/cgl/ - Cosplay & EGL

>>8084386
>Truly Darling Boutique
Got my CDC jsk altered by them. They did a really nice job. I didn't send the waist ties (and I'm glad I didn't) because I guess they use them to lengthen the dress to match the print instead of using similar fabric like OP's pic.

In any event, they did a really nice job and were fast. I'd recommend them. Though the only difference is I didn't thread the lace.

I'd say if you're going to do any drastic altering, unless you're really good at sewing, have it professionally done. Might as well make sure it's done right.

>>8084386
I'd be too afraid to get brand altered to fit me since I wouldn't want to ruin it. If you can't tell it's been altered it's alright but something like that destroyed CTP is unacceptable. I'm a fatty chan and I know better than to try fitting in to brand unless it's very forgiving.

Personally I think if it's a dress you're planning on keeping it, it's your dress you bought with your own money, then I don't see a problem. I know some people get sad when seeing "their precious brand" get cut up, but if they don't own that dress then it's not their business.

I recently bought an Innocent World apron skirt and the waist is comical, so I bought it planning to open the side seem and turn it into an actual apron (with an open back) I'm just not sure if I should buy extra fabric to make straps to be able to tie the skirt pieces together in a bow or if I should just use the buttons to criss-cross the straps in the back like pic related but with the gap.

>>8084386
I've bought dresses with altered straps before, like having additional or adjusted buttons for a better fit on the bodice. Changes are fine if they are subtle and for smaller people.

>>8084422
>Changes are fine if they are subtle and for smaller people
Not sure if bait or you just don't like fat people.

>>8084428
This is cgl, nobody likes fat people. Not even the fat people.

I'm gonna chain post the few astonishing alters I've seen. All from the same girl and all Bodyline.

First, 3 clock skirts into OP
http://daily-lolita.livejournal.com/5087676.html?page=3

>>8084434
2 carousel skirts into OP
http://daily-lolita.livejournal.com/4838818.html

>>8084428
It's harder to make fabric appear where there wasn't when trying to alter for bigger/fatter people. You'd have to encroach into the seam allowances or find similar/matching fabric to add width/length. Sizing down for skinner/shorter people is easier and safer since it means taking away fabric most of times.

>>8084442
from the same link sauce, I think it's two skirts, but not sure. I'm thinking of doing this with their new cameo and bows dress.

>>8084442
>>8084434
>>8084450
holy shit
(although the pink one would look better if she used the striped fabric on the sleeves as well

Please read this >>8084446 since these are also my thoughts towards altering for larger sizes.

Sometimes looking good means buying for your size and scaling down. Altering is best for small changes.

>>8084457
A lot of people say that, but I actually kind of like the way she did it. Less predictable, more unique.

>>8084468
Ah- meant to aim that reply at this post >>8084428

>>8084450
Which is this originally from? Super cute!

>>8084476
L147

>>8084471
It's certainly unique but it just looks so jarring to me.

>>8084386
So what's altered on this dress? Is it the shirring part?

I've altered the straps on JSKs. Even if the dress fits my circumference, I can get major boob loaf because of my cup size. Although currently this doesn't always work, especially if there's no way to magically make matching fabrics and trim appear... I have a royal unicorn gobelins JSK waiting in my closet for when I find a headbow to slaughter for the few inches I need.

I have altered almost all of my bodyline that I own.
I have long arms so I ended up turning a long sleeve blouse that didn't quite make it into a a half sleeve blouse tht flatters my arms.
I've turned an OP into a skirt and I usually devour the head bows and turn them into barrettes or chous.

I could never alter brand. Even if I didn't fully enjoy the cut.

>>8084512

Oh. I have the same problem here. Just out of curiousity, how are you going to deal with the neck trim? Just have them stop an inch above the back shirring? I had been wondering if someone else has a better idea for that.

A girl received some cut up scraps of Vampire Forest and salvaged it into a dress a while ago and posted the results. It isn't an amazing design but I think she did decently considering the original state of the fabric.

>>8084535
Original post

http://gentileschi.tumblr.com/post/63392543928/i-bought-a-pile-of-fabric-and-trim-that-was-once

>>8084525
Well... I own the headbow and think there's enough to salvage if I find one... If not maybe I'll kill a skirt? I think though that if not maybe I'll just change the trim out for something acceptable? I dunno, I haven't figured it out all out yet.

>>8084386
I'm definitely going to have to get some older dresses I have altered because the bodice is for someone much shorter than me, therefore the arm holes are too small for my shoulders to sit comfortably and have the dress sit at my bust properly at the same time.

