Drastic weight loss and garb adjustments, I need help!

[LadySeasan]

Hello my lovelies!

I have an issue. Last year, I started working on a nobles gown.  The bodice and the over skirt were measured, cut, and pinned. The channels for the boning were sewed, but no boning placed in.  Now at that time, I weight 353 lbs, and my measurements were as follows:

bust=50
underbust=48
waist=55.5
hips=60.25

Now in December, I had gastric bypass and lost a ton of weight. At this point, I am 275 lbs and my current measurements are

bust 48
underbust 44
waist 46.5
hips
53.50

Now taking in the skirt will be simple. But how in the heck do I take in the bodice?  It is a drastic change in measurements, and I will still be losing more weight, because ren fair doesnt open for close to 5 months. 

So i'm not sure how to adjust a bodice with that major difference. Or should I just start a new gown with different fabrics? And if I start a new gown, then when should be the absolute last minute to start since I'm constantly losing weight. Any help would be appreciated!

[Auryn]

First of all congratulations on your continued weight loss- thats awesome.

Mind you I am no great seamstress so I am sure the wonderful people here will be able to give you more input.
But if I were you, I would make a bodice that has back and side lacing to give yourself the most possible adjustment room.

I guess on how late you can wait to start depends on fast you sew.

[LadySeasan]

lol, i've been known to start working on a whole new dress 3 days before fair!

but even with the side lacing, i need to figure out how to take out the 10 or so inches that I have lost. and since the bodice already has the lining and channels sewn, i'm not sure where to take out that extra fabric

[Bonny Pearl]

Congrats on your bravery in taking such a big a step as surgery!

I'm no seamstress but if there is a way to salvage what you started, the ladies on this forum will know.  I would definetly plan for the future weight loss though.

If my math is correct....

December - April weight loss you are averaging about 16 lbs per month and of course variable inches (dependent on area).  Perhaps you can estimate what your measurements will be for the time faire comes along?  Maybe do some sort of temporary stitching and adjust as the months pass?  When does your faire start?

[LadySeasan]

MDRF starts August 28.

There is a part of me that wants to start a new gown (hey, you can never have too many gowns) and estimate what size I will be in August, and make it that size. But then again, I LOVE the fabric for the gown that I have already started, and want to stay with that

[Kate XXXXXX]

I'd leave it as late as you dare!  Finish everything you can, but leave the bodice unstitched.  At the last moment, make up a new pattern in the new size and fit it onto the bodice pieces you have.  Trim off the excess and finish it up.  Thinner folk need fewer boning channels, so you will just be cutting off the extra ones.

You have done really well!  I'm impressed no end.  I shed 70lbs a few years back, and put a bit back on.  I've started the strict eating habit and exercise again, after a few slack months due to health issues, and shed 8lbs in the last 3 weeks, so I'm on the way down again!

[LadySeasan]

Thank you Kate

I hope I am able to adjust it without screwing it up.
In the meantime, I am going to start working on a new gown, with possible back and side lacing for maximum adjust-ability

[LadyShadow]

Congrats on the weight loss.  Glad to hear you are getting great results.

Good luck with the dres 

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

Congratulations on the weight loss!!!

As for doing another gown, if you can put it off as much as posible until 1 month before faire, you will know then what size to make as you continue to lose. Perhaps a size smaller.

Based on your measurements at the start of your project, cutting it down may destroy the initial design lines.

Kate gives good advice. My suggestion is to wait until you get to the goal weight you have set for yourselfm maintain it,  and really do a gown that is going to turn heads as well as the body that will be in it!! Spend the time and money when that happens. 

[LadySeasan]

Yeah after thinking about it, I'm thinking that starting the new gown at least 1 month before the fair would be wise. For the first gown, like I said I can take the skirt in, I am hoping to have enough fabric though to start a new bodice for it, because I really LOVED that fabric!!!

So I guess my garb will have to be put on hold, at least my husband will be happy because I can now start his two doublets, and shirts, etc! As for me, I'll start a couple of chemises, partlets, and other small items.

Thanks for the advice and kind words!!!

[Kate XXXXXX]

Thank you Kate

I hope I am able to adjust it without screwing it up.
In the meantime, I am going to start working on a new gown, with possible back and side lacing for maximum adjust-ability

Very sensible.  Buy enough fabric that you can remake the bodice in your final smallest size and get more wear out of it!   

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

Smart move on your part. Lady Season. This way, when you are at your goal weight that will be comfortable for you, the next set of garb will be one you will want to be seen in a  lot!

[LadyStitch]

A guy freind of mine did the lap band.  When he bought his doublet he had 6 inch side panels under the arms inserted.  The idea was that if he gained it would allow for expansion room, but for weight loss he could take the 6 inch pieces out on the sides and just tighten the laces as he lost.  Currently he is down over 100 pounds and is already to having the sides tightly taken in. 

If you make a new bodice maybe made one with under arm side panels.  I know more gromets but it is an option to allow for greater size fluxuation. 

I did a gown for a gastric bypass person 8 years ago.  I made it to her size and 2 months later I took it in 2 inches. I just had to prepare for alterations.  Plan ahead and you should do fine.

[PrincessSara]

How do you adjust for non-drastic weight loss?  I'm trying to work off 20-35 pounds, but since it will take me a while I don't want to put off all my sewing until then.  I'm mostly thinking about self-supporting fitted gowns, since those are fitted on the body.

[LadyStitch]

I have actresses who change weight from original measurement to final curtain. Typically this is because they have just sweated off the pounds during the shows.   I have found that if I do princess seams on our pieces I can easily adjust them for the minor fluxations of 10-15 pounds ranges. Depending on how much of seam allowance you are  willing to mess with you can deal with up to a 2 inch seamallowance per princess seam.  (Translation with that big of seam allowance you can take something from a 16 to a size 8 before you would need a new outfit.)