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How to lengthen a dress if it is too short?

Did you like the dress, but is it a little short? Or did you buy it with a low heel, but now you want to wear it with stilettos? In both cases, the problem of lack of length can be overcome with a little effort. Let's figure out how to lengthen a dress.

Lace at the bottom of the dress

Sew lace to the hem of the dress

This is perhaps the simplest and at the same time quite effective way to add length to a dress, while at the same time making it more elegant. It is enough to sew lace to the hem - and a discreet outfit will turn into a flirty, slightly mysterious one. Lace will transform both a straight silhouette and a bell or flare.

When choosing finishing material, it is important to consider its compatibility with the fabric of the dress itself. The lace can be matching or contrasting, thin or denser. Its width depends on how much the product needs to be lengthened.

Sometimes, if you want to lengthen the model quite a bit, it is advisable to add the same lace to the cuffs, neckline or waistline. This way, the thin strip at the bottom won’t look alien.

A similar option for cases where a slight extension is required is decorative braid. It is also better to repeat it somewhere along the top.

Choose the texture of the lace in accordance with the texture of the main fabric. If it is not elastic, then the finish should not be either. Otherwise, the possibility of a defect in the work cannot be ruled out: it is not always possible to sew stretch lace without seating.

How to lengthen a straight dress?

How to lengthen a model in which the skirt is not widened at the bottom? There are many options:

  • insert (or several) on the skirt;
  • waist insert;
  • combination of inserts (on the skirt and at the waist);
  • lengthening the bodice;
  • raising the waistline;
  • fringe;
  • cap elements.

Inserts along the skirt prevent the product from looking “stuffed up”. They look more organic than a strip of the same fabric simply stitched to the hem. There can be one or several insertions (for example, decreasing in width). To insert, the skirt fabric will have to be cut crosswise in one or more places. Then, along the cut lines, the dress is connected with finishing strips. It’s quite easy to do this kind of modification yourself.

The inserts at the waist also look very organic, seeming like a finishing belt. But the entire dress can be lengthened.

You can completely change the original appearance of the dress by using a combination of two types of inserts at once: on the skirt and waist.

Waist inserts to lengthen the dress

The extension at the waist is similar to an insert. Only it is much wider in width than just a belt. Such finishing can be denser than the main fabric, or, conversely, thin and elegant. The extension area can be additionally trimmed with embroidery, braid, applique, or emphasized with a beautiful belt or belt, depending on the appearance and style of the product.

Lengthening the bodice allows you to “spread” the bodice with the skirt, ultimately adding length to the entire dress. It's like arranging a product, only not by width, but by length. In this case, part of the cut insert “pulls out” the bodice, and part – the hips. Such inserts made of lace fabrics look especially original and elegant.When cutting them, if the fabric is not elastic, darts should be formed in the waist area so that the model fits the figure without sagging in the waistband.

Do not use this technique to lengthen items with a very dense fabric texture: in this case, the chest darts will move higher, and ironing will not be possible to give the desired shape to the dress.

Raising the waistline is essentially also an insert that allows you to increase the length. Only structurally it is located somewhat differently: it starts at the waist and goes up, under the chest. This technique looks very impressive on straight-cut dresses (sheath, pencil).

Dresses with fringe

Fringe is a very original way to lengthen the skirt of a dress. At the same time, it is a finishing element that adds slimness and femininity to the silhouette. Fringe allows, on the one hand, to add length to the product, and on the other, to partially maintain it. When moving, the fringe spreads beautifully, revealing the legs; when stationary, it hides them.

Capes play a similar role: if necessary, if the item needs to be lengthened, they can be put on top, covering the knees (for example, in the case of stiletto heels). And if you want to return to the previous length, just remove the cape. The cape can be made either blind or with free front sections. In the second case, she will flirtatiously open her legs when walking.

How to lengthen a knitted dress?

Knitted fabric has its own characteristics, which significantly narrow the range of possibilities for lengthening. Firstly, the knitwear is quite thin, and secondly, it is elastic. Therefore, making several inserts or choosing dense, heavy materials for them is impractical.

What can you do if your knitwear is too short?

  • Loose models can be lengthened, for example, by using flounces made from lightweight fabrics.
  • For straight ones, lace or inserts at the waist are more suitable. It can even be thin leather, because it will additionally secure the product at the waist and play the role of a kind of corset.

Due to the elasticity of the knitwear, inserts can be made not only at the waist, but also at the chest line. After all, such a fabric creates the desired relief not so much due to darts, but due to its stretchy texture. For this purpose, the same elastic materials are preferred. Moreover, the degree of elasticity should be similar to knitwear, so that the updated dress looks natural, without distortions or tight areas.

All kinds of capes made of translucent fabrics also look very beautiful on knitted dresses - both in the form of skirts and airy cloak-robes.

How to lengthen a sundress?

It all depends on the model. For straight silhouettes, the same rules apply as for dresses. You can lengthen them using:

  • inserts;
  • lace or fabric along the hem;
  • bodice extensions.

If the model has a loose-fitting skirt, the bottom of the short sundress will be lengthened:

  • shuttlecocks;
  • ruffles;
  • frill.

In addition, a loose sundress model (as, in fact, dresses) can be lengthened, changed and transformed at the same time if you add an inner skirt to them. It can be made of chiffon, organza, embroidered fabric, lace or tulle. This skirt extends below the edge of the product to the desired length. If you sew it as a separate item, without sewing it to a sundress or dress from the inside out, then, again, it’s not difficult to return to the shortened version if necessary. It is enough to wear it without a skirt.

When lengthening your sundress, also pay attention to the composition and properties of the fabric from which it is made.Not everyone has the same options. For example, knitwear and denim require only light finishing if it is located at the bottom of the product. If such points are not taken into account when selecting finishing materials, the product may not be saved, but completely ruined.

A good solution for such cases would be to choose an identical fabric of a different shade. But this is not always possible. Therefore, it is useful to consult with a fabric store consultant on this matter. It would be a good idea to take the product with you to the store.

Cuffs and lace on dress sleeves

How to lengthen the sleeves on a dress?

If the sleeves require lengthening along with the product itself, you can use the same techniques that were chosen for the outfit itself: one or more inserts, lace, braid.

If only the sleeves are lengthened, then it is logical to repeat such finishing elements on the dress itself (make “false inserts” by stitching the trim on top).

But you can choose other solutions that can change the appearance of the model. In particular, the cuffs. There are many varieties of shapes and materials for them:

  • Classic cuffs (similar to men's shirts). They can be further trimmed, for example, with a pleated frill.
  • Ruffle cuffs (in one or several layers). Sometimes, in order for such a solution to look harmonious and proportional, it is necessary to cut off the sleeve a little more.
  • Flounced cuffs. The option is similar, but looks more classic and feminine.
  • Lace cuffs. Can be quite high. Suitable for light fabrics.
  • Bow-shaped tie cuffs.
  • Turned cuffs. Suitable for sporty and classic clothing styles.
  • Cuffs made of fur or knitted fabric with imitation fur. More suitable for autumn-winter wardrobe.

It's not just the cuffs that are fur.Instead, you can use inserts in the upper third of the sleeve. The main thing is that such a solution looks organic with the outfit as a whole.

There are many opportunities to add length to a product. The main thing here is not to spoil it by altering it. And for this it is important to harmoniously select both the finishing materials themselves and the method of using them in a particular model.

How do you feel about altering dresses yourself?

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