I get my brand altered all the time, but I take care to use matching fabric (usually extra headbows and the like) and match the lining as much as possible as well. I also try to buy cuts where things like adding side panels won't stand out as much due to special lace/trim along the top.

It's mine. I bought it. I want it to fit me. I take it to professional tailors to get quality work done. If I ever choose to sell them, there will be someone out there who wants them in this size.

>>8084535
I'm a bit thrown off by why she used two different black fabrics (in different shades of black no less) and then stuck the sleeves on so pointlessly? It looked better without sleeves or even if it ended at the puff. Maybe she was trying to conserve the fabric and use as much as possible but I would've turned the rest into a headbow.

>>8084554

Yeah I'm not the biggest fan of it but I'm glad it was salvaged at least. See this is a photo without sleeves and the construction looks decent but I agree with the two different fabrics looking weird.

>>8084570
>>8084535
It's ita as fuck. The detachable sleeves and that corset lacing SCREAMS milanoo. And that worn photo, JFC.

>>8084535
>>8084570
At first I didn't mind it, but then seeing it worn. yeah it looks like of trainwrecky.
Should have used only one type of black for the top and skirt portion. and used the sleeve fabric and the fabric for the maxipad to make a half bonnet.

>>8084535
>>8084536
What she created was pretty ugly. And if I remember right a lot of people told her it was.

>>8084697
Right, because she tried to sell it and was confused why no one wanted to pay what she thought it was worth

http://lifessweetessentials.com/sewing-alterations-angelic-pretty-decoration-dream/

>>8084434
I would definitely like it to see this print altered more than seeing the plain original design. This looks 10x better

I'm fine with altering brand but if you sell it that should reflect on your price. You can't sell a dress you've altered as brand new (and I've seen people do it).

>>8085384
Well it's technically brand new to those who would fit the alterations. I don't see a problem with that. Different story if it doesn't sell, but if someone will buy it for that price then that's fine.

Mary in the Skies with Candies is my dream dress but I know I will never fit it.

I'm thinking of buying it and getting it altered.

I've considered adding corset lacing to a few of my IW pieces that have back shirring but no lacing. I'm just at or slightly under the minimum measurements so the shirring gaps on me. I don't feel comfortable opening up the seams, though, especially those of a shirring panel, so I'm thinking of handsewing some lace like pic related on top and threading the ribbon through that. It will be really hard to find the right colour, though, and it won't be very sturdy. Does anyone here have experience with adding corset lacing?

>bought AP dress
>it's fucking huge on me, like 10 cm too big
>no seamstresses anywhere in the area

I altered my Meta Apple Print OP to have hidden pockets in the side seams. It's one of my favorite dresses and I wear it almost every other week, but I've learned I need pockets. I'm now thinking I may add pockets to every dress I own without them.

>>8085407

If it's any help anon, the OP runs HUGE. Like I had a 90cm bust when I had it and it hung off me.

>>8085414
Corset lacing with lace like that should be purely decorative. That type of leave isn't structurally stable enough to take the strain.

I'd suggest adding some grosgrain ribbon loops in a color that matches the jsk and then covering them with the lace. If you do this make sure to finish the the ends of the ribbon with fray check, nail polish, or burning them.

Another option is to add a strip of matching grosgrain ribbon like in photo. Just make it set up for criss cross lacing rather then ladder as shown.

>>8084386

I'm fine with alterations. I've never gotten anything altered though or bought anything that was altered.
Would pay less for an altered 2ndhand piece than the unaltered original version.
Much rather see people buying the real deal and alter it than buy a cheap knock-off imo.

>>8084570

I'm sorry to say this buy that is hideous.

>>8084442
This is really cute

I got the sugar dream dome fur collar jsk for christmas, and it doesn't fit. I'm in love with this dress and I'm so torn on if I should sell it for something that will fit, or get it altered. I'm so scared to take it into a seamstress. I'm scared they'll lie to me and say they can make it bigger to fit me, and end up ruining it. I was thinking of having them add side panels using the waist ties and adding in a zipper to make it easier to get on. Should I go for it? Also how much does getting your pieces altered put you back?

>>8085479
That sounds like a really good idea! Thank you. I was a bit worried about the lace not being able to take the strain but I didn't really think of any better way to do it.

>>8084570
This is what she did to Ball at Versailles. I don't understand... it barely looks like her "inspiration"

>>8084535
Who cut it into scraps in the first place? It seems like a strange thing to do then sell

>>8085568
>that yellow

>>8085586
It's awesome.
Why do white girls hate colours they don't look good in and try to convince everyone that no one does and it's an ugly color?

>>8085645
>white girls
Take your butthurt racism back to tumblr where it belongs

>>8085415
I know the feel
It's my first piece of brand, and I'm worried about getting it taken in, in case if they mess up

>>8085557
How much bigger does it need to be? Others may have experience of getting things altered bigger and be able to give advice based on how many extra cms you need

>>8085656
my bust is 112 cm. When I saw it was full back shirring, I thought it would be like most AP dresses and be 110 cm but it looks like it's only 100 cm max. Is adding 12-15 cm possible?

>>8085645
im black and i think the yellow looks really bad with it. i dont know why youre trying to bring race in to this. this has nothing to do with races at all.
i mean everybody has there own taste but i can see where that anon is coming from not liking the yellow.

I've altered brand on commission before, but never for myself. The most common is replacing zippers (I'm looking at you, BABY, with your shitty invisible zippers) and lengthening shoulder straps. I've done a few bodice alterations to add extra to the shirring, and once made a skirt smaller, but big structural changes are pretty rare for me to do.

I've never altered anything for myself beyond adding (included) buttons to multi-day straps, but that's because I've not had a reason to. I don't have any "moral" issues with it.

>>8085557
Is there any way it's gonna fit if you lost weight?

>>8084536
Is she asking for 250$ for that?

>>8085648
White girl plz

>>8084386
Do whatever you want with your clothes but don't try to sell them above retail afterwards.

>>8085464
>90cm
>Huge
no anon no.

>>8085645
That yellow is a nice color, but does not go with Ball at Versaille's yellow at all. BaV has a more ocher hue, which you can see pretty easily in the photo.

>white girls
What?

>>8085645
It doesn't go with the rest of the dress AT ALL. Are you blind?

>>8085568
>>8085586
>>8085645
It's not really the yellow that bothers me, it's the fact that the ruffle trim was supposed to go around the hip, not all the way down the front. and the yellow was supposed to be a full skirt under the patterned piece. That's what makes it look tacky to me.

>>8084450
i didn't know bodyline could look this good

>>8085648
>white tears
>pretend oppression

>>8085464
Anon, isn't a 90cm bust equivalent to an A or a B cup size? I have a 34-35 inch bust and I consider that to be small, so yeah, most dresses are larger by comparison, but that doesn't mean the dress runs HUGE.

>>8086232
90 cm bust means nothing about cup size. You can have DD cup breasts and have a 90 cm bust if you are petite enough.

>>8085887
It looks like she's trying to make it look more 18th century-y? With the two ruffles down the front

I bought Sweet Cream House in ivory off mbok for around $100, but it's the round cut jsk, so it digs into my armpits a bit because I'm 5'7" and the straps are not adjustable. I thought about selling it and buying the regular JSK, but it seems like it's difficult to get a hold of in the ivory. Would I be better off getting it modified?

>>8086232
that's not what cup size is? cup size is the difference between bust and underbust

>>8086304
I just pin my straps into a halter. No permanent mods, and an easy and quick fix.

>>8086232
Wtf even though you're wrong how do you consider a 35 inch bust to be small.
I have a 36 inch bust and my tits are huge.

>>8086353
I have a 36 as well anonchan, you can have broader chest and smaller tits and still be a 36.
That is how it do, but that doesn't address the point the other anon was making, which is that 90cm isn't huge, it's closer to average for westerners.
Most of the rest of this thread is more related to fat lolitas trying to fit into burando, so saying a dress is huge means something entirely different here.

>>8086317
That's the other anon's point. That 90 cm bust is huge if you're petite. They were implying the girl could have a small underbust, meaning her breasts would be relatively large at 90 cm circumfrence.

>>8086371
Well yeah but even still if your chest measurement is 36 inches it's still big for some brand sizes.

>>8085557
If you live in the US or Canada, you might want to consider sending it to Truly Darling. Not saying you can't find a talented seamstress in your area, but you may have trouble finding one with experience with lolita dresses. Tailors/seamstresses tend to specialize in one area, like suits, ball gowns, stage costumes, etc. So if you're nervous, send it to Truly Darling. OP pic looks nice and they have experience working with expensive as hell dresses.

>>8086328
The straps do not detach from the bodice at all. Pic related is the back of the style of JSK I have.

>>8084910
Why

>>8085648
Eh. Wrong choice of word there, but yellow suits me and I'm white. Ignoring that, I think their opinion still stands - pretty sure most hate because they can't or don't know how to wear it. Like /fa/ and their monochrome.

