https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-going-to-have-a-dress-made-should-i-bring-a-pic-or-a-pattern Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:30:20 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-going-to-have-a-dress-made-should-i-bring-a-pic-or-a-pattern#post-345034 Thu, 05 May 2011 23:24:44 +0000 Mochaccino 345034@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The seamstress in question just made a whole set of unusual dance costumes loosely based on photos of monsters from the movie Silent Hill, of all things, that were commissioned by my mother. So she's able to handle some strange requests and make complicated garments, however, she's not officially working as a seamstress right now, except as our costume designer. She's heavily tailored literally dozens of items for me before, so I have a lot of faith in her, but Im not sure how she'd handle a real formal dress. No way to know but to try, I guess. *Crosses fingers* </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-going-to-have-a-dress-made-should-i-bring-a-pic-or-a-pattern#post-345019 Thu, 05 May 2011 23:01:40 +0000 Sylvie 345019@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The more information you can give the dressmaker, the better a job she will be able to do.</p> <p>A pattern can help show construction details that you like and if you already own the sewing pattern bring it along. However, I would not purchase a pattern in order to show her what you want because it might not even be usable.</p> <p>If I were going to take a sewing commission, I'd want the person to bring clear photos of garments they liked, preferably ones which showed the details of construction. If they brought a pattern, that would be fine too. I would then ask the person questions about what specific elements they liked or disliked, especially if there were differnces between the garments. Sometimes there are multiple ways to construct a garment that all give you a similar finished look.</p> <p>I'd ask them what colors they liked and what fabrics they liked, again based on the photos that were shown. If I were an actual professional, I would be able to recommend different fabrics that would work for the design they liked and explain how the various choices might affect the final outcome (drape, etc). Ideally I'd even have swatches of fabrics for the person to touch and look at.</p> <p>Your seamstress should be able to have this sort of dialogue with you. Getting a dress made is just like targeted shopping. For your first information, all you need is to know when and wear you want to wear the dress and have some photos/drawings/etc of designs that you like. The final product may be very different from your initial vision, but it gives you a place to start!</p> <p>Good luck and be sure to post back after your first meeting with any progress updates. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-going-to-have-a-dress-made-should-i-bring-a-pic-or-a-pattern#post-345005 Thu, 05 May 2011 22:34:17 +0000 Queen Mum 345005@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>how specific of an idea do you already have? She is going to create the pattern would be my guess. The more pictures you can take, the better. I could see myself saying... I want the sleeves to look like this, but the bodice more fitted like this picture, and the skirt somewhere between this and this.....<br /> Unless you have one picture or pattern that shows exactly what you want. She is also going to know what styles will work best with the fabric you have chose. I'm guessing there will be alot of dialog between the two of you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-going-to-have-a-dress-made-should-i-bring-a-pic-or-a-pattern#post-344993 Thu, 05 May 2011 22:06:05 +0000 Mochaccino 344993@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Is a pattern better, worse, or equal to a picture, for getting my wants across? Would a pattern be a little too specific since it implies an exact method for producing the dress, rather than just giving her an idea what i want it to look like? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-going-to-have-a-dress-made-should-i-bring-a-pic-or-a-pattern#post-344988 Thu, 05 May 2011 22:00:07 +0000 Queen Mum 344988@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would take multiple pictures and any patterns that you have to show what you have in mind. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/im-going-to-have-a-dress-made-should-i-bring-a-pic-or-a-pattern#post-344987 Thu, 05 May 2011 21:59:07 +0000 Mochaccino 344987@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>...or just a detailed description and possibly a simple sketch? Im sure my seamstress has her preferences, but what will give me the best chance of getting what I expected? Has anyone had a lot of clothing made for them? Any expert sewers around here? </p>