Q&A for How to Shorten a Dress

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  • Question
    How do you shorten a dress with false folds?
    Alessio Iadicicco
    Apparel Manufacturing Specialist
    Alessio Iadicicco is an Apparel Manufacturing Specialist based in Dallas, Texas. He was the CEO and Co-Founder of MarkersValley, an online apparel and manufacturer sourcing platform that connects luxury fashion brands to a network of highly-vetted, truly Italian manufacturers. After 6 years building MarkersValley, he transitioned into a career as a SBA Lender, currently working as VP of the SBA Business Development Office at U.S. Bank. Through this role, he helps small business owners secure the SBA funding they need to thrive. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Economy and Management of Financial Enterprises from The University of Naples Federico II. MarkersValley has connected fashion brands in over 100 countries and has a network of over 100 independent Italian factories and artisans. MarkersValley has been featured in Forbes, EQ, St. Louis Business Journal, Il Mattino, and Corriere Della Sera.
    Apparel Manufacturing Specialist
    Expert Answer
    If your dress has false folds, iron them down before you start shortening the dress.
  • Question
    How can you cut a dress to make it shorter?
    Alessio Iadicicco
    Apparel Manufacturing Specialist
    Alessio Iadicicco is an Apparel Manufacturing Specialist based in Dallas, Texas. He was the CEO and Co-Founder of MarkersValley, an online apparel and manufacturer sourcing platform that connects luxury fashion brands to a network of highly-vetted, truly Italian manufacturers. After 6 years building MarkersValley, he transitioned into a career as a SBA Lender, currently working as VP of the SBA Business Development Office at U.S. Bank. Through this role, he helps small business owners secure the SBA funding they need to thrive. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Economy and Management of Financial Enterprises from The University of Naples Federico II. MarkersValley has connected fashion brands in over 100 countries and has a network of over 100 independent Italian factories and artisans. MarkersValley has been featured in Forbes, EQ, St. Louis Business Journal, Il Mattino, and Corriere Della Sera.
    Apparel Manufacturing Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Fold the dress in half length-wise and secure it with pins. Then, decide how many centimeters or inches you'd like to shorten your dress, leaving at least 3 cm (1.2 in) for the hem. Cut off your desired amount excess fabric and sew it with a straight, simple stitch that will hold the fabric in place. At this point, iron the new hem fold and sew everything back together.
  • Question
    When I let out the hem as my daughter gets taller, will the holes from the previous sewing be visible?
    Community Answer
    It depends on how far apart your stitches are and the size of the needle. The wider the stitches and thinner the needle, the better.
  • Question
    Can this work for pants, too? How about shirts or scarves? Mine go down to my knees.
    T. Chinsen
    Top Answerer
    The article directions can be applied to any garment that needs to be shortened. Consider purchasing a petite or teen-size garment that has the correct length fit for you. Use this as your template for shortening your other garments.
  • Question
    Is there an easier way that doesn't involve sewing? Could I use tape to fold the hem up?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can use fabric glue or hemming web. Hemming web is a strip of dryed glue that needs to be ironed on to work.
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