Help on dress alterations!!!! Alan Hannah.

Sorry, but it's quite normal for a £1K dress not to be made to measure, and for a made to measure service to cost extra.

It's also completely normal to be one size on the bottom and another size on the top. Our advice is always to go with whatever is your largest measurement, and then to have the dress taken in where it's too big (so in your case we'd advise ordering a size 14 to fit on the hips). We would probably only advise they go with the made to measure type service if a) the dress was going to be very difficult to alter, or b) they were very out of proportion (maybe a size 18 hips and size 12 everywhere else - something like that).

There seems very litttle point going with made to measure if you're likely to lose weight. Then you have to pay for made to measure, AND for alterations, which seems pointless.

It's normal to expect to pay extra for your alterations to make the dress fit you perfectly. It's also really well worth it - a dress that fits properly will look much more expensive, and MUCH more flattering. I can't speak for your dressmaker, but you may well find her the same (or cheaper) than the made to measure service you've been quoted for.

I hope that makes sense - let me know if not!

Phew. Thanks DSH. It's always nice to get some advice from the experts!! I feel much better.

What dress is it...is it a dress or a two piece? Let me know and then I can advise.

Hello, It's a dress with lace up.Thanks

MayDay.

Firstly it sounds like you are a bit confused about Made to Order and Made to Measure. Just becasue AH dresses are £1k plus does not automatically mean it will be MTM. Bridal dresses are Made To Order as standard and some designer allow the option of Made to Measure at an additional cost. When we size brides the manufacturers are usually interested in Bust, Waist and Hips and once we have that info we work from their individual size charts to work out which is the most appropraite MTO size...(12,14 etc) and as DSH said we are advised to go by the biggest dimension as a rule of thumb as dresses can always be taken in, letting out is harder.

When a gown is MTM the manufacturer gets loads of very specific information and rather than cutting the fabric to a standard 12, 14 etc they make the bodice section (only) in a cheap material called calico which is then tried on the bride and once pinned/adjusted is used to form the unique pattern pieces for her own dress. This is why they charge the additional fee. It is worth it for some girls as what they paid for MTM they will save in alterations to the bodice. Unfortunately though it wont stop you having a length adjustment or cost of bustle loops blablahblah.

As for whether you should go for a MTM, if you are 4" off a 12 on the hip then I would recommend it. AH also do a halfway option called ease where they will make a minor adjustment to the pattern size on one of the main dimensions (Bust Waist or Hips) but this is only an adjustment of 1") If you know the name of your gown, I would know if it is a very wide skirt in which case you may get away with it but if you are talking about a slimline style I would def think MTM.

I know it is tempting to think well if I loose weight....but what if you dont you wouldnt want to ruin a fabby AH gown just because of the poor fit. Also 4" is a huge amount to have to lose of your hips and a massive pressure to put yourself under...just think about it no bloody choccy and no bloody fun for months. Go back to your dress shop and ask them to speak to AH and find out when is the LAST date you can get your measurements sent in to them for a MTM gown and get yor shop to measure you then with a view to having the calico made. By the time it arrives if, and I mean if you have lost some weight your dress shop will pin the toile and the relevant adjustments can be made to the calico before it is made into a dress.

Thanks Pokie Bear...really appreciate your advice too. I'm actually within a 12 on my hips, just 4 inches off on the waist. My bridal lady is going to ask Alan Hannah for a price to extend the waist/midriff at manufacturer as this is where I am not a standard 12. Ithink I'll take her advice on this one, rather than worry about the few extra hundred pounds. It feels alot but when I'm spending so much for my perfect gown I really do want it 'Perfect'so maybe a few extra pounds spent for the right fit will be worth it! Thanks for the advice, I feel much better about parting with the extra £££s now! x