Will this work?

biscuitsmom

I really love a dress which is about 6 inches shorter than I would like, so Im wondering if I buy a larger size than I need, can I use the excess material to add length to the dress? It does have tiers already....

15 years ago

General

21 replies

Latest reply was from biscuitsmom

Diana

Veteran

I guess to be really sure I'd have to see the dress, but I voted Nay. I'm assuming you mean the excess material from the sides where it would get taken in? This probably wouldn't work for adding to the bottom because the tailor would likely take it in on one of the seams, which would mean you'd get two little pieces of fabric cut off rather than one big one. Also, the grain of the fabric would be in the wrong direction and I'm guessing the removed fabric would be a funny shape. You probably wouldn't get a big strip of fabric that's uniformly 6"+ in width, which is what you'd need. Unless the dress is REALLY big.

15 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

yea, I dont' see this working. What *would* work is to buy two dresses and use a tier from dress 2 to add length... and then maybe you would have a blouse leftover....

15 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

Voted nay also, although I was thinking another option would be to buy a bit of some contrasting/coordinating fabric to do the last tier.

15 years ago

biscuitsmom

Veteran

Thanks for writing...I just dont know hardly a thing about sewing. The dress does go up to a 3x and is a loose, floaty fabric....I normally wear a xl, so it would be pretty big. I just fell in love with it and my legs are SOOO bad I dont wear anything above the knee....I thought about trying to have it cut down to a tunic, but dont think that would work with the style it is...thats a great idea, QM and Rae! I wish I could afford to buy 2, but maybe I'll try the contrasting material....if I cant figure out a way to get 2!

15 years ago

Elly

Veteran

Like Chiffon tiers? What color? Chiffon is evil to sew, but one of the few things that I think you could possibly match depending on the color or go with a contrasting fabric successfully. I went through this period when I was 13 where I was already 5'8" but a 00 or 0 and we couldn't for the life of us find anything youthful in our small town long enough in dresses-- mom and I managed to do this to a dress for a commencement ceremony and it turned out nice, no one could tell.

15 years ago

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Can you post a picture of the dress? Maybe you could find a picture of it on shopstyle or like.com?

Would it be possible to wear it as a tunic with leggings or opaque hose?

15 years ago

biscuitsmom

Veteran

http://www.thewildlilac.com/Bo....._p_61.html
yay, the link works! Sorry, Dont know what the material is...Elly, its like chiffon tiers, I think. Glad that worked for you...Modgirl, Im way too self-conscious to try leggings or expose that much of my legs, even in tights

15 years ago

Diana

Veteran

Oh, that is a very cute dress! I do think that adding a tier would be difficult unless you purchased a second dress - you would need a lot of fabric.

Would you be willing to wear it as a tunic over slim pants? Like skinny jeans or cigarette pants with boots?

15 years ago

biscuitsmom

Veteran

Thats a great idea....so glad you like the dress!

15 years ago

Barbara

Veteran

What a cute dress! I like the idea of wearing it over skinny jeans or leggings. Go for it!

15 years ago

biscuitsmom

Veteran

Thanks, girl!

15 years ago

Laura B.

Active Member

What a cute dress! I hope you're able to get it!

I'm not sure that any of these styles would work for that particular dress... but I have a chiffon ruffled slip that I use to extend the length of some of my dresses, I saw this vendor on Etsy that sells similar slips.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/aslip....._shop_more

15 years ago

Louise

Veteran

I'd leave it as is and pair it with leggings/ jeggings or skinny pants x

15 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I'm with Louise- wear it as is as a tunic. You could even belt it that way!

15 years ago

biscuitsmom

Veteran

Thanks, Chewy and Louise! Thanks also, Laura- I appreciate the link!

15 years ago

Kim

Veteran

What about layering it over a co-ordinating longer skirt (similar idea to the slip posted above)?

I'm kinda thinking longer brown chiffon type skirt might work...

15 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Laura, those slips are brilliant!

15 years ago

biscuitsmom

Veteran

I love them too! Well, I bit the bullet and ordered 2 of the dress. Going to take QM's suggestion and use one layer for the added length and hopefully can make a tunic from the leftover! Getting into pricey category for me, but I love the design and color....they said it would take a week or two to ship, which Im *not* pleased with...but oh well..please wish me luck!

15 years ago