6 Reasons to have a Dress created for you

photograph by Maranda Elysse photograghy

There are so many benefits to having a dress created for you however these top 6 are what I hear the most when working with my custom clients.

1. Taking pieces for different gowns you've tried on and making into one unique gown is such a great way to have everything you want and more. A sketch is done of the whole gown so you can see it all together and know you're going to love it.

2. Working 1 on 1 is such a beautiful experience. We get to know each other so well which really assists in creating your dream dress visions and them coming true.

3. You are the designer, really, we're just bringing it to life. You choose every aspect of your dress from start with fabrics and at each fitting, it's all yours.

4. I've had so many conversations with my brides that we should really do these luxury things for ourselves more often. I become everyone's prince charming (helping you put on your shoes) and #reallifefairygodmother

5. Your dress will never be the same as anyone else's. This is 100% custom created just for you.

6. Making an investment that will become timeless is truly priceless as you look back on your day years to come still knowing your made the best decision for your dress and yourself.

Your Designer,

Amanda Garrett

For all inquiries and booking for your custom designs or alterations clicking here. You can also purchase and browse our online selection on our site, Instagram, or click here for more custom accessories such as hand-crafted veils, crowns, and more!

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Alterations

Happy Wedding Wednesday!

Today we are going to discuss Alterations as that is a BIG part of what we do here at A.M.E.G. Designs!

The Alteration services that we provide for include the entire Wedding Party, from the Bride and Groom to the flower girl and ring bearer. Any dresses and suits that are involved in or going to can be altered here.

I am mainly going to be speaking about dresses today however I will discuss briefly about suits and how it works. Let’s dive in!

Hemming, the number one alteration we do here and you would believe how many types of hems there are and how many layers some dresses have. The main questions that I will ask; how many layers is your dress? Is there lace, horsehair hem, are there any layers attached? This all allows me to provide the most accurate quote. Counting the number of layers is important, make sure you peal those beautiful layers apart so you make sure you have provided the right amount. I have had clients send videos to ensure they count them correctly.

Lace and Horsehair hems are the most costly as we need to remove, cut and replace most of the in order to cut the hem to the desired length. Horsehair can be on one single layer of your dress or multiple, we had a dress recently that had 8 layers and 3 of those had horsehair hems. It does take a bit more work so that is why it can be on the higher end of cost for alterations. There are also hems where the fabrics are connected and may even have horsehair in between which is where you’ll find the cost goes up in terms of hems.

Lace trim is a similar process to horsehair hem as we need to remove, cut and replace or we can raise from the waist, or we can add some more tulle underneath and if you are wanting a little bit more volume this works well and its quite cost effective. Now when replacing the lace trim we want to make sure we do not change the pattern of the skirt and have to consider the appliques or lace. Some brides so cut it and aren’t too worried about keeping the same look and others want us to adjust those appliques as well. Which in turn of course is a premium cost. We can raise at the waist as long as it makes sense to do so because you have to take a lot into consideration when doing the hem this way, the zipper, lace, pleats, beading, to name a few.

Tulle hems are fairly easy as we just need to precisely cut it the length we need. Rolled hems are the most common, we cut and If you are keeping your train then we only cut and hem the front while blending it out to the sides , this way we can easily bustle the train for you and keeping it all floor length at the front.

Next the most common alteration is taking in and letting out. Since the pandemic letting out has been something we have been doing a lot more of which definitely gave us an opportunity to figure this one out more because our brides needed to get into their dresses. This can be done in a few different ways; most commonly adding a lace up back however, you can add panels, which I would only suggest on lace dresses and only letting out about 2 or 3 inches and to find lace that will match seamlessly. A lace up back would require to remove the zipper and create the pieces , loops, back cover piece and ribbon. This is something that does change the look of the dress and not everyone is a fan so you have to be completely open to it if it is the only option for you to wear your dress. Taking in can mean we need to remove and replace lace and/or bead, if the lace is in the seam it is much easier for us to take in however this is hardly ever the case. There may also be boning which creates more structure to your dress that we have to remove and replace in the side and bodice.

A bustle is something that lifts your dress and train up so you can dance the night away and enjoy the reception. We have done 1 point bustles to 12 point bustles it just depends on the style of dress. When you come for your fitting we figure this out either the first or after we adjust the bodice and hem. We need to play with it, it’s very much like a puzzle, which I love to do. So when we do them you can see what it will look like once we’re done.

Everything else, adding illusion necklines, adjusting necklines, adding lace for more coverage, adding sleeves, and straps in all different ways. You can have them removeable or completely attached. You can also have a complete deconstruction done if you love a dress but it isn’t exactly your vision we can make it so. Also know this will change the style of dress and if thats what you want then fantastic! Also be sure to ask a seamstress or a few to see if your dress can be turned into something you absolutely want to wear on your wedding day.

