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Original poster

How much will it cost to take in a dress?

20 replies

wastwinsetandpearls · 08/04/2010 10:50

I have a prom coming up for the school I work at. I was not going to buy a dress but found one in a charity shop this morning. It is a one should one ( a Caprice one to my shame but it is pretty on)

But it is too big at the bust, which is quite an achievement as I have huge boobs. How much do you think a dressmaker/ tailor would charge to take it in?

I will phone one of course but wamted some warning incase it is too expensive in which case I will just donate the dress back again.

OP posts:
KristinaM · 08/04/2010 12:02

i would GUESS about a tenner

depends on the style really

why are you no longer twinset?

tethersend · 08/04/2010 12:13

Do you have a textiles department at school?

I always bribe ask the textiles teacher nicely to alter stuff for me

Original poster
wastwinsetandpearls · 08/04/2010 12:28

I left for quite a while and could not get my name back.

Tenner is fine, I paid next to nothing for the dress.

Yes we do have a textiles department I had not thought of that.

I sew myself but it will be a faff doing it on myself and it is a silk/ chiffon dress If I can get someone to do it relatively cheap I may as well.

Proms are such a mare for teachers, you need decent norkage and knee coverage. I am still a little worried that I am going to look like an inflated hollyoaks granny but nevermind.

OP posts:
tethersend · 08/04/2010 12:30

It's not this one is it?

Original poster
wastwinsetandpearls · 08/04/2010 12:34

Yes it is, oh well done.

The lady in the charity shop had put it to one side for me as I buy loads of my clothes second hand.

I am very unsure. I put it on and dp said it looked nice.

OP posts:
Original poster
wastwinsetandpearls · 08/04/2010 12:36

I am in awe of your googling skills.

I hope I don't need to stand in that position it looks very painful.

I feel quite guilty now as I did not know it was so new.

She said it came from a lady who donates all the time, wears things once and then never again. I think my wardobe is full of her castoffs. I dread bumping into her. She probably sits behind me at church tutting at me.

OP posts:
tethersend · 08/04/2010 12:41

I think it's nice if you cover Caprice's stupid face.

Massive bargain.

ZZZenAgain · 08/04/2010 12:45

don't think it would be too much work to take it in at the bust.

Original poster
wastwinsetandpearls · 08/04/2010 12:45

She does have an odd face doesn't she.

I am a little worried that it will be too showy, it is a very very conservative school.

But hey ho it is done now.

OP posts:
ZZZenAgain · 08/04/2010 12:48

can't you just show it to a tailor/dressmaker and ask how much it would cost? Because you ask, doesn't mean you are obleged to go ahead with it if it's too expensive. I did that with one of dh's suit trousers which had a tear. Very expensive suit but the cost of repairing them was just ridiculous. They did explain why it would be so expensive but I can't remember now, it was to do with the fabric and how they would have to go about it.

Original poster
wastwinsetandpearls · 08/04/2010 12:49

Dp reckons it needs to come in at the waist now he has seen that picture.

I think it is basically the wrong size tbh. Although I am twice the size as Caprice so I don't want it tight. I think that perhaps doing the bust area will make a big difference so I won't need to touch anywhere else.

I may wonder into town this afternoon and see if there is a dressmaker there.

It was si much easier when I lived up the road from Mum.

OP posts:
Original poster
wastwinsetandpearls · 08/04/2010 12:50

I will do, ZZZen , I was just thinking out loud really.

OP posts:
ZZZenAgain · 08/04/2010 13:00

sorry, I suppose you need to put it on in front of the dressmaker etc and that's different to haning them a pair of trousers with a tear in them.

If the waist also needs to be altered, I think that will be quite a job. Presume it'*s lined, so that means unpicking the side seams and the darts, redoing those, and also the skirt has to be reattached to the narrower waist and if the skirt is lined, the lining of the skirt too.

Original poster
wastwinsetandpearls · 08/04/2010 13:04

Yes it is lined, it has a belt so the waist can be cinched in a bit.

I think having looked at it on the fixing the bust will sort it as it will lift the dress.

I bough a similar dress years ago and they just did the bust and it made a huge difference.

OP posts:
ZZZenAgain · 08/04/2010 13:05

I think it is a nice dress.

Original poster
wastwinsetandpearls · 08/04/2010 13:07

Thanks, I am still a little unsure. But I do have quite a few things in that colour.

It is a shame that it is an online store it is from or I could go in and try on the size smaller to see what it would look like with a smaller waist.

OP posts:
startagain · 08/04/2010 13:08

I had dress altered that was that material and it was £40. I'm in London though.

Original poster
wastwinsetandpearls · 08/04/2010 13:13

How much altering did you have done?

I would be happy with £40 as I paid so little for the dress, if it were to fit well at the end.

OP posts:
startagain · 08/04/2010 13:24

it was a size 20 and I am a size 16, taken in right down both seams.

Original poster
wastwinsetandpearls · 08/04/2010 13:26

That is a lot of alteration, that makes me feel more positive.

I will find a local dressmaker.

OP posts:
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