Procrastinating Seamstress, Help!

[Deleted User]

I could not find quite the right dress in any of the Bridal shops I visited, and I was beginning to think I would have to sew my own, when I saw a great shop online, fell in love with the dress, and gave her my measurements.

We talked back and forth through email several times in the same day, I placed the order and paid in full.

That was in March.

I spoke to her several, several times from March to June with no answer.  Finally, in June, she sent me some swatches, one of which was NOT the color we discussed.

I tried to tell her the color was wrong and another month went by.  I begged her to tell me what was going on.

Finally, today she got back to me and guess what?  She STILL has not gone to get the cream-colored cloth for my dress.  My wedding is in October.  I can't get accessories or anything until I have AT LEAST the swatch, but, at this point, I would settle for anything.  A picture...?  SOMETHING to let me know she is working on it.

Is it okay for me to freak out, now?  What do I do?

dizzinea

if I were you I'd cancel and get money back she hasn't spent money on fabric and I just wouldn't trust the lack of cummunication and obvious lack of interest.

[Deleted User]

@dizzinea She did spend money on at least the lace, though, which is what is probably keeping me with her, also I think it is too late to go fit another one now, isn't it?

twilight.rose

Have you considered looking for a local seamstress, who you could meet with in person?

Depending upon how complex your dress is, there might still be time to find a new dressmaker, if you look immediately.

dizzinea

can you find a local person? get a refund and have her send you the lace since you bought it? or depending on how much the lace is have her send it you and what remains of your money and try hitting the stores, because it's august and I wouldn't trust this person to do things on time. what if you need alterations once you finnally get the dress? even made to measure is rarely perfect

[Deleted User]

Well I won't need alterations... the dress is very adjustable (which is one of the reasons why I liked it so much; I can wear it again, like at Renn Faire).  I have a pattern on standby JUST in case and, if I begged nicely, my aunts could help me with it, but it's not the dress I wanted like this one is.

Does anyone know what date I should definitely have it by before I ask her for my money back?

cqbride

Never ever pay in full up front in a situation like this. A true professional will ask for a deposit, and then the rest when the dress is finished. Most will even ask for payment in thirds- a third to work out the pattern in your size and make a muslin to fit, a third to start the dress in the fabric you've chosen, and a third upon completion. The fact that she wanted payment in full before starting work is a red flag in itself.

[Deleted User]

But what can I do now?

cqbride

Have you voice your all of your concerns in a direct manner? Can you call her on the phone and talk it over? Threaten to report her to her local BBB? Is there anyone who she is accountable to that can intervene? It's time to be proactive and get some answers. If she is not moving forward, you have to try to get your money back and look into other options.