How Do You Remove Boning from a Wedding Dress?

Every bride dreams of having a perfect beautiful dress that fits well.

However, sometimes this dress doesn’t exist, forcing you to either work with what you have or do some alterations after buying it.

If you need to remove boning from your wedding dress, keep reading to learn how to.

So, How Do You Remove Boning from a Wedding Dress?

Boning can make what you thought was an easy alteration project challenging. Adding it to the garment is relatively simple. But, removing from a gown is complex and can alter the dress’s integrity if not done carefully. If you want to remove it, we recommend taking the dress to a seamstress to look at it and determine whether this is an option before you remove the boning.

But if you want to remove the boning, take your dress and separate the inside layer. Then, look for where the boning has been attached and remove it. Please be careful, as any wrong move could significantly ruin the dress.

How Do You Identify Boning in a Wedding Gown?

Boning is a plastic strip sewn into the garment to support it.

Some manufacturers sew it into the lining, but many design an extra wedding corselet inside the dress and install the boning there.

It can come in various forms. The most common is a plastic stick with a thin cotton wrapping sheath.

This sheath is sewn into the dress, and then the manufacturer will secure each end to hold the boning.

Many people love this form of home sewing as it is easy to use and is readily available in fabric stores.

The other form is a strip of webbed plastic sewn into the dress directly by the sides or webbing holes.

You’ll mostly find this boning in formal gowns and wedding dresses in retail stores.

Although it comes in different widths, ½ inch is the most common in fabric stores. You can also get 1/4 inch, but this is less stiff and mainly used where the ½ inch boning may be restrictive.

If your dress is strapless, the boning is usually sewn to hold the bodice up. It also helps support other design elements, like a heavily decorated bust line.

If you want to find where the boning is on your dress, poke the bodice to feel the strip.

You can do it while wearing or holding the dress. Boning is not hard to feel, even in heavily beaded dresses.

Is a Dress with Boning Better Than a Dress Without?

There is no direct answer to this question. Many people believe that large breasts help hold the gown in place.

Ask any wedding dress seller, and they’ll tell you a common complaint they hear from brides is they don’t have enough to hold a gown up.

However, the chest size does not matter if the dress is designed correctly.

Sure, boning can help hold the dress up. However, some dresses without boning are just as good as a dress with boning.

What you need to remember is that holding the dress up well has nothing to do with your breast size.

Instead, find a properly designed dress and ensure it fits well, not just in the chest area but in other places too.

Can a Dress with Boning Be Taken in?

Yes. It is pretty simple to take in a dress with boning.

But, like other alterations, please be careful not to ruin the entire garment.

Here are the steps to follow:

1. Evaluate the garment and determine whether the boning is installed in the channels or between the lining and the dress’s outer layer.
2. With this picture in mind, plan how you’ll alter the dress. If it is yours, it is best to wear it to know the accurate measurements. If it is not, let the owner wear it. Then, mark areas you need to take in using a tailor’s chalk or pins. Please distribute alterations properly so that you don’t change them.
3. Un-sew the boned seam. Note that you may need to remove the lining and shell entirely. But you can disassemble the place you want to alter. Remove the boning and all channels they occupy.
4. Make the needed alterations and reconstruct the dress as it was constructed. Adjust the lining and the shell fabric. Please don’t sandwich these together using the same seam since it can change the gown’s structure.
5. Fit the dress. If the alterations need corrections, do them. You can temporarily tape the bones to see the right shape. Then, replace the boning. Figure out the new location of the boning, then sew a boning channel in the right place. Please install the boning as it was initially placed to prevent visible bones.
6. Place the bones on their channels. Fit the garment to determine if it is correct. Then close it and use a stitch to close all open areas. The new seam and boning shouldn’t be evident.
7. N/B: Boning alterations need precision. So be careful with the measurements and how you distribute the alterations. It’s best to ensure you are as even as possible; otherwise, you may ruin the dress. If the garment is sophisticated, please take it to a professional sewist. It is also worth mentioning that you may need to close the seam by hand because some stitches tend to show.

Three Common Wedding Dress Alterations You Should Know

Most brides need some alterations to their wedding gown. They could be minor tweaks or even a full reconstruction sometimes.

Here are some alterations you can do to your dress:

1. Adjusting the Hem and Straps

Wedding dresses are generally made to accommodate brides that are 5’10”. However, not all brides are this height.

That is why designers often allow brides to order gowns with different hems. You will most likely need to adjust the hem.

Sometimes the straps can be too long or short. Depending on the kind you have, the alteration can be simple or complicated.

2. Adding a Sleeve and Bra Cup

You may not feel comfortable in a dress with thin straps.

As such, you may want more detail or coverage on your arms. Adding a sleeve may be your best bet if that is the case.

Also, you can add bra cups for an extra lift or to smooth the dress’s shaping.

3. Custom Accessories

Sometimes you may want your veil or headpiece to match the style of your dress.

Your seamstress can find something that matches and sew in your dress.

Final Thoughts

Boning is a complicated alteration. It is often not recommended to do it as a DIY project.

However, if you trust your hands, ensure you are careful not to ruin the integrity of your dress.