I have a client who has a wedding dress that is too small for her, and she wants a corset back added to it.

My concern is that the dress is just TOO small. It’s too small by 9 inches (which is how much the dress is open at the back). I think even adding a corset back throws off the whole alignment of the dress since it’s just too small.

Does anyone here have a rule of thumb of how small is too small when they get a corset back request?

I’ve been sewing since I was little and have a degree in fashion design. I make clothes / costumes that look professionally made and I tailor my own clothes / friends clothes all the time. I’m a very experienced sewer and anyone who knows me would say I’d get the job instantly but since I’ve never had a tailoring job before I’m a bit intimidated. I’m amazing at sewing but tailoring is not something I do everyday. I reallyyy want this job tho.

Has anyone worked for Nordstrom as a tailor before and even if you haven’t can I get some tips on how to prepare? If you have worked for them what’s the rate cause I make good money right now in career and am not looking to get paid a low wage especially for a skill like this.

Im thinking maybe I should read a tailoring book first before I apply or am I overthinking it? Haha help!

I have found a suit I really like but they are sold out of 54R. They instead have jackets in 54T. Can a Tall jacket be tailored into a regular if its alittle to long? If it is possible is it even worth it, for example if they have to rebuild the jacket for lots of $$

Can this dress that has a lace corset bodice with boning be let out without altering the design? (no corset back)

https://preview.redd.it/n1zetb94lovc1.jpg?width=480&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=eaa0d4199418430e875800a575979231078edd68

https://preview.redd.it/7l7c8sp5lovc1.jpg?width=480&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dab25703853d0b5c57dc3008603caf863a2f6582

Im a size xs/s and this dress is a medium. I want to take it to a professional tailor and have it altered to be tightened to fit me. Would it be ruined or does anyone have suggestions on how to sew it tighter without ruining the look of the dress? Thank you!

Or do I need a leather specialist? THANK YOU

I’m not a tailor by any means, my sewing experience is limited too a pair of pajama pants I made in high school and a tote bag. But I was hoping y’all could help me as I haven’t been able to find an answer elsewhere

I have my wedding dress, like so many, in a box doing nothing. I want to find someone who will turn it into something(s) new. But it’s scary- how do I find someone good?

I love these dresses and own several similar ones from prior seasons that have a vee. Crew necks are not my favorite but these dresses are so comfortable and perfect for work and travel that I’m tempted to buy it anyway and try having it altered. It’s bamboo/rayon. If it’s like the ones I already have it’s a medium weight with a nice drape. Do you think that would work well? The dresses I love can be used as a sort of template to get the neck shape and depth right. Thanks!

Or do I need a leather specialist? Thanks!

https://preview.redd.it/rx45ni4uqhvc1.png?width=620&format=png&auto=webp&s=445a57377c19b9c90c126ec73461e8f256cd4f4f

This dress is new to me from a thrift store and appears to be brand new. I'd only wear it once for a backyard wedding so I'm not invested in spending a lot of money.

As a bigger person, it's a little too short for my taste. It hits hit below the knees and I'd like it to go to just above the ankles. How would you extend the skirt?

The sleeves and skirt are made of sheer crepe or chiffon (I'm not sure exactly) material and the rest is polyester (lining and bodice). There is a zipper in the back the extends from the about 2 inches into the skirt up to the neck.

Would adding another sheer layer between the skirt lining and outer sheer material look terrible? Sort of a tier effect? I was thinking maybe black like the sleeves?

I have basic sewing skills. I might be able to deconstruct the dress and change the outer skirt but was looking for ideas the weren't that involved.

Thans in advance.

Here is the dress: Lace and chiffon wedding dress (piondress.com)

The owner of the shop is saying my measurements correspond to a size 4, which would fit perfectly in the bust and be a 1/2 inch too small in the waist, based on my measurements. The size 6 would be 1 1/2 inches too large in the bust and 2 inches larger in the waist, but I'm worried about the arms on the dress being too small on the size 4 -- I have slightly larger upper arms (thanks, genetics) and am a little insecure about them, so having a dress that fits everywhere else but is clearly too tight in that area would not be ideal.

Can you tell whether a local tailor would be able to alter this dress all over if I ordered it a size up? If I did order the smaller size and the upper arm area turned out to be too small, would it be an impossible task for a tailor to let them out a little, based on the material they're made of? I'm trying to find the best option here since I don't have the ability to try on either size before receiving it.

Thanks in advance for the help!

So, long story short.

I'm going to be taking control of a tailor shop after my father retires soon. I'll need to hire someone, but honestly I don't know any other tailors and everyone my dad knew are also retired at this point.

How do shops usually go about finding other tailors? We're in the Chicago suburbs.

My dad suggested placing flyers, which I think seems a bit old fashioned and we've had little response after hanging a few up at tailoring supplies shops.

Is there a way to network with other tailors online and find possible help?

I thrifted this top off poshmark. I usually wear size 2-4 but I really like this top and It’s the only listing I can find so I got it anyway. Is it possible to tailor it from a size M to size S-XS ?

I’m decently experienced in sewing but not fast. This has come up last minute and I don’t think I have time to take this apart properly. The metallic mesh type fabric means I have to go even more slowly, and I’m especially concerned about reassembling and sewing the piping around the neckline in a short amount of time without damaging it. Is there any way to shorten the zipper from the center of the dress and still have it function? This is for someone with a short torso and would make it a perfect fit, and it solves hemming, which would involve removing and reassembling a ruffle. It’s really about time, and I’m a little desperate because of a shipping delay on a different dress, so I can replace the entire zipper later if I can do a temporary zipper fix for one night.

Hello. I am wondering if anyone has any insights. Generally the smallest neck size for dress shirts is I think 14 1/2. My neck is 13 1/2 to 14 depending on the brand. I read it’s not really possible to make the collar smaller without making the shirt look bad? Is it possible to shrink my collars by the half size at least without it being too difficult or looking weird?

I recently talked to a friend who mostly does alterations, we got on the subject of finishing serged edges and she said she either ties a small knot in the tail and snips off the excess or pulls individual threads on the tail until they knot themselves and then snips off the excess. I weave them in (and I hate doing it). And we both have colleagues who just leave a small tail.

How do you finish your serged edges?

Signed, A tailor who doesn't want to weave in ends anymore 😅