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?

[MadameOvary]

Bump

[3littlefrogs]

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

[MadameOvary]

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

[fishie]

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...

[prettybird]

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.

[3littlefrogs]

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.

[prettybird]

shirts

[prettybird]

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

[MadameOvary]

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.

[BikeRunSki]

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.

[lynniep]

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

[Romanarama]

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'.

[MadameOvary]

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!

[MadameOvary]

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

[lynniep]

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

[EdgarAllenPoo]

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