If you have appliques/lace/embellishments at the bottom of your dress... can you hem from waist?

Have you asked any alterations places or where you got the dress? My dress has lace and appliques on it and when I ordered it the boutique said they could take care of it. I'm 5'1 and ordered the petite version which comes 4 inches shorter, but if I need to do more alterations to shorten it, it can be done where I got it from. It has lace and the lace has appliques/beading on it. I would check around and see! I won't see my dress until July.

I have the same problem. I bought my dress at a sample sale and it will definitely need a hem. I haven't taken it to a seamstress yet but I'm hoping she can take it in from the waist...otherwise, I'm gonna lose a lot of beautiful detail at the bottom.

In most cases the lace in the hem is something easily removed, hemmed then reapplied. They can also take it from the waist but will be a lot of work.

By the way, check out the petite length dresses at db, I am 5'1 or 2" and with some 14 cm high heels, I don't even need the hem to be done.

A good seamstress will be able to hem a dress without losing ANY of the details on the bottom.

I have the same issue. Mine is hand sewn lace and beading, and it needs to be hemmed. I was told that either they can un-stitch the lace at the bottom, hem it, then sew it back on. Or, (the easier route, and less expensive), they can shorten it from the waist. This would only be an option because I am adding a sash to the dress. They can pull the lace up, then put the sash over top to cover the seam.

The can sometimes take the length from the top but it's costly. It means taking the dress apart and then taking off length and putting the dress back together. Depending on how the dress is made it might make it very difficult to do. I have seen some who remove the appliques and put them back on the dress but it all depends on how the dress looks etc.

I had the same concern with my dress as the bottom is scalloped with lace detail. The seamstress is un-stitching (is that a word?) the lace, shortening the dress, then reapplying the original details. She said not to worry as they "do it all the time".

I paid $425 for alterations which is for the hem and having cups sewn in. Could it be done for cheaper somewhere else, most likely. Good luck!

Dresses with lace on the hems some times have a spot at the waist to lift and other they have to remove the lace. You would have to ask a seamstress about your dress.

I was under the impression that a lot of dresses were hemmed at the waist for that very reason. But I definitely think talking to your alterations person is the way to go, as she can give you the best option and tell you what she intends to do.

It all depends on the dress. The dress NotFroofy wore could not be shortened at the waist, because there was no seam there--it was one piece of material from top to bottom. However, it can be done with dresses that are constructed differently. Definitely ask an alterations person.

I have the same problem with my dress: http://www.jovani.com/evening-dresses/jovani-3677-110979

My dress can't be custom cut, so it's long enough for someone who's about 5'8" or 5'9" and wearing heels, instead of someone who's 5'5" and might wear flats. I asked what I was supposed to do, since it would HAVE to be shortened, and I was told that alterations might be more difficult, but they are certainly doable. In my cast, I'll lose some of the design at the waist, but it's okay.

I have the same issue! I just got my dress last Saturday! My wedding is in 4 weeks!! The seamstress started to work on the hemming but just told me tonight that due to the fact that the appliqués are glued on and not sewn on, it would not be possible for her to remove the appliqués, shorten, then reapply!!! What do I do now???

I have the same issue! I just got my dress last Saturday! My wedding is in 4 weeks!! The seamstress started to work on the hemming but just told me tonight that due to the fact that the appliqués are glued on and not sewn on, it would not be possible for her to remove the appliqués, shorten, then reapply!!! What do I do now???