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Subject: Ladies need opinions please Author: Renee [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 14:28:30 08/10/09 Mon Author Host/IP: 68-113-192-238.dhcp.ftwo.tx.charter.com/68.113.192.238 Thought this would be a good place to ask. I have been a seamstress for 10 + yrs. Things have been been really slow the past 2 yrs at Haggar so I started making wedding and flower girl dresses. A friend of mine suggested I try to make pageant dresses. I made a dress and I think it turned out great. I would like some opinions on what you all think about it. Also what do pageant moms look for when looking for a seamstess? What things do you stay away from? What is the best way to build my clientel as noone would know who I am right now? Being new how do I build trust? What should my pricing be? The dress I made is about size 4-6 fully glitzed out and the materials cost 786. It took about 26 hours of work to make the dress. Im sure as I get more into the business I could find places to get the materials I need in bulk for a greater savings. Any thoughts you might have on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Renee [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[> Subject: Need to see picture Author: Lisa J [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 15:08:46 08/10/09 Mon Author Host/IP: 216-67-216-218.dsl1.lhcy.az.frontiernet.net/216.67.216.218 I know materials can add up, but that seems a bit high. What fabric did you use for bodice and skirt. Long or Short dress? When you say glitz, how many stones and what sizes. A picture would really help. Times are really tough even for big named designers right now. It takes perseverance, and keeping your word. Stay to promised delivery dates. Promised materials. If you provide good work, the reputation will build slowly but surely. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: Here are a list of the fabrics I used and their cost Author: renee [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 18:37:45 08/10/09 Mon Author Host/IP: 68-113-192-238.dhcp.ftwo.tx.charter.com/68.113.192.238 1.5 yards super stretch @ 22 a yard= $33 10 yards organza @ 4 a yard= $40 4 bottles airbrush paint@ 4 a bottle= $12 2 bottles paint @ 1.5 a bottle = $3 1 bottle paint medium = $3 boning= 5 foam structure for under the bows=2 Elastic waist band=3 small snaps=$3 large snaps=$3 hooks=$4 brackets=3 2 yards cheer material for skirt lining @ 4 a yard= $8 4 spools thread @3 a spool=12 thick fishing line=$2 nice and unusual lace =52 trim = 12 nice lace cord for lace up back=3 big flower= 12 small flowers=8 flower sprays and decoration=6 nice crystal string beading for sleeves= 9 [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> Subject: sorry left the rhinstones off Author: renee [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 19:07:39 08/10/09 Mon Author Host/IP: 68-113-192-238.dhcp.ftwo.tx.charter.com/68.113.192.238 Rhinestones totaled 544 10 gross crystal stones=78 5 gross aqua stones= 48 2 gross aqua ab stones= 24 3 dozen 15x3 colored nevettes=36 36 10x3 nevettes=24 48 15x7 nevettes=54 42 aqua ovals 15mm =68 12 aqua rectangle 15mm= 22 36 large aqua 12 mm round stones= 12 72 aqua 10x3 rectangle stones=28 12 large crystal rectangles= 18 4 mm aqua squares= 14 7 mm aqua diamonds= 22 12 aqua ab 10x3 nevettes= 24 1 broach size crysal rectangle=4 the stone company charged a 48 import fee and 22 for shipping and handleing [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> Subject: Stones Author: Stephanie [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 12:46:12 08/11/09 Tue Author Host/IP: dsl3-p238.intrstar.net/66.207.252.238 I think your losing your money in the stones. Try looking on ebay. That's where I buy my stones from and I don't pay a fraction of that. Try looking for US sellers to avoid import fees. Also check sellers with multiple items that way you can save with combined shipping. Hope this helps! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> Subject: You def. gave too much for stones. Try www.debbiesrufflesandglitz.com she has a lot of stones in all the popular colors. Very reasonable. Author: A [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 14:59:43 08/11/09 Tue Author Host/IP: 97-89-103-102.dhcp.ahvl.nc.charter.com/97.89.103.102 [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> Subject: Comments Author: SNK [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 21:09:31 08/11/09 Tue Author Host/IP: ip72-194-95-209.oc.oc.cox.net/72.194.95.209 I agree that there is way too much money tied up in the rhinestones. There are a few places to get fair priced stones, especially when you buy in bulk 10 gross packs. I would also limit the number of fancy stones to help control the cost as well. Typically when I stone an average dress, I use about 10 gross of stones, 6 large brooch stones and maybe 1 gross of fancy pears, marquis, cubes, disco balls, etc. The fancy stones are nice up close, but from the judges table, many are lost in the pattern. Of course you can do anything that the customer requires, but I find that the money spent on a lot of fancy stones just adds to the cost. However, if the customer is willing to pay extra for it, extra stones and a lot of fancy shapes can always be done. Good luck to you! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> Subject: also should read 12 for 6 large flowers ..sorry Author: renee [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 19:11:19 08/10/09 Mon Author Host/IP: 68-113-192-238.dhcp.ftwo.tx.charter.com/68.113.192.238 you can feel free to email me for pictures not sure how to post them yet [ Post a Reply to This Message ]