We also can do any of the above for any other dress in your wedding. All suit and shirt alterations are also available here pants, jacket, shirts, take-in, tapper, hem, adjust sleeve length, vents and more!

I hope this serves you and has provided some wonderful information for you in terms of alterations on your wedding day.

Contact us >>here << for information and to Book now for Fall/Winter 2022 and 2023!

Your Designer,

Amanda Garrett

Wedding Wednesday: Heirloom Dresses

“Every design begins with an even better story.” - Lorinda Mamo

The best part of doing a deconstructed dress is that mom is involved. Typically the ones I've done, they've all been from mom. But I have done ones that are from a address that you purchased and you want a complete overhaul on it.

Then there's also, from grandma, from great-grandma heirloom dresses, they're so much fun to do and create a modern style from to bring your personality forward, but still being really sentimental because they're from your Mama. Right? So I love this topic. I love talking about deconstruct dresses.

I love creating from deconstructed dresses. I've had a few this year and the first one I did, I created it was a big ball gown dress with poof sleeves, the nineties, right? A lot of them are very similar and lots of intricate beading. I love the way the lace and the beading and everything is on these dresses from the nineties.

It was done really, really well so for this one, I took the bodice out and I removed the skirt and made a mermaid instead of the ballgown. But we reattached the ballgown as a removable back piece. And she looked like an absolute princess, as you can see.

What we did was we created the mermaid, but we used the top and we made the sleeves, small, like quite a bit smaller actually. An off the shoulder look, but they still had a little bit of poof because she wanted that princess look, that, almost Disney princess look and we were able to create that.

Then I just took pieces from the skirt that I had cut and I put them on the bottom parts where the fitted part of the mermaid went and, then it kind of trickled a little bit over, onto the flare of the mermaid, it was absolutely gorgeous. We also had to alter it quite a bit and she came from Ottawa.

We did quite a few fittings and she drove six hours to do this because she really, really believed in the investment of making this dress exactly how she wanted and she wanted it done by me. That was amazing. So, there was quite a few fittings and we altered the back completely. I added functional buttons that went all the way down the dress back. And we really worked together to create something really beautiful for her, her mom was so excited because she was wearing a piece of her on her wedding day.

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The second one I did this year was another one from the nineties. A very big ballgown, really high neck line with gorgeous lace detailing and fringe beading. The bride specifically said, “I can't have that beading, uh, the fringe beading can not happen”, so we made sure that was used in a different way. However, this one, I just removed the pieces of lace appliques and put them all over the piece that I created.

Basically I created a dress for her, that was a very beautiful flowing dress she had tulle, on the top, like a tulle mesh that was see-through. Covered it with the appliques from her mom's dress and did a little bit more simpler on the back. She had her mom's buttons down the back as well, such a nice touch.

I also removed all the beading, all those fringe beaded pieces, I created a belt for her and it just made the dress.

Doing it this way you still get that sentimental value of mom's dress or whoever's dress, and be able to do it to the style you would love most. So wonderful.

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I've also created pieces from these heirloom dresses, where I created a type dress. I used the bodice and then I created a bottom and I added the bottom lace to it and to the knee basically. It was just a reception dress and it was absolutely stunning.

You can do anything with a dress, either from either an heirloom dress or a dress that you see potential, and you see that there is something in it that you love, but you want to create it and make it your own exact uniquely to you. And that is what we do here.

That is why I do what I do to make things and create things to bring your vision to life so that it is uniquely yours. No one else is going to have these pieces ever. And, and that's the beauty. The whole point is that you feel beautiful and confident and, you know, looking back on these pictures from your wedding day, you're still going to be swooning over these pictures and you're going to be so happy that you made the investment and you did.

So wishing you a very happy Wednesday, and I hope that you have a fabulous rest of your week.

Your Designer,

Amanda Garrett

www.amegdesigns.com

A Real-Life Fairy God-Mother

Once upon a time, in a cozy house, on a quiet street, in a village on the edge of a booming metropolis, a young seamstress discovered she could perform magic. It was a transformative sort of magic that could make every bride look and feel amazing…

