Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Chrystal Allen on October 27, 2013 at 9:52am

Noting that I'm not a pro, and not on my game this morning, this is how I'd attack it.

The simplest way would be to find some wide velvet ribbon, and pin then sew it to the edge of the hem. That's how I'd do it. I'm all about the simplest way :)

I have some pretty blue satin 4" ribbon in my stash, I'm sure you could find 3"-4" (however many " you want, likely) black velvet ribbon online or in store. I'd sew two lengths of ribbon back to back, so it's like double sided velvet, rather than folding over the ribbon on itself like bias tape, since you're trying to add length.

Permalink Reply by Emmy Stone on October 27, 2013 at 12:55pm

Thanks Chrystal - do  you think that I would need to gather being that it's a circle/swing skirt? I have also had another thought, and in fact this may be a much more simple idea...(?) and that would be adding the lenght required above the skirt / at the waist instead. That way I wouldn't need to worry about the integrity of the circle. My thoughts are to add a 3 inch waistband in stretchy black velvet - so that it has the effect of a belted look.
I think I will test the effect of the ribbon at the bottom too - and will let you know the outcome. I'm 5,7" (tall-ish, but by no means a giant!) and I'm always frustrated by the number of very short skater/circle dress available and the complete lack of knee-length alternatives! If I can find a method of lengthening, it would definitely come in use for a number of projects.

Thanks for your help, 

Permalink Reply by Chrystal Allen on October 28, 2013 at 10:15am

You shouldn't need to gather the ribbon, just pinning it about 5/8" above the hem all around the bottom and it should look fine. Alternatively, the waist band would work as well. I read "dress" not "skirt" and of course, since I always go the easiest route, I'd go with adding length to the bottom hem. Let me know what you end up doing, and post a photo, just to ease my curiosity.

How's the knitting coming along?

Always happy to help,

C :)

Permalink Reply by Emmy Stone on October 28, 2013 at 12:58pm

Thanks again Chrystal :) I'll take a look at the dress at some point and see what might look easier - the skirt and top sections would probably be quite easy to unpick (its stretchy without a zip)and I do quite often wear belts with dresses - so I like the idea of adding a black velvet waist band (I'm obsessed with velvet - I must have been a goth in a past life!).

Thanks for the input on the ribbon; it does sound easier that I first thought (plus, it's not a full circle). I have this week off work, so hopefully i'll get around to at least starting, if not finishing the project. If I don't go down the route of adding the ribbon at the bottom on this occasion, I will certainly try that on another dress or skirt in the near future. I will post a photo too; even from my perspective it would be good to catalogue the alteration for future reference!

The knitting is going well thanks - I still haven't braved a pattern yet (I'm working on a couple of scarves for christmas presents) but I have the pattern you linked for me for those cat toys. I'm really looking forward to starting that project :)

Thanks again for the input and advice, you're a gem! :)

Permalink Reply by Emmy Stone on November 2, 2013 at 9:26am

Hi Chrystal! I received my fabrics today, so revisted the dress situation. I tried on the dress again this morning, and (as the first picture will show) I wasn't happy with the length - and more specifically, the length of the body. My hand is on the top of my hips/bottom of my waist, and as you can see, the 'body' piece falls a lot higher. As result, I decided to add the length as a panel at the middle piece.

In hindsight, the seam allowance was too mean (finished length added was 2.25, and I was hoping for 3 inches) and as you were getting at, I think adding the ribbon at the bottom would have kept the intergrity of the shape. The dress didn't gather as well as expected using the velvet, and I have to reduce the width of the skirt piece (so there's now less flare). As you can see in the 2nd picture, the waist doesn't fit as well as anticipated to my natural waist line, and looks a bit frumpy. Instead of chopping away at more fabric I decided to add 2 ties to tie the waist line in (these could have done being a bit longer too) - and I think I prefer the look of them being tied at the front rather the back. All in all, your idea of adding ribbon to the bottom would have been a lot easier, but then I think I still would have been unhappy with the length of the body.

I'm moderately happy with the result (I'd give me a 5/10) - the side seams don't match very well and it would have looked better if I had been more generous with the seam allowance to create a longer dress. However, still a good learning exercise, as I am still a novice!

Thanks again for your input, and I'm looking forward to trying out your option on another article!

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Permalink Reply by Emmy Stone on November 2, 2013 at 9:53am

OK!...

I received my fabrics today, so revisted the dress situation. I tried on the dress again this morning, and (as the first picture will show) I wasn't happy with the length - and more specifically, the length of the body. My hand is on the top of my hips/bottom of my waist, and as you can see, the 'body' piece falls a lot higher. As result, I decided to add the length as a panel at the middle piece.

In hindsight, the seam allowance was too mean (finished length added was 2.25, and I was hoping for 3 inches) and as you were getting at, I think adding the ribbon at the bottom would have kept the intergrity of the shape. The dress didn't gather as well as expected using the velvet, and I have to reduce the width of the skirt piece (so there's now less flare). As you can see in the 2nd picture, the waist doesn't fit as well as anticipated to my natural waist line, and looks a bit frumpy. Instead of chopping away at more fabric I decided to add 2 ties to tie the waist line in (these could have done being a bit longer too) - and I think I prefer the look of them being tied at the front rather the back. All in all, your idea of adding ribbon to the bottom would have been a lot easier, but then I think I still would have been unhappy with the length of the body.

I'm moderately happy with the result (I'd give me a 5/10) - the side seams don't match very well and it would have looked better if I had been more generous with the seam allowance to create a longer dress. However, still a good learning exercise, as I am still a novice!

Thanks again for your input, and I'm looking forward to trying out your option on another article!

Permalink Reply by Chrystal Allen on November 3, 2013 at 9:00am

Nice job, it looks great!!! I know all about being unhappy when seams aren't perfectly aligned, but if don't tell people it's not perfect, they'll likely never notice. I can definitely tell the bodice is short in the first photo, so I see why you added length from there.

Perhaps the "cure-all" would have been to add length at the bottom, and wrap a decorative strip of the ribbon around the waist to hide the short bodice seam. Either way, it looks great and 

I personally love when things don't turn out "perfect". Every attempt is a lesson and can only improve your skills, even if it's just knowing how NOT to do things next time *I have drawers full of  THOSE projects* :)