FAQ

Where did you study?

I studied Costume with Performance design at The Arts University Bournemouth, specialising as a costume maker and graduating in 2010. Since then I have worked in television and film, as well as a small amount of theatre, but have always had a strong love of vintage fashion, period history and arts and crafts.

How long have you been making and altering vintage clothing?

I have always loved to wear Vintage pieces and mix them in with my modern wardrobe,  but as a tall lady I always found the dresses too short, the tops too small, so found I had to adpat pieces that I bought, or take inspiration from things that I found and re-create them with my own choice of fabric. At university I learnt to draft my own patterns and how to measure the body, but also love to use vintage patterns and adapt them to make my own unique designs that fit well.

Where do you find vintage clothes and fabrics?

It has been a long time passion of mine, rummaging in vintage and charity shops on a saturday afternoon, looking for a bargin, as well as spending most of my adult life in haberdasheries, collecting a huge range of fabrics and trimmings, you can't keep me out of there!

I also am very lucky in the fact that I get a lot of things given to me, many vintage dress patterns and fabrics, as people know that I will take care of them and put them to good use!

What can you do for me?

I specialise in altering vintage clothes to fit, as well as adapting dress patterns that you or I may have, and making a unique vintage outfit to fit you, with your choice of fabrics and styles.
If you've ever been into a vintage clothes shop and looked at all the beautiful dresses and thought 'that's far too small for me' or 'that's so expensive, I can make that myself' (I know I have!) then I can make it for you.  

How much will it cost?

It all depends on what you want. If you have an item that needs a simple alteration I will mostly likely charge by the hour. If you want an item made from scratch then I will estimate how long the work will take and come up with a fair price, adding in fabric and pattern cutting costs. If you already have your own pattern and/or fabric, then the costs will be reduced.

How long will it take?

Again it depends on what the job is, but I will endeavour to complete any job in a reasonable amount of time, and always give you an estimate and keep you updated of my progress. 

Can you make me a garment without seeing me in person?

Yes, this is not out of the question, as we all know nobody can be in two places at once! Although I like to do fittings in person, I can send you a measurement sheet and instructions for filling it out properly, we can discuss details via phone or email and I can send a mock up garment via post for you to try on and mark any alterations before making the final finished garment.