sewing question

[xatalantax]

Could a good seamstress add length to a delicate tea-length chiffon dress to make it about a foot longer, in a way that would still look good?

Comments

[replicantgirl.livejournal.com]

Depends, what's the fabrication? I bet they could add another layer of fabric underneath the existing garment for a longer effect and have it look nice. It's really a matter of what you want the end result to look like. If you want flowy, then it would be really easy!

[replicantgirl.livejournal.com]

Oh, der, chiffon...you said that.

I think it could work. If you want, send me a photo of the dress on you or on a form (regan@angeldustrial.com) and I can speak to our seamstresses here and see what they think. They're really great at giving advice and they might even be able to do it for you. They're really experienced in working with delicate fabrics like chiffon (lingerie) and with vintage pieces. Alot of times we buy vintage and they cut it up to make a new garment to present to clients.

[gukacayuga.livejournal.com]

Oh, but can't you just hear the garment screaming when you cut it up?

[replicantgirl.livejournal.com]

Well, it saves us money because we don't have to spend thousands of dollars ordering yardage in prints none of our customers may like. This way they get an idea of what they want and we can make up a similar print that we KNOW they will buy.

Although, when boss lady asked them to cut up the 5K Valentino scarf, I screamed.

[gukacayuga.livejournal.com]

wow... I would have cried

[atalanta.livejournal.com]

thanks! I do want flowy - it's very Grecian, just not quite long enough.

[gukacayuga.livejournal.com]

chiffon and other sheer fabrics are tricky to work with. I made costumes for ballet, and found that adding below (makes the waistline strangely bulky) is just as bad as adding above (can we say tutu?). My solution would be to completely remove the outer sheath (if there is one) and just get some of the same (difficult if it's vintage) chiffon and make a new outer sheath. There are two other non-sewing options I can think of.. if there is no sewn in under layer, get a long, lacy slip or liner made from a silky or (my personal preferance) silky-type knit to wear underneath (the knits hang better and have more motion), or if it's short, grab some contrasting chiffon and "scarve it" over the top. Whatever you do, don't add on the bottom. You'll fry the meterial with puckers and gaps and it'll never look good again.