Date: 11/11/09 1:25 AM

I have a basic sewing machine, not a serger and I am an intermediate sewer but I have never tried sewing a formal dress. If it was a simple design, could I make a prom dress and have it turn out as if it were store bought? My daughter is reluctant to have me make hers. Or..... should I actually go out and buy one. I just can't see spending hundreds of dollars for one dress for one occaision.

Next page>>

Reply to dtks
Date: 11/11/09 2:41 AM

A serger is not necessary to make a prom dress. I made my DD's wedding dress on a 1958 Singer and really only used a straight stitch.
If you stick with a fairly simple design and fabric that isn't too difficult to work with I don't see why you couldn't make a dress that is nicer than store bought as long as you take care and pay attention to details while sewing it. There is a suggestion thread on how to make clothes look less "homemade". Custom made is much more expensive than store bought.
When is Prom? Are you talking about a winter Prom or Prom around the end of the school year? As this doesn't sound like a rush project unless you are very comfortable with a lot of work in a short time period.
A couple of ideas to help you make the decision. Get input from your DD as to the pattern/design and the fabric. Also I would suggest you make a muslin of the dress. This way your DD can see the dress before you are working with the actual fashion fabric. You could start with this before even buying the fashion fabric if she is very reluctant. You can work on any fitting problems or if she wants to make some changes, much easier to figure it out on the muslin. Also if you aren't sure how to do something, perfect to practice on the muslin. If she totally hates it, then you really haven't lost that much and probably gained some learning experience and a dress could still be bought.
Also a strapless dress made well is more involved than a sleeveless or one with straps or something to hold the dress up as a well made strapless dress should have a waist stay and boning. If you haven't done something like that and if you're not in a rush I'm sure you could learn how to do it too.
I'm sure if you want pattern suggestions or fabric suggestions, PR members will give you lots of good ideas. Or if your DD has favorites you could post them and get an idea if there would be any pitfalls with them.
I understand the frustration of spending fortunes on one time dresses. I hope it works out and becomes a fun project for both you and your DD.

------
Martha

Next page>>

Date: 11/11/09 11:14 AM

Fabric choice will make a difference too. For example, a slippery satin will be hard to work with and you may end up with nasty, puckering seams that scream "my mom made this!"

Using a suitable underlining and/or interfacing, and boning (if called for) will go a long way towards making the dress look RTW.

------
"My butt is just the price I have to pay for having such great tits."
-Kellyanne Russell (Project Runway Australia Season 2)

Next page>>

Reply to unfinishedprojects
Date: 11/11/09 11:30 AM

I sewed my own graduation dress on a 50's era Singer with nothing but a straight stitch. Wedding dress and DD's grad dress on a 70's era Singer. Ooooh - zig zag.

DD's wedding dress with serger (which, come to think of it, I probably didn't use on the finished dress - just the muslin) and nice new Janome basic machine. All turned out beautifully. I will say that the strapless one was the most challenging, but very doable. Counting the muslin fabric, getting the finished dress cleaned before the wedding, all the dress and lining fabric, it was probably $150 - $200.

------
http://bgballroom.wordpress.com to follow the progress on my next ballgown.

Next page>>

Date: 11/11/09 11:32 AM

You can absolutely make a beautiful dress without a serger! I don't use my ancient hand-me-down serger very often, but I love making Christmas and Easter dresses for my girls.

I actually prefer NOT to have serged seams showing inside very nice dresses. Nice finishing inside takes a dress from "homemade" to "couture". I like best when the dresses are fully lined. For seams that will be exposed (on the inside), I like either french seams, or some sort of bound seam treatment. My nine-year-old oohed and aahed when she saw the magenta bias tape on the facing and hem of the black corduroy jumper I recently made for her. No one else will see that part; it's a (very easy) special touch, just for her. Those kinds of things can help your daughter accept a hand made dress (or maybe even be excited about it?)

As was already mentioned, definitely make a muslin and win over your daughter first - I remember well how stubborn I was at that age!

Next page>>

Date: 11/11/09 11:37 AM

My mom made mine. They werent' perfect (and boy did we have a row over the height of the slit up the front of the column one!) but they were unique and that was what I was after.

Next page>>

Reply to dtks
Date: 11/11/09 12:46 PM

Quote: dtks

I just can't see spending hundreds of dollars for one dress for one occasion.

Well, remember that your time is valuable, too, and a project like this will take a considerable investment of time, energy, and labor.

I agree that it's ridiculous and TOTALLY UNNECESSARY to spend "hundreds." These dresses from Penney's are all running $39.99. That's probably a lot less than you'd spend making it. Longer dresses are in the $70 range.

That said, if your daughter is on board and enthusiastic, there's no reason this can't be a fantastic project!!

------
~Gem in the prairie

Next page>>

Reply to dtks
Date: 11/11/09 2:11 PM

I made all my niece's prom dresses without a serger - and before I joined PR!! After the first one she wouldn't even consider "store bought" except to take me to the store and tell me, "I want something like that." Especially because it was a small-ish town with limited shopping resources, she knew whe wasn't going to have a dress that 3 other girls also had. As an added plus, she had a dress that fit her perfectly and that she was comfortable in.

If you pick a good pattern, it really isn't that hard and I don't think I ever spent more than $40 for all the fabric and notions for any of the dresses (they were all full-length and some had full skirts).

------
Sewing is my therapy!

Next page>>

Date: 11/11/09 2:43 PM

I consider myself an intermediate sewer, and I made my niece's prom dress. I gave myself plenty of time, made a muslin first, and did several fittings throughout. I did use my serger, but only to do a decorative hem, and I'm sure I could have gotten by without it. The hardest part was dealing with my niece... she wanted some new element almost every week! It was worth it in the end because she had a completely original dress, whereas several other girls had dresses that were either the same or very similar.

If this is for prom, then you have plenty of time. What if you made a mock up for your daughter to see how she likes it... maybe a casual version of a formal dress that she could wear around now.

------
"Clothes may make the woman, but the woman can also make the clothes. When a dress runs away with the woman, it's a horror."
-Claire McCardell

Next page>>

Reply to stirwatersblue
Date: 11/11/09 2:50 PM

I do agree that there's no sense in spending hundreds on a prom dress! I also agree that you shouldn't invest your time into something you don't want to do or the recipient won't like. It is totally worth it to buy an inexpensive dress if you don't want to make one - no sense in killing yourself over $39.95.

I don't agree that you will spend a lot more than $40 sewing it yourself; at least not for the same quality fabrics. Sewing supplies go on sale, too!

Here's my breakdown for M5849, view A (to compare to the dresses at JcP):



pattern $1 - sale
muslin fabric $3 - 2 yd x $1.50; Walmart stuff
fashion fabric $11.25 - 1 7/8 yd x $6; JoAnn's or Hancock bridal party stuff on sale @ 40 - 50% off
lining $2 - 1/2 yd x $4; see above
interfacing $2
thread $3
zipper $3
boning $3

total: $28.25

You do have to consider your time, but if you are not skipping paid work to make it, it isn't costing you more. The way I see it, putting your time in doesn't make it cost more, it makes it WORTH more.

Next page>>