Prom Dress Alterations

Hey Guys,

Today, I'm sharing a prom dress alterations that I completed for a prom client. Before I go on about the alterations, I must give credit to the Bridal Sewing Techniques-YouTube Channel. Not too long ago, she posted a video about changing a straight neckline into a sweetheart neckline; you can view her video here. It's ironic how I happen to have the same alteration request not too long after she posted this video; anyway, I watched it twice to inspire me. Please go and check her YouTube channel out as she is so smart and helpful and she not only has the best soothing not boring voice, but she has a lot of helpful tips and tricks for sewing bridal alterations and many other sewing techniques.

My client sent me these photos of this dress that she already purchased. This gown is absolutely gorgeous, adorned with rhinestones. The client wanted to change the neckline into a sweetheart neckline and shorten the length of the dress.

Client's Prom Dress (before alterations)

Close-up of the straight neckline

Before our meeting in-person, I advised her of the total cost of the alterations, advised her that we require a 50% deposit before any alterations begin, and we also require a two-week turn-around time for completed alterations requests. Since the client wanted to shorten the gown length, I also requested that she wear the same size heels she plans to wear the night of her prom, this ensures accurate adjustments on the hem.

Before alterations began, I had to deconstruct a portion of her dress at the neckline and the hem. The rhinestones on the dress at the neckline and the hem had to be removed and since I did not have any matching rhinestones, I wanted to preserve the stones from her dress to replace them. I had to remove 2 1/2" from the hem around the front of the gown without disturbing the length of the train; I removed the 4" horsehair braid and the rhinestones within the hemline.

Once I completed all the deconstructing, I then put everything back according to the adjustments, my client requested. I am sorry, I did not take photos of the process as I was deconstructing or even reconstructing the dress, but I did take photos as I was about to put the rhinestones onto the dress. I used my Hot-Fix tool to re-glue the rhinestones onto the dress.

This is the client's dress after the neckline was cut-out and sewn. 

At this point, I started adding the rhinestones back onto the dress.

Adding the rest of the rhinestones. (sorry, about the fuzzy pictures)

I finished hot gluing all the rhinestones back on the top portion of the dress. After the top was completed, I added the stones on the hem of the dress as well.

Here is the gown completed and ready to be returned to the client,

The hem of the gown that was already shorten and rhinestones hot-glued in the pattern consistent with the bottom portion of the dress.

My client was very happy with the new sweetheart neckline and the few inches removed from the hem.

I had to take a full shot of this beautiful gown for my portfolio! She was so pleased!

My client shared her prom photos, on the night of her prom! Isn't she just gorgeous??

A closer look at the sweetheart neckline.

My client and her Prom date on their send off! What a beautiful couple!!

I hope you enjoyed this post, leave a comment or questions. Click here for my alteration services and price list.

Have a productive life! I'll be back soon!