Taking in a Dress - How to Alter a Dress

I purchased this dress shortly after having a baby. I love simple black dresses! However, this dress is a bit larger around middle than I would like it to be. It's not very flattering. It hangs like a large t-shirt. I found this dress sitting in the back of my closet recently, not getting any use. I figured it would be pretty simple to take the two side seams in a bit and give the dress a new look.


I pinned the dress starting in the sleeve - right under the armpit. From there, I gradually took the pins out to an inch away from the original seam. I continued this inch pin line all the way to the bottom of the dress.

Because the dress was very simple to start with, taking the dress in was possible. The original serge/seam line was straight from the hem of the sleeve, all the way down to the hem of the dress.

Before and after. Pinned from the inside and finished from the outside.

I wore the dress the next day and felt like I had on a new dress! It's not incredible fitted, but it doesn't hang so loose :) anymore.

Now. . . if I can just figure out a simple way to take the collar in just a bit. The boat neck is probably an inch wider than I would want it! Oh well, it will have to do.