How to Alter a Bridesmaid Dress Yourself

The bodice of a dress is the most commonly altered, followed by the hem length.

A bridesmaid dress is rarely the dress choice of a bridesmaid. The dress is often boldly colored, overly ornate and a generic, "look great on no one" style. They are almost always more expensive than a dress you would buy yourself. To add insult to injury, you will be charged to have the dress fitted to your size. At least in this respect, you can save some money. Fitting your bridesmaid dress to yourself is a painless and quick process with a sewing machine.

Things You'll Need

• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Pins

Instructions

Take in the Bodice

1. Put the dress on inside-out.

2. Pinch the excess fabric at the left side seam of the top of the dress and place a pin to hold it.

3. Continue to pinch and pin the excess fabric along the left side seam to the point on the side seam where the fit of the dress is comfortable, at which point the final pin should intersect with the side seam.

4. Pin the right side seam, pinching out the same amount from the right side seam as the left.

5. Sew the side seams along the pinned line using a machine straight stitch, removing the pins one by one just before you sew the line. Your line of stitching should gradually intersect with the side seam.

6. Turn the dress right side out.

Hem the Dress

1. Put the dress on and place a pin at the hem, marking the desired finished length of the dress.

2. Pin the hem up towards the inside of the garment, making your pin from step 1 the fold line. Pin all around the hem of the dress.

3. Sew the hem using a machine straight stitch. Sew 1/2-inch from the folded fabric edge.

4. Repeat steps 1-3 with the dress lining if one is present.