Couture
Luxury styling & design, with the highest level of craftsmanship, fit, and customer service.
An extensive style consultation and detailed measurement-taking, a custom design & pattern, superior mockup fittings, and a garment sewn up with the highest level of craftsmanship.
Quality Level: Excellent
The couture experience starts at $1,600-$6,900+ (+/-120hrs)
This is the elite tier where you receive the highest quality garment complete with the full customer service pampering of the couture experience. If every gorgeous detail matters, and you're envisioning the most beautiful of silks and finery, this is the tier for you. With the help of a full style consultation, we'll craft your unique design & pattern based on your one-of-a-kind vision for your garment. At this luxurious tier, you'll be receiving personalized design, patterning/fitting and customer service, all to aid in bringing your vision to life. Your piece will take form with the help of a traditionally hand-drafted sewing pattern, crafted just for you. To ensure a perfect fit, the couture experience provides multiple mockup fittings to get your custom pattern working perfectly for you. During the sewing process, your garment will be beautifully finished, both inside and out, using the highest quality period methods and materials. Careful hand stitching and beautiful craftsmanship details are the standard at this specialized and luxurious tier. If you're looking to build your dream garment for a wedding, special occasion, or are after a museum-quality finish, this is the tier for you.
Bespoke Fitted
Consultations, one fitting, and a finely-made standard garment.
A design and measurement consultation for a client-customized pattern, fitted with a mockup, and sewn with care to match your detailed measurements.
Quality Level: Good
The bespoke fitted experience starts at $600-$1,600+ (+/-40hrs)
Bespoke is more than just a new garment, it's the pampering of the bespoke experience. This tier includes the specialized customer service of a short design consultation, detailed measurement-taking, and the fitting of one mockup. The Bespoke Fitted tier will not only provide you with the experience of custom-made, but will leave you with a beautiful quality garment in your unique size. In order to bring your design to life, you may choose from the pattern & fabric suppliers lists, or to have a custom Delska pattern drafted. To get a better fitting final piece, we will fit one mockup (in-person or virtually) of your design before cutting into your chosen fabric. Garments at this tier will be made with some efficiency in mind, with fine details and period practices reserved for only the necessary elements. You will finish with a beautiful quality handmade final product to add to your wardrobe.
Made-to-Measure
Economy self-directed "just-the-sewing" tier.
A client-provided commercial pattern sewn up to match your basic measurements.
Quality Level: Fair
The made-to-measure experience starts at $90-$450+ (+/-10hrs)
This is the most economical tier, and most self-directed. It involves no consultations, and no fittings. Made-to-Measure is a "just the sewing" experience. This tier is most similar to shopping off Etsy (but with more style options). You simply independently choose & purchase your fabrics and sewing pattern from my curated list of suppliers, and I'll sew it in your unique Bust-Waist-Hip-Length size! Your final garment will be available for curbside pickup, or will be shipped to you. This tier is a personalized dressmaking experience that strikes the balance between efficiency and bespoke. Made-to-Measure is a great choice for basic garments that don't need to be closely fitted to the shape of the body and don't require additional style customization. Because there's no in-person element, it also works well for long-distance work. Petticoats start at $85, linen chemises at $125-45, Victorian chemise and drawer sets at $190, buttoned Victorian blousewaists at $125, Regency day dresses at $300. Still want a little extra? Add additional customer service for selecting your pattern and fabrics starting at $15-49+, or the security of a mockup fitting starting at an additional $125-175.
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
"Caitlin's love of textile design and dressmaking shines through her skill and artistic talent, both of which are truly exemplary. She recreated and tailored two custom 19th century pieces for me, which remain my two favourite items to wear when I am recreating history in the War of 1812 hobby.
From start to finish, working with Caitlin was an amazing experience with her devoted professionalism to her clients. I was impressed with the amount of extensive research and the intense attention to detail during the process. I highly recommend Caitlin's services to others and I will go back to Caitlin for future projects"
-Jim Mullin (Regency waistcoats & linen shirt)
-----------
Note: All prices are listed in Canadian Dollars. Cost of materials not included.
Dressmaking investment tiers are estimates only. All commission pricing is ultimately based on an hourly rate for customer service, garment research, personal styling/fashion design, pattern drafting, fitting & sewing time.
Please allow a minimum of one month for commissions (more for larger projects)