Clothes you love but can’t wear

Got to lose weight??

Lady said it would need reconstructing on one dress and an insert on the other which may not be exact but doable. So I’ve decided to go on the 5/2 to see if I can do it. Either that or buy a hula hoop.

looking at the dress hanging behind the blue one makes me thing that you could get a wide elastic, the same colour or constrasting colour, separate the top from the skirt then join back together with the elastic in between.

Or maybe steal some fabric from the hem and add a panel on each side seam. The dress would be shorter, granted, but you would probably only need to take about 2 inches max (depending on how much you need to get a good fit. You could then use tape on the hem to minimise the amount of turn up. Just a thought.

But I agree with most of the GN replies that taking it to a seamstress would probably be the better option.

EllanVannin

What's a dress ?

I'd forgotten until I saw the picture

And - what's a waist?

Itsawelshthing must be because I'm really short as well!

We have a few sewing belles locally - hope you find someone

What's a dress ?

Whitewavemark, do not be embarrassed please. Small aesthetic problems are interesting too. Anyway, make do and mend is the worthy ethic.

Itsawelshthing

Maxi dresses. I'm only 4'11'', unless I get them hemmed or I buy it in the children's clothes section lol.

I am short too and often find midi dresses/skirts come down to my ankles, so effectively a maxi. Just check the length when online shopping - most quote the length.
I hope that helps.

You could buy a hula hoop, that is supposed to trim the waist!

Or it could put your back out if you do it too vigorously.
Perhaps not.

But I did look slimmer!

Alima

Just a thought, could high-waisted Spanx help?

Has crossed my mind? the plain one is one I would wear on cooler days so I guess it would be ok.

But the patterned one is definitely a hot summer dress - I couldn’t bear it ?

All this fuss over a couple of dresses I’m beginning to feel embarrassed.

Not if you're going to tuck into a hearty meal!

They were most peculiar and most unbecoming too.

Aah, not comfy then Callistemon?

Alima

Just a thought, could high-waisted Spanx help?

I wore one for DD's wedding (advice from a friend) and went to the loo to strip it off after the photos!

Just a thought, could high-waisted Spanx help?

DD had the opposite problem when she was a bridesmaid. Chose a beautiful purple dress from Debenhams (the bride was Kenyan and her dress incorporated a wonderful Ethiopian fabric which was green and purple) Unfortunately in the weeks before the wedding she had an attack of food poisoning and lost a lot of weight. When she tried it on again the dress hung in folds. Fortunately we were able to cobble together the bodice so that it fitted and hopefully no one noticed the alteration.

I’ll come back once I’ve been with the dressmakers opinion???

I bought a beautiful top which was very small and I knew it wouldn’t fit. I just fell in love with the material and every now and again I just look at it and try to think what to do with it. Can’t throw it out, it is so gorgeous.

I see. Well, can the dressmaker insert new waist panels that are plenty wide enough? True, they would not be exactly the same as the originals and you might have to choose some other colour or pattern. Actually this could be fun, but you would not exactly be keeping the 'same' dresses.

FannyCornforth

I've got that wallpaper up my stairs WWM!

It’s in the hall and up the stairs in our house as well ???.

It is the waist that is too tight. I could try to lose weight I suppose but having been trying for eons it isn’t very likely.

I’m going to a dressmakers today or tomorrow and hope she can do something with them.

I so love them. Just my colour and fit everywhere but waist.

If they were a proper shift I’d have no problem, but there is no give in the waist.

You say "structured waists" . The photos seem to show waist seams that are not nipped-in but demarcated by contrasting panels. If the waist seams fit, why not continue to wear the dresses with sleeveless over- blouses, gilets, or some other waist skimming cover-up?

* deconstruct to use as pattern pieces I meant to say

I have a floaty summer dress, handkerchief hem, that I love. I wore it to DD’s wedding abroad. That was 12 years ago and sadly I will never fit in it or suit the shoestring strap style again.

Wwm could you find a seamstress to deconstruct the dresses, and make you 2 very similar, made to measure?
(I really like the look of the patterned dress)
It might be worth the cost if the styles and colours really suit you.

They dont look like they have any extra material you can steal Wwmk2. So even if you find a seamstress it looks like a difficult job.
You could think about introducing another contrasting fabric I suppose, but how it would turn out Im not to sure.

Some Gransnetters are expert seamstresses so may be along to help shortly.

Did you make them or are they bought? If you have no identical fabric it could be tricky.
For a special occasion could you wear a waspie?