How to Alter a Princess Style Dress

A princess-style dress typically has a fitted bodice and a full or very full skirt, reminiscent of a fairy tale princess. A good fit can be critical to make this dress style flattering, but a few simple alterations can help. Alter a princess-style dress for a better fit by making the bodice smaller or larger where needed. Classic dressmaking alterations can be used on your princess-style dress, but you may also find some more unusual modifications work well to achieve a more versatile fit.

Things You'll Need

• Pins
• Sewing machine
• Iron and ironing board
• Seam ripper
• Disappearing fabric marker
• Pinking shears
• Hand sewing needles
• Coordinating thread
• Grommets and grommet tool
• Braid, ribbon or coordinating trims

Instructions

Fitting the Bodice

1. Try on your dress. Put it on inside out if you can, which makes pinning easier.

2. Locate the seams in the bodice of your dress. If the dress needs to be made smaller, pinch the excess fabric in equal amounts at each seam and pin to fit your body. Pinch only at the side seams if the bodice and back seams are boned.

3. Use a disappearing fabric marker to mark the pinned stitching lines. Sew along each line by hand or machine. Turn your princess dress right side out and try it on again to check the fit. Trim away the excess fabric using pinking shears.

4. Fit a too-small dress by adding a lace up back. Use a seam ripper to remove the zipper from your princess dress. Hem the back edges by hand for a neat finish after removing the zipper.

5. Use a grommet or eyelet tool to set eyelets at regular intervals down the back side of your dress, according to the manufacturer's instructions. Space the eyelets approximately every 1 1/2 inches to 2 inches. Lace up the back of your dress with ribbon to fit.

Hemming

1. Hem your princess dress to achieve a good fit. Have a friend or family member mark the hem with pins, carefully measuring up from the ground while you stand on a chair or other raised surface.

2. Allow a 1 1/2-inch to 2-inch hem allowance. Cut away the excess fabric. Press under 1/4-inch, using an iron setting appropriate for your fabric. Iron again at the marked hem, creating a smooth crease in the fabric.

3. Stitch by hand, taking up only a few threads on the outside of the fabric with each stitch to create a nearly invisible hem.

4. Save time by hemming your princess-style dress on a sewing machine, then covering the hem with ribbon or another trim.

Tips & Warnings

• Cut---but don't finish---hems on princess dresses in non-fraying fabrics if you'll just be wearing it for a costume occasion and not formal wear.

• Consult a tailor or seamstress for assistance if you are working with a valuable formal dress.

References

• "Start Sewing: The Best Way to Alter a Dress or Top so it Fits"
• "Perfect Wedding Dress Finder: Your Bridal Dress Is Too Small Or Too Big Can This Be Fixed?"
• "Sewing and Craft Alliance: Simple Hems"; July 2006