Our Custom Commissions and Company Policies
Online Store
The prices listed in our online store are for the item as described in the sizes listed. Of course, alterations to design and additional sizes can be made, but additional charges will apply. Select items do have option selectors that allow you to personalize your garment a bit, please contact us if you have other requests.
Custom made to order garments and costumes are made to fit the person who will be wearing it and are subject to the below listed policies. Items marked marked Ready to Ship are available for immediate shipment. The items that are clearly marked READY TO SHIP are limited to the size and style listed and not subject to any changes.
Items from the Ready to Ship and Sewing Pattern Categories are shipped typically within 1-5 business days. Shipping times for all other items are listed in the listing and vary due to the complexity of the item. Please email if you need an item for a specific date and we will see what we can do. Of course, the stores are just a sample of what can be done, so please let us know if you are looking for something specific.
Custom Design Commissions
We work with clients near and far and am always up for a new project. Email or call to discuss your ideas for a custom commission to correen@correenscdesigns.com. If you have a photographs or sketches, please attach them to your email. We take pride in our own creativity and look forward to working with you to create the piece you were imagining. Please do not ask us to copy another designer's work exactly, it is wrong and we just will not do it. For character costumes, we will do our best to create an amazing interpretation that will be sure to please. During the inquiry process, we will discuss your project briefly with you to determine a rough estimate. If you decide to move forward, a deposit of based on the given estimate will be necessary to keep the project moving. After your deposit is paid, we will go to work on sketches of how your garment may look, coordinating your fabric and trim options, researching historical and other practical details necessary to bring the piece to life. Our deposit schedule is as follows:
- Projects $400 and under the deposit is $100
- Projects $500 - $1000 the deposit is $200
- Projects $1000 and up the deposit is $500
Communication
The best way to reach us to discuss details is via email. Sometimes it is easier to explain details over the phone, we do ask that you send an email after the conversation to reiterate key points so we can have the information handy for reference. We will do the same if we contact you with a question to confirm we understand each other.
Pricing and Custom Sewing Rates
Prices for featured designs are for the design as shown in the sizes listed. Additional charges apply for other sizes and/or changes made to featured designs. For custom costume commissions, our labor rate for design and sewing services is $40.00 per hour plus fabric, trims, and a notions fee. All time spent researching, gathering materials, drafting patterns, constructing, decorating, fitting, and preparing the garment for shipping are subject to the labor rate. For most sewing orders, the notions fee is $10.00. The notions fee, however, may vary depending on the notions necessary for the garment's construction. The notions fee covers the cost of zippers, buttons, thread, and other items necessary for construction.
Estimates, Deposits and Getting your Order on the Schedule
Costumes, dresses, and garments that have a set price will be expected to be paid in full prior to beginning. If a set price item is requested with changes to be made to the costume design or in a different size, the set price is expected to be paid as a deposit and an additional invoice will be sent for any additional charges incurred and must be paid prior to shipping or delivery. Of course we will be in communication this whole time to avoid any surprises.
For custom designed garments, a rough estimate will be given prior to starting. Due to varying material costs, it is very hard to give an exact estimate prior to starting work. I do my best to keep our customers informed and am used to working with many different budgets. Details and items added to the garment by the client during the construction process will add to the final cost. You will be informed of an approximate cost for those additions at the time of your request. A deposit based on the given estimate will be required to begin any work. This deposit is non-refundable and will be applied toward your final balance.
We do offer payment plans. If you need to make payments, you may select the Costume Deposit option, checkout, and submit your measurements to secure the date. A PayPal invoice for the balance with due date will be sent to the email provided at checkout. You are welcome to make payments as you wish, but the final balance must be paid in full by the 1st of the month of the delivery month chosen. Please understand that August through December are our busy season and items must be paid in full before they are processed so plan accordingly.
Getting Your Order on the Schedule An order is considered received after the following three items are received:
1. The online store order information or an email or written document detailing the request for custom commissions
2. Completed item payment or paid deposit invoice.
3. A completed Measurement Worksheet.
Canceling an Order
Should an order need to be cancelled, a 75% refund will be given for up to 7 days after order placement. 25% is kept for the spot on the schedule that was held for you and to cover materials and time that already went into the order. No refunds are given after 7 days.
Sizing and Measurements
Designs are typically based on standard American size proportions. However, I request further information to ensure a proper fit. Each item in the online Store will state if a form is required or not. The form will need to be completed and emailed back in order for me to place your garment order on the schedule. I will make the item according to the information provided. I cannot be responsible for fitting issues caused by mistaken measurements - please measure carefully. If you wish to forgo completing the form, any fitting issues are your responsibility. If you are dieting, please keep me informed of progress before your item is started. Form can be located on our website. Complete the form fields and return as an email attachment to correen@correenscdesigns.com
Please ask questions if you are unsure about any part of the measuring process. Please use a cloth measuring tape and provide information in inches.
Local clients, I will take any applicable measurements at your consultation appointment and additional fittings can be arranged to ensure proper fit.
Completion Times and Rush Fees
Each listing in our store will have a Delivery Options tab to select when you would like your costume delivered. Your order will be completed in the month selected in the order it was received. If you are making payments on your costume, the balance is required to be paid off by the first of the month you are scheduled in to keep on that month's schedule.
If an order is needed sooner than my next available spot on the schedule a rush fee will apply.
The following scale will apply for 2023. Items are priced according to complexity and of course more complex items take a lot more to get it done on time and therefore will be subject to the Rush fee.
