Your Custom Garment:
The Journey from Idea to Finished Piece
Every garment we make is built just for you, and we want you to love it. Part of that is making sure you know where you are in the process and when your input has the biggest impact.
Think of it like building a house: moving a wall on the blueprint takes a pencil; moving it after the drywall is up takes a crew. Our process works the same way. Early on, nearly anything can change freely. As we move into cutting and sewing your fabric, each step builds on the one before, so a change means undoing finished work and sometimes replacing materials.
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Below is each stage, what happens there, and what kind of changes fit naturally at that point.
1. Your Personal Sloper
What happens: We take your measurements and create your sloper, a base pattern shaped precisely to your body. Everything we make for you starts from this foundation.
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Changes at this stage: Simple. If your measurements shift, or something feels off, tell us right away and we'll update it. Your sloper is also reused for future pieces, so keeping it accurate serves you well over time.
2. Fabric Selection
What happens: Together we choose fabric based on your design, how the piece will be worn, and how the fabric drapes, moves, and feels.
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Changes at this stage: Easy, right up until the fabric is purchased. After that, a change means sourcing new material at an added cost, and once the fabric is cut it means starting the garment over. This is the moment to be certain about color, weight, and feel.
3. Initial Design
What happens: We work out the silhouette, neckline, sleeves, length, and details, on paper. This is where your vision takes shape.
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Changes at this stage: This is the best time for big ideas. Nothing has been cut yet, so changing a neckline, adding pockets, or rethinking the sleeve is as simple as a new sketch. Speak freely here. We would much rather hear “actually, I'd prefer...” now than later.
4. Muslin Fitting (when needed)
What happens: For more structured or complex designs, we sew a test version in inexpensive muslin fabric and fit it on you before touching your real fabric.
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Changes at this stage: Still very flexible for fit and design. The muslin exists so we can adjust fit, proportion, and details without risk. Marking, pinning, and reshaping are all part of the plan, and fit changes and moderate design changes are welcome here at no additional cost.
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One thing to keep in mind: by this point your fabric has been purchased. If the muslin makes you rethink the fabric itself, we can absolutely change it, but the new material would be an added cost.
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This is the last stage where design and fit changes are included in your price
5. Creating Your Garment
What happens: We cut your fabric and begin sewing the piece.
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Changes at this stage: This is the turning point. Once fabric is cut, the design is largely set. Small refinements can still be built in, but changes to the silhouette, length, neckline, or sleeves would require recutting, which usually means additional fabric and labor. We'll always give you an honest estimate before proceeding with any change like this.
6. First Fitting and Adjustments
What happens: You try on the garment in its nearly finished state, and we refine the fit.
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Changes at this stage: Fine-tuning is expected and included: adjusting hems, easing a seam, perfecting a shoulder or waist. These are exactly the kinds of tweaks this fitting is for. Larger changes, such as a different neckline or sleeve style, would take us back to Step 5 and would be quoted separately.
7. Final Production
What happens: Finishing seams, hand details, pressing, and a last inspection before the garment is yours.
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Changes at this stage: The garment is complete. Beyond very minor alterations like a hem adjustment, changes at this point mean creating a new piece. Of course, if something isn't right with our workmanship, we'll make it right.
At a Glance
When should I request changes to how it fits?
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Fit changes can be discussed during Step 4 (Muslin) or Step 6 (First Fitting).
When should I request small adjustments, such as hem length or ease?
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These details can be adjusted during Step 6 (First Fitting).
When should I request a different fabric or color?
Please tell us during Step 2, before the fabric is purchased.
When should I request changes to the overall look, neckline, sleeves, or length?
Please tell us during Step 3 (Initial Design), or by Step 4 (Muslin) at the latest.
The Short Version
Steps 1 through 4 are your space to explore, question, and change your mind about design and fit. Fabric is the one decision that locks in earlier, at purchase. From Step 5 onward, your fabric is cut and we're sewing, so changes become alterations to finished work.
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We build in fittings precisely so you never feel rushed to decide. If you're ever unsure, ask. We'll always tell you where we are in the process and what a change would involve before we go ahead.