Landy Bridal

clearing_out_my_pockets

lindaatno9 wrote: »

You lot make me laugh lol. You kind of put your trust in a company but always have the back up plan. Positive thinking!!!

That's not it at all. I indended on buying the original Mori Lee dress and having an evening dress anyway but I had a very bad bridal shop experience. I love my evening dress as much as the Mori Lee dress but for different reasons.

My best friend trusted the same bridal shop who didn't tell her that the alterations for her dress would cost as much as the dress over again. If I'd not been a little bit clued up when I went for a trying on session (to buy the original dress, might I add) I would have believed the sales assistant when she told me I could have the size 26 sample dress altered to fit me. I'm a size 12. For me, the in store bridal experience ended with me stood in my underwear in the middle of the shop floor :mad:

Littlemadam83

lindaatno9 wrote: »

Hmmmm, not very MSE. And you don't have to spend an extortionate amount. You just gotta know where to look!

Ok here is a question, I have been pondering it. Would a dress maker be able to copy a dress? What would the satin be like? Would you be able to get a thick luxurious satin and also would the bodice be able to be recreated like the corsets they have in the shops?

If this is the case and maybe the place to look? Let me know!!!

xxx

lindaatno9

Littlemadam83 wrote: »

Ok here is a question, I have been pondering it. Would a dress maker be able to copy a dress? What would the satin be like? Would you be able to get a thick luxurious satin and also would the bodice be able to be recreated like the corsets they have in the shops?

If this is the case and maybe the place to look? Let me know!!!

xxx

You will find that many english dressmakers won't copy. It's against the law and we don't have access to the original patterns. Saying that, many chinese companies also don't have access to the designers original patterns and fabrics so in theory, you don't get a copy from them either.

I can only tell you what I do. I provide the best fabrics (duchess satin in your case) I can get. I never compromise on quality because this reflects in me. I have a reputation to uphold. If I provide a crap garment, I am too small a company (uk based only) to afford bad publicity.

Depending on your budget you can have one of two options regarding boning/corsetry. You can have 5 layers of fabric in your bodice with quality boning (the bodice has hanger appeal and retains it's shape) or you can opt for the inner corset (like they have in the shops)which has hook and eye inner fastening allowing your zipper to glide over the top with no strain. (the corset takes the strain and gives the fitted look)



This image shows a posh frock I've just made for my daughter but shows the hook and eye fastening that "takes the strain and pulls you in" allowing the zip to do up with no effort or strain.

One thing I cannot do and will not do is compete with offshore prices. If you want a quality product you got to pay a bit more for it. To make a wedding dress with the above corset work takes a while and just isn't feasable to do for £150!! Also, using this technique is difficult when having it altered. A lot more than a simple stich up the sides.
Good quality thick duchess satin (synthetic) costs about £7 per meter and silk duchess is about £25. Now, you may not get those prices in the shops but I don't mark up on the fabrics. My customer pays what I pay for them.
So, it all depends on what you want and your realistic budget.
HTH xx

Oh, my daughters finished frock.

lindaatno9

clearing_out_my_pockets wrote: »

That's not it at all. I indended on buying the original Mori Lee dress and having an evening dress anyway but I had a very bad bridal shop experience. I love my evening dress as much as the Mori Lee dress but for different reasons.

My best friend trusted the same bridal shop who didn't tell her that the alterations for her dress would cost as much as the dress over again. If I'd not been a little bit clued up when I went for a trying on session (to buy the original dress, might I add) I would have believed the sales assistant when she told me I could have the size 26 sample dress altered to fit me. I'm a size 12. For me, the in store bridal experience ended with me stood in my underwear in the middle of the shop floor :mad:

I think shops should automatically tell a customer that there will be alteration charges. They should also provide a general price list. When I worked for Pronuptia, we often gave the in house seamstresses details (at her request) cos she would do the alterations cheaper than the shop.
A good pointer is, many ladies like to wear a corset. Take the corset with you when trying dresses, you may be surprised to find you will have minimal bodice alterations to have to pay for. Sadly, length is determined by the avereage model who is 6'5" and who doesn't have to stand on a platform when trying dresses on.

ETA i posted this http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/topic.php?uid=41559184311&topic=8788 but realize that many shops don't always cater or even carry many dress sizes. This is because they have to pay for their own shop samples so wouldn't be financially beneficial to carry all sizes.

floss2

Linda, can I pick your brains please?

What petti would you suggest to wear under this dress? here

I'm not sure what would be best - I don't want a huge skirt, but will probably need something....

clearing_out_my_pockets

lindaatno9 wrote: »

ETA i posted this http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/topic.php?uid=41559184311&topic=8788 but realize that many shops don't always cater or even carry many dress sizes. This is because they have to pay for their own shop samples so wouldn't be financially beneficial to carry all sizes.

Thanks for this. The shop I went to had a size 14 in the shop window but wouldn't let me try it on.

lindaatno9

looks to me like you need the width at knee height and below. Something like a Jupon 189. Eventhough it says suitable for fishtail you could get away with it. Other than that a 168, ideal for the slimmer fitting A line dresses.
HTH x

lindaatno9

clearing_out_my_pockets wrote: »

Thanks for this. The shop I went to had a size 14 in the shop window but wouldn't let me try it on.

Do they want a sale or not??? It can be a pain taking a dress from a window, but they at least should have asked for some time and maybe you could have popped back. Many shops have their windows professionally dressed and have to pay for it, but it's nothing to whip a dress off. We were never allowed to leave a naked model in the window so used to hang a petticoat around the neck. More probable the reason rather than just not wanting you to try your size for fear of losing alteration costs.

clearing_out_my_pockets

lindaatno9 wrote: »

Do they want a sale or not??? It can be a pain taking a dress from a window, but they at least should have asked for some time and maybe you could have popped back. Many shops have their windows professionally dressed and have to pay for it, but it's nothing to whip a dress off. We were never allowed to leave a naked model in the window so used to hang a petticoat around the neck. More probable the reason rather than just not wanting you to try your size for fear of losing alteration costs.

I'm slightly more sceptical on this. When I called to book the appointment to try dresses on, I told them the dress I wanted to try on to check they had it (after all, I didn't want to waste their time) and I also told them my size. The shop changes their window fortnightly and it wouldn't have done any harm to switch the 14 for the 26

Littlemadam83

ZooGirl - for when you are online my Landy Dress has been signed for at home!!!!!!!

Has yours arrived? And when are you trying it on?!?! I am ging straight over my parents tonight - EEEK

xxx