How to Lengthen a Dress with Chiffon Underlay

Sunday, July 22, 2012


I love a pretty dress, but summer can be so exasperating with the prolific amount short dresses available. It's frustrating to go to the mall and walk out after trying on a bazillion dresses that are just two or three inches too short. A permanent underlay is so much more convenient than an embellished slip because you never have to worry about whether it's hanging too far down or worse, if it's going to fall off!


Cutting your underlay in the same shape as the dress (in this case, a semi-circle) ensures that it will hang with the same cut as the dress and ultimately, look like it was originally part of the design. If your dress has more of a straight bottom edge, you'd want to imitate that as well. I generally cut the pieces two inches longer than needed for the finished length to accommodate a rolled hem on the bottom and the extra allowance needed at the top where you attach it to the dress.




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30 comments:

  1. Wow, the dress went from being kind of cute to gorgeous! Love it! I'm with you, unless you're 18-21, the vast majority of summer dresses tend to be way too short, so this is a wonderful solution.

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  2. I love this and I'm so glad you showed exactly how to do this because I need to add some fabric to a jumpsuit I just bought

    xoDale
    http://www.savvyspice.com/

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  3. waow.. thats a coool idea.. thx for sharing

    kuti
    http://ishootstyle.blogspot.com

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  4. I just discovered your blog and I just LOVE your tutorials! I wish I could sew. I think some of your anthropolized items look better than the originals. Thanks for sharing!

    momcatdiaries.blogspot.com

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  5. What a great fix!! Great tip to mimic the shape of the dress hem too. :)

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  6. You made that look rather easy my dear. I will say I have seen far too many skirts of late that are the perfect length... if you have the legs of a 16 year old! ;p
    Thanks for the tips on how to fix those scarey leg showing dresses. :)

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  7. This is awesome! It really adds something to the dress. I am going to remember this idea. I have a couple of dresses and skirts that could use this treatment.

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  8. Such a GREAT idea!!!! : ) Thanks!!!!! ~JS

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  9. This is really cute. Now to learn to sew! I'm just short enough that I *think* something will work and then try it on and realize I'm uncomfortable with the length. This is a great tutorial

    Enjoyed having you at our church yesterday. :)

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  10. Looks really nice.
    I am not very fond of sewing, but being tall, it is hard to buy certain clothing that seems to be cute but would be too short on me. Nevermind, that is a good thing because I don't spend money too often because of it. haha.
    +Victoria+
    http://justicepirate.com

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  11. I like this idea too! Do you have all of this random material on hand or do you buy pieces for your specific projects?

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    Replies
    1. I have a ton of scraps from other projects. But occasionally I do have to go buy specific material.

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  12. You did a beautiful job.
    Debi @ Adorned From Above

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  13. Can I just say how thankful I am for your creative mind! :)

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  14. I love this! it looks like it belongs to the dress! I would love for you to share this on my weekly linky party Blog Stalking Thursday! http://www.thecraftyblogstalker.com/2012/07/blog-stalking-thursday-51.html

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  15. What a cute dress!You have an great idea!Good job!Love the dress!

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  16. What do you do if the dress is already gathered at the end i.e not a straight smooth hem?

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  17. Hello, I have a similar question to the last one - what if the bottom of the dress is not straight? Mine has a "wavy" bottom - longer at the front and back and shorter on the sides, exposing my thighs a little too much. Should I follow the shape or add a straight underlay? I'd very much appreciate advice :)

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  18. I bought a dress for a wedding that comes to the knees. I found out that most are wearing gown length. Is it possible, do you know, if I can bring it to someone to "lengthen" it with ruffles or an underlay as you show here? I can sent you photos of the dress. I know NOTHING about sewing or alterations. But instead of buying a new dress I thought I could add to the dress already purchases and maybe even spruce it up. You seem to be so very creative!

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  19. Do you mind me asking...where did you find this beautiful dress? It's perfect for my daughter :)

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  20. your changes take the dress from every day to elegant! Plus I too, desire the extra length. If only I could sew...sigh...

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  21. This is the first time that I have found someone who lengthens instead of shortens clothes. Thank you so much for filling this niche.

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  22. Hey Kristina, I know you posted this a while ago, but I had to say thanks! I just searched for EVER to find the perfect dress to wear to a fashion event I'm showing my handmade jewelry at, only to realize when I got it home that my lovely 70's inspired, rich teal dress was too short. My hubby asked me to replace it, but now I don't have to! Thanks a million, girl! You saved my hippie dress.

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  23. I wanted to say thank you for this....>OMG!!! Was I having a tough time with an evening gown I was making. I made the gown the perfect length...if I was wearing flats. I have to wear my stilettos with my gown so I used your tutorial, plus a little more and now I'm even more in love with it. Thank you thank you thank you for this tutorial!!

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  24. Does this work well in too-short long dresses too?
    Thanks

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  25. How did you cut out the extra fabric in that semi-circle shape? Did you follow a pattern or wing it? I need to do that for one of my dresses and I can't figure it out!

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  26. Is doubled chiffon different then what is in most craft stores?

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