Does anyone have any suggestions/recommendations for finding a seamstress in Louisville, Kentucky? My future sister in-law hired a seamstress (who was recommended by a family friend) to make a rennisance gown for my wedding in mid September. The seamstress has injured herself and now cannot make the gown.
My sister in-law has already purchased all the fabric, pattern (mcall’s costume pattern) and trims/notions. She would hate to adandon the project at this point. Is there a source to find local seamstresses anyone could recommend? Is it an unreasonable expectation to have a seamstress complete a dress by Sept. 15th? Any input would be VERY welcome! Weddings become so stressful! 🙂
Thanks!
Replies
I would contact Baer Fabrics in Louisville. They should have a list of available dressmakers.
Shannon
Thanks! I appreciate your help.
You could also visit the website of the Professional Association of Custom Clothiers (http://www.paccprofessionals.org) and see if they have a list of members by state.
Carol
You mi ght try to contact any historical reenactment groups in your area. The S.C.A.
is a group that does midevil reeracting and make their own costumes if they don't make thier own they know who can. I believe that there is a group on the campus of the uinversity there. Also check at any costumers in the area.
Thank you everyone for your suggestions! I appreciate the help! :)
She has a couple interviews set up with new seamstresses, I'm waiting to hear how it goes. (keep your fingers crossed!) As a last resort she'll buy a dress at one of the Rennisance festival for the wedding and have the gown she really wants made another time.
thanks again!
I hope things go smoothly for the wedding! If you would like an alternative last resort I would be happy to do the gown. My return to the sewing business has not taken off yet so I have time. It would be like mail order, I suppose, but some period costume sites do that.
Elisabeth
http://www.elisabethh.com
Hi Elisabeth! Your web site is beautiful, very nicely designed. (I'm a graphic designer) Thank you for your offer. My future sister-in law has hired a new seamstress to make her gown.
I think it may have been confusing the way I wrote it, but all the women attending our wedding are coming in period gowns which they are either making or having made. I am making my wedding gown. This is the first wedding gown I've ever made-it's been fun--stressful but fun. I'm almost done with it--I'm in the home stretch!
Thanks again!
Oh good, I'm glad you found someone local, makes things easier for you. A theme wedding with renaissance (or any period) gowns sounds like so much fun. What a magical scene it creates. My first real experience of that type was some years ago at a renaissance fair in Miami. It was held at the perfect older Venice style stone house on the water. It was my friend's idea to go and I had no clue how amazing it would be to be transported in time with all the dress and activities. Do you have an old style location for your wedding as well? I hope you post some pictures of the great event!
Thank you for the web site compliment. It helps ease my anxiety about starting up my sewing business again.
Yes, we are having an outdoor wedding at Ravenwood Castle, it's a little bed and breakfast in this wooded area (www.Ravenwoodcastle.com). My fiance and I have a tradition of going camping in the area every fall. It should be very fun! I'll post pictures after all the chaos settles!
Best wishes to you on your new sewing business. I'm sure you'll do great!
I'm glad ypur sister found a new seamstress. I didn't realize she was doing a period wedding. Enjoy! My husband and I were married in a midevil style wedding 17 years ago and friends and family are still talking about it. All of the gowns as well as the mens costumes were made by people in the wedding including the costumes for the flower girl and ring bearer. Back then this style of wedding wasn't anywhere as popular as it is now and patterns were hard to find. My husband even designed the garb he wanted and picked out the fabrics that I made it out of.
Best wishes to the happy couple,
Willie
Thanks! I love hearing other success stories.
My fiance and I are both artists and we both love how everyone has really embraced sewing and creativity. I haven't been to a wedding before where guests as well as the wedding party are excited about designing and creating their outfits. I was also excited to find new sewing buddies in family members and friends!
What a cool place for a wedding! I hope you'll have photos to show when it's all done.
Shannon
Wow.... Your wedding sounds fantastic!
I wish you and your (soon to be) hubby all the magic a wedding brings.
Thank you all so much--you all are so sweet! Only 15 days to go till the wedding.
All my sewing projects seem to run right up to the last minute--such a bad habit. I'm attaching the skirt to the bodice tonight! It's been so EXCITING, all the long work is coming together. I hope to have it finished by Monday.
For the first gown I've ever sewn and my first try at pattern drafting--it hasn't turned out so bad. It has been very educational. I'll be a tad sad when it's done--nothing like your own wedding dress to be a motivator to consciously set time aside to sew.
Of course tho--I will be thrilled to be done and wear my accomplishment! :)
Don't worry about anything sweetie!
You have tons of talent ...but most important...
you've got "Cahoonas" ......(ie..strength).
Most people would have freaked out ...if their seamstress got sick
a week or two before their wedding.
But not you...you continued with your design and are making your
beautiful dress a reality!
Thanks! I've posted my finished dress if you would like to see in the image section. :)
I love how helpful and supportive everyone is on this site, it's like having a sewing circle of good friends!
I just left you a message in the Photo gallery.
Your dress is the most original and the most beautiful dress I have ever seen!
Your hard work really paid off!!!!!
I'd contact your area colleges & university theatre department resident costume designers. Many of them will be well versed in making Shakespeare, Victorian, Elizabethan & Rennaisance costumes. Or they may be able to recommend someone to you.
Have you had any luck finding someone to make the wedding dress? rjf
If you have tried all options and still cannot find a seamstress you might call your nearest fabric store like JoAnns or Hancocks or what ever store is near and ask them if they can give you a contact. They are usually pretty up on who sews and how good they are by their customer contact and classes etc. Maybe a class teacher etc. Also a sewing machine dealer that offers classes has some teachers or customers that are seamstresses. I hope you find somebody for this project.
A friend found a seamstress by going into an upscale dress store who were willing to share her name. They use her for alterations.
Nancy
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