Advice wanted: Alterations to knit maxi dress.

For the last two summers I have worn a long knit maxi dress several summer bbq and evenings. I have had a lot of compliments on the dress and always thought it was a flattering dress. A couple of pictures lead me to think otherwise and I am wondering whether it is actually not that great around the mid section at all. I wear a slip under - it is a thin knit and quite roomy.

I like the dress because:
- it is super comfy on hot summer nights
- I like stripes and I like the colours
- it packs well for holidays

It is the last picture on this thread (I have deleted the original photo).

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-boho-lite

It was a moderate price ($80) and has been worn often but is in good condition. I could just pass it on and it would owe me nothing. I could try to sell it but suspect I would only get $10 so I cannot be bothered.

Is it worth altering to a midi style, below the knee, and tapering the skirt. I am an inexperienced sewer but I do have a machine. Or I could take it to a tailor or friend.

Should I
- keep it as is?
- pass it on as is?
- try the alteration myself?
- pay for a tailor? ($35 cost estimate)

Thanks in advance.

9 years ago

Anonymous

I would not try to alter it myself because it's a knit. I wouldn't alter it because I don't think shortening it would make it fit better. I wouldn't alter it anyway because it's the cutest maxi dress I've ever seen and it looks great on you. I love that it's sporty rather than boho and the fit looks just right? Altering it will just make it a knee length knit dress, nice, but not as unusual?
Also thinking this is one of those items that photos and mirrors may not tell as well as the compliments of the viewers? Maybe a good candidate for Aziraphale's wear it out and wear it up?

Astrid

Veteran

I don't think I would dare trying my hand at altering knit fabric myself. And I echo Isabel, I don't think you need alterations. I like it. How do you feel wearing it? Because it sounds like you always liked it until you saw some pictures. I also have had looks I really liked IRL that I never really posted on the forum because they just didn't translate all that well in pictures. I think the compliments of the people seeing you in it should count more. We shouldn't feel forced to stop wearing something we like just because it might look bad in pics.

I think it looks nice as-is!
Just below knee length would look good too.

Suz

(website)

I like it on you, Sally. I vote take a few more photos from different angles and post it here again for us to consider. What I think it does -- as all horizontal stripes do -- is emphasize the areas of the stripe and since it is sleeveless, it makes the mid section / hip areas look larger -- in a superficial way. I suspect in motion and in reality the effect is quite different -- people are focusing on your beautiful arms and face and hair -- not on the mid section. But take a few more pics and show us.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Sally, I vote pass it on. It's going to be a mare to shorten with those very bold stripes. Risky - unless you are prepared to take the risk.

Brooklyn

I would keep it as is because I like it as is. As far as altering goes, I have had some failures will altering the hem of longer dresses. Sometimes the hem comes out with a sort of ripple effect that I am not happy with. This could be bad tailoring or it could be something to do with the cut of the dress (because it was meant to be longer there is more fabric to reign in). I don't know. But in this case, if I were thinking of altering it, I would probably do it myself because it saves the $ and ensures that I am not upset if it does not work out. I would do it by cutting the excess fabric off, machine stitching/overlocking the raw hem and then sewing the hem by hand myself. I think hems generally come out better when done by hand. But I would only go down that path if I was not wearing it and had nothing to lose. (And I think it looks good!)

Maneera

I really like the dress. If you must alter it, I recommend shortening it. Striped tshirt dresses are quite popular this season....and I've never had any problem hemming knit fabric (I can even do it by hand....it's not difficult at all) A slightly uneven hem will only add to the casual vibe! I love such dresses to wear at home on real hot days.

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Sally, if the stripes make achieving an even hem difficult, why not go for an intentionally asymmetrical hem? You could have one end starting around knee length and the other end finishing at around mid calf.

Barbara Diane

I have looks I love that I love in the mirror but not in photos. Still not sure about it, but I usually decide that if I am happy, I will look good because I exude happiness.
I also have a few very comfortable lightweight sundresses that I have had for years and skew too young now, but I feel great in them, and they are cool on brutally hot days. So I wear them at home, but not out.

Sal

Thank you all. There have been a range of answers from give away, keep and wear, to alter!! I will try it on and style the dress and see if I can tack it. I feel it will need some width taken out too if I shorten it. Asymmetrical is a good idea, I will give that some thought.

It is mid winter here so I won't wear it for a few months but I was thinking of taking it on our Aussie holiday in October and wanted to be ahead of the game.

Amy

It's really not that hard to hem a knit fabric if you know a few tricks. First of all, get some tricot (knit) interfacing and cut strips that are as wide as you want the hem to be deep. Iron it on. Fold up the hem and use a double needle...or a single needle and a zig-zag or lightening bolt stitch.

Some good tips are here:

http://www.craftsy.com/blog/20.....it-fabric/

Really, the only thing you have to worry about is cutting. If you do a good job of that, and the sewing doesn't go well, use a seam ripper to remove your stitches and have a tailor sew the hem. Just cut along the edge of one of the stripes. This is a very easy alteration and I want to encourage you to try. As you said, it's only a $10 loss if it doesn't work out. If it does, you've learned something new. I wish I lived closer so I could walk you through the process!

Another thought: knit fabric doesn't fray. You can just cut it off where you like and not bother with hemming at all.

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