Modest Temple Dresses

[imported_Iggy]

I am thinking of either sewing my own temple dress or having it sewn for me. I called the Distribution Center to ask for the particulars that I need to follow. It is closed - and I am just too impatient to wait until Monday. I have been looking at a few patterns - I found one that I like, but it has cap sleeves or 3/4 sleeves. I haven't settled on a pattern yet - I know there are lots of styles out there. I once made a 'nightgown' for my niece using a pioneer dress pattern with raglan sleeves. If I could find that in a Womans size 22 I would go with that! I want something that is cut really simple and plain.

The reason I want to have a dress made for me, is I can not stand to wear the 100% polyester fabrics. They are so hot and confining to me. I can wear them if the room temperature is below 70 - Haven't found a Temple yet where the temp is lower than 80! After 30 minutes I am near to fainting from the heat. Polyester does not let me breathe and it holds in my body heat and moisture. Blah!

So, I want a dress that is 100% cotton, or more cotton than anything else. I will hunt that down in due time.

My question is have any of you Sisters made your own dress? What are the particulars other than all white and no see through fabric or peek-a-boo necklines?

Are there restrictions on the sleeve length? I can tolerate 3/4 length- or even to the wrist, as long as it is loose.

Thanks - in advance
Iggy

[MorningStar]

I probably couldn't sew a dress to save my life, but I definitely identify with being hot in those dresses! My first time in the temple, I had just started the pill and I was miserable. It made me hot, nauseous, and I had a migraine for a month. When I'm pregnant, I prefer to do initiatory work or sealings so there's not as much moving around to make me hotter. A cotton dress would be awesome. I think the sleeves are supposed to be to the wrist, but I'm not positive. You could probably ask the temple matron about it. I always giggle to myself because when I'm boiling hot, there's still always some little old lady who asks for a shawl because she's so cold.

[Sheelah]

Funny, I was thinking last time I was at the Temple about making my own dress too for the same reason. The material of my dress is not hot weather friendly. I saw a worker in a dress I like that looked like it was made from a cotton material and I thought to myself that looks homemade, and then I saw a lady in my session with the same dress! haha Evidently they found it somewhere. But that got me thinking about making my own too. I'm not positive on the sleeves, but I don't think I've seen a dress with less than to the wrist for a sleeve so I would shoot for that at least.

[Pegtagatha]

You can't use an oldfashioned wedding dress?

[imported_Iggy]

You can't use an oldfashioned wedding dress?[/b]

Wedding dresses are way too fancy, and way too expensive.

[Pegtagatha]

Wedding dresses are way too fancy, and way too expensive.[/b]

I have and old long sleve one of my mothers, "can I wear that?'

[imported_Iggy]

I have and old long sleve one of my mothers, "can I wear that?'[/b]

When you are taking Temple Preperation classes, talk to your RS Pres about it. You may want to make arrangements with her so that she can see it. There are restrictions on what will be allowed as a Temple Dress.

[bunnzy]

I've only ever seen long sleve temple dresses. The neckline has to be high as well, and it has to be minimal embroidery, if any. A cotton dress sounds good. I wonder why they havent done any already? One time when kneeling doing sealings i almost passed out from the stifling heat!

[MorningStar]

I have and old long sleve one of my mothers, "can I wear that?'[/b]

Hi Peg!

You can wear a wedding dress for a temple wedding, but for regular endowment sessions, you wear a simple white dress. I thought maybe there was some confusion as to what kind of temple dresses were being referred to. When I got married, I found a beautiful wedding dress that was very modest with a detachable train with a bow on the back with a rose in the middle of it and faux buttons all the way up the back, lots of beading, and it had lots of pretty lace too.

As far as endowment dresses go, the ones you buy from the church clothing store are pretty, but all the ones I've seen are made of polyester and they just don't breathe well.

[Garden Girl]

There's a store in Provo not far from campus that sells temple and bridal dresses... I think the name is "Beautiful in White" or something similar... they have lots of cotton dresses. In fact I think they have only cotton dresses. Maybe you can Google them for a catalog...

Garden Girl

Edit to add: In fact, I think the BYU bookstore carries some of their dresses... maybe by contacting the bookstore you could find out the name of the store, or request a catalog.