How To Make A Dress?

How much might it cost to have a tailor/seamstress make me a very simple wedding dress?

• A family friend may use her skills to do it for me, but if she isn't able to fit in in her schedule, then I would want to have someone else make my dress. The design I picked is a cap sleeve, very plain sheath dress. However, I bought some Dupioni silk to have it made, and I know silk can be difficult to work with. No embellishments, no train, no lace, no rouching, no poofy-ness as in a ball gown... just a simple silk sheath dress. (I'm going all out with jewelry instead of dress details as I am very tiny/petite and it's an informal backyard wedding.) And I live in rural Maine, so, everything is cheaper here than anywhere else I've ever lived... Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks!!! :-)

• Answer:

  Speaking as a former bridal seamstress, simple designs are actually harder to sew. Because it has to be done PERFECTLY. A sheath style, is even harder to fit, because it has to fit PERFECTLY, especially if it's princess seamed. I doubt I'd do it for less than $500. I'd do a muslin pattern first, and fit that to you, to make certain it fits. Also, if you're having it sewn in dupioni, you can't rip seams out of that, once you've sewn it, there's a hole where the needle has gone through. So, you can take it in, but not let it out. It would be very painstaking work. Actually, many times the embellishments are used to hide a flaw in the sewing. :) If the waist seam's a little wobbly, sew some beading or lace over it, and voila! You can't tell at all! Call around, I may be figuring high, and it may go for less in your area (I like in KC). Make certain anyone you hire to do this has had experience sewing bridal, particularly since you're keeping it so very simple. Good luck!