If you've already searched all the stores or just want something unique, you might want to design your own prom dress.
Deciding to Design Your Own Prom Dress
Designing your own prom dress can be a big job, so it's important to make sure this is the right decision for you. You may want to ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I know how to sew or have a family member, friend or local seamstress who will do the job affordably?
- Am I aware of the cost of materials?
- Is the dress I want difficult to create?
- Is there a similar dress that I can purchase ready-made more affordably?
- Will I be happy with the end result even if it isn't exactly what I envisioned?
If you answered yes to most of the questions above, then it may be time to design your own prom dress.
Steps to Your Own Design
There are several steps you'll need to follow to make your own prom dress.
The Design
The first step is to come up with an actual design for your dress. Spend some time browsing through fashion magazines for current styles. You can then use those styles to decide on the look or your dress or mix it up and go with a completely different trend to be really different and unique. If you are artistic, you may want to sketch out the dress on paper. Be sure to include not only the design for the front and the back of the dress, but also the sides. If you are not artistic, it might be better to start in the fabric store with a book of prom dress patterns. Even if you choose a pattern, you can make it uniquely yours with materials and embellishments. It is also unlikely that the majority of teens at the prom will have a hand-made dress, so a pre-made pattern will probably still be unique among your friends.
The Material
The type of material you choose can make a difference in the difficulty of sewing the finished piece. Some materials are naturally harder to work with than others. For example, silk can be very hard to sew and taffeta nearly impossible for a beginner. Be sure to consider the skill level of your seamstress or yourself when choosing the material. If necessary, take the seamstress to the material store with you. If you are hiring a seamstress from a local tailor, then you should consult with them on which materials they are used to working with and if there are any that create additional surcharges and how much.
The Color
Although it is tempting to choose a color that is unusual, remember that you will have to match shoes, jewelry ad purse to the dress. That peachy-pink that looks so attractive in the fabric store can become a nightmare when it comes to matching. However, if you really love the color, you can have shoes and purse dyed to match at high-end shoe retailers or you can always go with plain white or cream-colored accessories to match an unusual color. If you plan to have shoes and purse dyed, allow plenty of time and get a good size sample of the material to leave at the shoe store.
The Sizing
Be sure that you try the dress on and have any alterations done at least two to three weeks before the big night. The last thing you want on prom night is a dress that is so tight you can't breathe or so long that you keep tripping on the hem.
The Finished Product
All your hard work should result in an exclusive dress that will match your dreams and make you the belle of the ball on your big night. Be sure to take plenty of pictures, since you'll want to remember this dress for years to come.
