by Vaughan Williams

Created on: December 02, 2008   Last Updated: December 10, 2008

Making your own prom dress can make you the most unique person at prom! You are sure to have a gown that no one else has ever seen, so you willl avoid showing up looking like someone else (maybe your biggest rival!).

Choosing a Pattern
You'll want to look your absolute best, of course. When picking a pattern for your prom gown, evaluate your figure: do you have a tiny waist, but equally tiny bosom? Accentuate that lovely slimness with a dress that has a sash, beading, a flower- something that will pull the eye away from your lack of bustitude, or keep an eye out for patterns that have pleating or a ruffle around the neckline, to disguise flatness.

Or perhaps you're a bit bottom-heavy- why not go for something with an Empire waist? That's when the waistline is just under the bust, skimming nicely to the floor over problem areas while drawing attention to your pleasing top and pretty face.

The Fabric
Once you have your pattern, it's time to buy the fabric! This is where it can get tricky- fabric can get expensive. If you're on a tight budget, you'll want to shop around at various stores and see what sort of deal is available. Once you decide on fabric, read the pattern very carefully to make sure you are getting enough. Always get at least one yard more than the pattern says, in case of a problem, and plenty of thread that matches the fabric.

Sewing It
Prom dresses, with their shaping and zippers, beading and lining, can be complicated to create. If you don't have at least moderate sewing ability, you'll need help from someone who does. You might want to make a mock-up of your gown first, out of cheap cotton cloth (you can get it for $1 or $2 a yard) that you can tweak and fuss with for a perfect fit. Iron all fabric before cutting it, and use new straight pins to pin seams together, because old pins with blunt points can snag delicate fabric.

Make sure you give yourself plenty of time, and don't panic! If something goes wrong, you can probably fix it with that extra yard you bought. Save money by getting shoes and a handbag you don't have to dye to match the dress, add a flirty little shawl for your shoulders, and you're ready for prom!

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