Obsessed Red Tiered Custom-made Evening Gown

Ah, that's good to know about different fabrics!

•So the dress in Pic 6 is organza but you feel chiffon will be best?

•Or will a chiffon bodice and organza skirt together look nice?

Also, I wanted the bodice to look like picture #3 along with the over the shoulder element of pictures #4 and #5 if possible.

•Since you're a designer do you think red or green will go better with my skin tone? Again, my skin is similar in color to Ms. Dauphine in pictures #6 and #8.

Just for reference my bust size is US 36 H. Will your dress bra cups be able to accommodate this size? This is very important to me because I would be so embarrassed if there is a wardrobe malfunction while I'm wearing it. 😅

Many thanks,

Andréa

I appreciate the Photoshop to give me a little bit of a flavor of what my gown could look like. That's super helpful, thanks!

Aw, you don't advise the ombre chiffon for the bodice?! 😭 May I ask why you're advising against this? I really had my heart set on that but if you feel it won't work well then I'll accept it. I'm perfectly fine with the organza skirt.

That red is such a gorgeous color! 😍 Will the red chiffon be the same tone as red organza?

L bra is the largest you have? Hm. So if that turns out to be too small once I have the dress what options do I have? Would it be feasible for a local tailor to take it out, or could I wear a bra of my own under the bra built into the dress?

I have read over the measurements guide and I'm looking to go to a tailor to get the most accurate measurements, just to be in the safe side. Things are starting to open up in England after the Covid-19 lockdown so it may be a week before I can get those, if that's okay. I have also ordered the sketching service so I can get a better feel of what this dress will look like.

Thank you for your efforts!

Stay safe and well,

Andréa

Tansy,

Okay, I understand about the ombre and thank you for the clarification; the single red color is fine. Now I'm wondering if I should stick with that particular bodice in photo 3, or if I should switch completely to the bodice in photo 5? I would still want the sweetheart shape because it would be the most flattering, I think, and since ombre is out perhaps the criss-cross of the bodice in photo 3 won't have the same effect I wanted. Your professional opinion on this would be very appreciated.

I'll be sure to provide the tailor with the measurement guide you've provided.

Thank you for your prompt and helpful responses! Thumbs up to the customer service. 👍🏾

Andréa

Tansy,

Okay, so you're saying:

• Organza skirt like in photo 6?
• Bodice like photo 6 except more traditional sweetheart neckline?
• Over the shoulder element will still be added?
• Chiffon bodice and organza skirt?
• High back like the dress in photo 4?

I still prefer the red color you sent over red orange, too. I would like for the whole dress to be that shade of red in the picture of the swatch you sent. Also, may you please Photoshop the bodice of the dress in photo 5 to the dress in photo 6 so I can get a better idea of how that would look? I think this will help aid me in a final decision for the bodice design.

Thank you so much!

Andréa

Hi Tansy,

This is the bodice I'll go with. All over red organza is also fine by me. Will making the neckline more of a sweetheart neckline look nice in your opinion?

Thanks!

Andréa

Tansy!

Yup, I ordered the sketching service to get a sense of what the dress will look like before you began creating it, just in case I wanted something changed. If it's okay I'd like to provide the measurements once I've received the sketch and given it complete approval.

Thanks for everything,

Andréa

Thanks, chat soon.

Andréa

Oh my gosh, it's BEAUTIFUL! Wow!

The seamstress who took my measurements suggested I have a corset back instead of a zip back. She said:

"I would suggest a boned bodice with corset back to support your bust. It also pulls your waist in nicely, and allows for a bit of expansion or contraction before the big day."

Would the change of the design of the back from zip closure to corset be possible?

Thanks!

Andréa

Hi Tansy,

Norma, the seamstress I mentioned in the previous message, suggested chiffon because she thinks it'll pleat nicer and flow more. I'm wondering what are the pros and cons between chiffon and organza, and why you chose organza over chiffon. I'm just curious because I'm a legit novice at all of this! It's overwhelming sometimes.

Thanks,

Andréa

I love this so much. The red is perfect and if organza is what is needed to achieve the effect of fullness then I'm fine with that.

• What material will the underskirt under the organza be made of? Is red satin doable?

The width of this band that connects the bodice with the skirt is the perfect width. This is the width I want.

I like the back of this dress with the corset and the over the shoulder element. If you have to stitch the over the shoulder piece inside of the back of the dress (just like this picture) instead of on the outside then that's fine. I prefer it that way since it looks better with the corset back.

By the way, I read in an article posted on Medium that you send mock dresses to make sure the measurements provided are accurate. The author had her wedding gown made with you guys and she wrote that the mock dress and her actual wedding gown were great. Could you explain the mock dress process to me, please?

Thanks and have a great weekend!

Andréa

Tansy,

Thank you so much for that information. So to be clear, this band around the bodice is dependant upon how wide my shoulders are?

And what about the underskirt under the organza? Red satin?

Thanks for your efforts!

Andréa

Sorry, one more question:

The $69 USD will be refunded once I've received the mock dress? Just double checking.

