Sometimes, the easiest (and funnest) way to lengthen a dress is to choose a contrasting color. Store-bought clothes incorporate color-block bands at the hem all the time, so don't be afraid to try it yourself and wear it with confidence. This works really well, especially if you've already seen a version you want to imitate. The idea for this project came from a Ralph Lauren dress using the combination of navy and green and works like a dream if you're only needing about three to six inches of extra length.
Determine how much width you need before cutting. I used a five inch wide band to allow for hem allowance.
Always take the original hem out of the dress before adding a band. You want the bottom of your dress to flow rather than hang stiffly from all that bulk.
Love!!! I told you I had just the dress for this purpose with the last post you did on adding length? The one I have is a navy/white stripe. Looks like it's going to get a green band at the bottom!!
ReplyDeleteI love these colors and even better how this dressed turned out as a finished product! So cute!
ReplyDeleteSuper cute! I love the classic colors together!
ReplyDeleteHow fabulous!! :) Love the contrasting color. :)
ReplyDeleteI love the nautical stripes with a splash of green!! Another beautiful creation!!
ReplyDeleteYou look AH-MA-ZING! Thanks for the how to... now if you could just whip me up one... ;) lol YOu have been on a roll again with making over stuff lately. Loving it. :) Hope you have a brilliant weekend, pretty lady.
ReplyDeleteSheree xo
I now wish I had a dress to try this on! I will keep this in memory the next time I'm dress shopping.
ReplyDeleteDo you think color blocking will make its appearance this Fall?? Or is it a summer fad only?
I've seen tons of stuff out for fall already with this! YAY!
DeleteThis looks great! Love it =)
ReplyDeleteI love the green- Makes the dress even cuter than it was when you started! Great tip about pulling out the original hem, I probably wouldn't have thought about the extra weight until after I attached the block...hello seam ripper! Found you over at iheartnaptimes link up!
ReplyDeleteUm...I love it. You are too cute. I really want a dress like this! Now I am on the look out!
ReplyDeleteHi there! I love your all your Refashions! I blog at Blissful and Domestic. I just started a Refashion Blogger Link List. I would love for you to link up your blog. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteDanielle @ Blissful and Domestic
http://www.blissfulanddomestic.com/p/re-fashion-bloggers.html
Hi, Just found your blog. I'm a little crazy about it. Loving everything. Newest follwer!
ReplyDeleteMethod Clothe
Wow.....Awesome!!!Thanks for sharing such a beautiful dress.
ReplyDeletewww.blissfulsewing.blogspot.com
This is so cute. I love this simple change. I have a link party on Wednesdays, and I would love it if you would link this and any other posts. It is called Wednesdays Adorned From Above Link Party. It runs from Wednesday to Sundays.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/08/tangerine-toner-and-wednesdays-adorned.html
I hope to see you there. I am your newest follower, and I would love for your to follow me also. Have a great Day.
Debi Bolocofsky
Adorned From Above
www.adornedfromabove.com
Do you have a quick, simple way to alter (take in) the waistband of a jeanskirt with flat felled seams? I've seen the dart thing but don't really care for it. It generally looks bulky. I've seen (and done) the side seams that are not flat felled. I've also seen the take-the-back-center-seam-apart way but I'm not sure how well it would work for small alterations (as in maybe 1 size smaller)especially if it's a flat felled seam. Also, if I take the back center flat felled seam apart, and I don't want to go down too far down and how can I ease my sewing in with the professional sewing? I wish you had a tutorial for that! ha
ReplyDeleteI've thought about just cutting down the side seams, right against the flat felled(on the outside), to the length I need to go (maybe to above hip level) and then just laying the felled seam over the cut side (after i serge it) as much as I need to (after I try it on and pin it, of course) and just sewing over the felled seam again. I suppose it would be a fake flat felled then. Of course, the side seams wouldn't be exactly on the side but I wondered if it were a small alteration if that would matter.
What is your honest opinion on that? I don't do designing stuff or sew without patterns so I need some good input on what might work and what wouldn't work. You may think of something I haven't thought of.
Thanks for your thoughts. I'm tired of typing "flat felled" as I'm sure you are tired of reading it!
I do think those are really difficult. I think you've already tried all the methods I would try as well. Removing the flat seam down to a point and easing the new seam into it. That's a tough one.
DeleteI just bought this same dress at Target. I loved it before but now I think I need to add a green stripe!
ReplyDeleteYour dress looks great. I wondered where you bought it and see the last comment mentions Target. I have two dresses I bought there this summer that could use help like this-- thanks for the great idea!
ReplyDeleteReally cute! I love the bright green with the nautical blue & white!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea! LOVE this color combo! I have a striped navy dress that is a bit too short without leggings & I'd love to try this. Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeletei have a dress like this but the color is red and skin tone what is the posible or best contrasting color that i can use in order to lengthen them?? thanku!!!
ReplyDeleteI just saw a dress at a thrift store that would be great with a little extra color and length at the bottom. Now I have to go back and get it!
ReplyDeleteThis is great idea that I know I will be using quite often....at least until it dawns on clothing designers that some of us prefer our skirts long enough to cover our behinds. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi just saw blog and loving it. What color do you think i can use to extend a monochrome dress that is peach and black in color.
ReplyDelete