This is so exciting! I love the RTW wool crepe suit I bought years ago, and noticed that other (lesser) wool crepe suits I tried on in later years didn't drape nearly as well. Make sure you locate quality virgin wool fabric, and be sure to crumple it to see how it recovers from wrinkling.

It seems like even trouser legs are starting to slim down a bit, and especially since you are so tiny, I hope she doesn't make them too wide for you but proportionately narrower.

That sounds like a great price Una. The last suit I had custom done was that price and it was twenty years ago...

I adore crepe (addicted to crepe could have been my nickname) but my vibe was quite feminine. No idea if it would make a difference in a UWP vibe but a lot of suiting is done in crepe.

I would definately visit some local fabric stores and pick up swatches and consult with your tailor though.

One question...

When I had my suit done the designer first made it from muslin. All fitting and style tweaks were done on the muslin. She then did it in the fabric with fittings if necessary there.

Will your lady be making a muslin?

Freckles' question is a good one. Even if she does make a muslin (I hope she does), she may have to make some fit changes in the final fabric, because different fabrics work up differently.

I will ask her. I didn't get that impression (re the muslin) but I will find out!

Your suit sounds WOW. Best of luck for the best outcome. Hope to see some WIWs soon.

Hi Una --

The progress is exciting. Considering that a 2-piece Theory suit run ~ 500 full-price I think 500 + fabric for a 3-piece custom sounds reasonable. Though that fabric cost does add up, alas!

[To spread out the damage, you could always ask for a quote on a 2-piece but buy enough fabric for the skirt/pants to be made up in the near future.]

Are you really stuck without fabric stores in the nearish vicinity? A lot of them will have coupon deals that can *really* help keep your costs down. [I do gravitate to those 20-40/yd materials and thus do love my 40% coupons, ha!]

If not, I have another online place I've seen recommended by quality-driven blogger-sewists for service and materials (in addition to the gorgeousfabrics mentioned above):

http://www.emmaonesock.com/

In terms of what to get, given your climate and the fact you want this to wear I'd look for a 10 ounce worsted/merino wool in the 80s-110s range.

The 120s and up are silky but not as durable and (personal opinion) even lined they feel flimsier to me. I like a nice hefty drape on my backside, ha!

[I do have a few tropical wools I love in the summer, though.]

***Oh -- and this will be hard but DON'T RUSH your fabric choice! Order or bring home swatches and/or wait for the right one to show up****

I have been so cranky trying to find the "right" silk print in the right colors for a dress for a month+ (looking at hundreds of bolts) and almost settled, then finally found one I love. You will be wearing your suit for a loooong time and it is worth debating colors, weights, and textures.

Good luck!