We all love fairy tales and, when I complete a dress for a client, it makes me feel like a real-life Fairy God-Mother! The magic occurs when a bride’s vision comes to life, and fits all of their curves (or lack of them) perfectly. True to the genre, all good fairy tales begin at home. This one is no exception. You see, I struggled with body-image issues for a long time. For years, I suffered from never feeling happy in the clothes I was wearing — literally feeling uncomfortable in my own skin. Everything changed on the day I picked up my scissors, cut into some fabric, and sewed my first dress. I took the pattern and adjusted it to my measurements. There was a moment, just before I tried it on, when I felt hesitant, worried my work would let me down. But the moment I pulled that dress on, well, it was magic. It fit me perfectly and, as a result, for the first time in my life, I felt fabulous! That dress made me aware that having something tailored to my own personal shape made me not only feel more comfortable, but heightened my self-image. Inspired, I embarked on a journey which, with a lot of self-love care, has helped me see an even clearer image of myself. It also gave me a clear vision for my business, to share my joy with the world! I have experienced the thrill of that moment over and over again. My goal has been to elevate and accentuate the best parts of my clients, leaving the rest behind them. Every day, I use my weapons of dress construction to make visions come to life. The ultimate challenge is to listen to an idea that someone has in their mind and translate it, craft it, form it into what I hope resembles their dream dress. Over the years, I have created and altered hundreds, if not thousands, of gowns and there is one thing that makes everything I do worth it: witnessing the ecstatic joy on their faces as they slip into the dress for the final fitting. The transformation into a fairy tale princess is immediate as they turn and spin around in front of the mirror, feeling the perfect fit, beaming with happiness. Dare I say it again? It’s magic!

Each of my clients arrive with a vision, an idea that is pre-existing about how they wish to look. It’s the reason custom-made, tailored design is the perfect solution for most brides, especially after searching and trying on what feels like a thousand ready-made dresses. That’s where I come in! As a crafter, there is nothing more satisfying than starting a project, finishing it runs a close second. The process is stimulating. At the initial consultation we discuss fabric and style. I measure every inch of my client to ensure the gown will fit all those ‘perfect imperfections’ (with thanks to Ed Sheeran for such a great expression). Sketches and cups of tea, and more sketches and tea, until the gown starts to come to life in my mind. There is such delight in sourcing fabric – the satins, the silks, the lace – it’s like a smorgasbord of texture. Then crafting out the pattern, piecing the dress together like a jigsaw puzzle, to ensure a perfect fit. The moment of truth comes as I prepare to cut. Like a carpenter, I measure twice, double-checking pins are secure before I pick up one of the most critical tools in my toolkit – no, not a magic wand – a shining pair of scissors. For me, there is nothing more exciting than pinning freshly cut pieces of fabric together and sitting down at the sewing machine. And this is where I wish I did have a magic wand to wave, or perhaps some sparkles or a puff of smoke because, with a ‘Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo’, the perfect fitted dress has come to life! Exactly what was envisioned, or more frequently, the words are, “Amanda! This is better than I could have ever dreamed!” Yup, I feel like a Fairy God-Mother every time.

Over the last ten years I have been privileged to create some lovely dresses, but I believe the dress you see here reflects my best work yet. For some reason, I just feel creatively connected to this one. It highlights my skills. The style is based on a pattern that I have altered many times and followed once before, however I have never created one quite like this. My husband says it’s his favourite and he has seen more wedding dresses than any other man I know. Each piece of fabric that I cut, each layer upon layer that was sewn together felt effortless. It was almost magical, as if I was achieving the vision towards our first fitting on some sort of a creative energy high like no other. My client arrived for her fitting. She loved it! She was delighted to see her vision becoming a reality. Each lace appliqué was hand-sewn and took several days. With the kids and other obligations in my life, there were moments when I felt I would never finish the bodice! But as each day passed, I grew more excited to continue. The final result was such an achievement. It is an honour to provide a service that fulfills dreams. To say that I enjoy ‘crafting’ is a gross understatement. Each piece that I alter or create to fit the bride’s size, personality and style allows me to share my magic with the world. My goal is for everyone to feel beautiful and confident on the day of their wedding and beyond.

And so we draw to the end of the fairy tale. The little seamstress who discovered she could perform magic feels most days like a real life fairy godmother, making each clients dress visions come true. And, as she creates their dreams, she is living her own. Dreams that are so big and beautiful, there are times she has to pinch herself to believe they’re true. And somewhere, behind a pile of fabric, surrounded by needles and pins and scissors, she is grinning from ear to ear, because she is living ‘happily ever after’.

A dream come true

“I showed Amanda what I wanted in my wedding dress and she worked so hard to get every detail to perfection! She was lovely to work with and is so talented. She also made my garters and veil, my mom's Mother of the Bride dress, the dresses for my bridal party, and face masks for the bridal party and groomsmen. I highly recommend her if you want a custom bridal experience. She will make your dreams come true!”

Wedding and Bridesmaid Dresses created by Amanda Garrett from A.M.E.G. Designs

Photography by Maranda Elysse Photofraphy

Finding the Perfect Wedding dress for your body type

What do you love to wear?

