How to Order

SewFits is a full service custom sewing and tailoring business. This means that if you want cows on your toga, or if you want a full Tudor dress made of tie-dye fabric, I will do everything possible to fulfill your request. If you need a specific style of boots, or a certain type of hat with ostrich plumes, I will find, purchase or assemble it for you.
The only time I say "no" is when I refuse to take "rush" orders. The only way I can maintain the quality of workmanship and service that has established  my reputation for excellence, is to carefully schedule orders so that I may give each client the undivided attention he or she deserves.  In return, I expect you to think about what you want, in detail, and be willing to pay for the labor and materials required to fulfill your wishes.

1. Design Definition:  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 you are willing to invest at this early stage.

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

Picture-send me a picture of the garment you want.
If you don't have a picture, a detailed description will enable me to make a sketch. If you are artistically inclined, draw a sketch and send it to me.  Find a similar design on the web and send me a link. The more detail, the better. Notes and arrows are great, since I can't see you wave your hands!

Discussion-once we're both "on the same page",  I 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. I 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, I draw a sketch, incorporating the important design features.  This helps both of us to visualize the various design features  I will include in the garment.

Description- I write a detailed description of what the design will look like, 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.

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

Materials- I provide you with a list of materials required, and an estimate of cost. In the case of specialized materials, I will quote you an exact price for your approval before I purchase materials. Again, I 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 I understand what you want, and you know how much it will cost, do I book your order. I 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.

Terms of Business-my contract. It basically lays out what I promise to do and what I expect of you. You may return it to me with your signature via scanned e-mail, fax, or postal hard copy.

Deposit-I 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).  Paypal payment will incur an additional 10% fee, to cover my costs. 

4. Scheduling Your Ship Date: So that I may give your order the meticulous attention to detail that you deserve, I only accept 1-2 orders per month. Thus I frequently have a 2-4 month backlog of orders.

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

5. Order Confirmation: When I receive the Measurements Sheet, signed Terms of Business and deposit, I send you an Order Confirmation that summarizes your order and states your Guaranteed Ship Date. It includes your receipt for your deposit.
If you provide materials, I give you the final date for me 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, I 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. I usually ship UPS ground or Priority Mail, unless you instruct me otherwise. On orders over $1000, I do not charge for UPS ground or Priority Mail shipping. Overseas shipments may require special shipping; I pass the additional shipping costs along to you.

7. Returns and Adjustments: In the rare event you are not satisfied with your order, I make every effort to make adjustments. Please call me before returning an item, so I can discuss the problem and how you would like it corrected.
You are responsible for shipping costs to return an item for adjustments; I, in turn, pay for costs to ship the item back to you.
In the extremely rare event that I am unable to satisfy you after at least three attempts, I will refund half your labor charges for the garment, but only if the garment is returned to me. Under no circumstances will I refund the deposit, or pay you for fabric you may have provided.