How to custom make a costume?

[tuxedosam]

This may sound like a stupid question but I have never custom made any piece of clothing before. If I go to a ballgown tailor, must I show him/her a pattern or can they usually make a dress for you out of pictures? I downloaded a few pictures of dresses I like. Do you think that will be enough?

[fascination]

This may sound like a stupid question but I have never custom made any piece of clothing before. If I go to a ballgown tailor, must I show him/her a pattern or can they usually make a dress for you out of pictures? I downloaded a few pictures of dresses I like. Do you think that will be enough?
good dressmakers will be thorough in measuring every possible angle on your body...then they will listen to what you like, look at pictures of what you like...talk to you about what might be best on your body and then make something exquisite...oooo...salivating at the thought of it...but certainly the more infor you give on preferences the better off you are

[DancerForLife]

I usually take some ideas to my seamstress, she takes a look, we talk, and then she draws her own sketch. Then through the fittings we refine some of the details, and I usually just let her finish things off as I 100% trust her taste and judgement.

I went once without any ideas, and that was like pulling teeth. But every seamstress is different...

At first I was a bit afraid having my gowns custom made - afterall, you have no real idea as to what will the final product look like, but it worked out really well. Plus the dresses fit perfectly ;-)

[Joe]

And here I thought the thread would actually be on custom making a costume, not having one custom made.

[fascination]

false advertising huh?....well there are only like 3 of you here that could have that conversation