Can a Ballgown be altered to a fit and flair?

thealphabride

Hi Ladies,
Just recieved a beautiful Reem Acra (sample) ballgown, but it is rather large and poofy especially in the back. I love love love the beading and detail on the bodice. I would love it more if it were a straight dress.

Do you know if a ballgown can be altered to a fit and flair?
I am taking it to a bridal seamstress next week but wondered if any of you have had any experience with this.

thanks ladies!

http://www.preownedweddingdresses.com/dresses/8508/Reem-Acra--Size-8.html  

Salem205

I've taken in many dresses to get altered.... and any good seamstress should be able to accommodate you. There is plenty of fabric there to play with.

I would start planning/thinking on how you want the bottom of that dress to look like exactly. Once they alter it, I'm not sure if they'll be able to fabric back in.

thealphabride

Thanks Salem, I was actually thinking that an A line would be nice for this gown as well. The gown has lots of fabric!
I am planning on having all of that train cut off to just a sweep, and at the floor in the front, then with the extra fabric have a bolero made and add the trim from the bottom of the gown to the bolero. There is a lot of crinoline in the back especially.

undertheseabride

I would say no. Actually, I would say that it can be done, but you are completely changing the style of the dress and it may very well not come out as you expect. It will probably also cost quite a bit to make the change. If you don't want a ball gown, the crinoline can always be cut out of the gown.

gigia

With my novice sewing skills in tow, my concern with this is the pleating at the hips on the front of the skirt.  Basically you'd have to have it taken apart at the bodice and then the skirt would have to be completely re-worked.  I believe it could be done, but it won't look anywhere near the original.  Make sure the person that does it draws you a clear picture of what the finished result will be so that you don't have an "OMG what did I do moment"

Lindze75

It can be done for price I'm sure.  Like pp said there is plenty of fabric to work with.  I do notice that it has pleats at the waist so the seamstress may have to take the skirt completely off of the bodice to rework it. 

I am having my A line modified into a trumpet and I can't wait.  The bridal shop was so amazing that they altered the sample (which I'm not buying) to show me how amazing it will look

Salem205

The seamstress would know to take out any necessary lining based on what you described. And once you take that out... you would have to have some of that fabric removed... otherwise it would seem oversized and not lay properly-or be too long.

What I would do- take the dress to the seamstress and see what the seamstress has to say. I'm sure that she can clamp it back to confirm the style you want. An A-line is pretty simple. It's not like a mermaid gown or anything.

As for the bolero- I havent had anyone make me anything out of the extra fabric- and that sounds like it could be pricey.

But you wont know till you ask the seamstress.

anyway-You must be anxious. congrats on the great find!

thealphabride

Thank you so much ladies! I appreciate all of your thoughts and suggestions. We'll see what the seamstress has to say.

I can always send the gown back for a full refund.
I ordered it from bridepower to try on.  
I have it arranged that I will keep it until my appt. (next week) with the seamstress.

The salon (bridepower.com) basically extended the 3 day period in which you can make your decision. Very nice I thought. They have been very good so far, excellent in fact.

thanks again ladies!

ktjanesmom

Wow, the detail on that gown is beautiful.    I hope you can get what you want because it would be amazing.  I also think it would look good as just a very straight line dress, if that makes sense.

ca_surfergirl

What about taking out some of support layers?It will change the look of the dress.  I think it will be it more A-line if you do that, but I don't think it can be a fit and flare. You would have to rebuild the whole skirt.

BTW love the dress.

Here's picks of a dress that a similar thing was done

http://www.preownedweddingdresses.com/dresses/7346/Amsale-MYYH-Size-4.html 

aerinpegadrak

That's a major alteration that would probably cost quite a lot.  It would almost certainly be easier and cheaper to simply buy a different dress.  I agree that taking out some of the under layers will help it look less poofy.  But ultimately the opinion of a good seamstress is what you need, not internet strangers.