Tailor Fit

The art of forming a beautiful dress is one of a girls guilty pleasures. The idea of having a custom made piece fit just for your body, or re-creating that fabulous gown you saw in the store window, but could only afford in your dreams, is like foot candy to a fashionista.


But the master of constructing a dress is no playground for the uneducated. There is alot to think about when making a dress and here are some important things to know before you get started.


1) What kind of dress are you making and for what affair? Are you making a dress for a loved ones wedding? Is it for a Lady's lunch, or something that you just think you need in your closet?


If you are making an extravagant gown for a special occasion, then you will want your budget to be higher because the more beautiful the fabric, the more it will cost. If your desire is just to have a good everyday dress, then you don't have to spend too much to get a great frock.


2)What fabric are you looking for? Every dress requires its certain fabric. If you have ever walked into a fabric store you know the possibilities are endless. There are many different types of satins, silks, and even simple cottons. It is important to know what will work best for your your dress.


Cotton and linen fabrics are great for summer dresses, while fancier fabrics such as satin, silks, chiffon and taffeta will wow on an evening dress. The weight and movement of the fabric is also incredibly important to keep in mind. Will this dress require lots of moving? Such as a work dress? Then choose something breathable with a little give such as jersey cotton. An evening dress where you know you will want to do alot of dancing, can be made by satin or chiffon which can be more flowy. When choosing taffeta or raw silk, just know that when sitting, will quickly crease. Satins can also crease but linings usually prevent that from happening.


3)How much fabric will you be needing? One of the biggest mistakes made when buying fabric is purchasing too much. Fabric can be very expensive so you don't want to waste your money on extra fabric you wont be using in the future. Gowns usually require 4-5 yards of fabric but the best way to know is by visiting your tailor first and he or she will let you know the exact amount.

4)Color. The color of a dress has many elements in the choosing. First of all, what season is your dress for? Its not the greatest idea to choose a dark color for summer. And second of all, what color works best with your skin? Jewel tones such as emerald, ruby, navy and mustard look fabulous in the fall and winter, while pastels and brights are super fun for spring and summer. But if you are a true fashionista, you can figure out any shade for any season ;)


5)What is the cut of the dress going to be? For this, you should really have a good sense of your own body, and know what works best for you. Knowing where seams should hit are crucial to making you look tall and thin, so ask a friend who might know or search online for answers. You can also ask me. I love answering these kinds of questions!


6) And lastly, what should the price of the fabric be? Again the best way to know is to ask your tailor, or you can can take swatches from stores and compare prices.


These are only some of the things that entail making a dress. There is lots more to know. But knowing these basic yet important details can really pay off and save you lots of heartache after seeing a terribly unflattering dress that you paid lots of money to make. So take these tips with you the next time a to-die-for dress pops into your creative head, and be fabulous!