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Can a cotton dress be altered for more room at the bust?

9 replies

smallglassbottle · 29/07/2026 21:22

Can a plain cotton dress be made bigger around the bust?

I bought a nice dress in a sale, but it's too small around the bust even though it's technically in my size. I'm a short apple shape and very top heavy. The dress is also too long. Could the material from the hem be used to give a bit more room to the bust area? It needs to be taken up around 4 inches as I'm short and the dress is standard length. It's not a fancy or expensive dress, but I like it a lot. It's a fairly heavy cotton. No stretch in it at all, but might it stretch with wear or if I use fabric conditioner to relax the fibres a bit?

I want a quick moan about my shape as well. Everything I buy is either too big or too small. I'm fed up. I can only wear natural fibres because everything else is too hot. I can't afford anything expensive and usually by from Vinted or in sales.

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IThinkThereforeIPaint · 29/07/2026 21:27

Yes probably, but if money is difficult then I think it will cost more than you want to spend.

MabelAnderson · 29/07/2026 21:33

It depends on the style of dress, but the fabric from the hem could be used to make a panel in the side seams, if it has them, which would give more room.

justasking111 · 29/07/2026 21:37

Our family use a seamstress who'd charge around £20 to do that using hem material on both sides. Only thing is that the warp and weft would run the other way.

smallglassbottle · 29/07/2026 21:41

justasking111 · 29/07/2026 21:37

Our family use a seamstress who'd charge around £20 to do that using hem material on both sides. Only thing is that the warp and weft would run the other way.

Yes, I could afford that as I like the dress and it would be worth it. It's just a plain dark blue so I don't think the weave would show up much if it was the other way. I just want it to be comfortable.

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justasking111 · 29/07/2026 21:56

smallglassbottle · 29/07/2026 21:41

Yes, I could afford that as I like the dress and it would be worth it. It's just a plain dark blue so I don't think the weave would show up much if it was the other way. I just want it to be comfortable.

Ask around for a seamstress or local group on FB. My DIL who's tiny has all her dresses altered due to a small bust and being very short. It makes such a difference to the look.

smallglassbottle · 29/07/2026 21:59

justasking111 · 29/07/2026 21:56

Ask around for a seamstress or local group on FB. My DIL who's tiny has all her dresses altered due to a small bust and being very short. It makes such a difference to the look.

There's one in the next village actually. I think I'll call in. This has given me some hope. My biggest regret is not learning to sew properly so I could alter or make my own clothing. It must be amazing to be able to alter your own clothing.

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TheRealMagic · 29/07/2026 22:01

Maybe not possible if it was bought in the sale - but is it possible to swap for a size or two up? It would be much easier, and probably a better result, to make it smaller where it would then be too big than it it is to make it bigger where it's too small.

smallglassbottle · 29/07/2026 22:06

TheRealMagic · 29/07/2026 22:01

Maybe not possible if it was bought in the sale - but is it possible to swap for a size or two up? It would be much easier, and probably a better result, to make it smaller where it would then be too big than it it is to make it bigger where it's too small.

No, it's been in my wardrobe for three years, unworn 🙈

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smallglassbottle · 29/07/2026 22:07

It has a friend, but that one is the next size up so I'm more hopeful for that one.

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