Thanks,

Andréa

Hi Tansy,

I understand that for sure and that's why I wanted to double check. I was confused by this:

How to order:

1. Fill in your measurements
2. Click here to order the sample service(this will be refunded after you receive your dress)

The second part confused me. Also, I've asked a couple of times about the underskirt of the organza since organza is kind of see through.... What will the underskirt be made of? And how long will it take to receive the mock up? This is very important because the amount of time it takes will dictate where I need to have it mailed.

Thanks a lot,

Andréa

Tansy,

Thank you for the clarification. I will request the mock up service and these are my measurements:

• Height (barefoot) - 160 cm
• Bust (fullest portion) - 127 cm
• Under Bust - 98 cm
• Back shoulder width - 44 cm
  
• Mid Shoulder to Bust Point - 32 cm
• Waist (smallest point of your waist) - 106 cm
• Hips (fullest portion of your butt) - 122 cm
• Hollow to floor (measure with barefoot) - 141 cm
• Shoe Height (how tall I am wearing shoes) 163 cm
• Armscye - 56 cm
• Belly (circumference of the middle area of Waist and Hip, it is a must-have measurement for the pregnancy and tummy fat) - 117 cm

I will place an order for the actual dress once everything is sorted with the mock up dress. Thank you.

Andréa

Thank you so much Tansy.

I see that the price you've set for my dress will expire in 13 days. Will it still expire even though I'm ordering a mock up dress, or is an extension applied?

Thanks!

Andréa

Tansy,

You rock! Thank you!

Tansy!

Hello! Just checking in about the mock-up dress. How's it coming along? I noticed there's a little delay from the projected finish date, so I'm seeing if everything is fine.

Thanks!

Andréa

Hi Tansy,

Any updates?

Thanks,

Andréa

Tansy,

Thank you for the update.

You've been great about answering questions and addressing concerns I have, and I really appreciate that. The communication has been pretty top-notch.

With that said, I have another question about my dress. Since we're doing a corset back now will the dress come with a clip in modesty panel?

Thanks,

Andréa

Tansy,

One more question:

I've been steadily losing weight (about .25kg a week average). If it's required, will it be easy to alter a dress with a corset back with boning?

Thanks,

Andréa

Tansy,

Thanks for that information. Will it come with a clip in modesty panel? And what about the mock up? You noted it was finished but the status still says in production.

Thanks for your efforts!

Andréa

Hi Tansy,

So the modesty panel is a cloth piece one would clip on the back of their dress under the corset closure part to ensure no skin is showing.

Something like this. I wasn't sure if all dresses with a corset back came with one so I thought I'd ask.

Thanks,

Andréa

Hi Tansy,

Thank you so much. You're super helpful.

Andréa

Hi Tansy,

I just received the mock-up and I'm impressed with how fast it came! Just two days! With that said, I have some concerns:

• The bodice has no structure at all. I guess expected the bodice to have some boning and the built-in bra in it so I could have a sense of what to expect (which would help the tailor I use here in case alterations are needed). I can't tell if the bodice would fit better with the boning or not since there isn't any.
• I thought the skirt would be more puffy than it is, like in the sketch.
• I also thought the back would be higher like we discussed.

I'll attach a picture to better illustrate my concerns:

Now I didn't expect the dress to be runway ready as you explained that scrap fabric is used to create the shape of the dress. I just thought there would be more structure than there was.

Thanks,

Andréa

Hi Tansy,

Thanks for the reply. I do remember you explaining how the mock-up is used from scrap fabric but I thought the bodice would have had more structure to provide a more accurate representation of the dress for my local tailor. At any rate, Norma was able to make do with it and when she is finished with the alterations I will let you know.

I will send this back to you with her markings on it. Is there anything I need to do or know before I send it to you? Also, where should I send this and do you have a preferred courier?

Thanks!

Andréa

I just realized you asked about my prom date? I don't have a prom to go to but as lockdown restrictions are being lifted, I have an event I will use this dress for (provided all goes well) on September 4th, 2021.

Thanks for all of your hard work!

Hi Tansy,

I'm attaching screenshots of the notes from my tailor. She said that she has included notes and a diagram on paper that better illustrates her alterations.

I'm picking up the mock-up/toile tomorrow morning (UK time). Are the screenshots okay? If not I have no problem sending the mock-up/toile with to you to ensure the best possible result for the final design.

Thanks,

Andréa

Hi Tansy,

I'm honestly not sure how I'd draw all of the adjustments from the tailor. It may be best to just send the mock-up back to you.

Let me know where I should send it, please? Thank you!

Andréa

I don't draw well and this is a rough idea of what my tailor discussed with me and sent in the email that I sent to you via screeshot. I hope it helps. If you need clarification in anything Norma put in the email I sent you screenshots of please let me know. If you think sending the mock-up would be more useful I'm totally fine with doing that. I would hate for things to go wrong because of miscommunication.

Thanks,

Andréa

I want the ruched waist band fabric to look like this with the corset. The V of the corset ideally would be wider than this. (Norma sent the measurements in the email)

I still want the ruched part to look like this in the front.

Hi Tansy,

This is the diagram Norma drew for the bodice. She typed out the measurements for it in the email you already have pictures of.

