One of my favorite things to make? A party dress. Even better when that party celebrates the nuptials of good friends or family! But for all the hours I’ve put into sewing wedding guest dresses over the past few years, I have a pitiful amount of photo evidence to show for it. I’m usually too busy passing out programs or introducing myself to extended family or warming up with some Robyn or—you know—generally enjoying the company of others to bother with photos.

I did manage to document, however poorly, at least one photo of each of the wedding guest outfits I’ve sewn—some of which I’ve worn multiple times! And because I like rankings and lists, I decided to rank them based on three criteria:

1. Sewing Enjoyment. Was it a breeze, or did it nearly go in the garbage disposal?
2. Comfort. Was it secret pajamas, or secret sandpaper?
3. Confidence Level. Did it make me feel fierce, or fiercely boring?

Rankings go by a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. Please note that Confidence Level is double-weighted, because that’s clearly the most important measure.

#6 – By Hand London Georgia Dress | August 2017

1. Sewing Enjoyment: 6/10
2. Comfort: 6/10
3. Confidence Level: 16/20
   Grand Total: 28/40

This is probably the most professional-looking dress I’ve made, but fitting it was a doozy! I ended up having to take it in quite a bit on the side and back panel seams. Then there was the issue of the spandex-sateen fabric stretching out A LOT over the course of the day and night, so much so that my strapless bra made several appearances on the dance floor. I take full blame for lining the bodice pieces with power mesh—I’m assuming the lack of structure contributed to the droopiness.

I felt great in this dress for a few good hours, and will totally wear this again on an evening that doesn’t require me to be up and about or wildly dancing for upwards of eight hours.

#5 – Vogue 8904 | August 2014

1. Sewing Enjoyment: 6/10
2. Comfort: 8/10
3. Confidence Level: 15/20
   Grand Total: 29/40

This was one of my first forays into sewing slippery knits, and the fabric nearly killed me. But it’s a fun project to look back on to see how far my sewing skills have come, as evidenced by the same dress made a year later.

The dress held up pretty well for the whole night, but damn was it clingy and unfriendly to carb and booze bloat! That said, this was the first wedding guest dress I ever made, and it will always hold a special place in my heart.

#4  – Named Patterns Inari Dress | November 2017

1. Sewing Enjoyment: 8/10
2. Comfort: 8/10
3. Confidence Level: 14/20
   Grand Total: 30/40

I made this gold metallic shell for a New Year’s Eve party in Madison a couple years ago and figured it was a good option for a veering-into-holiday-season wedding. Because I’d already made a couple of Inari’s, construction was a piece of cake. I wore a RTW black knit slip underneath, and my main issues were 1. the slip is the same length as the front of the dress, which rode up at times, and 2. my stubborn bra straps are clearly visible. It’s not the dress’s fault that I forgot a strapless bra, but I have to ding confidence points nevertheless!

#3 – Named Patterns Delphi Dress | August and September 2016

1. Sewing Enjoyment: 8/10
2. Comfort: 9/10
3. Confidence Level: 14/20
   Grand Total: 31/40

I clearly liked my accessories, as I wore the exact same outfit for two weddings within a month of each other. The fabric is super stretchy and comfy, but it’s also pretty shiny—something that you might see in the activewear section. I had a few moments of paranoia that I looked like a figure skater sans skates.

The Delphi Dress is meant to be a maxi, but I effing hate maxi dresses! The length works OK here, but the proportions are just a little off. Nitpicking aside, I’ve worn this dress multiple times and really like it.

#2 – By Hand London Anna Dress | September 2016, August 2017

1. Sewing Enjoyment: 7/10
2. Comfort: 7/10
3. Confidence Level: 18/20
   Grand Total: 32/40

Anyone else think this Rifle Paper Company rayon is the perfect fabric? As you can see, a few yards found a home in my closet as an Anna Dress. The front facing flips out a little during wear, but that’s my only complaint. A+ twirling, dancing, sitting, talking, laughing, eating dress.

P.S. I actually blogged about this one if you care to read more!

And now for my favorite wedding guest outfit, based on very scientific evidence…

#1 – Sallie Jumpsuit | November 2017

1. Sewing Enjoyment: 6/10*
2. Comfort: 9/10
3. Confidence Level: 20/20
   Grand Total: 35/40

“Uhhhhm, do I look like I’m going to the disco?!” I asked Marc several times after making this jumpsuit. I even asked the bride if it was OK to wear a jumpsuit to her wedding, I was so freaked out it wasn’t appropriate. I’m glad to say those apprehensions went away the minute I put the whole look together: red pumps, beaded belt, delicate gold chain, Morris blazer (for the ceremony), and some sparkly purple eyeshadow.

I loved wearing this despite the many, many dumb mistakes I made (not the pattern’s fault)* during the sewing process. To name a few: I cut the legs out on the wrong grain OOPS, I initially sewed the bodice on backwards D’OH, and I forgot to cut extra length to accommodate my height and heels and had to add panels at the bottom UGH.

Mistakes aside, I love this jumpsuit. It was a blast to dance in all night, and I even managed to use the bathroom without dunking the back straps in the toilet. WIN! This grainy photo doesn’t do the fabric justice. It’s an emerald sparkle bomb. But… a classy one. I think?

That’s it for now, but I’m sure there are many more weddings in my future. Do you have any go-to party dress patterns?