The only time we say "no" is when we refuse to take "rush" orders or "work you in" to our schedule. The only way we can maintain the quality of workmanship and service that has established our reputation for excellence, is to carefully schedule orders so that we may give each client the undivided attention he or she deserves.

1. Design Definition: In order to make the garment you want, we have to define the specific style. Experience has shown that the best way to ensure your pleasure with the final product is to consult your preferences during the design phase. Your satisfaction with the finished garment is directly related to the amount of effort we require of you at this early stage.

Ana is an excellent designer and seamstress-but she is a terrible mind reader! Thus, we require that you review and approve your choice of each design feature and fabric.

Picture-send us a picture of the garment you want.
If you don't have a picture, a detailed description will enable us to make a sketch. If you are artistically inclined, draw a sketch and send it to us. Feel free to choose something from our catalog. Just include the URL for the page and the name of the design and any changes you might want.
The more detail, the better. Notes and arrows are great, since we can't see you wave your hands!

Discussion-once we're both "on the same page", we like to discuss the design with you, to understand better how you plan to use the garment, and what design features you would like included. If you're going to wear your dress to a summer Renaissance Faire, it will need to be designed differently than a dress for an outdoor winter Michigan wedding. We also like to get a better idea of your personal style-are you the flamboyant type, or the silently menacing type?

Sketch-if you send a picture or a description, we draw a sketch, incorporating the important design Features. If you send a sketch, we use yours, since we can't really draw very well. This helps both of us to visualize the various design features we will include in the garment.

Description-This is where we really ask a lot of questions. (We'd use bright lights and drugs, but then we'd have to come visit you…) We write a detailed description of what the design will be, how it will be constructed, and any other features necessary to make it exactly the way you want it.

2. Price Quote-You want to know how much it will cost. If you prefer, you can just send us your credit card information, including your limit, and we'll skip the quote, but most people like to know in advance.

Labor-We quote labor separately, as materials costs can vary widely, and you are free to purchase you're own fabric and ship it to us. We list labor costs in detail to help you understand how we come to a final price, and to allow you to choose optional features as your budget and preferences permit.

Materials-We provide you with a list of materials required, and an estimate of cost. In the case of specialized materials, such as yak wool or waterproof fishnet, we will quote you an exact price for your approval before we purchase materials. Again, we ask a lot of questions, such as how you will use the garment, so you will be happy with both the design appearance and the garment itself, from the standpoint of both fit and durability.

3. Placing the Order-Only when we understand what you want, and you know how much it will cost, do we book your order. We require three things to accept an order:

Measurement Sheet-this includes not only specific measurements, but also a questionnaire that tells us how you want the garment to fit. So that your clothes are comfortable, we add small amounts to your measurements. This is called ease. The questionnaire is crucial to determining how much ease you want in your garment. Unfortunately, the CDC forbids us to put dis-ease in your garment…

Terms of Business-our contract. It basically lays out what we promise to do and what we expect of you. It ensures that neither of us has to employ the services of either lawyers or paid assassins. You may return it to us with your signature via scanned e-mail, fax, or postal hard copy.

Deposit-We require a 50% nonrefundable deposit to accept an order. Payment must be in U.S. funds (dollars) and may be made by check, money order, or major credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express). Sorry, we cannot accept currency of bankrupt monarchies, ancient shaman stones, or cowry shells. Please contact us for delivery instructions for gold bullion.

4. Scheduling Your Ship Date: So that we may give your order the meticulous attention to detail that you deserve, we only accept 3-4 orders per month. Thus we frequently have a 2-3 month backlog of orders.

We don't do rush orders, so if the item is for a special event, we will not accept the order if we can't deliver at least one month prior to the event.

We schedule carefully to ensure that we deliver your order on time without extraordinary overtime on our part. We don't pull "all-nighters"! . We didn't pull "all-nighters" 20 years ago, and we can't now and be alive in another 20 years.

5. Order Confirmation: When we receive the Measurements Sheet, signed Terms of Business and deposit, we send you an Order Confirmation that summarizes your order and states your Guaranteed Ship Date. It includes your receipt for your deposit, if you used a credit card.

If you provide materials, we give you the final date for us to receive your materials without incurring a delay in your order.

6. Final Payment and Shipment of Your Order: If you pay with check or money order, we must receive payment before the ship date, or authorization to ship C.O.D. at your expense. Credit card orders have the balance due charged just prior to shipping. We usually ship UPS ground or Priority Mail, unless you instruct us otherwise. On orders over $500, we do not charge for UPS ground shipping. Overseas shipments require special shipping, so we pass the shipping costs along to you. On occasion, when we are a day or two late with shipping, we often "upgrade" your shipment to 2nd Day Air in lieu of any discount. (Would you rather have it sooner, or cheaper? We figure sooner.)

7. Returns and Adjustments: In the rare event you are not satisfied with your order, we make every effort to make adjustments. Please call us before returning an item, so we can discuss the problem and how you would like it corrected.

You are responsible for shipping costs to return an item for adjustments; we, in turn, pay for costs to ship the item back to you.

In the extremely rare event that we are unable to satisfy you after at least three attempts, we will refund half your labor charges for the garment, if the garment is returned to us. Under no circumstances will we refund the deposit, or pay you for fabric you may have provided.

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PRICES ARE FOR LABOR ONLY AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE