High Neck Flowy A-line Bridal Dress with Keyhole Back

Hi! I'm interested in a bridal dress that is high neck, similar to the first three images; a-line and flowy, shaped like the second two photos; and a keyhole back (second to last image) -- if keyhole back isn't doable with the high neck, i'd like to have a lace back with personality, like the two photos before that.

Hi, Tansey. This will be a wedding dress. I would prefer for the dress to be wearable without a belt, and preferably one-piece. The dress should be white.

I'd like to see this design sketched up. Is that possible? I'll provide measurements tomorrow. Thanks.

OK. Thanks. Give me a couple of days to think over a couple of things and I'll be in touch.

Hi, Tansy. I purchased the sketch. 

Hi, Tansy. A few questions:

- Could you let me know when I should be expecting the sketch?

After I send you measurements, if I choose to proceed with the gown, I'd be interested in getting a Toile of the gown made and sent to me to ensure its shape and fit. Can you let me know the cost of that?

- Could you let me know the timeline between requesting a Toile and when it should get to me?
- After I approve the Toile or request revisions, how long will it be until I receive photos of the gown?
- After I approve photos, can you let me know how long until it is shipped, and then delivered to me?

My wedding date has been moved up, so I'm wanting to ensure I have time to make the appropriate request and revisions that I can forsee.

Thanks!

Also just added measurements

Hi, Tansy. So, I've changed my mind a little bit about the a-line. I'd like to go back to the original fit/flare design of the original halter dress, but with a couple of tweaks. I've made some notes here:

The original gown: http://www.bhldn.com/bride/jensen-gown/productoptionids/fbcaeb8b-b90b-4e9a-9313-32da085940dd#fit-guide-tab

A few things:

From the nape of the neck (where the button is) to the hips (where the hip is) is about 13.5-14". See red line below.

I don't want the back keyhole as wide open as it currently is. it needs to be no more than 10" wide across the back. The dress is currently 13.5" at the widest point in the back. Perhaps it could either be taken to be less of a scoop down toward the hips/arms? See diagram below. Let me know what you'd advise.

Red = original seam
White = option 1
Blue = option 2
Green = no wider than 10"

In sum:

1) Same fit/flare with open/keyhole back, all lace and tulle as the original gown has. As close to original lace style as possible.
2) modified back width - narrower
3) Needs the boning and bra cups

What's the typical seam allowance on your gowns?

Do you need it from where the button would sit, or from across the width of shoulder to shoulder?

that is 14"

Thank you, Tansy!! Also, it charged me $10 for shipping. Can that be refunded or credited?

Tansy! Hi! Got the toile in and it fits *almost* perfectly. A few modifications and photos will be coming your way in the next few days! 

Hi, Tansey! I'm going to have a tailor here help me with dictating the changes; I'll send those changes along once I'm back in town and we will proceed with the order!! Thanks for being patient!

Hey, Tansy!!

Here's what my tailor said. Please let me know if anything doesn't make sense.

Photos are at the link here: let me know if you can't access them. I couldn't upload them at a decent enough resolution here. There are also 2 videos in the attached link in a separate folder to help show how it moves on me, if that helps.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5fob6q42cgbeg6g/AABr2niVt9VP8sCLBMw3LkAJa?dl=0

**Needs adjustments to the bust, thighs and hem, and a little in the back.**

See photos "key" and "key-back" for the colors below. Photos with -pinned in the filename are from the tailor.

- Bust adjustment to pull the top of the garment closer to the body (key.jpg -- purple line), princess seams that join the center front and side fronts: Take out 3/4"starting at the top of the seam, grade to 0" at the bust point or just below. Take the entire 3/4" from the center front (not the side fronts). Keep the lace above the bust the same width across the chest (key.jpg -- red line). I like how the lace across the chest sits. The bust is just too loose.

- Thighs (key.jpg -- yellow line): Let out the princess seams that join the center front and side fronts. Starting 12" from the top of the seam, let out a total of 3/4" on each seam, for 14" running along the seam (26" from the top of the seam).

- Add 4" to hem in the front and sides. The train has a good length.

