How To Alter a Dress Shoulder (Ep. 53)

Shoulders are a tricky part of any dress. They're so different from one person to the next, and in the case of a BRIDESMAID'S dress, you know those pictures are gonna be around forever! So in this video, I'll take you step-by-step through the carnival-house-of-mirrors that is the act of altering a shoulder; straps, sleeves and all!
Shoot us your questions and let us know what else you want to see by commenting below!
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00:00 Introduction
01:00 Measuring and Marking the Strap
03:43 Seam Ripping the Shoulder
10:39 Measuring and Marking the Sleeve
18:03 Sewing Everything!
25:07 Pressing All the New Seams
28:41 Reorienting All Seams Over Shoulder
32:05 Reattaching the Binding
39:57 Closing the Shoulder Seam
42:21 Final Reveal

[@carolsproessig1951]

I’d love to stand behind you all day, long. I love sewing, I even love mending, still learning to alter.

[@matrixmom3300]

Wow, scary video! Now I know and will never question alteration prices!! Thank you for the how to...so detailed and really close up was so helpful.

[@anitabuenaflorhopkins9384]

Coming from a teacher, I love your teaching style. Precise, step-by-step, and every question I had is answered as we go. Thank you! Your personable approach is refreshing and soothing, even with difficult feats like this chiffon dress shoulder :)

[@tardis358]

Your video was a lifesaver! My bridesmaid dress was way too low on my chest and the dress was too cheaply made to be worth paying a tailor. I'm a novice at sewing but your video was so clear that I was able to take in the shoulders myself.

[@sewshowwithshae]

I’m so glad! Yes, this tends to be pricey because, as you can see, it’s a pretty long process.🫠

[@connifournier1699]

You are a fabulous teacher! Your videos are the most concise instructions I've seen. Hope you keep up your videos.

[@DoraRailsback]

Very good video. I'm working on a closely similar dress. Thanks for your help. I also hemmed it in your tiny turned hem. It came out great!

[@naturallymessy]

Thanks! I hemmed and altered the shoulders of my daughter' s prom dress. Excellent instructions.

[@VickieKoath]

I love this video. I'm a petite size and can't always find a dress that I like in petite. This really helps me to know I can alter it myself. I'm going to work on my Easter dress today. Wish me luck! So glad I found this video.

[@TheDreamtimezzz]

I don’t sew, but watch every single one of these. ❤

[@coletta1928]

im glad I found this video. i am working on taking up the shoulders on a silk tank top. i pinched up enough that the back portion of the shoulder strap is wider than the front. i think I will need to taper the back width. to the front width working on the neck side of the tank. it was helpful to see your process. i feel more confident that I was on the right track. I was concerned about getting the binding back on neatly but watching your process made me realize i can baste before putting in the top stitching.

[@SuperHotwater1]

Wow this is exactly the instructional I needed! I am doing this alteration for a friends daughter. She has a sequin prom dress that needs hemming with a small train (just like your video!) and straps like this dress that need to be shortened. Thank goodness there are no sleeves! But if there were.....I now know how to tackle them. Thank you so much for your videos.

[@stephaniebriggswilton1954]

Better you than me! 😅 I hate that type of fabric. I only have a domestic machine, and slippery material is always a challenge.

[@steveburgos5013]

Poly satin 💀

[@marypham2234]

You are so cute!!i love your Work

[@patriciaburlington5334]

I forgot.. to add that I'm attempting to take up shoulders from neckline to sleeve and deal with the extra fabric at the apex of sleeve. Sleeve is NOT gathered. PLEASEEEEE do a video. Shae you are my HERO!

[@colettel2361]

WOW! Fabulous fix!😊 Really enjoyed the video... I recently had to work on my daughter's bridesmaid dress to refit the entire bodice. She is an A cup and the only option to purchase this dress was C cup. Yikes! Would love to see how you might tackle that one. I got it worked out but it was a scary thing. Really appreciate you saying that putting it back won't be the same and hand sewing is cool. Love, love, love your videos 😍

[@naomimara3340]

😳🙆
There must be easier and faster what to do this!
Anybody?

[@sewshowwithshae]

Yes, if anybody has a suggestion we’d love it too!!