Custom Made Dress

Re: Custom Made Dress

• manateehugger member

  

  May 2014

  I've had two friends do this. 

  
  

  First, it can be very very expensive, especially if you want something elaborate (most wedding gowns are elaborate in construction if nothing else). Materials are expensive too. 

  
  

  Second, you'd have to find a highly reputable seamstress with experience in design (which isn't the same as altering a gown). 

  

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• bekahjo1119 member

  

  May 2014

  I know several good seamstresses, having done a lot of theater in my life, so the construction isn't really a concern.  The issue isn't so much the expense - true, I don't want to spend thousands of dollars on my dress.  As a teacher,  I cannot afford it.  The fear is finding a dress that I really love in my size.  I'm a large woman and have been paranoid about finding something that makes me feel beautiful and comfortable. 
  
  Also, beading isn't really an issue.  I am not a big fan of beading.  Thanks for your thoughts, though!

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• OnceUponAVine member

  

  May 2014

  My sister had her wedding dress custom made and as long as you aren't looking for anything crazy elaborate it wasn't nearly as expensive as most people think it is. 2 biggest things are to find fabric at a high end fabric store (the one where she bought her lace sells only designer fabrics) and start looking for fabric early because its usually the hardest part to designing a dress.
  

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• hyechica81 member

  

  May 2014 edited May 2014

  where i live in Connecticut there is a bridal shop close by the owner and designer custom makes all her dresses she has the samples on hand of dresses she has made in the past and you can choose one of those for her to make or you can get a custom one done based on styles you like and such. her gowns start at 1,000 for something basic and go from there.  didnt get a dress from her but i have seen her at all the bridal fairs
  
  your better off going to a salon and trying on dresses you can get a designer dress for well under 1000
  
  morilee
  jasmine
  venus
  allure
  bonny all have affordable lines
  
  

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• CMGragain member

  

  May 2014 edited May 2014

  Have you tried shopping at bridal salons?  David's Bridal has many styles for plus size brides, and their catalog online gives you plenty to choose from.  Alfred Angelo also carries plus sizes.  If you have a gown custom made, you might get stuck with something that really isn't flattering.  Go try on some dresses!
  
  http://www.davidsbridal.com/Browse_Bridal-Gowns-Shop-By-Size-Plus-Sizes
  
  http://www.alfredangelo.com/Collections/Plus-Size-Bridal
  
  
  
  
  

  

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• HisGirlFriday13 member

  

  May 2014

  My dress was custom made. But it was custom made for my aunt in 1968.
  
  We had a very, very, VERY good seamstress who altered it ever so slightly (shortened the sleeves, removed the trompe l'oeil neckline, installed a zipper, created a French bustle.)
  
  I agree with PPs that to custom-make a dress in America today would be cost prohibitive.

  

  
  

  
  

  I'm gonna go with 'not my circus, not my monkeys.'

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• bekahjo1119 member

  

  May 2014

  I had been to salons and my budget was $2000, however I found a gown that had everything that I wanted for $600 yesterday.  It was really just a thought.  Thanks, guys!

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• monkeysip member

  

  May 2014

  Glad you found a dress you like, but for the record in case there's anyone else here interested in custom dresses.

  
  

  My dress was custom made.  I went to a bunch of stores and couldn't find anything I liked, so I used etsy.

  
  

  My etsy seamstress (TingBridal) is here in the USA, has a shop, and has really good references.  She made my dress (fairly complicated) for $900.

  
  

  The only alteration I needed was to add extra boning in the bodice because the dress underneath my lace top was strapless, and it wasn't holding up my boobs very well.  But it was a cheap alteration.  Otherwise, the alterations lady said it was a very well made dress.  She said usually the custom dresses she sees are a mess, but this one was great.  

  
  

  I was really happy with it!  I wouldn't have found anything in a store even close to making me happy for that price.  But definitely be careful because there are some really terrible seamstresses out there too!  

  
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