How to Make a Pageant Dress

Competing in pageants can be a thrilling and rewarding experience for a young woman, but the dresses, entry fees and travel expenses can be quite costly. Expensive as they can be, you may have difficulty finding exactly the right pageant gown to suit your personality and style, as well. By making your own pageant dress, however, you can save a respectable amount of money while ensuring that you have exactly the dress that you want.

Things You'll Need

• Dress pattern Choice of fabric Thread to match fabric Notions as indicated by pattern Appliqués, sequins, beads and so forth Straight pins Scissors Sewing machine

Instructions

1. Choose your pattern. Most pattern manufacturers have online catalogs where you can browse for the exact style of dress that you prefer. The "Bridal/Evening Wear" section is your most likely location to find a suitable pageant dress pattern, but do not overlook "Casual Dresses" and "Costumes" as possible sources of inspiration.

2. Choose a fabric that will be appropriate to the type of pattern you bought and will have the glitzy and glamorous look befitting a pageant gown, such as satins, silks, brocades and lace-covered options. If your pattern calls for it, you may also need to purchase a lining fabric.

3. Buy thread and other notions to match your fabric. Notions might include zippers, hem tape, buttons and snaps. The dress pattern will list any notions you will need.

4. Choose decorative elements, such as appliqués, lace, sequins, silk flowers or beads, that either match or complement your dress.

5. Assemble the dress according to the pattern's directions, but do not add the decorative embellishments yet.

6. Try the basic dress on and make adjustments as necessary so that it will fit you perfectly.

7. Attach the decorative elements after you are satisfied with the fit and feel of the dress.

8. Try the fully completed dress on to make sure that your embellishments look the way you want them to appear when the dress is on your body.

References

• The Pageant Place

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Simplicity Patterns
• McCall's, Butterick & Vogue Patterns
• Denver Fabrics