08/03/2026
When taking in the sides of a wedding dress with multiple layers, applique and boning, there are several steps involved. Remove the applique, separate the bodice from skirt, separate each layer, often remove boning. Then take in each layer separately, sometimes multiple layers may be taken in together, each dress is different. Then place boning back, stich all the layers of the skirt back with the layers of the bodice. Finally stich back the applique. Additional work if there are beads and stones. Just taking in about 1.5 inches on one side of this dress took almost 3 hour. All the other alterations put together took almost 20 hours of labor. The happiest moment is to see the brides face light up when she wears it and it fits perfectly!