Burda Style For people who sew

Hi—I’m trying to alter a dress (pictured as Pretty Poli under my creations) because it’s too large in the back to wear without a belt. It’s gathered in the front and back and joined to a bib-style yoke. The front and yoke fit fine, but the back is very baggy and even bulbous from my shoulder blades to my waist. Nothing I have tried makes it lie smoother there, even taking out the gathering. Advice??? I’ve already spent longer trying to alter it than I did making it… argh!

Sep 9, 2009, 08.45 PM by sandoz18

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  Sep 11, 2009, 01.43 PMby 20beverly08

  try bilateral shoulder darts and long bilateral back darts, as used in fitting shell patterns for dresses. for idea, check out ‘fitting dress shell pattern’ at Butterick.com, and see the back view.
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  Sep 11, 2009, 03.01 PMby mickeygirl

  I looked at the photo. For the back you could unpick about four inches of the yoke seam at the center back. Replace the gathering with an inverted pleat or some type of large pleat. Stitch down the pleat to the waist or just below. The fabric does not look like it is too heavy for that.

  You could also try some pleats under the shoulder blades if you need to take out more.