How To Make a Dress Bigger With a Lace Up Corset Back

This step by step DIY tutorial will show you how to do a zipper to corset back alteration, and even how to make your own lace up zipper replacement panel. More details in this post ↓
mellysews.com/...
Contents:
My Wedding Dress 0:13
Making a Zipper Replacement Corset Kit 2:16
How to Sew in a Lace Up Panel 15:40
Links to tools in video, commissions earned on these links
Zipper Replacement Corset Kit amzn.to/3JTnyCQ
Boning amzn.to/3TTVofk
Ruler amzn.to/34C0B0z
Sewing clips amzn.to/33FHFA9
Pinking blade amzn.to/3nbi6mV
More on techniques:
Working with Silk and Satin mellysews.com/...
Hand Sewing Stitches mellysews.com/...
Wearing in this video: Blanc T-shirt pattern from my shop with a circle ruffle sleeve hack mellysews.com/...

[@SpitfireMKX]

Thank you! I put a huge effort into making elaborate princess dresses for my daughters--and if I want them to wear a dress for more than a year, a lace-up back helps extend the life of the dress. I'm modifying all my favorite patterns to have this now instead of elastic or zippers. Btw, you still look amazing in your dress. Congrats on many years of marriage!

[@Mellysews]

Thanks!

[@StunningEmu]

I want to thank you because I am working on this rn for my dress. My zipper broke and I was thinking just this to do

[@Mellysews]

You're welcome!

[@randomrebecka6778]

Thank you I have a dance. I’m supposed to go to on Sunday and I have a dress that’s like two sizes too small. I’m looking to do something similar, but I have to say honestly I think you adding that to your dress really made it look even better on you! It was so beautiful and I love the look on your back with that.

[@Mellysews]

Thanks, hope you get your dress wearable!

[@nadielynn]

1) You're a delight to listen to as you explain each step!
2) This tutorial is exactly what I needed to save my cousin's bridesmaid dress from the velcro she was about to stick on it.
3) Just... thank you. So much.

[@Mellysews]

Glad it was helpful!

[@CherrylMaree]

Thank you Melly...Your dress looks stunning and this is the perfect explaination to use as a referrence for altering my grand daughter's formal dress.

[@Mellysews]

Thanks!

[@floweryomi5351]

My Lord. I wish I'd started my corset conversion like this. Time to restart lol

[@Mellysews]

Hope it helps you get a nice finish!

[@cherylbecker_ecreatestitches]

What a great idea! That's beautiful!

[@Mellysews]

Thank you! 😊

[@lindataylor5385]

Thank you! Exactly what I wanted to know about keeping the zipper intact. In case I ever want to remove the corset, I can restitch the zipper back in place.

[@Mellysews]

Glad it's helpful!

[@LexaHearts]

I love that you tucked the zipper in as a just in case!
If I want to trim the zipper down, how do I "finish" it so that it doesn't zip off? Should I put a few stitches over the teeth?

[@Mellysews]

you could do that, or fold the zipper tape at 45 degree angle and stitch down before cutting.

[@BlancaEstella4837]

Thank you so so much, this is so well explained😍😍😍

[@Mellysews]

Glad it was helpful!

[@cecymar6362]

Thanks! I have been trying to fix my dress but I was getting discourage, you video is great, I will do what you teach. Thanks again!!!!!

[@Mellysews]

Hope you get it fixed!

[@CoffeetheRagdollCat]

I did it! I did it! And it worked so well! Thank you so much for your help, Melly!!!! 😊

[@jessicarabbit1164]

I have always loved dresses with corset backs! I think they are so lovely!
And your dress is so lovely!! (Either way)

[@Mellysews]

Thank you so much!!

[@iloveLAdodgers]

Thank you so much for this tutorial !! I have bad luck with breaking zippers 😂 so I’m going to finish my dress with this instead of the zipper it calls for 🙏🏽🫶🏽

[@Mellysews]

You can do it!

[@rosejacks8662]

Thank you, explained very well!

[@Mellysews]

Glad it's helpful!

[@dharmivyas28]

Thank you so much I need this video very nice explainetion 😇😇

[@Mellysews]

Glad it was helpful!

[@magamama837]

Do you do work in Austin for those of us who can’t sew?

[@Mellysews]

Nope

[@megansadlowski1705]

Is it necessary to add boning? I'm making my sisters wedding dress and I was not planning on adding boning to the bodice at all but im wondering if I should

[@Mellysews]

The boning adds structure and also reinforces the edges.

[@megansadlowski1705]

Okay then I'll plan on adding boning to the bodice! Thank you!

[@anaproutt1089]

How did you turn the looping right side out?

[@Mellysews]

With a loop turner th-cam.com/video/O298NkkQelw/w-d-xo.html

[@colleenlill6819]

How do you determine how long the modesty panel and sides should be?

[@Mellysews]

Discussed in the video; based on how much of the dress won't zip.

[@christinalambert4222]

does the modesty panel have boning too

[@Mellysews]

Please watch the whole video - I show the construction of the modesty panel.

[@nora4410]

would this work on silk?

[@Mellysews]

Yes, just take care and check out these silk sewing tips: mellysews.com/how-to-sew-silk-taffeta-satin/

[@WhitneyAllred-mc5ms]

How long of lacing did you cut out?

[@Mellysews]

I didn't measure. I just cut as much as I could out of the scrap of fabric that I had.

[@budoneof15]

Happy Anniversary

[@Mellysews]

Thank you!