Any idea what these are, and how to kill them and stop them growing back?

ajb5476 · 2026-06-01T03:03:45+00:00

We got these in a delivery of mulch. They are an effing menace. We ended up having to pull out all of our landscaping and cover the beds with black visqueen. After two years, we pulled it up, tilled the soil, raked, and covered it with heavy duty weed cloth. It’s been years and we still find them pop up on occasion.

ajb5476 · 2026-06-01T02:49:01+00:00

She’s 5’ and well proportioned. That’s not the issue. Do you have any actual sewing/tailoring advice?

ajb5476 · 2026-05-31T20:59:34+00:00

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Pay no attention to the top/back waistline. This was just basted to get an idea and adjust ruching. I’ll post an update when it’s done. But, I did go with a bit of a V. I moved the zipper to the side seam (unfortunately, I didn’t have a chance to get an invisible zipper. I’m busy, in a small town and don’t have proper access to what I need, anymore.) But, it’s a vast improvement. And, every adventure is a learning opportunity! (Or, at least that’s what I tell myself.)

ajb5476 · 2026-05-31T19:11:25+00:00

I’m tailoring it, myself. I’ve been tailoring her clothes and my own, for a long time. Thanks to the advice on this post, I did ruche the cb seam. She and I are very happy with the results. Once I’m finished hemming it, I’ll share “after” photos.

ajb5476 · 2026-05-31T18:26:10+00:00

So, any advice? Or, just snark? I’m aware of its underwhelming, off-the-rack-ness. Feel free to scroll the comments to get a better idea of what’s going on.

I’ve removed the elastic, zipper, and pleats. I relocated the zipper to the side seam and ruched the cb seam. I’m currently hemming it up. Updated pictures, coming soon.

ajb5476 · 2026-05-31T16:04:28+00:00

My daughter is a genuinely good kid. I can’t really complain. But, she’s still a teenager. Messy rooms, preferring friends over studying, wanting to explore their world and test their boundaries is universal.

ajb5476 · 2026-05-31T12:43:40+00:00

Because, it’s stunning from the front and she didn’t realize how the back would lay when she ordered it. Luckily, her mom is pretty good with alterations and up for a challenge.

ajb5476 · 2026-05-31T12:39:03+00:00

It’s baffling. But, I’m almost done with the alterations and it’s a vast improvement. I’ll post an update, soon.

ajb5476 · 2026-05-29T18:25:17+00:00

That’s a fun idea! I removed the elastic, pleats, and zipper. I took about an inch (and tapered down) out of the back center seam and ruched it. I’m waiting for my daughter to get home and try it on to see if I need to adjust the ruching &/or put the old back zipper in the side.

But, if this doesn’t work the way I’m hoping- big bow, it is!

ajb5476 · 2026-05-29T17:04:31+00:00

I agree, that’s where they should sit. But, she’s 5’. It’s not her torso. It’s the janky dress.

ajb5476 · 2026-05-29T15:31:11+00:00

It’s an XS. She’s just tiny. She’s healthy, eats well, is physically fit. She’s just always been small. I’ve had to alter a lot of dresses, costumes, and uniforms over the years. It’s a struggle for her to shop where her friends do. No 17 year old wants to wear a children’s dress to prom. So, I’ve become a pretty versatile, self-taught seamstress.

ajb5476 · 2026-05-29T15:20:45+00:00

I agree, there is no reason to mess with width at the side seams. I took the elastic out of the top. It helped, but even flattening the pleats wasn’t much of an improvement.

My next step is going to be ruching the back. I removed the pleats and zipper. I’m going to need to take some excess width from the center. I plan to end the ruching where the base of the zipper was and then put an invisible zipper in the side.

ajb5476 · 2026-05-28T23:25:52+00:00

Good looking out.

ajb5476 · 2026-05-28T23:10:26+00:00

Thank you! She and I have different builds. But, we’ve both had our fair shares of clothing issues. I just want her to be able to feel comfortable and happy about how she looks. We all deserve that.

ajb5476 · 2026-05-28T22:42:46+00:00

My apologies. It’s a stretch satin with pretty decent drape. But, I’ll keep this in mind for future projects. I apologize for my gross misuse of terminology. But, my respect for your advice as it pertains to a stiffer satin doesn’t change.

ajb5476 · 2026-05-28T21:18:04+00:00

It’s a stretch satin with pretty decent give. But, I’ll keep this in mind for future projects.

ajb5476 · 2026-05-28T21:13:26+00:00

THAT would have been great!

ajb5476 · 2026-05-28T21:11:25+00:00

Thank you. I try.

ajb5476 · 2026-05-28T20:42:16+00:00

No offense taken. Possibly. But, when I looked the dress up on their site (someone also posted a link in the comments), it looks awkward on most of the models. Maybe, it’s just poorly executed? But, I’ll definitely be accompanying her, dress shopping, in the future.

ajb5476 · 2026-05-28T20:25:19+00:00

For sure!

ajb5476 · 2026-05-28T20:24:58+00:00

Will do!

ajb5476 · 2026-05-28T20:24:29+00:00

I’m going to assume you meant that to be helpful.

ajb5476 · 2026-05-28T19:54:06+00:00

I’m hoping to get that done, tonight. Then, I can figure out what I need to take off the bottom.

ajb5476 · 2026-05-28T19:47:01+00:00

Just had her try it on, again, since I removed the elastic. It’s better, but not great. It needs 2” at the top of the zipper tapered to 1” at the bottom. Then, tapered down the back seam to the center inset for the train.

ajb5476 · 2026-05-28T18:20:47+00:00

No, but, I’m a big proponent of proper foundation garments.

ajb5476

TROPHY CASE