I'm serious. If I even began to tell the living hell I've been through in the last few years trying to find a blankety blank seamstress to sew together the bottoms for a costume I'm needing, you would not believe me. You'd think I'm making it all up.

I don't live in a "huge" town, but it's certainly large enough that there ought to be SOMEONE who can sew together a frickin' costume. But I have been around and around in circles and I'm at the end of my rope. It's almost as if seamstresses these days have gone the way of the dinosaur.

The lady who currently has the material I purchased has been dragging her feet for two years, and enough is enough! Excuse after excuse is all she gives me. If she doesn't get it done by June, when I'll be playing the 4H fair, I'm just going to tell her to shove it and demand my material back.

Which brings me to my post. Does anyone here know of a seamstress who is wanting some work?

I should have posted on the Café earlier, but I was too busy looking around my area trying too find someone local.

Sent a PM

Got it.

Go check out the local fabric shops or places like JoAnn's or Michaels. They always know people, and usually cheaper and just as good as the shops.

Probably not helpful for your current needs, but I get my suits made by Tom James (link below). The local shop does all the tailoring I need, included in the price of the suit (not cheap, but I focus on corporate market). They do a great job with coin slides, extra pockets, etc. In my view, some of the best money I've spent (after lessons) has been on tailors.

Hudson


https://www.tomjames.com/Made-To-Measure......CEPD_BwE

I'd suggest looking for a theatrical costumer or designer. I have had much better luck with them understanding the needs of entertainers and making things durable enough for stage/performance use. They are also much more accustomed to added features and needs of performers such as spaced/pouches for mic packs, custom-sized pockets, toppits, etc.

May have to travel outside of your small town to the closest city but it'll likely be worth it if you find the right person.

Daffydoug, you did not mention if you provide a pattern that can be cut out. This is what seamstresses work from, they usually can alter lengths, but that is about it. Otherwise, if you have no pattern, you need to seek a Taylor. A Taylor can do major changes to the costume.

It is confusing, as you state "sew together the bottom of a costume, then you stat, "you will ask for your material back". To me these statements mean different clothing craftsmen.

When I wanted special clothing, I would go to the fabric store and look though the patters, and find something close to what I wanted. I would buy the pattern and provide the pattern that would be a good choice for what I wise to have made.

Others suggestions at visiting a fabric store that teaches sewing machine with classes, keep a list of people to refer to customers. Men's clothing is the hardest to make, so it takes someone that likes a challenge.

I'm lucky enough to be a in a big city. I have easily found competent alteration shops that have helped me out with weird requests.

maybe