Thanks,

Andréa

Hi Tansy,

I will go over the list today. May you please extend when I have to pay for the dress again, please. Thank you for your hard work!

Andréa

Hi Tansy,

Here's my best attempt at clarifying your list:

1) yup, sounds good.

2)

The sash should cover more of the right breast, like in the sketch I ordered. I tried to draw it in pink, but the left side of the sash should be moved 3cm towards the Left Side As Worn (LSAW).

3)

The arrows show where the alterations are needed for number 3.

4)

These arrows show where the alterations need to be made for the corset back for number 4 illustration for your reference.

5) The ties are what's used to tie the corset.

6)

The band that connects the bodice and skirt is what Norma calls the ruched fabric.

7) thank you ❤

8) The waistline to hem length is 115 cm.

9)

The top organza skirt should be 7 cm shorter in the front, 11 cm shorter on the sides and 13 cm shorter in the back.

10) For the bottom organza skirt, the train needs to be eliminated. It just needs to touch the floor. I'm 163 cm tall with the shoes I plan to wear.

11) LSAW means Left Side As Worn.

12) Norma wasn't sure if the organza from Lunss would be the same as organza in England.

Hope this helps. Thanks for your hard work.

Andréa

I'm sorry the print is so small so I'll type below what she sent:

[Hi again,

Thanks for sending this on.

I am concerned that she is mis-understanding how much needs to be taken from top of the bust dart – 1.75cm from each side of each dart. When she sees the bodice markings, she will see that.

There is an arrow on my diagram showing which direction sash needs to be moved.

Pt 3 info on back waist was illustrated below pic of front bodice.

Pts 4 /6 should be illustrated by you sending the pic you texted to me with the v corset back and ruched waist detail going into it. (I'll post that picture below.)

To try to illustrate that panel behind lacing / ties is needed and must be attached at one side.

I have drawn on the lining then given measurements working from centre back around to centre front for both floaty layers to show how much is to be taken off, and put a pen mark.

They must allow you to return the toile for their full understanding!

Kind regards,

Norma]

So that's what the email said. I'm just getting really concerned there's a miscommunication happening here now and I don't want this to mess up the final dress.

Thank you,

Andréa

Hi Tansy,

I just saw that you asked if my measurements provided were correct. Yes they are.

Thanks,

Andréa

Hi Tansy!

So I'm currently WhatsApp messaging my tailor. I'll answer as she does.

2- The sash doesn't need to be made wider, that was my error. It all just needs to moved 3 cm to the left. She marked it on the toile so here's a picture of it:

3- The back of the skirt just needs to be 1cm higher.

5- Yes!

6- okay, thank you

8 & 10- yes, exactly. That measurement was with shoes, also.

I'm waiting on the confirmation for the other points you wanted to make sure we're on the same page on.

Yes! Same color as the rest of the dress, please.

I know that this has been a lot and I appreciate your patience as well. Thank you for your efforts.

Andréa

P.S. is it possible to get one more time extension on this customization? Once everything is sorted with the measurements I plan on paying.

Hi again Tansy,

I've heard from the tailor on the remaining points you've sent for verification and/or clarification:

4- yes, that's correct. Norma asked to make sure the panel for the corset V shape to be 5cm wider on each side than V, to be boned and attached at 1 side.

9- yes, that's correct about the first tier on the tip skirt of organza fabric.

11- yes, that's correct about the wrist loop.

Again, thank you for your hard work and patience. I really appreciate it. If there are any other clarifications or questions, don't hesitate to ask! If you have all you need to make the dress, let me know.

Thanks,

Andréa

Hi Tansy,

1-8. Yes to all of those

9. Yes but:

• The whole dress will be the red organza, not orange.
• Bust Point to top of waistband - 11cm
• 
• I like the width of this band. I PS it onto a photo of me wearing the mock-up for your check. Since you're the designer, I'll trust you on what width you think will be the best.

Thanks for the extension. Once everything is confirmed I'll will make the payment.

Thanks,

Andréa

Hi Tansy,

It seems like you and my tailor are both on the same page now:

Color #93 is fine, also.

Please confirm if you still need me to mail the mock-up?

Thanks,

Andréa

Hi Tansy,

I've opted to return the mock-up to be on the safe side. It does appear, though, that you and Norma are on the same page about the alterations.

Here's the tracking number info for the parcel. It will come via DPD.:

Thank you,

Andréa

Hi Tansy,

Sounds good. By the way, I've looked more at the swatches you sent for the organza and I wanted to know if swatch number 34 is a darker red? I like how it looks but I want your professional stylist opinion on if I should stick with #93 or go with #34?

Thanks,

Andréa

Hi Tansy,

I just thought it would look better with my skin tone. I'll go with #34 darker red.

Thanks,

Andréa

Hi Tansy,

I just saw that the mock-up has been delivered and I'm messaging to confirm.

Thanks,

Andréa

Hi Tansy,

That all looks correct. Thanks!

Andréa

Hi Tansy,

The dress is really pretty but I have one point of concern: is this dress the darker red we discussed?

Thanks,

Andréa