Can you sew? I'd appreciate your opinion :)

**bada** · 20-05-2011 15:00

I'm looking at having this dress made for me by a dress maker. Thing is most of the quotes I've had are way out of my price range, except for one that is wayyyy below the other quotes.

The dressmaker who has given me the quote was only able to show me a couple of things she sewed, seems she's got experience but only just starting up her little home business. So her doing it so cheaply could be good for both of us I guess, I get my dress made cheaply and she gets something to add to her portfolio? I guess...

I'd just like to hear from experienced sewers - do you think the dress in question is fairly easy? Would you trust someone who is "good" at sewing to make it? Or do you think it needs someone with more expertise?

Hope that made some sense lol
TIA

**MrsBeee** · 20-05-2011 21:06

It's kinda hard to tell from that small photo. Is it a full lace overlay, or just lace trim? I think it would be fairly easy if it's just lace trim, and a lot more work if it's a full overlay. Is the cheap seamstress cheap enough that if it turns out horribly, you could pay one of the other ladies to do it? Can you ask to choose the fabrics (as that's probably where most of the expense is going to be, there's so much variety with quality of fabric)?
I don't know, I've had work done that was really cheap, but looked great, I've had work done that was expensive but looked great. I think I've just been lucky though!

**bada** · 20-05-2011 22:14

Originally Posted by MrsBeee

It's kinda hard to tell from that small photo. Is it a full lace overlay, or just lace trim? I think it would be fairly easy if it's just lace trim, and a lot more work if it's a full overlay. Is the cheap seamstress cheap enough that if it turns out horribly, you could pay one of the other ladies to do it? Can you ask to choose the fabrics (as that's probably where most of the expense is going to be, there's so much variety with quality of fabric)?
I don't know, I've had work done that was really cheap, but looked great, I've had work done that was expensive but looked great. I think I've just been lucky though!

Yep full lace overlay. I've chosen the fabric - $95/m (expensive but much cheaper than the original $400/m stuff I fell in love with) I can not afford the other quotes. - $800+ just for labour, this other lady has quoted me around $200... I guess I really don't have any choice lol

eta i linked to a better photo in the OP, i hope

**MrsBeee** · 20-05-2011 22:19

well, I'd say if you can't afford to have the $800 dress maker do it, you don't have much choice but to go with the 200 one!

But seriously, if she is just starting out, then maybe it is just that she wants to drum up some business for herself so is doing you a bit of a favour. If you've seen some of her other work (in person if possible, rather than just photos) then that'll give you an indication of how good she is at sewing. Dresses are usually not that difficult unless there's boning or lots and lots of panels or pleats or asymmetrical bits etc. Good luck and I hope it works out - keep us updated

**SpecialPatrolGroup** · 20-05-2011 22:20

I think it would be quite straight forward - the hero of that dress is the lace, the under-dress is quite basic.

Can you ask her for a few more samples. I am inclined to say give her a go because my sister is just getting herself set up like the lady you saw.

ETA - I can sew a little bit so I'm partially qualified to respond

.

**chicken and eggs mum** · 20-05-2011 22:30

I have just started my own sewing business and offered reduced
Prices to start with so I could get some business and feedback and have somewhat of a reputation before is started charging more.

Hopefully she is legit.

Dress looks easy enough for someone who o's a competent sewer.

I agree, see more samples!!

**weirdali** · 21-05-2011 01:14

Im just starting to sew for myself and just wanted to say that dress is devine!!!

Sent from my iphone, excuse my mistakes, i have big thumbs.
Me 26 + DH 25 baby eric 13/08/2010

**bada** · 21-05-2011 01:49

Originally Posted by chicken and eggs mum

I have just started my own sewing business and offered reduced
Prices to start with so I could get some business and feedback and have somewhat of a reputation before is started charging more.

Hopefully she is legit.

Dress looks easy enough for someone who o's a competent sewer.

I agree, see more samples!!

How much would you charge for something like this when you started out?

Originally Posted by weirdali

Im just starting to sew for myself and just wanted to say that dress is devine!!!

Sent from my iphone, excuse my mistakes, i have big thumbs.
Me 26 + DH 25 baby eric 13/08/2010

Isn't it?!

I actually had my heart set on this to start with, but at $3k or so for a used one I knew I'd need an alternative. Similar lace was going to cost a couple of thousand alone though so I hunted cheaper lace and finally found some I liked and lo & behold on the shop page for the lace I find this photo of the dress I want made out of the lace I decided on!