Expert: Jenna McAuliffe - 10/12/2009

Question
Hi! I have a wedding dress that has the shape as this dress listed: http://www.preownedweddingdresses.com/dresses/9709/Other-JLM-Size-2.html

The bottom portion of my dress is especially puffy since I'm altering a size 8 to size 2. Is it possible to reduce the puffy below the knees without damaging the dress? It has a two layers of organza petticoat to maintain its puffy shape.

Answer
Hi Evelyn!

It is relatively easy to reduce the puff in that style of dress.

You can either simply reduce the amount of tulle or organza underneath which supports and puffs out the top layer, or you can alter the angles of the "fishtail" in the dress.

To do this, you will need to undo the hem and all the side and front seams to mid thigh level.  laying them flat, you will see that each piece is reasonably straight until it comes to the flared part, then the angle changes and the piece gets wider towards the hem.  All you need to do is reduce those angles.  Using a tailor's chalk or a light pencil (and a long ruler) on the wrong side of the fabric, mark a new, straight cutting line. Start at the hem where you want the new point of fullness to be (plus seam allowance)and go to the point where the angle changes on the fabric now.  do the same to each seam you are reducing, keeping the amount of reduction the same on all seams.  After this you can sew the new seams, trim and press them and re-stitch the hem.  

It isn't as complicated as it sounds - I've given you a whole lot of words to describe a process which makes itself pretty easy once you start it.  Just remember that once you've done it once, it is easy to repeat - so only reduce a little the first time and you can do more if you like, but if you reduce too much the first time, you can't put it back!

Hope this helps and please ask if I can be of any further help!

Jenna :)