>>8086328
How do you not make the pins look obvious? Cover it with hair? Pinning it to me sounds like it will only look weird and the equivalent of a fat chick not zipping her dress up.

>>8086643
It's not the same as not zipping. Two safety pins on the under side of your straps will not be seen, maybe you'll see a little line of the safety pin on the other side of the straps, but it's not a big deal. I suppose though it depends one the straps though. I have the sweet cream with collar JSK and it works just fine because the straps are so short.

>>8084411
>my dream apron skirt

p-please don't hurt her

>>8086652
Yes but you'll have buttons/button holes "decorating" the ends and with even the pin line showing? That needs to be covered up at least, because that's just embarrassing. Having pins to hold your clothes together is kind of classless, on the back or not. Like I'd be ashamed if I had my child, or my go out to town with their clothes pinned, and so would I.
I'm a tall girl myself and I understand the problem, but its either physically ualter or go home.

Does anyone have experience with altering IW skirts to make them a bit wider?
Usually I fit a maximum waist of 74cm, but the skirt looksreally tight on me and I feel uncomfortable wearing it. I'm doing my best to lose some cms around my waist, but I'm impatient.

>>8084536
Oh god, she has done that to a few other jsks. It sucks because her designs would look better if she was better at sewing.

>>8087458
Confirmed for vendetta. Even if you don't like the designs it's obvious she has good construction skills

>>8087497

Not the anon you're replying to but I agree her skills are fine, but her taste is rather questionable.

A brand piece comes to you missing one waisttie. What would you do?

>Replace them both with a matching colour and risk it standing out or looking tacky?
>Wear without?
>Something else?

>>8086642
Yellow in itself is fine but if you honestly think that particular yellow looks nice with that particular print I have bad news for you.

>>8086662
I'm not gonna hurt it, just cut it up and sew it back together. And if I fuck it up, that's my fault, and my own money that I wasted. so you don't have to worry your frilly little panties about it.

>>8086683
If the straps are short enough a blouse collar hides them. Some of those straps on AP jsks are really short.

I'm working on altering Frill Marine JSK mainly because I bought it severely stained on the white edge of the dress and I hate rick rack. Replacing the white edge and adding a ribbon trim instead. Also had to replace the bows as the red ran terribly when previous owner washed it. Hopefully it looks okay once I'm finished.

>>8088100
So you're saying you just have a blue shell of a dress right now...?
>hates rick rack
>buys a dress with a shit ton of rick rack

>>8088109

I'm guessing she got it for cheap?

>>8086421
Oh ok!! My big concern about sending it to a seamstress in my area is them not having experience with lolita dresses. I noticed that her rates are per hour. Do you or anyone else know an approximation on how long it would take to alter the bodice??? I'd love to be able to estimate how much it would cost to alter the piece

>>8088114
Yep, 4,500 yen.

>>8085414
I added corset lacing to an AP jsk that was too big on me by stitching some beading lace to the sides of the shirring panel, and lacing a matching ribbon through. In my case, the dress used cotton embroidery lace, so it was pretty sturdy, but be careful if you're using a more delicate venise or embroidery lace. Those tend to tear easily and are more decorative than functional. It may be worth it finding a sturdier trim, or using ribbon loops instead.

>>8087338
I let out one of my IW corset skirts, but I'm not sure I can be of much help, since all that was done was adjusting the shirring. It was originally a 66cm waist, and I took out the original shirring elastic and replaced it to get a few more cm out.
Is your skirt shirred or unshirred?

>>8087607
I just bought an op through fromjapan and the seller didn't include the waist ties.

WHY DO THEY DO THIS?
The detachable bow was still on, but no waist ties? It makes no sense

>>8088122
oh okay then.

I alter a lot of my clothes and also things for friends.
Mainly adding shirring panels from waist ties, fixing invisible zips and making new button holes.
I'm planning on adding a bustle back to my dream dress which has just arrived too.
Altering brand can be a little scary at first but it's actually interesting seeing how different brands construct dresses and gets easier/less stressful the more you do it.

>>8087607
Wear it without and use the one waist the to make some sort of hair accessory.

>>8088137
It's shirred in the back, when I put it on the shirring is maxed out.

>>8088182
If you can, go in and totally remove the elastic from the shirring channels. That can usually give you another few cm to work with, even if it seems maxed out when you wear it. One of my friends regularly does this to smaller skirts that she's maxed out the shirring on, and it usually helps.

Someone should post good examples of altered brand.

