Help! Can this be safely un-tacked? (Pic)

[DressDrama]

Went a bridal shop last October with my 3 bridesmaids, saw a sample bridesmaids dress we all liked, ordered it in their sizes and they have just come in to the store for collection (they take 4 months from order to delivery).

The dress brand is Ebony Rose, they don't have stores, they just have samples in bridal/prom dress type shops and then you place an order in whatever size and choose a colour from a swatch book.

The sample dress my friends tried on was plain. One of them popped in today and the dress has sequins on the front.

It seems the dress is always made with sequins on it - when I type the product code into Google images there's no 'plain version' of the dress. I imagine that somehow Ebony Rose sent a sample that wasn't fully finished and this is how the mess up has occurred.

I called the bridesmaids shop after my friend had text me; they were a bit blasé about it and said not to worry they could un-stitch the appliqué. I asked if there would be any residue of the stitching and they said "there shouldn't be" and this came from the lady who would be doing the un-tacking...

I begrudgingly said OK, but a few hours later thought why should I/the bridesmaids have to settle for a 'modified' dress - I know price shouldn't matter but they were £169 each; I wouldn't order in a dress from say, Coast, for it to arrive as not the dress I tried on and just accept it could be un-stitched to make it like the one I thought I'd be getting. So emailed them to say after re-thinking I'd rather not go down the un-tacking route as there's no guarantee it would look OK.

The store said it wasn't their fault, to which I asked for a contact for Ebony Rose and said I'd contact them myself to complain. They didn't want to give it to me as said they deal with them direct; I've found a phone number and email for them though so I'll email them on Monday (luckily I have pictures of the girls in the dress we tried on in October so can show them evidence this is what we thought we were getting).

I need the dresses for the beginning of July so time isn't on my side, especially as I need to allow time for them to be taken in for all 3.

Anyways, tell me what you think - could this be un-tacked and show no damaging signs?

[Teenytinyvoice]

Is it just the shiny bits you want taking off or all the appliqué?

[DressDrama]

All of the appliqué. Here's another pic of it not so close up...

[Teenytinyvoice]

Could you get an independent seamstress opinion- it looks pretty risky to me. Would taking the sequins off be a compromise position?

[melissasummerfield]

I would think you will see stitchmarks when they remove the detailing, sorry op.

[pmama]

I think - based on the lights fabric - you cannot remove it that easily and you would see that sg was removed from there

[DressDrama]

Thanks Teeny - good suggestion I may try and show these pictures to another seamstress and see what their verdict is. If any readers are seamstresses tell me your expert opinion!

Applique looks very thick/tightly sewn on I can't see how the remnants of it wouldn't remain

[Tattybogle89]

WHat a nightmare. I can’t see that leaving no marks behind sorry. And why should you pay full price for dresses that would be damaged? That’s really bad

[DressDrama]

I know, 50% deposit paid already and the wedding colour scheme all planned around this shade. I really don't want to start looking for other dresses that are this colour; I'm hoping Ebony Rose say they can just re-produce 3 sans appliqué and put a rush job on getting them delivered.

[mojito55]

That is absurd! There's no way that would come out without marks. Also, it is absolutely the store's fault. That is not what you ordered from them, this is their responsibility and they know it since they're refusing to give you contact details for the supplier.

[Teenytinyvoice]

You couldn’t live with it for a substantial discount?

[storynanny]

I do lots of sewing and would say that there will be visible marks left.

[calzone]

If it’s any consolation, I think that the dress looks gorgeous with the sequins.

[Tilly35]

I used to own a bridal shop, Ebony Rose will refer you back to your bridal shop, it’s their responsibility to put right which, to be fair, they’re offering to do. I’d ask your bridal shop what guarantee they can give you if any damage is done removing it (ie discount, replacement, alternative dresses) These appliqués are usually just tacked on and when steamed the fabric plumps back up and the holes disappear. As upsetting as it is now try to be nice to them as they’ll be more likely to give you guarantees (you might also get something by way of an apology- veil, headpiece etc) I think the casual attitude is because they know it won’t be a big problem, though it’s not great service obviously. Personally, I would remove this without worrying, especially as you’ve seen the dress without it and know it isn’t hiding any flaws. I’d also ask if they can do the first one and you see it before doing the others, then it could always go back on if it doesn’t look right. Try not to let it ruin your experience too much, have a wonderful wedding!

[BreakfastAtSquiffanys]

Even if all the stitching marks come out, there's a possibility that the position of the applique might have been marked in indelible marker.
It's totally up to store to rectify the mistake - you didn't get what you ordered.
It's quite possible that supplier can expedite plainer versions

[Tilly35]

Btw most bridal companies will allow you to order dresses without the appliqué, which they might have done for their sample, but forgot to do with yours. If the shop had ordered this dress for other brides they’d already know about this issue.

[DressDrama]

I like to think I could live with it for a substantial discount; but any added 'bling'* really isn't my taste and in it's current form it's not a bridesmaids dress I would have looked twice at. I'd rather pay the full amount, as I was happy to, for a style of dress I much prefer.

*I appreciate this isn't 'bling' to some

[DressDrama]

Thanks for your reply Tilly35, helpful to hear from someone who has been in the industry.

I'll call the store again on Monday and see what they say. It's very frustrating as I ordered these 10 months ahead of the wedding - leaving lots of time for them to come in, get altered and collected.

Can I ask if you know why the delivery time is so long (4 months)? They'e not made to measure, the girls measurements were taken and then the shop assistant used the Ebony Rose size chart to order the appropriate dress size for them.

[greenlanes]

Actually I though it looked lovely with the appliqué. Very classy. Gorgeous colour too!

[Tilly35]

A lot of bridal wear comes from China, or other far flung places, and the shipments are sent in bulk to save on costs. So the designer puts their order in every week or two weeks and both the supplier and manufacturer factor in a bit of contingency time. I’ve had bm dresses turned around in 3 weeks, so that’s your real time, but you pay a lot extra for the privilege. The designer keeps as little stock in as possible so they have little to no waste!

[Tilly35]

Although I can’t say what turn around time Ebony Rose can do, wouldn’t want to get your hopes up. I’d get an offer to have replacements as a rush job at their expensive if the dresses aren’t perfect as you paid for, then let them do the first dress and see what it looks like. They’re not going to want to order the new dresses so will do the job well. There’s a lot of folds there too so even if there are any pin marks their seamstress will be able to conceal these with a bit of clever pressing. I wouldn’t worry about marker as most big companies mark up their fabric with a sort of fading invisible ink marker.

[Tilly35]

Hi, just being nosey and wondering if this worked out for you?