NEXT SCHEDULE SPOT AVAILABLE
Orders $50-100 - $25 Rush Fee
Orders $101-$125 - $50 Rush Fee
Orders $126-299 - $100 Rush Fee
Orders $300-600 - $200 Rush Fee
Orders $601 and up - $300 Rush Fee
LESS THAN 2 WEEKS NOTICE
Orders $50-$100 - $50 Rush Fee
Orders $101-125 - $75 Rush Fee
Orders $126-299 - $150 Rush Fee
Orders $300-600 - $300 Rush Fee
Orders $601 and up - $400 Rush Fee
Please understand that when an order is "Rushed" the extra cost covers the cost of the juggling, longer hours, extra hands and effort necessary to get your order out the door to accommodate your timing all the time making sure the client who was in that spot is not effected. You will be responsible for expedited shipping charges necessary for both getting your fabric here and getting the finished piece to you. I will send you your shipping options the day before shipment. A separate invoice for shipping charges will need to be paid before the item will be shipped. If you are interested utilizing this option, please contact us so we can confirm if we can accommodate your timing. If we are able to meet your request, you must purchase the appropriate fee from our Rush My Order listing.
Payment and Shipping Methods
Cash, Venmo, PayPal, Credit Cards, Cashiers Checks and Money Orders are all accepted. We use both PayPal and Stripe to process credit cards as methods of payment for both custom and online orders. Invoices for deposits and final balances are typically sent via our bookkeeping system unless other arrangements are made. Please be advised when paying by e-check, clearance typically takes 5-7 days and your order will note placed on the schedule until we are notified of the check clearing. For Cashiers Checks and money orders, we allow 3 business days after receipt for your check or money order to clear before beginning or shipping an order.
We ship using the United States Postal Service, UPS or FedEx. We chose the carrier at the time of shipment that offers the best rate and quickest delivery. Please understand that once an item leaves our hands, we cannot be held responsible for any issues that may arrive in transit. Tracking will be provided so you can keep an eye on your package's movements. If an issue arrives, please contact the appropriate carrier directly.
For Canada and international addresses, please inquire about shipping rates. I know Duty charges are a pain, but I complete the forms honestly as required by law. It is illegal to lie, so please do not ask.
If you prefer to use FedEx, a FedEx account or credit card number must be provided for billing. If you have a UPS account, you are welcome to supply the number for us to bill your shipping charges to as well.
Satisfaction and Return Policy
We do our best to communicate with our customers to get a clear picture of what they are looking for. We are confident in our sewing and creative abilities and strive to provide quality items at fair prices. If for any reason, you are not quite happy with your order, we will work with you to come to a resolution.
Please call right away if an issue should arise. Issues need to be reported within 7 days of receipt per the records of the delivery service used. DO NOT WEAR or USE the garment until issue is resolved. Once an item is purchased it is custom made for the person who will be wearing it. Due to this custom service, returns are not considered. Care instructions will be provided for each item and our work is guaranteed, however, mistreatment care for any item is not. Please follow the care instructions given careful. You will be responsible for any necessary repairs or replacement costs for items not properly cared for.
Photo Sharing Credits
We love to see you smile and love to see pictures of our clients in our garments. If you happen to have professional photographs you would like to share for our marketing purposes, we will offer a credit of $50 an image for future orders. Please submit jpg file images watermarked by your photographer. Both you and your photographer will be mentioned wherever the photograph appears. We are requesting to use the images for our marketing with your permission, copyright ownership stays with the appropriate parties.
Alteration Services
We offer alteration services for bridal and formal wear, costumes and some clothing.
Services we offer: Hemming, taking in or letting out seams to fit, strap adjustments, adding bra cups, dress bustles and dress restyling. We do require the item to be new or freshly dry cleaned. We do not handle dresses that have been worn or are dirty.
We do not offer zipper repair or hem jeans - sorry!
All alteration services is charged by the hour as there is no way to figure individual service charges as all items are not created equal and there is no way of accurately knowing how much time is involved until work begins. We charge $45-100 an hour for all alteration services and time is calculated from the point of fitting to the final pressing of the garment. Deposits are not necessary at drop off, we will email your invoice when your garment is ready. Hourly rate is based on how much notice is given for your garment.
- 1 week notice is billed at $100 an hour for wedding dresses and $75 for all other garments
- 2 week notice is billed at $85 an hour for wedding dresses and $65 for all other garments
- 3 week notice is billed at $75 an hour for wedding dresses and $45 for all other garments.
Our Annual Prom Clinic which we hold each spring is billed at $40 an hour.
You will be expected to bring the proper foundation wear and shoes you will be wearing with your garment to your appointment.
Please make your appointment by phone or using our online appointment scheduler at the bottom of our home page. Evening and Saturday appointments will be subject to a $25 fee that will be added to a credit for services.
Product Design and Consulting Services
Have a product you are trying to get to market? We can help. We offer consulting services from a sewing prospective as well as prototype and sewing pattern creation. Rates are $50 per hour and we require a $200 retainer to start your project. The retainer will be applied to your invoice. We will provide personal presentatins as well as written reports with recommendations geared towards the sucess of your project. For sewing pattern creation, while the design concept are property of its' owner, the actual sewing patterns and instructions remain the property of our company. You will have written permission to use the pattern for its' intended purpose for the manufacturing of your product, however the sale or trade of the pattern/instructions themselves, are not allowed and require further arrangements.
Current Timing
For Alterations we are fully booked until late November. Check our Alterations page for available appointments.
For Custom Commissions, we are sold out for 2024 and booking into late winter/early spring 2025.