Burda Style For people who sew

I purchased this dress to wear in a wedding:

http://www.avenue.com/clothing/Ruched-Surplice-Dress.aspx?PfId=201749&DeptId=21823&ProductTypeId=1&PurchaseType=G&pref=ps

The dress is about 13 inches too short and I want to add length in a unique way. I have 3 options in fabric and I only have about 3 days to get this completed. The dress is a stretch knit jersey fabric and it hangs very nicely so I don’t want to add too much weight to the bottom which might make it stretch out of shape. I have a black lace (not my favorite because it is too see through), a black lining type fabric that is very lightweight and has a sparkle all through it, and the last piece of fabric (which is my favorite but not sure if it will be too much….aka clash) is a satin that has a black and cream design on it that is designed to look like lace.

I am looking for suggestions on adding length in a unique way, other than just the plain color block hem.

Thanks in advance to all who answer :-)

Sep 14, 2010, 11.49 PM by sewmodestchic

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  Sep 15, 2010, 06.22 AMby josephina

  I can see how it would be a hard skirt to add to.

  Have you tried an underskirt? A wrap overskirt (sheer and/or partially open) that is similarly shaped? (I’m thinking of this: http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/70s-sundress-long-version?image=128952 but with the outside layer longer than the inside).

  Good luck!

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    Sep 15, 2010, 12.14 PMby sewmodestchic

    Thanks for the tip. I don’t think I can put anything on top of the dress, however, because it will affect the original design of the dress. For now I am going to go with a satin that has a black and cream lace design and I’m going to either make ruffles or a block hem. The fabric is interesting enough that now I don’t mind so much doing just a simple colorblock hem.

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  Sep 15, 2010, 12.13 PMby 20beverly08

  try making a ruffle from tulle in a contrast color and sew it on by hand or with a stretch knit loose stitch on your machine.
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  Sep 15, 2010, 04.31 PMby gone2beach

  I also thought about a slinky black fringe…it probably would have to be hand sewn on. That kind of fabic is not alll that forgiving to ‘add to’.