- Make sure with the bust adjustments that the back is no further than the original width apart. If needed, let's add 1/4" to the each of the insides of the back keyhole to make it closer together (key-back.jpg, red arrow).

Also -- could you show me what lace options you're considering for the dress?

Thanks again, Tansy!! I appreciate your patience greatly.

Tansy -- l I believe what's noted below clarifies your question. See photo labeled bust-fit-pinned-q.jpg with better notations in the folder.

Tailor suggesting 3/4" needs to come out of the TOP of EACH SIDE of the panel she called center front, which i have marked with red square. The seams need to have .75 taken out from the top, darting town and angled into 0" at the bottom of the purple triangle -- as in, it fits the fullest part of the bust, but the circumference of the top is too large.

So, .75 taken out of each side of the center panel. for a total of 1.5". Nothing should be taken out of the panels marked with a black box

1, Bust adjustment to pull the top of the garment closer to the body.--So the bust area is loose, and need to be taken in.

Purple line - princess seams that join the center front and side fronts:Take out 3/4"starting at the top of the seam, grade to 0" at the bust point or just below. -- So take in 0.75 inches at the beginning of sweetheart neckline like Pic #3. If yes, each sides of sweetheart neckline will take in 0.375 inch.

Red line: Take the entire 3/4" from the center front (not the side fronts). Keep the lace above the bust the same width across the chest. -- Do you mean the width of sweetheart neckline will be shorten by 0.75 inch?

Keep the lace above sweetheart neckline the same width across my chest. Despite us taking in the neckline for fit, I like where the lace above the neckline falls on my upper chest (blue). (front-held-up-q.png in folder). The yellow is the bust point where it fits. The pink is where we're taking it in at. I like the width of the lace above that. Does that make sense?

2, Thighs

Yellow line: Let out the princess seams that join the center front and side fronts. Starting 12" from the top of the seam, let out a total of 3/4" on each seam, for 14" running along the seam (26" from the top of the seam). -- Do you mean black line is 12 inch long? I am sorry, I am not sure about the 12, 14 and 26.

Yes. From vertical seam at the top of the sweetheart down to where the first pin is is 12". From that pin to the second pin is 14" additional inches. Between the two pins is where the dress needs let out.

3, Make front of skirt 4 inch longer. Add 4 inch to hem in the front and sides. The train has a good length.

4, Key back: Make sure with the bust adjustments that the back is no further than the original width apart. If needed, let's add 1/4" to the each of the insides of the back keyhole to make it closer together.-- So we will make the bottom of keyhole slimmer 0.5 inch.

Let me know if you have any other questions!!

Tansy -- updated the conversation above with the clarification on #1.

To recap:

1. 3/4" needs to come out of EACH SIDE of the CENTER PANEL on the bust, and angle down to 0" removed at the bust point.

2. From vertical seam at the top of the sweetheart down to where the first pin is is 12". From that pin to the second pin is 14" additional inches. Between the two pins is where the dress needs let out about 3/4" on each of the seams.

3. Add 4" to front and side hems. Keep train length.

4. Make keyhole slimmer by 1/2" total.

Tansy — that is perfect. Thank you! 

Will the price of the sketch be refunded later or should that be taken off from the price of the dress now?

After you clarify that, i'll pay so we can proceed!

Done! Thank you.

Hi Tansy — i got the shipment information but i'm guessing that was sent early, and that I should be getting photos of the dress in the coming days?

What do I do if something needs fixed on the dress?

OK. Tansy. I understand your concerns with moving. I appreciate you explaining the situation. I'll be sure to be in touch once it comes in.

hi tansy. my gown came in and while overall it's largely as i had hoped, there is at least one major problem with the gown.

there seems to be some poor stitching on the interior structure of the gown that is making it lay like this, as if it is hung up on something. it is not a crease in the gown.

please tell me if this is something that can be fixed?! it looks horrible.

Tansy -- as communicated to customer service, I was able to get this issue resolved by my tailor, so all is well. I will be submitting a review in the next few days. Thank you again for all of your help on this dress. It looks wonderful.