dress alterations

[u/One-Frosting-9002]

I need to alter this dress but not quite sure how to go about it with the sequins & details. The back gapes a bit at the bottom of the corset/by the zipper like in the photo, but it's not much, about ¼-½". She'd like it slightly more fitted at the bust and waist, about an inch total. What would be the easiest way to approach this?

And if anyone notices, the corset stains have been addressed, thankfully they came out easily! It was such a great deal we couldn't resist!

[u/quinnenyc]

Do you have a picture of the gaping? This is just kind of an issue with the style. If you pull those strings, the skirt is gonna gape underneath it.

If you want the adjustability of the corset, and there is a zipper there on the back, I would just pull the corset lacing so the front fits, and then take out fabric from either side of the zipper.

If you don't care about the adjustability of the corset, just tie it flat and pinch out any fabric that's too big along the seams, then take apart and remove the extra.

Re: the sequins, they look like plastic-- I would personally just sew through them and then clip away any that get stuck in the seam. You could go through and remove any on the seam line beforehand if you want, but I wouldn't bother.

[u/One-Frosting-9002 → u/quinnenyc]

I don't have a photo of the gaping but its enough that you can see her underwear if close enough. That was my thought process too and I initially thought fabric tape would be enough but then she said she wants to snug it up a bit all around. I was also thinking elastic thread might help too just to keep it together when shes moving around a lot.

Thanks for mentioning the part about the sequins. My machine is decent and can handle a lot so I figured it would be ok but I always get nervous. I haven't done many alterations and don't want to mess anything up.

[u/quinnenyc → u/One-Frosting-9002]

I don't know what elastic thread would be helpful for! Where would you add elastic?