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I have just received in the mail from my mother this beautifully constructed peau de soie sleeveless dress, which I am hoping to wear to a wedding in a week.
There are a few problems I have with it. The first is the placement of the darts, which I think I have dealt with quite handily. The second problem I have encountered is that the neckline gapes at the front. I have yet to learn all the tricks and tips from the better seamstresses I know, and I am wondering if anyone out there can help me figure out how to get rid of this gape.
If this is not enough information, please let me know what would be helpful. I must admit that I am fumbling in the dark a wee bit, but I would really like to make this dress look as it deserves.
Thank you in advance!
L.
Replies
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Hello Lindsay,
Yes, more info...
What type of neckline? Jewel or deeper cut? Any collar or facing?
Off the cuff ;)
If the neckline is really scooped out and the shoulders are too wide set you may have a problem fitting this. It may be that you can pin out some of the gaping at the shouler line, i.e. lessen the slope of the angle coming from your shoulder. Maybe 3/8" max. Much more might ruin the rest of the fit. Try pinning and see.
Another take might be to shorten the inner curve of the facing (or cut a new facing with up to 1/2" shorter inner curve). Ease the dress bodice to the facing. You could try cutting a new facing from some scrap of other fabric and baste it into place on the dress to see if this would work well enough.
Or a combination of both of these... If these sound like possibles and my text is too confusing I can do you a graphic.
I find I always have this problem since my upper chest is much smaller than my bust. Also if your bustline is low this might happen. Or if you have square-ish shoulders and the dress pattern has more sloping shoulders.
--lin
*Hello Lin;Your instructions are perfectly clear! Thank you!It appears that the second suggestion will be the one that might fix up the situation - the straps do indeed sit a little too far off my shoulders. I have some extra fabric of the same type lying around (from my wedding dress!), so I can probably remake the facing.If I have anymore trouble, I'll post again. Thanks once more!Lindsay
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