How To Shorten A Dress Without Cutting It: A Complete Guide

By8ez9B7BGfV

Have you ever found the perfect dress only to realize it’s way too long? Instead of sadly sending it back or leaving it hanging in your closet, there are several clever ways to shorten a dress without cutting it.

Whether you need a temporary or permanent fix, this guide will walk you through various methods to easily adjust the length of any dress.

Reasons to Shorten a Dress Without Cutting

There are a few key reasons you may want to shorten a dress without cutting:

  • The dress has sentimental value or was expensive so you don’t want to risk ruining it.
  • It’s a rental, borrowed, or vintage garment that you can’t alter.
  • You want a temporary option to test out different lengths.
  • You want to maintain the original hem or stitching.
  • You don’t have sewing skills or access to a sewing machine.

Shortening a dress without cutting allows you to customize the fit and style without damaging the dress or creating permanent changes.

Materials Needed

Most of these dress shortening methods require minimal supplies you likely already have at home:

  • Safety pins – Useful for quick, reversible hemming.
  • Hem tape – Creates a fast hem that can be removed.
  • Fabric glue – For a semi-permanent hem option.
  • Belt or sash – Cinch at the waist to raise the skirt.
  • Scissors – Only needed if cutting a new hem.

How to Shorten a Dress Temporarily

If you just need a quick fix or want to test out different lengths, there are easy temporary ways to shorten a dress:

Use Hem Tape

Hem tape is a great option for temporary hemming. It’s a double-sided adhesive that fuses fabric layers together when ironed.

  • Fold up hem to desired length and iron to crease.
  • Open hem and place hem tape between layers.
  • Iron hem tape to fuse layers.

This creates a tidy temporary hem that can be removed anytime.

Secure with Safety Pins

Safety pins placed discretely inside the hem easily shorten a dress temporarily.

  • Fold excess fabric up inside dress.
  • Pin side seams first to hold up hem.
  • Add pins at front and back to secure.

Tie a Knot

For loose, flowy dresses, tying a knot shortens the hem in a stylish way.

  • Gather fabric at hem or waist into a tube.
  • Tie tube into a knot at desired length.

This can be undone instantly to return the dress to its original length.

Use a Belt

Belts are another way to quickly shorten some dress styles.

  • Cinch belt at natural waistline.
  • Gently pull dress fabric up over belt.

This works well for loose, maxi, or babydoll style dresses.

How to Permanently Shorten a Dress

For a lasting length change, you’ll need to sew a new hem. Here are some options:

Hand Sew a New Hem

Hand-sewing a new hem is a great permanent solution.

  • Mark desired length with chalk.
  • Fold over 1/4 inch and pin hem in place.
  • Sew a blind stitch to invisibly secure.

This takes time but creates a quality hem.

Use a Sewing Machine

A sewing machine makes quick work of hemming a dress.

  • Mark length with chalk and trim excess fabric.
  • Double fold hem and pin.
  • Sew 1/4 inch from inside hem edge.

Use a blind hem foot for an invisible look.

Apply Fabric Glue

Fabric glue bonds the hem in place for a permanent hold.

  • Fold and press hem to desired length.
  • Apply fabric glue inside hem.
  • Press hem down and hold for 24 hours.

This alternative is good for delicate fabrics.

Use Hem Tape

As described in the temporary section, hem tape can also create a permanent hem when used with a hot iron on the appropriate setting.

Tips for Specific Dress Styles

Certain dress designs require a bit of special handling when hemming:

  • Curved hem – First square off the edge by sewing rows of basting stitches.
  • Ruffled hem – Unpick stitching and reattach the ruffle after hemming.
  • High-low hem – Carefully measure and mark new hem points on front and back.
  • Attached lining – Shorten lining first so it’s 1/2 inch shorter than dress.

Taking extra steps for these dress styles helps the new hem lay smoothly.

Alternative Ways to Shorten a Dress

In addition to hemming, there are some other clever ways to shorten a dress:

  • Add a ruffle – Sewing a ruffle at the desired length hides extra fabric.
  • Take it in at the waist – Eliminate length from the waist instead of the hem.
  • Wear with heels – The height boosts your legline and makes the skirt appear shorter.
  • Tailor or seamstress – Professionals can expertly alter the fit and length.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make a short dress appropriate for formal wear?

Yes, a short dress can definitely still look formal and elegant depending on the fabric and embellishments used. The key is that it meets any dress code guidelines.

What’s the best hem tape to use?

Look for fusible hem tapes that are made for your dress fabric, such as stretch tape for knits. Woolly Nylon Hem Tape works on most fabrics. Test hem tapes first.

Should you shorten a dress from the top or bottom?

It’s usually easier to shorten from the existing hem but you can also take in fabric at the waist. This works best on loose, A-line dresses.

What if there’s a zipper when you’re shortening a dress?

Carefully remove stitches at the top of the zipper. Mark the new stopping point above your cut line and re-stitch the zipper.

Can you make a dress shorter without sewing or cutting it?

Yes! Use temporary methods like hem tape, knotting, belts, and safety pins to adjust the length without sewing.

Shorten Dresses to Perfect the Fit

I hope this guide gives you plenty of options to creatively shorten any dress to the ideal length and fit. With so many techniques, you can customize dresses to suit your style and body type. The next time you find a dream dress that’s too long, don’t send it back – simply refer to this article to effortlessly adjust the length. Your tailored dress will look like it was made just for you.

Similar Posts