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Hello,

I tried to search for this, but cannot find it anywhere so here goes. I made a dress using the TV 221 pattern, tie back underskirt, for a friend at the museum that I volunteer at. Well one of the directors stated that the pleats on the bottom were about and 1 1/2 half to big. I used the TV pattern because that is what is in the costume closet and these patterns are the most accurate that I have found for the era we portray, 1865-1880. I used the 1/2 inch turn and full 1 inch hem to the bottom of the row of pleating and then turned down 1 inch at the top as the directions stated. I am so frustrated! I spent about a week and a half on this dress, did not charge for labor and still people find fault with what I made. I have spent hours and hours looking at fashion plates to get the silhouette correct as well as the embellishments. I think that the placement and size of the pleats are appropriate. I guess I just wanted reassurance for several of you that have been doing this a lot longer than I have.

Thanks,
Shpgr1977

[Heather]

Well, there is no such thing as a "correct length" for pleats or ruffles. It is always exactly what the individual prefers. Which is anything. If she wanted 10" ruffles instead of 12" ruffles, then she needed to state that up front. (Or you needed to ask before starting on the project.) And in your case, the director probably has a skirt in the museum and was expecting a copy of that specific skirt.

Sewing for others is always difficult because of individual preconceptions. If I say "rufffle", I think of a 12" ruffle. But they might be thinking 8" ruffle. So when I make up a dress with the 12" ruffle, they are like "what the heck?" When working with clients, you need to specify every little detail. Make sure your vision is their vision. Otherwise, you are doomed to disappoint.

Thank you Heather. The woman I made the outfit for is very pleased with it and it is what we had discussed. I did find some fashion plates, pictures, and orginal dresses that have a similar ruffle size and I will be showing them to my director. Sorry I was just very upset and I need reassurance. This is the first dress that I had done for someone else and put in a lot of time and I just wanted everyone to be happy. Thanks again.

[Heather]

I totally understand. I had an even worse situation, which made me quit sewing for others altogether. The last straw.

I had a lady who wanted a dress exactly like a figurine I had. Except... she wanted it to be a ballgown, not a day dress, and natural form instead of bustle. So quite major changes, really. I made the dress on short notice (one week). When she arrived and I showed her the dress on the dress form, she frowned and said, "is that what it was supposed to look like? Where is the figurine?." I'm sorry, this dress was gorgeous, if I say so myself. I don't think she ever did come to like it. Here is a picture of it. It looked much better on her than it did the dress form. And much better than another dress I made for her, earlier.

Hmm. Sound to me like you've just come up against someone who likes to be the centre of attention all the time, and as if they saw your wonderful work, realised it was better than anything they could do and immediately said something critical so that they could feel superior again.
Honestly, 'your pleats are about 1 1/2" too big'? What did she do, get down on the floor with a ruler and measure? As long as your friend/customer isn't bothered by it, I suggest you just sit back and have a quiet chuckle in the knowledge that this person has made themselves look rather silly!
Now, more importantly can we see a picture of the dress!?

I think it was Miss Manners who said the perfect reply to such statements is: "I shall give your observation all the consideration it deserves."

Heather, I just lost 20 minutes in your photo album--thanks!

Pics are on the way! I had to be at my day job for a while. lol. Thank you for the support. Once I sat back and thought about it I too think that it was more envy than anything else. I am happily back at the sewing machine working on another dress for a friend. I do believe that this will be the last dress that I do for others for some time.

Thanks for having my back.

BTW, the person that I made the last outfit for removed one of the rows of pleating. "it was to heavy." You give them what they want and it is not right.

Thanks,

Shpgr1977

Miss AmandaDC3,
Thank you for the belly laugh! I must remember what Miss Manners said. Wonderful line!
Miss Heather,
I would gladly have taken that dress. It is beautiful! Of course, I think that of ALL your dresses.
Miss Shpgr1977,
I too would like to see your finished dress. How others manage to be ungrateful simply stumps me.
"nuff said"