Comments on: Everything you need to know about having your wedding dress custom-made

By: bl8t@ntly offbeat

bl8t@ntly offbeat — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:14:26 +0000

Let me first say how I happened upon this string of posts.. I did a google search on "how much fabric is needed for a typical wedding dress".. 10 mins later, I am here. Anyway, reading this post was like reading my "how I made my unique wedding happen" diary The idea of finding a seamstress appealed to me from day 1. I am the offbeat bride whose #1 pet peeve is to look at something and think "oh that's in every wedding". I revere tradition in a ceremonial sense but nothing else about the wedding is going to be traditional. I found my seamstress bc I am in graduate school and one my seminars was held in the college of textiles, apparel management, in a room directly across from the "sewing labs". I walked out of the seminar and a light bulb went off. Fast forward 4 months, I have now met an awesome girl, been to her fashion shows, signed a contract, gone fabric-coddling with her, picked out everything from lining, fabric, trim, buttons, EVERYTHING. It has been the most fun I have had, not because I am hands-on but bc I get to be a part of the whole process. I cannot imagine it could have been nearly as satisfying as putting down upwards of $60k (which is what this celebrity dress cost)… or heck, even $3k!

By: Christen

Christen — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:00:18 +0000

I'm getting my dress from Dolly Couture. I really wanted a 1950's cocktail dress, but one that wasn't strapless ..,. which was an ass pain to find. They're fully customizing mine to get exactly the look I want, right down to the blue ribbon-trimmed petticoat and the satin buttons on the back. It's costing about $700, which is less than half of the original 'Dream Dress' I found … and I don't have to deal with a bridal salon or endless fittings. Thank god. The level of communication from them has been great and they've been more than willing to send me reduxes of sketches matching the specifications I've asked for, allowing my Libra brain to change my mind and make up my mind.

By: Cathy

Cathy — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:20:29 +0000

True, not all costumers are equal. However, if you find seamstresses working at a professional theatre–not summer stock, either–you will be in luck. I made more intricate, finer made garments in a theatre shop than anyone ever has required of me in fashion. All professional costumes are made to fit like custom. Ask for a draper or first hand, rather than a stitcher, to get a more experienced professional. Custom varies widely, be careful, but ask around. I think you can get a great dress for less than some off-the-racks, if the materials are reasonable. Especially when considering some salons charge $350 in alterations on top of the cost of the dress.

By: victoria

victoria — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:09:54 +0000

I am getting married in montreal but I currently live in Sinagpore. I am a Cdn size 8 and I was feeling really apprehensive about finding a gown in asia! But luck found me and I met a designer in a shop and a design that I had quite liked.He is going to custom his original design to suit my body type.He has been contracted out to a major bridal house in france for the last ten years and he has been a pleasure to work with.He has an amazing knowledge of bridal fashion and was really helpful in helping me understand what was good for my body(i am pretty curvy).He worked within my budget by giving me options that could reduce the cost (example less beading etc.)And I am going for the skeleton fitting Dec 27.I was feeling so aprehensive but now I am just excited that I will look just like I had hoped.I also managed to find a custom shoe shop (my feet are also a little wider than most asians).Just email me if you would like more info victoriamuramatsu@yahoo.ca.! Cole you are amazing!!

By: Caramia

Caramia — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:32:53 +0000

I got really, really lucky and found a schoolteacher/seamstress based out of London on Etsy named LizzieJayne. She made me a fabulous 50's style dress from ivory Italian duchess satin with a red sash. It is beautifully made, fully lined and fits perfectly, all for 1/3 the price what I would have paid in a bridal shop. I took a big risk, I was nervous, but everything in the traditional bridal shops about made me retch.

By: undefinedpoet

undefinedpoet — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:00:29 +0000

my mother wanted her dress custom made , so i had to do the leg work for it and i found a very old but fiesty woman who gave my mother a great price not an hourly wage. so for 250 my mother got a vintage reproduction wedding gown that fit her like a glove.

my advice search everywhere , internet ,locally , friends, just don't get sucked into an hourly seamstress . i was quoted upward of 1000 dollars for my moms wedding gown.

By: Katie

Katie — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:58:33 +0000

Etsy.com is probably a great place to find a seamstress. Many of the crafty folk on Etsy make the dresses to order anyway and a lot of the profiles I've looked at are open to changes to their existing styles.

By: LilacsLolita

LilacsLolita — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:10:55 +0000

I found the coolest seamstress/designer, Nicolette, from a bridal expo called "Unbridled Expo" It featured alternative wedding services for people looking for untradtional wedding vendors. (they even had roller derby girls modeling dresses! How awesome) Back to the point, Nicolette, from Fabrica in Philadelphia created the perfect rockabilly wedding dress for me. While it wasn't really cheap, it was on par with wedding dresses found in boutiques.

The best part is that I got to pick out everything on the dress! I can't wait to wear my wedding dress now! And I can probably wear it again because it's not super bridey.

By: H F Frankie

H F Frankie — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:04:52 +0000

Kathryn of Asphodel Couture made my purple wedding dress. I found her while looking round several dress designers' stalls at the goth weekend we have in whitby, UK twice a year. She does gorgeous work and I'm over the moon about the finished outfit. She is based in Blackpool, UK and you can find her on etsy and myspace. For the work and detail that she's put into it (bustled skirt with train, corset, little jacket and matching bag) it was all a very reasonable price i thought. I'm so happy and can't wait for the big day when i get to wear it

By: One “Secret” Source For Extra Income: Weddings » Graphic Design Schools & Colleges | Competitions & Contests

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:47:59 +0000

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