Sew special Teens design unique dresses for prom

Emily Reed knows when she steps into her sunshiny yellow silk taffeta dress for the prom Friday she'll be the only one there with that design. Reed, of Royal Oak, made the mid-length halter dress from a 1950s Vogue pattern."Everyone thinks it's really cool. They say, 'I wish I could make mine,'" said Reed, 17, a Royal Oak High School senior.Toby Haberman of Haberman Fabrics says she sees more teens today expressing their creativity by creating their own look.SEWING IS COOLHaberman said this spring she has sold "tons of stretch satin in vibrant colors" for prom dresses. Reed bought the pattern and material for her dress at the Royal Oak store, which sells fine fabrics."Years ago you wouldn't want anybody to know you made your dress," Haberman said. "Now it's 'look what I did.' It's very cool."She said that teens sometimes customize a dress they have bought with touches such as a "fabulous beaded trim.""They don't want to be totally different, but they want to express themselves."Reed would agree. Although she is the only one of her friends who has made her prom dress, at least one has altered an existing dress by adding straps, she said. "No one really wants to wear the same thing as anyone else so they try to do something different."STYLE FOR LESSThis year, another factor is driving the sewing trend - the down economy."You can save money if you make it yourself or your relative or friend makes it for you," Haberman said. "You can make a gorgeous prom dress for well under $100" if you sew it yourself.For Reed, cost was a consideration, although not the primary one. She enjoys sewing as does her mom, Crystal, who helped her with the gathers on the prom dress bodice.Reed said, however, many are "downsizing" this year when it comes to prom dresses. "They're just reusing a dress from a different occasion."Reed said teens she knows are spending less in other areas as well. She said it's because of both the high price of prom and the economy.Reed said the prom, however, being held May 23 at Gino's Surf in Harrison Township, will be "very special." She will attend with her boyfriend, senior Brian Hunsicker, 17.