Belt/seamstress question

eighthnote24

Hi all, I have a beaded belt that I wanted sewn on my gown. I took it to a seamstress a month ago who told me it would be done in a week. I picked it up today and not only is it not straight, but only the top of the belt is tacked on....only one little stitch every few inches. The belt is about 2 inches wide, and all but the top 1/4 inch of it is hanging freely, so you can stick your fingers under it all the way around. And as far as getting the belt straight....it has ruching straight across it, so should have been easy to line up. My question is...is it common to sew on only the top part of a belt? And if it was just tacked on...wouldn't it be easy to take off and sew on again properly? I don't know anything about this kind of stuff. Didn't know if the weight of the belt had something to do with it....however I don't see why the whole belt can't just be sewn on.

Maggie0829

I took a cockatil dress to the seamstress with a bolt of ribbon that I wanted sewn in as a "belt".  When I got it back only the part where it meets at the zipper was sewn.  The rest of the belt was free to move around.  Definitely not what I wanted or expected.  However, the belt stayed in place.

As for your situation, if you aren't happy take it back.  Tell her your issues and see what she says.  I personally, would want the bottom portion of the belt tacked down as well just so that it is a bit more secure.  I think the main issue you should be worried about is the fact that it isn't straight.  This really needs to be fixed.  If the seamstress doesn't seem capable of fixing it or doesn't seem to think there is a problem go somewhere else.

Also, since the entire belt is beaded it may be difficult just to sew the entire belt on which is why it was just tacked down at certain intervals.

gymbugmj2k

with the belt -- a 'tack' stitch every few inches should be enough to hold it in place.  though, I agree with PP -- if it isn't straight, that's a huge problem.  she should have had you try it on, and pinned it while you were wearing everything -- and then just tack stitch where the pins were.

has she done other alterations? were those good?  it seems like this is fairly simple, and i'd be worried if she is doing more work to other parts of the dress.