Now that you have packed your wedding dress emergency kit, here's how to fix the problem using the goodies in your wedding dress emergency kit.
If the zipper sticks, use the paraffin or wax pencil to wax the zipper. Rub the paraffin up and down the zipper and the parrafin wax will make the zipper slide easily. The wax won't be noticable and the body heat will make it disolve while you are wearing it. You can do this from the inside of the dress so the wax doesn't get on the outside of the dress.
If the zipper gets stuck in the fabric, take off the dress and gently try and pull the fabric out of the zipper tab. VERY GENTLY! Don't pull or tug or you will break the zipper. Zip it up and down a little bit until you free the fabric. Be very careful not to tear the zipper teeth. Most dress zippers are self healing, which means if it pops open, unzip it and zip it back up and it should heal back together.
If you get a spot on the dress, and your dress is polyester, blot with baby wipes. Blot until the stain starts to disolve. Don't attempt to wash the spot. To dry the spot, use a hair dryer. You can also use club soda dabbed on a white cloth. BLOT, blot, blot the spot and feather inward to avoid a ring around the stain. Don't rub and don't scrub. Do NOT do this on silk fabrics.
If your dress is silk, use the chalk to cover up the stain. Lightly dot the chalk on the spot and brush off the excess. It should give you enough coverage for photos. The stain will need to be dry cleaned. Don't wash silk, it will leave a big water spot which will probably look worse than the stain. If you don't have chalk, you can use talcum power.
Use a bleach pen on spots on white polyester ONLY if you are experienced in using a bleach pen. If you aren't, use the baby wipes.
If you get a snag in your dress, gently pull the fabric side to side to try to try to pull the snag back into place. Don't cut the snag because it will leave a hole in the fabric. Just use a back and forth motion in gently moving and flattening the snag until it starts to go back in place. You can run your thumb in the direction of the snag. If you end up with a small piece of thread, try to pull it under the fabric.
Dress tape can be used for a multitude of fixes. It is a clear two sided tape sold under the name of Sticky Straps or Hollywood dress tape. It is make to adhere fabric to skin. You can use it to keep the bodice of the dress in place and to prevent "fallout". It can be used to keep a strap inside the dress. It can be used as a quick hem fix, or to keep a snagged area from further snags. If your dress is chiffon or tulle and tears, you can put a piece of dress tape underneath the tear and hold it together.
If your gown is a corset back lace up dress, here is an easy and fast way to lace up the dress. Put a safety pin at both end of the ties. The safety pins will make it easier to put the fabric laces through the loops.
If you get makeup on your dress, use baby wipes to blot it out.
Hairspray will remove ink stains. Spray the white cloth and blot.
Don't touch your face and makeup and touch your dress. Oils in the makeup and on your hands will transfer to the dress. Brides have a tendency to nervously pat and smooth the fabric around the hips of their dress. Fabric is fluid and won't stay in place once you start moving around. If you have this nervous habit, wear gloves until the wedding starts.
The wedding dress goes on last. Apply suncreen, moisturizer and makeup BEFORE the dress goes on. This will prevent spills and spots on the dress. And if you drink, drink water so it won't stain. If you spill water on your dress, blot it with the white cloth and dry with a hair dryer.
If you suddenly realize that your dress is see through in the bright sunlight, put on a pair of opaque top pantyhose in the color of your dress. You can buy them footless for wear barefoot or with sandals.
Learn the proper way to put on your wedding dress. Have a friend help you put it on. The dress should go over your head. Put your arms through the dress like you are ready to dive into a swimming pool. The dress will easily slide down over your face and you won't transfer makeup. Practice with your dress helper before the wedding so you have it figured out before you have on your wedding day makeup. If your dress doesn't "cooperate", you can buy makeup face masks that will keep your makeup fresh and off your dress.
It is normal to lose a few beads on your wedding dress. The beading is applied by hand and normally is tied every few beads. If you notice a spot where a bead is missing, tie the thread twice as close to the bead as you can and cut off the excess thread or pull the thread under the beads. This will stop the beads from coming off. If it is before the wedding, most dresses come with a bead repair kit. You use a very thin needle to restitch the beads. The needle needs to be thin to fit through the beads. Most times no one will notice any missing beads.
If you have gained weight and the dress is too tight, zip the dress until it is comfortable and set the zipper tab down to lock the zipper so it won't come down. Use dress tape to keep the dress in place above the unzipped area and in the front to keep the dress in place. You can put a piece of fabric under the open spot attached with dress tape, or cover it with a ribbon or veil.
If you have lost weight and the dress is too loose, turn the dress inside out and using a safety pin, pin a dart under the arm near the seam. Do it on the INSIDE of the dress so the pin doesn't show. It will make the dress fit and use dress tape to keep the top in place. This is a quick fix used by models at fashion shows.
If you get a tear in your wedding veil, use dress tape. Don't attempt to sew it, it will show in the tulle. If it is a small hole, rip or tear, just ignore it. It probably isn't very noticable except to you. If you have a plain edged veil with no beading and the tear is near the bottom....just shorten the veil using the scissors. Fold the veil in half and follow the pattern of the veil.
And last, don't panic. Most emergencies can be easily fixed by someone with a cool head using the above tips. Dress emergencies are few and far between, just be prepared!
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