<p>D is performing a concerto on Tuesday, and will wear the same gown to the prom at the end of the month. She’s a bit on the short side, so I need to hem her gown so she doesn’t trip walking out onto stage. She is wearing flat shoes – wants the security of a firm platform when performing! I just pinned the hem, but I’m afraid to cut and make a mistake. Should the gown skim the floor? Show some shoe? Puddle? It has an underskirt and a sheer overlay - I’m thinking of leaving the overlay a bit longer. She will probably need to hold her skirt up a bit with one hand when walking – it’s a tight fitting dress and narrow skirt.</p>
<p>Her shoes are sequinned mules the same color as the dress (blue), and she insists on wearing them. She wants me to attach a piece of elastic to go behind her heel, though, to keep from “flapping” when she walks. So I don’t want her shoes to do more than peek out. The material is slightly stretchy, and I’ll probably need to do a rolled hem, so once I cut, it’s permanent. I sew well, but this is scary.</p>
<p>I tried to Google hem lengths, but got nowhere. I know there are lots of people here with better fashion sense than me! Help, please.</p>
<p>Is she wearing the same shoes to prom as she is to the recital? I would have the finished dress at 0.5" above the floor. Then I would cut about 1.5" longer than that, and fold that 1.5" back. (I personally like to hand-hem nicer clothes, plus it gives me the option of fixing mistakes.) I don’t know what a rolled hem would look like on a stretchy fabric. It may cause a “ruffle.”
Also, keep the overlay at least 1" longer than the lining.
I just finished doing the same thing last night. Turned out great.</p>
<p>I think she’ll wear the same shoes - she is delighted that they match so well (she bought them on a whim in Germany) and they are really pretty. I figure once I hem the dress, she can’t switch to anything higher anyway.</p>
<p>The dress is only about 2 inches too long as it is – I might try a regular, hand sewn hem and see how it looks. The current (manufacturer’s) hem is rolled, which is why I thought I’d need to do the same.</p>
<p>The overlay will need a narrow hem, since it’s sheer. Thanks for the help!</p>
<p>I guess I did not read carefully. It is sheer AND stretchy. I guess the rolled hem will look fine then. It’s not easy to do a professional looking rolled hem. Plus, with a sheer fabric, the stitches show through and could look messy. Good luck! I am sure it will turn out well, and look great.</p>