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Beginner March 2022

Hemming question

Euphemia, on October 3, 2022 at 12:12 PM Posted in Wedding Attire 0 6

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Hi everyone I’m so grateful for this website and for all of the responses to my questions.

I have another question — about hemming.
My dress is a satin ballgown with a few inches of horsehair at the bottom (hidden — used for structure) of the dress. I was going to use fabric tape to hem it but when I went in for a bustle the seamstress did a fake hem (using pins) to be able to make the bustle at the right level. But while she did this, she said she was unevenly changing the length of the dress when we went from the front to the sides and eventually towards the back (chapel train). I was going to use fabric tape all around and all be the same level going around. Would I be doing it wrong? I don’t want the shape of the dress overall to change and considered even having her do the hemming but now I’m unsure overall about how to go about it. Would my method for using fabric tape be ok? Would her method make the dress look weird? And is fabric tape even secure enough? Thank you!!!!

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6 Comments

Latest activity by Pat, on October 9, 2022 at 1:28 PM

Super May 2022
Erin · on October 3, 2022 at 2:41 PM
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The hem of your dress is going to be constantly rubbing or touching the ground, so I’d imagine the fabric tape is not going to hold up well for the day. I’d suggest talking more with your seamstress on the hemming and how she can do it to not change the shape of the dress.
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Beginner March 2022
Euphemia · on October 3, 2022 at 4:41 PM
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Thanks so much for your response.
What is common practice for hemming? Do they usually just cut off the same length all around? Or is it normal for them to gradually change the length? I am unfamiliar with alterations altogether.
Thank you!
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Super May 2022
Erin · on October 3, 2022 at 6:30 PM
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They don’t usually cut the fabric unless there’s a drastic amount that needs to be shortened. They fold the fabric inward and then stitch that to hold it at that new shorter length. Below is not white but it’s a satin bridesmaid’s blue dress with a hem that a seamstress did.
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Amy · on October 3, 2022 at 8:16 PM
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I'm really confused as to why you would consider doing it this way, especially if you are unfamiliar with alterations. Hemming tape does not work well on satin and I don't think it will work well with horsehair.
When a seamstress hems a gown, they either take the horsehair off, shorten the dress, and then resew the horsehair back on, or they shorten it at the waist. It depends on the gown.
For such an important event, I would have your seamstress hem your gown correctly.
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Super November 2020
Natalie · on October 4, 2022 at 6:17 AM
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I am assuming this is common when hemming dresses with a train, as the front needs shortened but would still need to gradually flow to the train. Have the seamstress hem the dress, as she is a professional who is likely very familiar with these types of alterations. I would not use fabric tape nor try a DIY job with a wedding dress!
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Super May 2023
Pat · on October 9, 2022 at 1:28 PM
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Please don't skimp on your dress alterations by being a DIY'er on this. Hem tape will NOT hold up with the weight of the fabric. Horsehair is used so your ballgown will remain in it's lovely shape, it needs that structure. A good seamstress will charge about $150-$200 to make the hem shorter, but in the same proportion as the original hemline.
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