to wear the rented dress. (I should know better than to order address that isn’t strapless because of my torso, but last time I did it worked out well....)

ETA I’m a realist. My backup dress options are a black long halter gown with a black sequined band around the waist, or a forest green kneee length dress with draping. Neither screams May wedding, but it IS an evening wedding and the dress code is black tie optional (husband will be in his tux). Which option is better, in theory? No time to post pics of me in them....

ETA 2: never mind, the black dress is too long for my new shoes. Going with green,

6 years ago

Joy

Veteran

It seems like you would be more comfortable going with your back-up dress. I have long had to shorten straps with temporary stitches. It can be done with a needle and thread but may take some trial and error to get the right length, especially if the fabric is fragile.
ETA: I cannot imagine the shortening staying through an event if just tape is used.. It would be very likely to come undone.

Christina F.

This is what I fear, Joy. My request is more a last ditch attempt to save the rental. I don’t have much real hope.

I am very clumsy, with poor fine motor skills. I don’t trust myself to try to sew a dress I don’t own, since I’ve never once sewn a seam in my life. This doesn’t seem like the time to learn, sadly.

Liz

Since you're not comfortable with hand-sewing, I'd probably not risk it on a part of the dress that is as visible as the shoulder seams. If it were a hem, I'd say to go for it.

Anonymous

Question- do those rental companies even allow alterations?
I agree if you are not comfortable sewing don’t do it and go with your back up.
If you are interested there are lots of places to take basic sewing classes in NYC. Many Libraries, ny sewing center, mood fabric , Joann’s and if you prefer in the privacy of your home- CRAFTSY. You can also do classes on Amazon prime. I imagine you tube has some also.
(Angela Wolfe is great both on craftsy or Amazon) I have taken her classes just for giggles and I have been sewing since I was 10.
A good basic course will give you the skills to hem, repair seams, alter straps etc

efbgen, I’m pretty sure I’m not able to alter it. I’ll learn to sew someday, maybe after the current jewelry class I’m taking. My husband can sew a bit (from Scouts), but he wouldn’t be comfortable doing something like this on a item I don’t own.

My green backup dress has a tear along a seam. My husband is comfortable sewing that for me, at least.

Helen11

Good to hear you have a handy husband. My brother is the sew-er in his household! It would be tricky to do a temporary alteration on a rental dress, I think. I hope you have a fab time in the green.

I also remembered that I have this dress. I think I’ll be more comfortable in it. The green one feels a bit sexy for a wedding - I don’t think it would bother most people who saw me, but since sexier than what I usually wear, it would probably make me uncomfortable. (Especially since we are attending this wedding with my in-laws, not that they are prudes.) I got the green one to wear to an event that wasn’t a wedding, where I felt a little more comfortable dressing in something slightly more body-con.

I will use some glam earrings plus the accessories below and help that I look formal enough.

Custom Find

by Christina F.

View Info

Nordstrom

Naturalizer 'Tami' Sandal

$78.95

Top Pick

Loft

Cocktail Ring

tulle

Come on, Christina, you can do it! Buy a spool of thread close to the dress color, and a needle. Decide how much shorter the straps need to be. If it's an inch, say, fold the strap at the back of the dress in a 1/2 inch deep fold (doubled, it equals an inch). Thread the needle, knot the thread, and take some long (maybe a quarter inch?) basting stitches along the fold, very close to the back top of the dress. Knot the thread and break it. Knot the thread again, bend the fold down toward the inside, and take a few more stitches through the strap to the inside back of the dress to tack it down. Knot the the thread and break it. Try the dress on and wear it around the house to make sure the shortening is correct, and strong enough. If it is, wear the dress to the wedding, and afterwards, carefully snip the threads and remove them. Easy peasy.

Tulle, I already gave the dress back, and I am not exaggerating my lack of fine motor skills. (It was even kind of considered a developmental issue when I was a child.) I’d be terrified to try that for the first time on something I don’t own. Plus I also simply had no time for trying the project and then making other decisions if it didn’t work, etc etc. So no rental dress for me this time, but thanks for the encouragement.

If you feel like a 2 hour commute by train or car to the “sticks” I will be happy to give you - tea, sympathy and basic sewing lessons for giggles

Haha, maybe someday, efbgen.

I am willing to learn, just not in this situation. I’d probably stab myself in the finger and bleed on the dress :p

Well I turned out okay, anyway.

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Jenni NZ

You certainly did! That looks gorgeous and with the accessories you showed upthread would have really shone. I know we all want to look nice for weddings and I always try hard, but probably worry too much. When you get there, there's usually a sea of nicely dressed people and any one guest probably doesn't stand out that much... which I say to myself to help me relax more about the next invitation...

Jenni - exactly! I mostly wanted to fit in. The groom is a family friend of my husband that I know a little. The bride I’ve never met at all. I mostly wanted to look nice but to fit in, and look okay with my husband’s tux. Now that I’ve seen some guests on the bus to the ceremony, I feel like I fit in just fine.

Have fun!

The attire ranges from jeans with a sport coat on one guy and floral jumpsuits on some ladies, to tuxes and sequined gowns.

Toban

You look beautiful and appropriate for the event. Enjoy!

You look lovely.

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