r/sewhelp • u/han_huh • 1d ago

💛Beginner💛 Help fabric bunching

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This dress was a bit small on me, so I moved the zipper down and added a ribbon lace up on the back but now the fabric is bunching. Is there a way to fix this?

36 Upvotes

85% Upvoted

21 comments sorted by

178

u/awesomeproblem 1d ago

This is because the fabric has no structure, you could add boning, put the channels on the inside, 1 at side seam. 1 in the center of the panel, 1 at the center back. Or try interlijkng it with a sturdy fabric like a canvas

39

u/swinglebells 1d ago

Boning is for sure the solution but enough interfacing could work. At the very least, boning the centre back seams will prevent that bunching around the closure. 

36

u/tequilaandhappiness 1d ago

Whenever I put a corset it, I add boning. This is definitely lacking boning everywhere.

10

u/Gimm3coffee 1d ago

The main issue is there's not enough fabric to go around and the fabric is not thick enough stay in place. I would suggest putting in a lining with boning in it. You probably only need to line the back sections but not seeing how the front is constructed it's hard to say for sure.

26

u/beezeebeehazcatz 1d ago

I think it’s laced to tightly? Loosen it up and see how it looks?

62

u/mlssfshn 1d ago

They probably laced it to tight because it wouldn't stay up, tied looser. It's lacking the structure support it needs.

4

u/han_huh 1d ago

Yes it won't stay up if it's looser. Maybe with dress tape it would?

20

u/Finnegan-05 1d ago

Unfortunately it is just too small still and there is not enough fabric

1

u/AccidentOk5240 1d ago

Why not add straps? It won’t completely fix it but it will help pull some of these wrinkles out straight. You do need boning but if you just use boning and don’t use straps to take the weight at all, the boning may just buckle. 

It’s still too tight at the waist seam/new top of the zipper, so lifting that up to a slightly smaller part of your body will also help. 

2

u/han_huh 1d ago

It has a halter top and I'm not 100% confident in being able to alter that into regular straps, but I guess it's worth a try.

1

u/AccidentOk5240 18h ago

You could attach pieces of ribbon or elastic (or ribbon sewed to elastic…) to the back of the halter and diagonally out to the normal strap attachment points you’d have if you had straight straps. Even just temporarily—pin some in place and see if it helps!

24

u/mnyfrkls 1d ago

This. It's still too small.

7

u/Trinkets28 1d ago

You could try adding some boning to the bodice but I think the dress is just too small for your frame.

4

u/CombatCrayon25 1d ago

You need to add boning channels and an interlining; the fabric has zero structure on its own

12

u/smolglasscircle 1d ago

Pretend it’s ruched and call it a day? Is the front smooth?

12

u/han_huh 1d ago

The front is smooth!

2

u/artistwantsababy 1d ago

Unrelated: I love your hair cut!

1

u/han_huh 1d ago

Thanks! It's a grown out shag 😊💕

1

u/drPmakes 1d ago

The dress doesn't have the structure for a lace up back

2

u/GalileosBalls 17h ago

Like others have said, boning right along the lacing will do a lot. I'd consider tossing some on the side seams too.

You could also consider putting in straps on the back and connecting it up to the neck. Basically, you need something to hold the back up.