Having a dress copied

[gardenmusic]

The dress is about 20 years old, fits perfectly, and I love it. A plain classic style made in jersey that I could see myself wearing forever.
It's not designer, it's from one of the now defunct companies - like Alexon, Planet, etc
Has anyone sucessfully had a dress copied in the UK (without destroying the original) and been pleased with the results?

I recently took a higher priced Hobbs dress to our 'best' alterations shop, to get it taken in a little. They actually make dresses, and I am very unhappy with the fit now, wasted my money on the expensive alteration and the dress. (not going back)
I'm in Kent, but would travel a reasonable distance.

Would it not be easier (and cheaper) to post a photo of the dress and see if Mumsnetters can find you a good equivalent to try?

You'll need a similar material too or it won't be the same.

I dint think £400 is insane for something she'll spend about 15 - 20 hours on, including mock ups and fittings to correct any stretching etc of the original garment.

Unless of course you believe someone trained at fashion college and running their own business should be earning minimum wage........

Do you believe that?

The £80 for a dress copy is pretty unbelievable. In the UK? Wow. I mean, that's way below minimum wage that you've been charged. Very foolish of the person you went to.

Ok, let’s break this down. How long do you think it would take someone to replicate a dress. Or to sew one from scratch using a pattern. Ignore The Sewing Bee challenges, they’re completely unrealistic and those garments will look like dog shit inside.

then ask yourself how much a skilled dressmaker should charge a day?

then factor in material costs and machine costs etc.

Factory made clothes are really cheap because they're made in bulk.

They're cut out by an electric saw. There's a stack of 50 to 100 layers of fabric piled up, and so hundreds of garments are cut out at once, in maybe an hour or less.

Then the bits pass to the production line where they pass from seamstress to seamstress. Each machinist does one thing. Just one. Might be the zip. Might be the side seams. They do hundreds of the same thing every day and that's their entire job.

End of the process, the factory has maybe made 4000 garments in a day.

That's why your clothes are cheap.

Looking at the costs, from £1,300 to £400-ish I think copying is not going to be a go-er.
In my ignorance I though it would be just measure each bit and sew it together - very basic dress. Looks like £250 - ish wouldn't cover it.
It looks like the Jolie Moi midi wrap top dresses, but with a bit less fabric. (and you cannot see inside the back from the front - they look as if they go up at the front and down at the back)
I will have to find another favourite dress!
Thanks for all the help, though.

I came across this. If you Google Vogue Dress pattern V2000 you get other examples of wrap dresses too.

This one says it is easy, so it would not take a good dressmaker the same time as a more tailored or more intricate dress.

@gardenmusic post a photo on the stitch and bitch thread I reckon one of the sewers would know of a similar pattern.

Ahhh I should have been clearer. I provided the fabric. It was a fairly simply shaped dress, but sewn with silk and she did some couture finishes. Seems like I got a bargin!

Post a photo of the dress and I'll see if I can find you a similar pattern. I'd offer to make it for you but I live in New York at the moment, which is a bit far...

https://www.simplesewpatterns.com/products/the-lena-wrap-dress

Does this look similar? This would be a quick and easy make for someone experienced.

OP, this.
I am a dressmaker and a very good one but I could not do that (although I would LOVE to learn)
A friend going that could take the dress?

ScrollingLeaves -- That is very similar, with the length between the two, thank you.

Sarvanga24 Isabelle70,

I will get some one to take a photo - I do not have that type of phone. (I deny having one at all, but that's another thread!)

midtownmum,
You are far too kind to live so far away!

Thank you all so much, you are all so kind to an inept stranger.
I will get a photo and put it up - I hate getting dressed at the moment, it's so clammy and hot and humid here on SE coast!

I believe the new term is 'sewist' now! Gender neutral terminology.

There's a shop in London, No I do not remember the name at this point but it sells retro/vintage clothing but also alters them and will take your 'vintage' garms and alter them for a price .

I expect it may cost a bit though. Best bet is a good local dressmaker. Those that make wedding dresses or dance costumes are particularly skilled, go for one of those. And yes to the person who said alterations are a separate skill! I went to learn alterations and sewing from a wedding dress maker.

I wasn't cut out (see the pun?) for it. They are rare birds who deserve every penny.

@gardenmusic is there anything similar here? I have not used this website, but I have seen it recommended on here occasionally.

That's almost exactly it, but a little longer! Thank you

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads

Sorry, picture did not copy - it's the Chelsea. Will investigate!

Even if it did cost £400 for the dress, surely you'd then have the pattern and subsequent dresses would be cheaper?

If you like this dress so much and would like it in multiple patterns I'd have thought this would be a reasonable cost?

So expensive for 1 but average cost over 5 dresses acceptable?

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn

That's something I will look into - imagine subsequent dresses would cost less.

That's the way my friend works. £400 for the first one, ironing out all the fit issues etc as they go, then subsequent makes at a lower price because it's literally just a cut-out and sew-up job.

I think you've got a good chance of finding a commercial pattern. The DVF wrap dress is THE wrap dress, so that pattern is a bargain.

This thread really should be compulsory reading on S&B. And @CocoapuffPuff‘s post should be pinned at the top of every thread.