It all starts with an idea…
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DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE PROCESS
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My (Rebecca Olds’s) intention is to design and produce a bespoke outfit in conjunction with your (the client’s) input. Here’s how the process works.
The first steps
1. A deposit of 20% of the estimated order value is payable to secure your place in my order book.
If you agree the final design, then this payment is applied towards the cost of the agreed work. If you cancel at any point up to cutting fabrics for your outfit (even if this is after you have signed off on the final design), then this deposit will be refunded.
2. A formal Consultation, in person, by video call or by email, takes place.
· This is a meeting at which we will get to know each other and talk about what you want.
· If we meet in person, then I will cut your personal shapes on your body in the period method. This will be the basis of a custom pattern to build your bespoke garments. Alternatively, for some types of garments, I will take your measurements as the basis to draft your pattern once you have agreed on the final design.*
· Whether cutting shapes or taking measurements, this needs to be done over the correct underwear that you intend to wear with the outfit you are ordering.
· We won’t necessarily come up with a final design by the end of our first meeting. It may take two meetings or a combination of in person, phone and/or video to be clear on what you want me to design and make for you and to lay the groundwork for drafting any patterns to ensure the perfect fit for you, whether this is through cutting shapes or taking measurements.
· A fee of £100 is payable to cover the consultation and design work. This is non-refundable but will be applied towards the total cost of the work, i.e. it is not a cost in addition to the cost of your commissioned garment, it is part of the overall quote. Consultation and design work are necessary steps in your project and costs of providing these need to be fully covered whether or not your project goes ahead past design stage. So - if you go ahead, this payment is part of the overall cost. if you do not go ahead, I retain this payment in respect of the consultation and design work I have already done for you.
3. Some tips on helping me design your outfit:
· Nail down what is most important to you. A particular time period? Colour? Silhouette? Fabric?
· Online research may help you to get inspired. Likewise, any good clear images of period art that you can find will be helpful in aiding me to understand what you want.
· If you’re at a loss, pictures of what you don’t want can sometimes be a good start!
· You must determine how much you are willing to spend. Budget restrictions go a long way in determining how complex an outfit we design and the fabrics and trims we will use.
· I will then help you refine your ideas into a detailed picture.
Finalising the design
4. I will “read back” to you what you’ve told me to make, either through notes or drawings or both.· If you have been unsure of what you want, I will create a series of custom options for you, through notes or drawings or both.
· Design alterations can still be made at this point. I will revise the detailed picture of your chosen design based upon your feedback.
5. When we have a final design and fabric choice, I will establish an exact quote for you.
6. When everything is acceptable, we will both sign a written Statement of Work for your outfit detailing exactly what I’ll be making and how much it’s going to cost. We will both also sign a Contract that includes all the agreed Terms and Conditions of your order.
7. A second instalment of 30% of the unpaid balance of this final quoted price will be due at the time of signing this Contract, in order to begin production. This will pay for materials.
Making your outfit
8. There will usually be at least two fittings done during the course of production.
· If we are working from shapes cut on your body, then that serves as the first fitting. If we are working from measurements to draft a custom pattern or adjust a pattern drawn by someone else (such as a commercial pattern), then the first fitting will use a practice fabric (‘mock-up’ or ‘toile’) perfect the fit of our pattern.
· The second fitting is normally near the end of production and is necessary to establish the final fit through the shoulders once the garment is essentially assembled so that we can see how it hangs or drapes. We will also finalise details like the hemming length.
· A third instalment of 25% of the final quoted price (so that 75% of the final price has been paid) will be due will be due at the second fitting.
9. Please note:
· The number of fittings and the time taken to complete the outfit will depend on the complexity of our design. As every garment is unique, the number of fittings will not necessarily be predictable in advance, but any extra fittings I need to do with you will be included in the price we’ve agreed.
· Unless expressly included in the Statement of Work, suitable undergarments such as shift, stays, skirt supports, etc. are NOT included. You will need to bring your own to any/all fittings as necessary and as will be notified to you in advance of your fitting appointments.
Completion and delivery
10. When your outfit is complete, we will both sign a final document certifying that the outfit has been handed over.
11. The final payment (the remaining 25% of the final quoted price, plus any extra expenses incurred, as agreed with you, during the course of production) will be due before or at the time of hand over – no exceptions.
* If we live a long way apart, you may want to send me a set of measurements. I am happy to “supervise” by video if your measurements are taken by someone else, but if you do provide measurements that I have not taken in person myself, I will need you to confirm them in writing.
I look forward to working with you!