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Thread: Requesting Advice from Talented Seamstress(es)

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    Veteran Member Hot2Trot's Avatar
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    Requesting Advice from Talented Seamstress(es)

    So, a while back I passed by this shop and laid my eyes on a plaid floral embroidered lace merrywidow.

    I am far from being an impulse buyer, but after trying to forget about it, failing miserably, then beginning to envision myself in this beautiful merrywidow, I went back to get it.

    I am actually a 30/32 C, but because 30's/32's in a C are virtually non-existent, I have had to tailor the rest.

    However, upon much searching, I zeroed in on one C - a 36C

    .

    Normally, my better judgment would have prevailed and I would have walked out of the store, dissappointed.

    However, I somehow managed to convince myself that I, being somewhat of an intermediate seamstress, could somehow make this discrepancy work .

    While still debating this ($ignificant) purchase, I get to the register and ...

    Guess What? An extra 60% off.

    I bought the thing - That was 1 year ago.

    Here's the problem:

    The cup is fine, it's the side/band panels. I need to take in this embroidered lace fabric down to about 30". Having never deconstructed a bustier/merry widow, I have been somewhat resistant to experiment on this piece which continues to haunt me - I have an upcoming event and I am determined to wear this thing to it.

    If any of you seamstresses has ever deconstructed a bustier/merry widow, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated by me. Yes, I know that I could easily get it altered at a tailor, but I would like to do it myself.

    What I don't want, is to take it apart, having no idea what I am doing, then ending up with this thing continuing to drift about my home unworn, hence the reason I consult my fellow fashionistas.

    Thanks bunches ladies.

    .


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    God/dess
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    Default Re: Requesting Advice from Talented Seamstress(es)

    Ahh Guen will be the perfect person to comment.


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    Smiley Re: Requesting Advice from Talented Seamstress(es)

    Thanks for your reply Seraya.

    Yes, I have seen Guen's work and she is so very talented; however, I didn't want her to feel coerced into replying - BUT,

    She does seem to be the resident seamstress here at SW (hint hint ) ...

    Hi Guen ,

    (LoL - ).

    .

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    Default Re: Requesting Advice from Talented Seamstress(es)

    He he Guen is a sweety so I'm sure she will have no qualms helping you out.

    Sorry I don't have any advice to give in this area. I would still like to be one of your fashionistas though so maybe next time!


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    God/dess scarlett_vancouver's Avatar
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    Default Re: Requesting Advice from Talented Seamstress(es)

    Is the bottom of the garment straight or curved?

    If it's straight or only a bit curved, it's an easy job- you basically just fold excess fabric over the back boning and sew it in place on either side- you can do this on the inside or outside. Also take it in a bit at the sides if necessary.

    If it's got a steep curve, like the kind with garters attached...you'll probably have to do some major work on it.

    Feature costumes for sale!

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    Arrow Re: Requesting Advice from Talented Seamstress(es)

    Quote Originally Posted by seraya View Post
    Sorry I don't have any advice to give in this area. I would still like to be one of your fashionistas though so maybe next time!
    Sure - Thanks seraya.



    Quote Originally Posted by scarlett_vancouver View Post
    Is the bottom of the garment straight or curved?

    If it's got a steep curve, like the kind with garters attached...you'll probably have to do some major work on it.
    Hi scarlett_vancouver.

    It's the (really) steep curve type with the sewn-in garter.

    I did some research, but couldn't find anything online referencing taking this type of garment in.

    I was about to undo the binding seams that hold in the boning, since it bulges at the band making me think that the boning is too long and needs to be cut.

    Then I thought to myself, "I have no idea what I am doing - Perhaps I should ask somebody who does."

    It has 5 panels. This was the closest example I could find:






    The boning goes all the way down and the garters are sewn-in. It is similar to this,



    except that the middle panel is cut higher up the center panel than it is in this example, and the boning goes all the way down the hip bone to the garter.

    I genuinely appreciate your replies ladies; Thanks again.

    .

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    Featured Member kandie_kitten's Avatar
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    Default Re: Requesting Advice from Talented Seamstress(es)

    I'm not much of a seamstress, but I had made a similar purchase (black lace merrywidow). I suck at sewing, so I took it to a tailor who was good with lace. All of the alterations were done for $15, so maybe just find a good tailor? I know you said you wanted to do it yourself, but deconstructing such a fragile piece can wreck it unless you are skilled.

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    Default Re: Requesting Advice from Talented Seamstress(es)

    it's pretty hard work, assuming you want it to still look nice when you're done with it. a good tailor is the best option.

    with stuff like that, you'd be better getting a smaller cupsize with the right bra size. a little (or a lot of) spillover is what those sexy things are all about.

    i've got a gorgeous merrywidow i've been trying to copy because i can't find it in the store anymore, and i've been taking forever just finding all the right notions to get started. and once i do start, it's not going to be one of those afternoon before work projects.

    structured lingerie is crazy complicated.

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    Default Re: Requesting Advice from Talented Seamstress(es)

    Quote Originally Posted by she sells sanctuary View Post
    with stuff like that, you'd be better getting a smaller cupsize with the right bra size.
    My size #s are way off anyway .

    This was, admittedly, an impulse buy on my behalf - I just loved the pattern so much that I truly convinced myself that I could make something of it, since their sizes included no 30s-32s; They only carried 34 a & bs; 36 c & ds - (Plus the lady told me it ran small, which I later found to be completely false - ) .

    I truly fashioned a themed outfit around this piece.


    Quote Originally Posted by she sells sanctuary View Post
    structured lingerie is crazy complicated.
    I feel you - It does seem a bit cumbersome, but I think worth the undertaking, the reward itself being a successful deconstruction / reconstruction (hopefully) which I would always be able to perform again.

    Thanks kandie_kitten, she sells sanctuary, and the rest of you girls for your responses.

    .

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    Default Re: Requesting Advice from Talented Seamstress(es)

    ^ well, if you really want to do it, you'd have to have a good machine and tools, and the willingness to genuinely deconstruct and reconstruct the merrywidow (assuming you want it to look good when it's done), but it could be done.

    and if you didn't mind changing it, you could get rid of or modify the curves at the bottom and add some trim or a ruffle or something. i dunno. get a bunch of safety pins and play around with it.

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