It's graduation eve for Summerland senior Ashley Pischel. Instead of hanging out with classmates before they go their separate ways, Pischel sits in her sewing room, designing a dress to wear to the May 6 commencement activities.

Pischel visualizes the dress, sketching a few ideas for her one-of-a-kind designer attire.

Without the aid of a pattern, Pischel carefully cuts into a pink graduation gown originally worn by her mother, Maureen, in 1986, when she graduated from Spencer High School.

"I cut out shapes and hope for the best," Pischel said.

Once the pink satin-like gown is prepared for th...