iSave Money By Making Your Own Dress!

You've been to a thousand different dress shops and tried on as many gowns, but nothing seems to fit right. Or maybe – despite your best efforts – you just haven't found the dress that stands out and makes you sparkle. If the prom dress hunt isn't going well for you, consider making your own dress. Not only will you have an unparalleled level of control over the design, color and fabric of your dress, you'll probably also save a boat load of money over retail alternatives.

Getting Started

To sew your own prom dress, you'll need three things – a sewing machine, a pattern and fabric. If you don't have your own sewing machine, ask around – your friends or family members might have one they can loan to you. You can also check with your school's theater to see if the costume shop has a machine you can use to work on your gown.

You'll also need to select a dress pattern that will provide you with step-by-step instructions for constructing your gown. Most fabric stores, like JoAnns or Hancocks, have an area reserved for pattern books – the guides to the finished product each available patter will create. However, it can be difficult to choose a gown via pattern books alone. It's best to spend some time trying on actual dresses to get a feel for which styles are most flattering for your figure.

Once you've decided on a pattern, consult it to determine how much fabric you'll need and what types of fabric will work best for the gown. Usually, this information is displayed on the back of the pattern envelope and varies based on the size of the gown you're sewing. For example, you might see something that reads, "Size 10 – 3 yards – organza, taffeta, or brocade". Search through the store to find these fabrics, choose the one you like best, then take it to the cutting counter and request the amount of fabric you need.

Sewing Skills

After you've purchased all your dress-making materials, you'll cut out the pattern pieces, pin them to the fabric you've purchased and cut out copies of the pattern. Be sure to read the pattern instructions carefully to ensure that you have the pieces you'll need and that you're cutting them out correctly. Remember, measure twice and cut once!

When your fabric pieces are all cut, you'll simply follow the instructions listed on the pattern. If you get stuck or have trouble with a particular step, ask your mom or a friend with sewing experience. The process of sewing isn't all that difficult, but you may find some instructions confusing if you haven't sewn anything as complicated as a dress before. As a last resort, call a professional seamstress for advice if you get stuck while sewing your dress.

Accessorize

Once you've completed your dress, you may find yourself worrying that it's a little plain – especially if you've chosen a solid-colored fabric for the base of the gown. But don't worry – there are plenty of great options to add a little sparkle to your dress.

First, look for sheer trims embellished with sequins, beads or rhinestones. These trims are easy to add to the hem of your dress and, because the base of the trim is sheer, they'll add sparkle to your gown without the tackiness of heavy trim. Also keep an eye out for iron-on rhinestone appliqués. You may be able to find these appliqués in star shapes or other border patterns that add a professional touch to the edges of your gown.