>>8088188
Thanks, that sounds pretty promising.

are there any good tutorials or places to start in learning how to do this?

>>8085568
>can't see the yellow difference
>disable f.lux
>DEAR LORD

>>8084450
actually mind blowing...
I love this, I hope she does more with bodyline's prints like this. Some of their prints are actually quite nice but their designs are cheap and lazy.

>>8085446
how much did that run for you, anon? that's a pretty great idea

>>8088121
If you PM the shop they will give you a quote based on previous alterations. My friend has had 6+ dresses altered by them and they all look really nice and fit her really well.

>>8085584
Could have been from the bolt.

>>8086603
I wouldn't do an alteration here, this looks well fitted.

>>8085584

I've seen someone sell half a skirt once, as in, someone had deconstructed the skirt, and then cut a yard and a large rectangle out from the skirt fabric.

The seller said she bought it to make her jsk bigger, and was selling the remains for scrap.

Fits the theme of the thread pretty well, altering brand by butchering brand...

>>8090511
Yeah, because it's the stock photo on a mannequin. Once I put it on, it digs into my armpits because I'm a bit on the taller side and the straps need to be lengthened.

>>8091008
Could the alteration be done by inserting a panel at the top of the shoulder and disguising it with some wide ribbon bows that match the trim?

>>8091008
Take it to a seamstress and have the armholes dug out a bit

Half of my wardrobe has been altered and it's all brand. I rarely resell what I purchase and most of my items have been with me for 3+ years anyway.

Most of my AP has had the shirring panel removed or taken in, Jetj has awkward cup sizing for me so I've had a lot of darts placed in to bring it in.

I know a lot of lolitas only think about the resale value and are mortified that all my precious burando has been modified but I don't care. It looks better on me than ever before and I am happy to be wearing clothes that fit.

>>8085584
It's been a long time, but I want to say it was something like someone bought the dress second hand, got it and it was coming apart at the seams and had like seam damage or something like that, so they took it apart with the intention of remaking it, and never got around to doing it or commissioning it or whatever and sold the deconstructed dress fabric? It was some sort of aborted remake-the-dress-because-it's-not-wearable project though, I'm pretty sure.

>>8091008
>>8086603

Here, someone on egl_comm_sales altered the armhole bigger. The photos are still up:

http://egl-comm-sales.livejournal.com/22660013.html


Although it only works if the dress otherwise fits; personally I can't use it as most dresses are too short in the shoulder-to-bust area on me, even if I altered the armhole my boobs would end up in the underbust area, which looks really bad.

It's clothing. If altering would make it suit you better, get it altered.

The only people who have an issue with alterations are people who have entitlement issues and think that other people don't have the right to their own property on the off chance that it might inconvenience them if they tried to obtain that property later.

It's like people getting upset about custom sizing that isn't their perfect size.

I've bought an altered skirt and I've had pieces modified and even dyed by a professional seamstress. Most of the alterations I've had done were to correct sewing flaws in the (brand) items but I have a brand skirt I'm going to add a bustle back to and a JSK I'm changing the straps/neckline of in the future. If I'm going to own things, I'm going to look cute in them.

Newbie question : I just got an IW dress in the mail and it fits beautifully except the torso. The straps are too short, I think. It gives me a pretty awful case of boobloaf, and my boobs aren't all that big.
The straps are connected to the bodice by a button on each, both of which are barely held on by a couple threads. There's at least two inches of strap under the buttons, is that because it's meant to have extra material in case you need to alter it slightly? I don't even need to do a full alteration I guess, just move the buttons an inch or so down the straps, but I'm nervous to fuck up. I'm far from a seamstress, but I know this isn't a job I would need to pay someone else for.
TLDR; is it okay if I move these buttons down the straps and make them longer? Will that give me more room in the front? I'm scared to fuck up this dress.

>>8091830
that's exactly what the buttons and the extra material on the straps are there for. You should probably try just pinning the straps first before you start sewing to make sure you have the buttons in the right place for the effect you want. Whether it'll give you the room you need in the front or not is harder to answer. IW cuts fairly shallow bodices for their jsks and it really depends on how your boobs are shaped. But try pinning the straps at a longer length, hopefully it'll work out.

Only real brand alteration I've done is adding bodice lining to an AatP dress that only had the skirt lined.
I could've paid better attention to the measurements- the lining is smaller than the dress- but hey, it's my dress and my problem, and it's easy to take out if I get fed up with it.

>>8091830
How could you possibly fuck up moving a button down an inch? Go for it. It's your dress, after all.

>>8085648
lul