I have two daughters with very different tastes in formal attire. One girl likes glitz and colors and one likes black. Outfitting them for dances is a challenge, to say the least!
We have spent hours in malls trying on dresses until I am near a nervous breakdown. It’s music to my ears when my daughters finally ask, “Mom, do you think you could make what I want?”
We troop over to The Galleria, where we study pattern books and pick out a few possibilities. I like to begin a project with one idea, but I often tweak it. One time I made a formal dress for Holly by combining two different patterns.
We all know there’s nothing more humiliating for a teenage girl than showing up prom and spotting another girl—or several girls—wearing the identical dress. I know Holly’s dress was a success because, after the dance, the first words out of her mouth were, “There wasn’t one girl in the same dress.”
If you’re planning for a prom or special occasion, follow these five tips:
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with different fabrics and notions to make an outfit your own.
- When you head to Pacific Fabrics & Crafts, bring a list of all the items you will need for your project.
- Bring your pictures and patterns to hold up against fabrics and notions.
- Place the material around your face and see how it drapes. You can find lots of beautiful and rich looking fabrics without spending and arm and a leg.
- Ask the salesperson what she thinks of your ideas. Ask her for suggestions for how to customize your pattern to create an outfit no one else will be wearing.
Most importantly, have fun wearing your custom formalwear. Remember those precious words that you will hear: “No one else has this same outfit. It is mine…all mine.”
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For formalwear, check out The Galleria, located within Pacific Fabrics & Crafts Northgate store. They carry a beautiful selection of “After 5” and bridal fabrics, laces, and trimmings, perfect for occasions that require an elegant outfit.
The Galleria, Northgate Village
838 NE Northgate Way
Seattle, WA 98125
(206) 362-0111
