Please help a non-crafty person with a costume issue! :-0

[Lisa0825]

I am going to a Planned Parenthood fundraiser called Party Like a Rock star this weekend. I am going as Nancy Sinatra in a black sequin mini dress and boots. The problem is that I have not been able to find a black sequin mini that FITS! I ordered one online that almost works, but I am about 15 pounds too heavy for it. I will be wearing black hose and tall boots, and I think I can make this dress work because it is stretchy, but here is the problem... I have "junk in the trunk" syndrome, so the length in the back ends up a couple inches shorter than in the front... like "hot pants" short. So, what I was thinking of doing is buying some trim (I found some pictured on JoAnn's website - (they have some fringe and some feather trims that I think would work) that would give me another 2-4 inches of length so I would feel a bit more comfortable wearing the costume. I mean some folks go to this party in very revealing costumes, so I am not THAT worried. I just don't want to be flashing my botty too everyone while I shake it on the dance floor! :rofl:

Do you think that would work? I mean, I have hemmed pants and I even took in the waist on my own wedding dress by hand before, so I know I can stitch a straight line. Not knowing much about sewing and crafts, what I want to know before I attempt this is since the dress fabric is stretchy what should I do differently? Do I need to make sure the fringe I choose has elastic, or is leaving the fringe a bit loose good enough for a dree I'll be in for one night? Is there thread I can use that will stretch a bit? I will be hand stitching it.

Thanks for any input! :pals:

[Bjornsdotter]

1. It will work but

...you can't just sew the non-stretch trim to a stretch fabric and still expect it to stretch....it won't. The bottom of that dress will be one tight puppy, with no give at all. I'm betting that the fringe you've got is non-stretch. I haven't seen any fringe with elastic, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

Okay, you've got a couple of issues here....as far as the thread, wooly nylon has stretch and it would be strong enough to hold the trim, but it would be a pain to hand sew. You really could just use regular thread, depending on what technique you use.

In order to attach the non-stretch trim to the stretch fabric there are 2 things you must do...one is if you aren't using serger...use a zig-zag stitch or if you hand sew, use the tacking method. The other thing is that if your hear is set on fringe cut the fringe into lengths of 1". Place them on the bottom of the dress, leaving a small space between each piece in order to provide stretch to the bottom of the dress.

A couple of things that I would consider doing, because of the stretch issue....if you are able to go to Joann's buy 1/4 of a yard of black lycra. Zig zag or hand sew to the bottom of your dress, then cut the lycra vertically as far as you want to make a fringe. The dress will still have the stretch and you will have a bit more in length, and still have the fringe effect.

Second thing, if you are fair at altering and have a sewing machine, buy some glissenette at Joann's or black lycra, cut the dress horizontally just under your breasts, piece the glissenette or lycra in a 2-3 in strip and reattach the bottom of the dress. The dress will gain 2-3 inches in length.

Third, if you are good with beading, buy some black beads (medium size)and string them in single strands to attach to the bottom of the dress to form fringe. However this method would be the most time consuming.

Final fix....buy a pair of black exercise shorts and wear those under the dress...if people see those...who cares, no biggie.

I used to make skating costumes....I AM the queen of lycra...lol.

Lisa, seriously....if you'd like my phone number, I'll PM it to you and we could discuss your options on the phone.

Good luck!

[Lisa0825]

2. Thanks for all the tips!

I will probably be going by JoAnn's tonight to see what they have. I understand about the issue with the stretch dres vs non-stretch trim, so I was planning to sort of gather the trim as I stitched it so it would have room to spread out.

I don't think I am good enough to do the horizontal cut. I'm fine with seams and hems and such, but that's about it.

I saw a really cool 3 inch feathered trim online that would be really fun. I was also thinking that if I was going to add the trim, which would look different than the rest of the dress anyway, adding an extra row of sequinned fabric might not stand out as much as if I just added the fabric without the fringe. I saw a 2 inch black sequin trim online (hopefully it will be in the store too), so I was thinking I could add the fring to that, and then add the whole thing to the bottom of the dress.

I did find a back-up dress that would work with the costume, but not as well as if I can pull this off.

I have a "half leotard" deal I planned to wear under it, but I still didn't want to have it showing much!LOL

I am going to PM you. I might need your input when I see what they have in stock at the store!

Thanks! :-)

[Katherine Brengle]

4. Way better response than mine lol.

I didn't think about the stretch issue - those suggestions are excellent.

I like the idea of adding a strip under the bust if you can find an appropriate fabric.

[Katherine Brengle]

3. I don't see why it wouldn't work. Another option

would be to just wear black leggings underneath it.

I'm lazy so that's probably what I would do. $6.99 at Target lol.

[Lisa0825]

5. I would do that just for any day wear, but it would not fit the look

I am going for with the costume. In fact, the online catalog pic shows the dress worn with leggings! :-)

[Lisa0825]

6. I asked some shoppers at JoAnn's for input...

and I had brought the dress with me.

We decided that the way the fabric felt, it would probably not hold a crease if I took the hem out, and that would give me one extra inch. I picked out a black feather boa, and will attach it to the bottom of the fabric for about another 2 inches. Wish me luck! LOL

[Lisa0825]

7. It turned out really CUTE!

It's pretty fragile, though... I will be dropping feathers all night!LOL! I gently tacked the feather boa on, so that it would give a little when I put it on and take it off. Excuse the "rough" pics... not wearing the porper undergarments so I look rather lumpy! LOL! I can post a real pic from the party later :-)

[Bjornsdotter]

8. It looks wonderful!

.....and so much better than fringe!

I'm so glad you were able to get the help you needed and you did a fabulous job! So what if you molt all night...you are just leaving a trail for a special someone. ;)

BTW.....the dress looks great on you, you'll be knocking their eyes out.

:toast:

[Longhorn]

9. Really cool!

Thanks for sharing the final result with us! Be sure to let us know how the party goes -- that is, what you can remember. ;)