Economical way to shorten shoulder straps?

I am wearing this dress for a wedding I am in 3 weeks from now. I really, really don't want to pay $75+ to shorten these shoulder straps. Everything else on the dress is perfect, just the straps are too long and more than half of my boobs show!

I am not good with needles and thread. I can work with safety pins though. Help please!

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Re: Economical way to shorten shoulder straps?

Go to your local cleaners/seamtress ...I had to shorten my straps for my shower dress and it cost $15. You dont need to go a bridal boutiiue to get that done.

Re: Economical way to shorten shoulder straps?

Thanks! I am afraid the tailor (dry cleaners) will see that it is a fancy dress and automatically charge me more. I will just have to go and see.

Re: Economical way to shorten shoulder straps?

can you do it yourself? it should just be a few stitches since they are spaghetti strap, yes?

Re: Economical way to shorten shoulder straps?

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Posted by karabara

can you do it yourself? it should just be a few stitches since they are spaghetti strap, yes?

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I'd say the same thing. It only takes a few stitches. I've shortened my own spaghetti straps on fancy tops and I did my sister's prom dress straps years ago.

If you can, take the dress or a swatch to the craft store and match the color to 6-strand embroidery thread, rather than regular sewing thread, which for me, seems to break easily. Use 2-3 strands of this, and it's much stronger than the sewing thread. Use a thin sewing needle if the fabric is delicate, so as not to cause holes in the fabric.

Put the dress on, have someone else use safety pins to take in the straps where you're comfortable. It's hard to do that yourself b/c you won't get an accurate measurement. Then take the dress off, turn that part inside out, ever so carefully cut the strap as close to the dress as possible, and resew the strap into place near where you put the safety pin to mark the spot. Then trim off the excess strap. If done on the inside of the dress, it shouldn't show from the outside.

ETA: When you cut the strap, only cut the side in the back of the dress, not the front. That way, the front still has the smooth even sewn edge. Does that make sense? If you need help, FM me!

Re: Economical way to shorten shoulder straps?

If I cut the back strap won't that just make the back higher and not the front?

Re: Economical way to shorten shoulder straps?

I did this myself once, but rather than cutting the strap I just folded it over on the underside of the dress. No one could tell and that way it can be undone if you ever want to change it. In my experience, the dress gets shorter on the front and the back when you do this.

Re: Economical way to shorten shoulder straps?

definitely take the dress to the cleaners, they dont care if its a fancy dress or an everday dress. I had a BM dress altered for $25 last year at the cleaners. That would be your best best, don't do it yourself if you are unsure.

Re: Economical way to shorten shoulder straps?

I am more inclined to fold the strap over rather than cut. I am not a seamstress by any stretch so don't want to ruin the dress 3 weeks before my friend's wedding!

I will try folding the strap and sewing over the folded strap tonight. Thanks everyone for your suggestions!