-
-
-
-
-
- If
this is a custom costume, isn't it going to be very expensive?
Not in comparison to what you see in the skating wear catalogues. And
it depends upon what we decide upon for materials. If you have a budget,
I can generally stay within it. I do not charge a design fee. For me,
the designing is the fun part and I can do it easily. When a design
is agreed upon I then do some homework locating the materials I need
from suppliers. You will know what the costume will look like and how
much it will cost before I start. I love making skating costumes because
I generally find that the end result usually looks BETTER than the design!
-
What
if there are left over materials?
If I order in a couple dozen stones of one color and only use 1 dozen,
I prorate the expense in the final bill. And I will provide a few
extra stones of each color for customers to have on hand to use in
the future at no charge. If I end up with extra fabric sometimes I
suggest an optional matching skirt or jacket. But I don't charge you
for extra fabric. And I am very good at estimating what I need. I
have made skating dresses with only a few tiny scraps of left over
fabric that can be held in one hand. If I order extra fabric for safety
reasons, you are not charged for that.
I
try to stay within the range I gave in the estimate. Only when there
has been a last minute shipping expense does the estimate vary from
the original.
As to labor costs, I do not add on time to what I originally predicted
to inflate a bill. I do not charge for time making mockups, as I
put them into my own inventory to sell each winter if the buyers
don't want them. Most dresses don't require mockups.
-
How
much does a skating dress cost?
Last year my dresses ranged from about $65 to $200, depending on many
different considerations. Elaborate stone application can run the
cost up. You can get a terrific looking, custom designed & decorated
outfit for between $125 and $150. If you want cheaper, there are ways
to lower the price by going with fabrics I have ON HAND, simplifying
design, whatever. I have put silk chiffon skirts on peoples dance
leotards for skaters. (Or you may wish to consider ordering your dress
as a KIT: the pattern pieces cut to your measurements.) If you want
a very simple design and want to decorate it yourself, I suggest you
order from one of the dancewear companies or a skatewear company that
offers outfits direct. But don't expect to get the quality of design,
fit and look of a custom designer such as myself. My services are
really for the serious competitive skater or performer who wants professionalism
in their costume(s).
-
What
if I don't like the costume?
You send it back and get a full refund. Once someone sent a costume
back to me. There had been a misunderstanding about design. I gave
them a full refund. But usually with good communication there are
no problems.
By negotiating ahead of time what you want, agreeing on materials
and design, and careful construction of the garment to your specifications,
you are pretty much guaranteed to like it!
-
How
do I wash my costume?
Note: Some elite skaters with highly decorated costumes only dryclean
them.
My best advice is to hand-wash with cool water and mild soap and hang
dry. Generally for spandex work out clothes you can machine wash on
delicate and hang dry. For decorated dresses hand washing is recommended.
Or machine wash on delicate but turn the garment inside out first
and realize you may be taking a chance on the decorations. Austrian
crystals are glass and can fracture if knocked. So turn the garment
inside out if you decide to use the washer on delicate/gentle cycle
or better, hand wash. You cannot effectively spot wash spandex. Especially
light colors will show a "water line" if you do. So you
should immerse the entire garment and then lay it out or hang dry.
Be careful however, to use rounded hangers only. A straight edge hanger
or pointed edge will quickly stretch out the finer fabrics such as
netting, mesh or glissenette.
Use only mild detergent. Silk dyers suggest baby shampoo in small
amounts for silk chiffons. Never use bleach or harsh detergents. Dryers
can work at lower temperatures, but in general are going to tend to
wear elastic or be too dangerous for delicate glass. I do not use
dryers for my costumes."
|
