The
decision to have a bespoke dress for a special occasion is only the start of a
wonderfully exciting process. Once you’ve experienced it with Get Waisted, you
may never want to buy on the high street again!
Seeing
the design through from start to finish – from choosing the fabric to the
finished garment – is thrilling. You get exactly what you want and there are no
compromises in fit, colour or material, as you might experience on the high
street. Your dress will hang beautifully, highlighting what’s fabulous about
you and bringing out the beauty in your skin tone. Just what you need to be the
belle of the ball or the most beautiful bride.
Get
Waisted’s Toni Pickles will be there from the very beginning; guiding, helping
and advising, as well as making the dress itself. Inevitably, there’ll be lots
of laughs along the way as you choose the fabric, design and style. There’s no
haughtiness or exclusive prices you can experience with some of the couture
brands and boutiques, although naturally due to the individual nature of
dressmaking, we can’t match some high street prices – but that’s what you’re
buying: individuality, bespoke tailoring and the control of knowing you’re
getting exactly what you want and need.
All
our quotes include fabric but prices will change accordingly if the fabric,
shape or details are changed from the original design. Fabric prices may vary,
but the main cost of making any dress or gown is the time. Prices are quoted on
an individual basis after a consultation to choose style, fabric and
embellishment. All items are designed, cut, fitted, sewn and finished at our
boutique and atelier in Steyning, West Sussex.
Here’s how your dream dress becomes
reality
Book
a free consultation with Toni and when you decide to go
ahead, you’ll need to pay a deposit (normally 50%). This deposit is to show
commitment from both parties to the making of the design and is non-refundable.
It is used to purchase the fabric for the outfit and any work carried out up to
the first fitting. Sometimes there are unforeseen circumstances which mean you
need to cancel, and in this case any refund will be up to the discretion of Get
Waisted Designs. Paying the deposit secures your cloth.
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| Toni's design for a wedding gown |
We don’t believe in the ‘hard sell’. You’ll
have time to consider your next step. Your space will be held provisionally but
if there is a waiting list, then a time limit will be put on your provisional
booking but we’ll keep you posted throughout.
Although the design is generally agreed at
the original consultation and the quote based on this is agreed, it is possible
to change the design as nothing will be made in the real fabric until the
second fitting. The fabric is bought on booking to ensure availability so the
design can be altered but if it is a drastic change, there may be a cost
alteration so we’ll let you know this as quickly as we can. Sometimes you may
need a few consultations to reach the final design.
Get
ready early
Once the space has been booked, the time
for having your gown made is secured. Fittings for a wedding dress or elaborate
gown are generally started four to five
months before the wedding/event, unless you require it much earlier before
the wedding date.
Simpler dresses and day wear can be much
faster - but please don't come along the week before you need it! We do
everything we can to make sure you have your outfit ready for the event but
you’ll need to make sure you leave enough time so there’s no pressure, either
for us or for you.
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| One of Toni's creations on the catwalk |
With a day or cocktail dress, we’d be
looking for a lead-in period of six to
eight weeks ideally.
For a wedding gown, to achieve the best fit especially if you are trying to lose weight, the
first
fitting
for the gown is generally also started six
to eight weeks before the wedding, allowing the final fitting to be done one
to two weeks before the day.
If
you’re happy with your shape and don’t need to lose weight for the big day,
then there’s no reason your gown can’t be done as much in advance as you
require. You may live far away, you’re getting married abroad or you just like
to have things ready well in advance to set your mind at ease, it’s completely
up to you.
Weddings
are generally seasonal and peak times are between May and September so if
you’re getting married during these times, we recommend you book 12-18 months in advance. The winter
months are quieter so 6-12 months is
adequate time for a Christmas wedding.
How your dress is made
Once we know the fabric, design and style,
the next step is the toile. This is a mock-up of your gown made in cotton or another
appropriate fabric closest to your gown.
Fitted skirts are made in calico first, but
some bigger skirts can be made up in the real fabric to fitting state. This is
then fitted and any adjustments made. Depending on the style of the gown and
the adjustments made, there can be between three to five fittings. The average
is three but if you have a more complex design, it can be more. It’s definitely
important to get it right!
Unveiling your creation
This
is the most exciting time – when you step into the finished garment. Barring
the odd mishap with some emergency cream doughnuts or losing weight due to
pre-wedding jitters, you can marvel at the way your dress fits you perfectly,
safe in the knowledge it’s a one-off and you won’t ever see exactly the same
design anywhere else.
To
find out more about the dress design process or to book an initial consultation
with Toni, call us now.
Steyning boutique, 94 High Street,
Steyning, West Sussex BN44 3RD
Open 9.30am-5.30pm Tuesdays to
Saturdays, closed on Mondays
Tel: 01903 812992
Mobile:
07947 497342
