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

[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.