You may be thinking, okay what does what kind of dress that I love wearing normally have to do with my wedding dress? SO here’s the thing, if you know what fits your body, empire waist, drop waist, fitted, flowing, etc. Then you will have a rough idea of a style that will work for your wedding day. Also, knowing your specific body type goes hand in hand with the idea of your dream dress. Every BODY is so different, that you would see a model who has a completely different body then you and love a dress but once it is on you, you realize your shape makes it look different. There is nothing wrong with this, but with custom I have found over the years, that I can adjust a gown to better fit your body instead of a cookie cutter style of dress that will end up making you feel uncomfortable.

Now I am sure that you have started creating boards and saving pictures of what you would love to wear on your wedding day. That is fabulous! Knowing the fabrics that you’re loving and the style makes it so much easier to narrow down what will make your heart sing when you try dresses on. This will then allow you to find the silhouette that will accentuate your assets and leave your less-loved characteristics out. With my help, I cut and fit a dress exactly to your shape. This means that depending on fabrics and weight lose you may only need one fitting and a final pickup. Also your alterations are INCLUDED in the price so you don’t have to worry about additional costs once you get your dress. How fantastic is that!

Now let’s talk silhouette and body type;

Petite Frame


You don’t want to wear something that you seem to be swimming in, this is mainly for us shorties out there, but if it is too big it can be overwhelming for your body.

A sheath or more fitted trumpet gown would be perfect. If you are wanting to go with a ball gown, a drop waist princess cut would work well because It will lengthen your torso and give you a bit more curve.

A plunging V-Neck with a sustainable strap, elongates that neck and draws the eye upward, which is where we want everyone to be looking anyways right?!

An empire waist style is lovely to give the illusion of long legs and flows really beautifully outward.

Simple fabric, appliques and beading that aren’t too overwhelming can be exceptional design details for you.

Curvy Frame (Hourglass)

Illusions can be your best friend (if that is what you’re looking for) or do you want a style that celebrates all your curves. then you don’t want to miss out on this!

As is for the petite women, the empire waist will give a lengthening effect pairing with a chiffon sleeved skirt, acting as a whimsical and delicate cover up.

A lace illusion styled neckline can be very slimming when paired with a cummerbund-style waistline.

Having an lace off-shoulder neckline, if you’re more narrow, can provide a beautiful long neck and show off the collar bone perfectly. Pair that with a sweetheart underlay and you’re golden. (This is one I have created several times)

Sheath can totally be the way go, creating a long and lean look while accentuating your curves at the same time. High necklines and slight trains for the win!

Accessories like a darker colour sash draws the eye in, creating a slimmer waistline.

Scoop necklines help you to avoid a strapless bra for those who have voluptuous cup size.

The dropped waist silhouette or basque waistline enhances the hourglass figure.

Long & Lean Frame (Athletic)

Most gowns were created with you in mind, as many models have a straight body type. Here are some types to give you some curves and options that not every bride can pull off like you can!

Sheath with it’s different styled necklines.

Contouring seams at the hips can create a curve for the eyes.

Show off those legs girl, with a slit at whatever length you desire, the higher the better ;)

High necklines and a full A-line skirt can balance your height while showcasing it.

Illusion necklines with trickling lace, leaving a hint of bare skin shows off your long beautiful neck.

Crop tops and skirts, yep that’s right you can do it!

Ballgowns are just right because they won’t overwhelm your tall figure.

Top Heavy (Busty)

If you have girl problems, and I mean “the girls” then this one is for you! You can reveal or conceal!

Illusion necklines paired with a sweet heart can be every bit as supportive as it is delicate and elegant.

The sweet heart with straps and a full skirt will balance your frame and keep those “girls” in check.

If you want to go strapless, you can with a straight across neckline as this actually minimizes your assets.

The square neckline is perfect because it is not too revealing and is super supportive.

You can still do a plunging V if you want to, go as deep or as high as you would like. The best part about custom is you can really choose how low you can go.

A draped cowl neck sits seamlessly over your bust allowing you to have more options with a more figure-hugging gown.

At the end of the day, try dresses on! I recommend this unless you know 100% the vision you have will be perfect for your body. I have had clients love one thing and then I need to make adjustments once we get to the first fitting because it does something to their figure they hate. The good thing is, I can change it, YAY! So ladies whatever your body type their is a dress out there for you, all you have to know is what fits you well in life, what you want and you’ll be set!

Looking for suggestions let me know, I’d be happy to discuss options that would fit you seamlessly :)

I hope this inspires you!

Your Designer,

Amanda Garrett

www.amegdesigns.com