Has anyone ever had anything made for them? Excepting wedding dresses, natch.

[TheCraicDealer]

DP got me a coat from Next last Christmas. It's basically a single button crombie-style coat in camel, and I love it. It looks goes with everything and because it's from the petite range it actually fits me. Hurrah!

Anyway, because of Next's declining quality, they used some crap material that piled almost instantly. It's now looking quite sad (despite my desperate attempts to shave it in the bathroom ). I have tried to look for something similar but with no luck. Anything even close is that horrible cocoon shape which would me make look like larvae.

So, has anyone ever got anything made from an existing item like this? Was it expensive? How did you know where to go? Was it worth it?

Also, if you're short and have seen a crombie style coat that might do I would welcome suggestions. I will also consider black Thanks in advance.

I get quite a lot of stuff made, I find it's the only way of guaranteed the quality/colour/fabric/style. The closest thing I've had made was a smart work jacket. I was charged for an initial toile (mock up) which has then been used for further jackets - I think that was about £50 - then the actual jacket cost £225 iirc. You might be able to avoid the toile stage if you're looking for a direct copy of something and/or you don't mind the dressmaker deconstructing the existing coat to use as a pattern. I can recommend my dressmaker if you're in Devon!

I'm having some bits made for me at the moment by the lady who made my wedding dress - they'll be ready in March. I'm not a standard shape so struggle with bits from the high street so she's making me some tops that I can dress up or down. They're made to measure from a range, rather than bespoke to me so there is no toile phase, even so it's not cheap (three tops are costing me around £900). Given the manmade fabrics and unsuitable cuts on the high street though it's worth every penny.

In your position I'd contact some local dressmakers and see if they do copy existing items - I'd imagine many will, and if they don't they may have something similar they can make for you.

Hi, as a dressmaker myself i can certainly recommend having things made especially for you, I do a lot of direct copies of original pieces, this involves taking the garment and making a pattern from it onto paper and then making a toile - mock up of the garment to check its the correct size and fit the customer is wanting. I do a lot of work for high end clients mostly business woman who need to look god but dont have time to traipse around the shops searching for the perfect suit.

If its something your thinking abot doing id say get as many recommendations as you can for local dressmakers in your area, some will say they can do it and make a complete cock up of it if there only used to making going out dresses for young girls for example. The good ones are worth keeping hold of if you need any more advice let me know.

I have had stuff made. A skirt and a couple of dresses with varying degrees of success.

I would say go for it.

I've had quite a bit made, mainly dresses and casual separates. I'm now cautiously attempting making things myself. I made a very simple vest top that I'm thrilled with - I couldn't find something similar anywhere in the shops. On cost per wear, dressmaking can work really well.

Thank you all- I had mentioned the idea in passing to DP and my mum and they both thought I was mad! I'll go for it. Will obviously have to sacrifice bobbly coat to get the pattern sorted but it'll be worth it

Loads. We lived in se Asia and it was the norm. I miss it!