Here is is, the really depressing part... If Money is the root of all evil, then talking about money is the next worst.



How it all works - You email me with what you need. You say "I want something that looks like this, but with that, and these kind of sleeves, etc." We write back and forth discussing what you want, what fabrics, what colors, what size, what details. You give me some measurements. I give you a price. Most of the time, it's a small order, just one or two or 4 itmes, - you send me a PayPal payment, I make it and ship it to you.
If you want 3 or more items in one order, all paid for at the same time, I can give you a 10% discount. If you get a couple now and a couple later, etc, no, you don't get the discount.
I'm pretty low-key most of the time. I don't want to have to get formal about it if I don't have to. I will, but... Most of what I make, I'm making special for you, to your specs. I do some pre-made stuff, but it's not the norm. And I never said I was fast, just that you'll love it and it will fit well. It will may take a couple weeks - so nyeahhh!

Troupe Orders
Usually the same as larger individual orders. (FYI- It is quicker and easier to make several similar items of the same color. We like those!)

Custom Items
Yes, I can make knock off this or that. If you bring me a picture of something, I can probably make you one. It's not 'what I do' though, so let's not make it like that, k? Coming up with a new thing is more fun.


Elizabethans, Italian Renns, full sets of complicated stuff -
- On occasion, it's a larger, more complicated order, and most of what follows here is about those orders. I don't get that many of them, but when I do... oh boy! The details... We email each other ad infinitum, swapping pictures and sketches and such until we BOTH agree that we both know what you want. I give you an estimate. If you don't fall over in a dead faint and change your mind about getting the outfit, then I send you a contract, maybe some sketches, swatches, and full description. You look it over, decide if there's anything left out, anything you want to change, etc. If you like what you see, you sign it, copy it for your records, send it back with the deposit. (More about that below.)

Keep in mind, all prices are negotiable, and I do love to barter. Right now I need mini-van transmission work, home repairs and yardwork.... and a tiller.

The total cost of any outfit is supplies + labor. Supplies aren't just fabric, they include interfacing, boning, zippers, lacers, trim, .... sometimes belts and wire and stuff. Costs vary, and I'll always try to get the best prices, but if you want something specific, it can raise the price.
Fabrics make a lot of difference to labor - if you insist on velvet, remember that as beautiful and wonderful as it is to wear, that's how much it sucks to sew. (It creeps...) Also, a specific color and texture adds to labor in that I have to drive all over and collect swatches, etc. so there's time and gas and corespondence.
Again, fabric can cost a week's wages, and trim more, or you can get creative and find it cheap.
Always keep in mind - a well-designed outfit in broadcloth looks better than a badly chosen, ill fitted one in silk brocade. If you remember Legend, and the dress Princesss Lilly wore in the beginning of it, you'll see what I mean. Nice simple cotton, used right.



Here's a few key points from the contract I send out to my prospective customers after numerous calles and emails, .... Many thanks to Margo Anderson of One Tough Customer for the original I started with - she has a great website and is a hell of an artist.

Victoria Boyd (hereafter referred to as "Maker") will provide a design sketch, fabric swatches, and description. This design remains the property of Maker. Duplicating or copying in any way is an infringement of copyright law.

(I know, I know, it's part of the legal bull...but it's necessary sometimes to cover yourself just in case.)

(Client's name) (hereafter referred to as "Client" ) will sign and date the sketch and this agreement. At this time the design is approved and finalized. If design changes are requested after this approval, additional charges will be made.

Designer will provide swatches and samples of all fabrics and trims before purchasing.



The terms of payment are as follows: $_____, payable as follows: One half, to be considered a non-refundable deposit, payable on signature of this letter. One fourth, at first pattern/prototype fitting, one fourth upon delivery. (State sales tax of $____ is not included in this amount, and will be due upon the final payment)

I send you an estimate once we have a set idea of what we're making. I will want to make a muslin test dress before I cut your brocades and satins, because this is probably the first time I've sewn for you AND I don't have you close enough to say 'Hey come over here and let me check this'. I always make a prototype of a pattern if there ANY way to do it, because if you're going to have a mistake, better to have it in something that cost $1 a yard instead of $10.

Final payment is due upon notification of completion prior to delivery. While payment signifies acceptance of costume as completed, Maker is aware that certain aspects of fit, comfort and utility are sometimes not evident until after extended wearing. Therefore, Client may return costume for REASONALBLE adjustments at no extra charge, within a period of two weeks after delivery. (so no, don't come back a month later after you've worn it a few times and decide you want re-styled for free!)

Costume is guaranteed for normal wear and tear for the period of one year. Alterations due to weight gain or loss, and repairs necessary due to negligence or abuse, will incur additional charges. Under no circumstances will delivery be made without full cleared payment.


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