How Can I Add Length To A Dress ?

[Artymum11]

I have bought a dress to wear to a wedding , i was going to do that trouser under dress thing but have decided against that. The dress is probably 4 inches shorter than I would like. I can let the hem down and get about an inch and a half extra length . Does anyone have any creative ideas for adding extra length. The dress is linen and I have some basic sewing skill & a sewing machine. Thanks

[rockyracoon]

How about a nice lace trim for the hem in a complimentary colour.

[murraymints]

Add an under bust contrasting band....and maybe hem....or trim sleeves and lengthen with a complimentary colour band...does that make sense ?

[coccinelle]

The dress i'm going to wear to a wedding this year comes to the knee but there's a voile over the skirt part which comes below the knee; it isn't straight but flared and looks really nice.
If that wouldn't work you could always add a kind of pleated hem so it looks part of the dress and maybe in a different colour.

[rockyracoon]

Is there a picture of the dress online arty?

[grasscarp]

I suppose you could find some contrasting material like if it is green linen, some complementary different material with some green in it so it looks like that is how it came, and cut it about 6 inches above the hem and add in your extra band.

[Artymum11]

http://www.marksandspencer.com/Classic-Collection-Linen-Blend-Striped/dp/B001BODO70?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_2&nodeId=43091030&sr=1-2&qid=1365366313&pf_rd_r=13RZ25TZSZP6CK3PW32Q&pf_rd_m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_i=0&pf_rd_p=321381407&pf_rd_s=center-3

I hope the link works , the dress is very plain as am I !

[Iluvspikey]

edge with guipure lace like this:

http://www.craftybitsandpieces.co.uk/black-venise-cathedral-lace-wide-p-2326.html

Or as Murray said in a contrasting colour linen

http://www.calicolaine.co.uk/Fabrics-Linen-Fabric-c1_641.html

I use both above companies and get great service

[gness]

For me...I would add a deep, cotton simple lace....not frilly or fancy to the bottom and then to the front opening....shallower...or the sleeves just to make it look as if it was meant and not an addition. Does that make sense?

[Artymum11]

Thank you all ! There are some great solutions for me and none of them seen too taxing. Adding trim to other edges to blend in is brilliant . I will drag the sewing machine out of the cupboard and set to work.

[tamborine]

insert another material by detaching & lowering hem, or use a strip off a scarf and wear scarf to complete outfit.

http://tinypic.com/r/2wriurq/6

[Brinjal]

If that is the actual dress I wouldn't fiddle with it. It isn't that short. You just need to wear stockings in a pale colour with a sheen and a nice closed shoe with a little bit of a heel and it will look fab. A scarf with a bit of color will draw the eyes up and away from the length