While sewing your own prom dress may seem like a daunting task, the process can actually be relatively simple and a lot of fun. By making your own prom dress, you will be creating a lasting memento that will always remind you of that special night. In addition, you can be reasonably assured that no other girl will have the same dress at the prom. If you have a do-it-yourself spirit or are just hoping to save a little money this prom season, take a chance this year and try sewing your own prom dress.
The best and clearest instructions will always come from your chosen dress pattern, but you can find some ideas in the paragraphs below to help get you started on creating your own fashionable and unique prom dress.
Selecting a Style
There are several different styles of dresses that will likely be present at your prom this year. Some dress styles move in and out with trends while other more classic styles will be seen every prom season with only minor modifications from year to year. When sewing your own prom dress, you will likely want to work with one of these three classic styles: the sheath, the A-line, or the ball gown.
A sheath gown is narrow and form fitting. It hugs the silhouette and is most flattering for tall, slender figures. An A-line gown has a fitted bodice that extends to a full skirt at the natural waistline and includes a seamless waist. The A-line cut is slenderizing and creates an illusion of height for more petite figures. A ball gown also consists of a fitted bodice with a full skirt extending from the natural waistline. The waist is generally seamed and the skirt is quite full. A ball gown may also be sewn as a two-piece dress. The ball gown is flattering for all types of figures and tends to conceal large hips and thighs.
Before choosing a pattern in one of these styles, you may want to try on a dress in each style to see which one works best with your individual figure and taste.
Selecting a Pattern
Pattern companies offer a variety of different special occasion dress patterns to choose from. However, you may want to browse through dress styles in several sections of the pattern catalog to find all of the promising models. When choosing your pattern, check to see if lining pieces are included with it. Lining makes a dress more comfortable and wrinkle-resistant and also speeds up the sewing process, as you do not have to finish the dress seams.
To determine the correct size for a pattern, carefully take your measurements at the hip, waist, and bust. It may be helpful to have a friend take the measurements for increased accuracy. It is very important to use these measurements when selecting the size, as ready-to-wear clothing sizes are quite different than pattern sizes.
Selecting Fabric
When selecting fabric, it is important to know the amount of fabric drape or body the dress style requires. Your chosen pattern will likely give you several ideas for appropriate fabrics, but you may want to keep the following tips in mind.
For sheath prom dresses that require a more fluid silhouette, soft fabrics like chiffon, silk, or georgette are most appropriate. For a more structured style with a fuller skirt, you will need to select a firmer fabric, such as satin or taffeta, to give your dress more body. If you are an inexperienced sewer or are making your first formal gown, you may want to use velvet or brocade fabric. These fabrics require fewer seams and are perfect for simple prom dress styles. If you like, you may use more than one fabric type in your dress to achieve the desired look.
You will also want to consider the durability and handling requirements of a fabric style before selecting it. Silk fabrics can water-spot and must be kept dry during the sewing process. Slippery fabrics like chiffon and georgette can be difficult to handle and will require very precise seams. Specialty fabrics like velvet, satin, and sequined materials often require a one-way layout for proper alignment. In general, satin and chiffon are the most popular choices for prom dresses, with acetate taffeta serving as the most popular lining fabric.
Sewing a Test Garment
Because formal gowns require a much more precise fit than casual clothing, you may want to sew a test garment in your desired style before creating the final product. This will allow you to perfect the fit of the garment and help you know the exact amount of necessary fabric yardage. Once you have created a well-fitted test garment, you may also use this dress as a more accurate pattern for the final product.
To sew a test garment, purchase a length of muslin or other inexpensive fabric that is similar in weight to your chosen dress fabric. For sheath prom dresses or dresses with a fitted skirt, you will need to create a test garment of the full dress. If you are sewing a prom dress with a loose, full skirt, you will likely only need to create a sample bodice.
When creating the garment, follow the instructions and measurements on your chosen pattern. To fit the test garment, wear the undergarments and shoes you plan to wear on the day of the prom to achieve the correct style and posture. If you are creating a strapless or off-the-shoulder dress, you may want to wear a tight leotard underneath to help you pin the garment.
Prom dresses are more fitted than casual wear, but be careful not to over-fit the test garment. You will want to allow a small amount of room for comfort in movement. You may also want to make the test garment slightly larger than the fit of the final product to allow for any slips or linings. If your test garment requires substantial alterations, you may want to sew a second test garment to be sure the alterations were successful. Once the test garment is complete, you may follow the pattern directions to begin creating your own, original prom dress.