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Any new ideas for adding length to RTW skirts/dresses?
gramma b Advanced USA Member since 7/25/08 Posts: 2271	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 7/22/12 10:35 AM On vacation I picked up a few above-knee clearance sundresses/skirts for next season. What do you add for 3-4" extra length? Mainly prints. And new ways of doing so? Ruffles are for the younger, tapes can be stiff, lace not casual enough, have used solid strips. I also lengthen my GD's skirts, but that can be done with contrast cottons and ruffles.
Nursebennett Advanced Beginner AL USA Member since 1/7/10 Posts: 147	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 7/22/12 11:31 AM I found several different variations on adding length to a skirt or dress when I googled it. If you just choose images there are many different styles. A solid panel added to appear as an underskirt seemed to be the nicest looking, to me, if you don't want lace. One blog showed a crocheted lace panel added to a skirt or dress that was very lovey and vintage looking. Good luck!
NhiHuynh   Advanced CA USA Member since 1/4/11 Posts: 593	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 7/22/12 12:47 PM Just throwing out some ideas as I haven't tried these out myself. - add fabric at the hem. Matching solid would look good. - cut off a couple inches at the bottom and add a band in between. Or multiple bands. Same idea as the first but could look more integrated instead of tacked on. - depending on the style you can try adding fabric at the waistband or right below. This drops the skirt down. I don't wear my shirts tucked so this area isn't as visible.
a7yrstitch   Intermediate TX USA Member since 4/1/08 Posts: 4390	Login to reply to this post In reply to NhiHuynh << 1 member likes this. Date: 7/22/12 12:59 PM NhiHuynh, I like your idea of banding the skirts. The first thought I had was that the new Spanish hem foot that I indulged in would be ideal for banding. Then, of course, I saw NhiHuyn's banding idea. And, you don't need a special foot for the look. Gramma b, I know that you will have brought together fabric edges and stitched them before. If you're feeling playful and insert bands of crochet work or eyelet, just line the upper bands for modesty. -- Edited on 7/22/12 1:00 PM -- ------ I have no idea what Apple thought I was saying so be a Peach and credit anything bizarre to auto correct.
gramma b Advanced USA Member since 7/25/08 Posts: 2271	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 7/22/12 1:55 PM Thanks, dimly did not think of inserting a band above a section of band saved for the hem area, would look more integrated. I have seen skirts with a soft under layer peeking out like a petticoat, which looks trendier than just a flat band added. When the top layer is then finished (in knits) with a scallop stitch or a tuck, it is more interesting too.
beauturbo Advanced CA USA Member since 5/2/09 Posts: 1446	Login to reply to this post In reply to gramma b << 1 member likes this. Date: 7/22/12 1:56 PM Well lots of prints mixing up going on now. If it was a florid tropical print, then I have seen those mixed up, a lot this year, even with leopard or reptile print for the contrast now. If I have to add extra fabric to something (and I will even do that to dress several sizes to small in width even sometimes, if I just happen to find it someplace, cheap and really, really love it) then after I add it to the functional place I need the extra fabric at, I usually stick a bit of the same extra fabric someplace else too, just to make it look like it was there from the get go, and more a planned style detail, and not just more an after thought since I needed to get some extra fabric into there someplace. So if it was flowered print and I stuck zebra or leopard fabric in to make it longer in length or whatever, then I might actually put a band or a binding around the sleeves or collar of the same, or stick some appliques of the same on it someplace else or do something like that, to sort of try to tie it all in.
Judy Kski   Intermediate FL USA Member since 10/26/08 Posts: 1018	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 7/22/12 2:50 PM If the sale items are cheap enough, by a second one to have for fabric to use in whatever way you choose to lengthen them. If you find one in a print and another in a border print, use the border print to lengthen a skirt, for instance. A woman in my ASG Neighborhood Group bought two skirts from Kohl's (NAYY) on clearance and created a really cute skirt that was a length that she could wear. ------ Judy
gramma b Advanced USA Member since 7/25/08 Posts: 2271	Login to reply to this post In reply to Judy Kski << 2 members like this. Date: 7/23/12 8:10 AM Love Kohl's sales too, especially when you get that magic 30% coupon in the mail + their shopping Bucks. I bought a $120 Electrolux quick vac that way for under $70. I also look at the jr. sections, where the summer shirred tops can actually be dresses for my little GD's. I have taken in and shortened a long dress for one, then used extra for a matching top for the 2-year old sister. Often the knits are fabrics we can not find in local stores and they have multiple trims. You just have to watch for those with thin 1-season quality. Another hint from Kohl's--there are always more men's clearance than women's. (The same 4-5 H's T-shirts keep coming thru my wash!) Their quality XL long-sleeve knit T's can be re-fashioned into tops for us at a lower cost than fabric, altho colors are limited. Men's name-brand golf shirts make shorts/pants/tops for my little GS.

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