ok for all of you seamstresses out there. i have a smooth gown that still has the feathers on the bottom. my problem is if i take the feathers off, the dress will be way too short. i am having a hardt ime thinking of something to do to the botom of it to replace the length if i take off the feathers. the feathers are about 5 or 6 inches in width so i would need at least that much replaced.

any ideas?

Satin bands at the bottom of dresses have become popular. I don't know if it would look goofy if it were 5 or 6 inches wide, though. Still, it's something to consider. All you'd have to do is find some satin -- it doesn't even have to be stretchy -- that is the same color or a coordinating color with the dress.

laura, the dress has three layers at of material and is white. would that look funny with 5 or 6 inches of satin??

Are the layers opaque? Because if they are you might be able to cut off the lowest layer, thus saving you some work and also making the skirt slimmer, which is the style these days. If the layers are semi-sheer, like chiffon or some georgettes, then it's not a good idea to remove any layers and it might look a bit funny to bind off the edges with that much extra satin.

Another idea you might look into is replacing the skirt entirely with a new one that is the right length and doesn't have feathers.