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Custom Clothing - Ballroom Dancewear Expert Alterations - Tailoring
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We Fit You - Your Figure, Your Style, Your Best!
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Custom Clothing |
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Custom clothing is an investment in yourself - in your image, your dreams, your career advancement. Which is why it’s important to work with a custom clothier that you can trust - to listen to you, deliver a flattering and professionally made garment that fits, and that is completed when you need it. Creation of a custom made garment can take from 6 to 60 hours, and requires far more skill than operating a sewing machine - including knowledge of fabric, design, pattern drafting and draping, fitting, engineering and construction, pressing, and embellishing. A good sense of style doesn’t hurt either! The rewards of custom clothing are many - Presents you in a one-of-a-kind garment at your special occasion, perhaps one you have long dreamed of Fits your body, whatever size/shape that might be Flatters your unique proportions Reflects your taste and personal style A creative, collaborative role in the design and fabric selection Enhances your positives, minimizes any negatives A striking appearance, even if you’re not a born beauty Confidence and comfort wearing your garment Turnaround time: ranges from 6-8 weeks to several months, depending on my workload, sourcing and availability of materials. It is best to start your project 3-4 months before you need it; allow at least 6 months for a wedding gown. Pricing: varies based on style complexity, fabric, fit challenges, and embellishment—lace, beading, sequins, rhinestones, etc. It’s a good idea to have a general budget in mind for your project; if your ‘wants’ are greater than your budget allows, I may be able to suggest alternatives that can still make your garment a reality. Construction techniques will vary from high-end couture to ready-to-wear methods, depending on your budget and preferences. Following are starting prices for custom garments: Wedding Gowns: Simple $1,000, Strapless $1,500 and up Prom/Bridesmaid: Simple $500, Strapless $800 and up Evening/Formal/Cocktail Dresses: Simple $500, Strapless $800 and up Casual dresses: $350 and up Tailored Jackets: $500 and up Pants/Trousers: $350 and up Skirts: $200 and up Blouses/Tops: $300 and up Ballroom Dance Latin Dresses: $1,000 and up Ballroom Dance Smooth/Std Gowns: $1,500 and up Selecting your Design: your garment can be designed from pictures, sketches, patterns, or any ideas you might have. Features from different garments may be combined, or may be replicated from a favorite garment in your current wardrobe. One of the challenges with custom is to visualize the 3-D garment I’ll be creating for you. To help in this I provide a sketch of all selected designs, and also recommend you do some shopping and try on ready-to-wear garments with similar features to get an idea if they are flattering on your figure. Selecting Fabric, Trim and Embellishments: I have swatches available in the studio for your consideration, as well as many on-line resources that can provide sample swatches. You may also purchase your materials locally, but bear in mind that I need to approve all final materials to ensure they will work successfully for your planned garment . Given the investment in your project, I do advise you purchase the best materials you can afford—high quality fabric is distinctive in its feel and drape. Your Time Commitment: You do need to be available for several appointments (usually 3-4) over the course of creating a custom garment. Following is the typical process: Initial phone consult - to briefly discuss your project, timing and budget to see if is viable. Free 45-minute studio consultation to fine tune the details and design of your project, and to review fabric options. Some clients can finalize all of their garment details in this session; others require additional time for design, fabric sourcing, etc., which is billable at my hourly rate. Once all details are finalized, I will sketch your garment on an approximation of your figure, and draw up a formal agreement and quote for your project. Work will begin when the agreement is signed and a 50% deposit has been received. At that time we will meet for an hour or less to take detailed measurements of your figure. You will need to have your final undergarments/support wear for this and all subsequent appointments. First fitting of muslin/sample garment - this muslin is created to test the fit, style and proportions of the custom garment on your figure. If the garment is very complex and/or hard to fit, we may need a couple of muslin fittings to get everything right. I will then use this muslin as your pattern. Fashion garment fittings: these are the fittings of the garment made up in the final garment fabric. Some tweaking will be required, as every fabric fits and hangs a bit differently. Final pickup appointment: one last try-on of the completed garment to make sure everything is to your and my satisfaction. Final payment is handled at this or earlier sessions, prior to the garment leaving the studio. Care instructions and a garment bag will accompany your completed garment! Ultimately, my objective is to please you with my services and help you look the best you can be! Please contact me to discuss your custom clothing wants and needs!
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Tip: Custom clothing results will only be as good as your underwear! Seriously, proper support undergarments will enhance every body - and especially under close-fitting special occasion dresses.
If you are an A cup or a youngish B cup, then bra cups alone (which I stock) may be all you need. However, for larger and/or more mature cup sizes, a good bra and other support wear are a must, both for support and lift.
Choose under-garments that are the closest match to your skin color, in the beige to brown tones. These will disappear beneath white and most any other colors - white undergarments will not! Link to Bra Fitting Guide. |
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For pattern and style ideas, check out: Simplicity & New Look Patterns
For fashion ideas/info:
For Fabrics: |
