Welcome to Laura Alice Dressmaking!

The process of having a dress or other garment made with us is as follows.

Step 1: Meet in person to discuss your requirements, what you are looking to achieve, look through imagery you have perhaps collected, and draw some initial sketches together of your design. On this day, we can take your measurements, so be sure to wear something that you are comfortable to be measured in that is close fitting. This could be perhaps gym wear that fits to your body, so as not to add in any bulk to your measurements. This meeting is free of charge, with no obligation to go ahead with your project.

Step 2: Laura will email you a quote for the work based upon your requirements. If you agree the quote, you will pay a deposit at this stage. Once you have decided to go ahead, Laura will draw up your design properly from what has been discussed, with a front and back view of the design for you. This will be emailed to you for your to confirm or suggest amendments. Once everything is confirmed and given the go ahead, we will be ready to start making. You will let us know your thoughts on the fabric you are looking to use for your garment.

Step 3: Laura will now create your pattern and toile from your design. The toile is a garment either made in calico or a fabric that will be similar weight to your end product. The purpose of the toile is to ensure the fit is exactly as you require before moving onto the final fabric. This stage is essential to ensure everyone is happy at all stages and we won’t make your final garment without doing this stage. Laura will collect fabric samples relevant to your requirements.

Step 4: Come for your first toile fitting. This stage means coming to try on the toile that has been made for you. This process is important to ensure the fit is correct. Sometimes elements need adjusting, such as fit and movement in the garment. Now is your time to make changes to the length requirements, or fit preferences. If changes are minor, such as just taking up a length or taking a seam in or out a few cm, then a second toile won’t be required. However if the changes are significant, a second toile may need to be produced, and this fit process will need to be repeated to ensure everything is as you require. Laura will show you a selection of fabric samples that she has collected, and hopefully you will be able to finalize your chosen fabric for the garment. If there are still no samples you like, Laura will find you some alternatives for you to choose from and post them out to you to decide from.

Step 5: Once you have chosen your fabric, Laura will let you know fabric quantities that your garment will require, before confirming with you and ordering. You will be sent an invoice for the fabric costs, which will need to be paid for in full, before production will commence.

Step 6: Laura will make your garment in your chosen fabric. You will come for a fitting in your garment. On a lot of occasions your garment will be finished, and if so you will be able to pay in full the remaining balance of the work completed, and take away your finished garment today. On occasion, sometimes we will have wanted to leave the length unfinished for this fitting, perhaps subject to shoes you plan to wear with the outfit, so this and any other adjustments required can be finalized on this fitting, and you will have to return for a second fitting to collect the finished product once those changes have been made.

Step 7: Enjoy your garment !