Whether the gown you have fallen in love with comes from the factory that makes our Kathleen's label gowns or from another manufacturers factory the process is the same. A designer has many things to consider before he or she begins the actual designing process. They must consider the current economic situation in the world, the psychological temperature, the forecasted color trends, current influences of the past on clothing trends and so on, and so on. They will also consider the trends in ready to wear clothing and of extreme importance, they will take notice of what current Brides, Prom Girls & Mother's are starting to ask for but not finding in the market today. After much study and analysis the designer is now ready to pick up sheets of paper and a pencil to begin the sketching process. The designers' goal is to turn the visions they have seen glimpses of, into realities.
Once the sketch is completed, the making of the pattern itself begins. The design will be broken up into many different sections or pieces that when assembled together will comprise all of the elements to make the perfect gown. Each piece is meticulously measured and re-measured to make sure the fit and detail is correct. There are highly skilled pattern makers that manually make the actual pattern. They grade (or change) the pattern so that each design has a separate pattern for each of the sizes offered. These pattern pieces will then be put together according to their sizes. The designer of the gown will be heavily involved in the arrangement of the lace, beading and embroidery to make sure that every important detail is translated perfectly from the sketch to the actual gown sample.
Once the pattern has been finished a first sample will be made. As the gown is being sewn together any problems with the pattern fit are addressed and changed both with the actual pattern and also with the cutting of a new corrected fabric piece. Then once the gown is fully assembled the designer and a group of others critique every last detail of the gown. If any other changes need to be made to the gown either a new sample will be made or the current sample will be reworked until the dress is perfected. Each time the dress has a change the pattern piece must be changed as well. This ensures that the gown will be made correctly during the actual production process.
After you have place the order for your gown, the order is given to the factory. Depending on how many other orders are in front of your gown the time to complete the making of your dress can be in as little as 3 weeks or as long as 16 weeks. If you need your gown quicker than the standard time frame then you can pay an additional amount to have your gown moved closer to the front of the line. This is what is called a “Rush Cut”. The time difference for a rush cut varies from manufacturer to manufacture as well as the additional expense. Once your gown is #1 on the list at the factory, skilled “cutters” will lay out the pattern pieces, paying particular attention to any changes you have requested to your gown. They will then begin the cutting out process. The gowns made in our factory are cut out individually by hand, and exclusively for you. The many pieces that have been cut out are then "bundled" together in the order that they are to be sewn.
Each gown is assembled piece by piece on state of the art sewing machines specifically designed to sew on fine fabrics. In the sewing room gown pieces are hand pressed before being sewn to another pattern piece. Then once the gown is completely sewn together the finishing touches are completed by the hand sewers.
Each of the beads sewn on our gowns is done by hand, one by one. It does not matter whether the beading is going to be on lace, embroidery, or directly on the fabric, they are individually set in place by hand. All of our wedding gowns use the very finest of laces, such as Alencon, & Chantilly, as well as the very finest of embroidery thread. Our beads are glass beads not plastic, and our gowns also use only the best quality of rhinestones, sequins and Swarovski crystals. We believe finishing touches make or break the design of a gown and so we do not skimp on using a lesser quality product.
The gowns you will find in our stores are mostly manufactured overseas, by highly skilled and trained workers who strive relentlessly to produce gowns with unparalled quality and construction. We guarantee you will love your gown when it arrives!
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