Local teen learns and saves by making her own prom dress

Rockford - Rockford High School senior Tara Young says one reason she wanted to make her own prom gown is to save money.

"They are expensive," Tara exclaims. "My homecoming dress was $400.00."

Tara takes Clothing Construction classes at Rockford High and had already made several garments, including a cowboy shirt for her boyfriend.

"I don't know if he likes the danglies," she says, pointing to the fringe across the chest.

But a shirt is one thing, a formal gown is an entirely different kind of challenge.

The first step is selecting a dress from the thousands of gowns in pattern books.

"This is what the dress originally started out as," she says, pointing to a Vogue drawing. "I really wanted to be flashy

Tara says she spent more than a month measuring, modifying, fitting and sewing.

And worrying about how she was going to look on prom night.

"I was nervous," she admits. "I wasn't sure it was going to turn our right and if I was actually going to like it. So, I was kind of scared."

But now that the purple and red rhinestone gown is finished, Tara says she couldn't be happier.

"It looks perfect," she says as she inspects her image in a full length mirror. "It looks like I sewed it on to me. I love it."

Tara not only has a custom made gown for the prom, her creation also earned her an "A" grade in her Clothing Construction class.

"Beautiful, absolutely beautiful," says Clothing Construction teacher Lori Larson. "It fits her well. She was very creative."

Tara spent about $100.00 on the fabric and put in over 30 hours of labor before she was satisfied with the finished product.

"If you went to the store I think it would easily sell for $300.00 to $400.00," she says.

"I'm really proud. I think my family is proud. I think Mrs. Larson is proud. It's my senior prom and it's a good feeling to know I made my dress and accomplished it."

Tara is now thinking about a career in fashion design.

She will attend Aquinas College in Grand Rapids on a track scholarship in the fall.

After earning her degree she hopes to attend the Fashion Institute of America in New York City.