I want to get a dress copied, right down to the fabric - how do I do it?

[MadameOvary]

Need to pick the brains of all you style mavens:

I have a much loved vest dress that I would like copied - its got a really good, simple print that hasn't dated in 20 years and I'd like to recreate it. How do I find someone who will recreate the fabric and print so I can get the dress copied? And will it cost a fortune?

Bump

Do you have any contacts in the far east? It would still be pretty expensive though.

Sadly no. Do you know how much it would be roughly 3littlefrogs?

you could probably find someone to copy the dress fairly easily. the fabric is another matter. what's it like? i do have one idea possibly...

Why not try contacting Sam's the Tailor in Hong Kong and see what they suggest.

Dh had a jacket and some shorts made to measure there many years ago and they realy were less than off-the-shelf M&S stuff.

I think you would be talking around £100 - don't know about the material though.

The thing is that you can get stuff made very cheaply - a man's suit for around £10 for example, but the minute they know you want something copied, the price goes up. Also - if they can't really be bothered (copying is more difficult) they will quote you a huge price.

You might be better to try and source a similar pattern/material, rather than asking for a "copy" from an actual garment IYSWIM.

shirts

IIRC, I could have shown them a photo of something I liked and they would have made me a copy.

Thanks for that everyone, great advice. Its a really simple dress but the pattern makes it special I suppose. Yes I would be better to get a similar fabric otherwise I am going down a screen printing route!
Fishie, the fabric is cotton with a little stretch in it, the print is a simple repeating pattern, grey on darker grey.

I had a dress copied by a local seamstress a few years ago. It was about £50 for her skills, but I had to provide the fabric, but I was a plain linen, so easyenough to find in market! She didn;t take any measurments from me, just copied the dress I already had. To be honest, the copied dress has never been quite right.

you can try spoonflower.com for fabric. its american but they ship to uk.

I used to get things copied in the Far East all the time when I lived there. I wouldn't do it from a distance though as it always needs adjusting at least once after it's 'finished'.

BikeRunSki - £50 would be a bit much for what this is, and no, I dont think it can ever feel right.
lynniep - exactly what I was looking for - thank you!

Romanarama, good advice, thank you!

Ok I've been on Spoonflower and managed to order the fabric - getting a test swatch first. Thanks so much!

glad to be of help - only discovered it myself last week

go on holiday to thailand... taking the fabric with you.