How to turn a wedding dress into a Dancesport ballgown

Today’s video is an exciting one. It’s a wedding dress transformation into a custom-dyed ballgown.

Pat, a long-time client, found her true love late in life. I was delighted she asked me to make her wedding gown! And even more thrilled when we came up with a solid plan to convert this wedding dress into a dancesport ballgown to wear in the American Style category. How fun is that? Oh, I love a good challenge 🙂

Dress Design Elements

• The dress material is bias-cut silk charmeuse. It gives the gown a slightly shiny look and is slightly stretchy, which makes it a good option for both wedding gowns and ballgowns.
• We used double straps over the shoulder. Double straps are neat because the add extra support, and are a more interesting design element than regular straps.
• It is custom-made to fit Pat’s body. Her left hip slightly curves more than her right, so to camouflage the difference I made the ballgown with an asymmetrical skirt attachment.
• Different sleeve sets that match the dress. Using different sleeves with the same dress is a great economical way to give the dress an easy new look.

I hope you’ll watch the video to see the wedding dress transformation!

After turning the wedding dress into a dancesport ballgown, Pat started exercising more and losing weight. Weight loss alterations are difficult, because there are many details of the dress that need altered.

Weight loss alterations for Pat's dress after turning her wedding dress into a dancesport ballgown.

1. Take in the dress at the seams. Yes, this means not just the side seams, but the back seam and princess seams too! While very time-consuming, this will keep Pat's gown looking it's best. TIP: if your dress has a back seam, start with that. The first alteration I made was to take in the back seam at the zipper. Next I took in the side seams.
2. Remove rhinestones. This is very tedious, but the rhinestones need removed from all the fabric that is being taken in.
3. Remove the sewn-in bra and replace with bra cups to fit Pat's new bust size, and to fit the new alterations after taking in the princess seams.
4. Shorten the skirt. Because Pat has lost so much weight, the dress hangs on her more than what is ideal, so the skirt needs shortened.

If you're interested in having a dress for any style dance or skate custom dyed -- contact Marliss at IRIS COLOR STUDIO. She is amazing! Marliss has dyed over a dozen dresses for my clients and they are all spectacular.

And if you are wanting something more unique and asymmetrical, consider using a sponge to blot paint onto your dress. If you are wondering what this looks like, check out my post on Stephanie, who used a sponge to create a 'cloud' effect on her dress.

Also, many thanks to the folks at the Beaverton Ballroom location of DanceFit Oregon for letting us film in the studio.

Post-Wedding Dress: Pat has multiple sleeve styles for versatile looks with a minimum expense.

Pat's wedding gown was made of pre-shrunk, heavyweight silk charmeuse (for the bodice & skirt). An organza was used for veil and sleeves.

Weight Loss Alterations for Women’s Ballroom Dance Costumes