I need some help with a dress

[i_am_the_scruff]

I hope that it's okay to post this thread.

I bought a dress. The seller said she thinks it's from the late 50's - early 60s.

The bust, waist and hips measurements were fine but the shoulders are a bit small. And I think the cuff area of the sleeves are too.

I can get the dress on, up past my hips and waist but I can't get all of my arms into the sleeves.

Do you think I would be able to get someone to let out the dress around the shoulders and forearm areas to make them a bit bigger? Or is it not possible?

I can post pictures if need be - just let me know what part you'd need pictures of.

 

[Miss 1929]

Enough fabric?

Take a look at the seam allowances (that's the bit if fabric inside next to where the seam is) and if there is more that a quarter inch or so, then you can get some more room out of it. If not, it will just come apart if you try to leave less than a quarter inch after letting it out. And of course, don't even bother without measuring yourself in the areas in question, it may be too big a difference.
It's a common fitting problem in the 50s/60s stuff as the ideal was to have the shoulders and arms skin tight. One reason I don't like that era! Can't move in it!
Good luck with the dress, and welcome!

 

[Foofoogal]

I would believe it would depend on how much seam allowance is in this area.
Pictures would help and the inside of the area so maybe this could be determined.

 

[Foofoogal]

fftopic: get aggravated when the neckline is too high. Like on a shift dress with a scooped neckline.

 

[i_am_the_scruff]

Okii I have taken some pictures:

This is the cuff:

Down the back where the zip is:

The shoulder area:

 

[Lauren]

You might be able to squeak a bit out of it. I would say release it at the armhole across the back if there is anything. From what you describe it sounds like a tightness across the widest part of the back.
For the sleeves themselves, If the sleeve circumference is too small you will need to let out the sleeve at the sideseam and the dress at the sideseam to match. If the dress is too tight in the armhole, you can let out the sleeve seam allowance and drop the armhole on the dress.
You don't want to let out the shoulder seams unless there's a tightness in the length of the garment. As in it's too short waisted.
Unless the garment is rubbing against the back of your neck because it's too tight I'd say to leave the center back seam at the zipper alone. If you let it out and it's fitting flush with your back as is it will end up pouching out at Center back and not laying where it should. And whenever you get into doing alterations at places with facings (all around necklines and sometime around armholes if they're sleeveless) you have a chance of there being no allowance in the facing even if there is in the garment self fabric- so if you end up having to do that check where you plan on making it bigger first to see if they snipped it out. You may have to end up piecing it with another piece of fabric to make it long enough.
You really don't want to go any smaller than 1/2" with seam allowances. If you go any smaller the chances of it pulling the fabric and making a hole will be greater, and if you've already got a tight back, that extra stress could pull the sleeve out while it's worn, which would suck!
It's a pretty complicated alteration... if it was me and I was limited on time I'd take it to a tailor. If they're good they'll be able to pinpoint the problem in fit and let you know for sure if it's possible.

 

[KittyT]

You might be able to squeak a bit out of it. I would say release it at the armhole across the back if there is anything. From what you describe it sounds like a tightness across the widest part of the back.
For the sleeves themselves, If the sleeve circumference is too small you will need to let out the sleeve at the sideseam and the dress at the sideseam to match. If the dress is too tight in the armhole, you can let out the sleeve seam allowance and drop the armhole on the dress.
You don't want to let out the shoulder seams unless there's a tightness in the length of the garment. As in it's too short waisted.
Unless the garment is rubbing against the back of your neck because it's too tight I'd say to leave the center back seam at the zipper alone. If you let it out and it's fitting flush with your back as is it will end up pouching out at Center back and not laying where it should. And whenever you get into doing alterations at places with facings (all around necklines and sometime around armholes if they're sleeveless) you have a chance of there being no allowance in the facing even if there is in the garment self fabric- so if you end up having to do that check where you plan on making it bigger first to see if they snipped it out. You may have to end up piecing it with another piece of fabric to make it long enough.
You really don't want to go any smaller than 1/2" with seam allowances. If you go any smaller the chances of it pulling the fabric and making a hole will be greater, and if you've already got a tight back, that extra stress could pull the sleeve out while it's worn, which would suck!
It's a pretty complicated alteration... if it was me and I was limited on time I'd take it to a tailor. If they're good they'll be able to pinpoint the problem in fit and let you know for sure if it's possible.

translation: It's a big pain in the you-know-what, and unless you're an extra talented seamstress or think the dress is really special enough to pay someone to do it for you, it may not be worth it.

 

[Caroline]

Is it black taffeta? If it was me, I'd try and re-work the dress from the underarm somehow, like adding some sort of extension panel to let it out in the arm. It's hard to tell from the photo, but if it's a common taffeta you might be able to pick some up and wing it.

But yeah, a pain

 

[i_am_the_scruff]

I'm confused.. I don't know how to alter clothes! I would have to take it to someone and get them to do it, I just wanted to know if it was possible.

Thanks alot for your replies I appreciate it

 

[Lauren]

translation: It's a big pain in the you-know-what, and unless you're an extra talented seamstress or think the dress is really special enough to pay someone to do it for you, it may not be worth it.

lol Yeah, pretty much. Take it to a tailor

And no problem! Glad to help out