Not always, but often in the few times I've not been satisfied with what I've had made (and it's usually only the few details that I've been unsatisfied with -- but then again details may be everything to some), it's been because, looking back on it, I'm the one who didn't communicate with the the tailor as well I could have.

Often the client thinks he knows what's the best cut for him, and what details are most flattering, when, in fact, a second opinion, that coming from the tailor, is helpful in developing the most flattering gament.  To borrow from an old saying involving lawyers representing themselves, someone who pretends to be a tailor has a fool for a client.  Case in point is a chap on another fora vogueing his spanking new suit that is the result of him having imposed himself on the tailor, resulting in a rather unflattering, even odd-looking, suit:  Gorge so high it is almost touching the shoulder, lapels so wide, the points are almost extending beyond the chest, vest too high.  The tailor knew it was materializing into a horror show, and, indeed, the end result is not pretty.

Last edited by jsprowls9 (2007-03-01 19:47:06)

I've been fired by both a tailor and shirtmaker whose patience I tried, they said I was "picky". I've gone on to discover that there are "picky" makers, who now try my patience.

I've just had an idea. What if tailors used the same type of computer imaging used by Morgenthal Frederics in NYC? They take your pic, upload it, then you can virtually try on thousand of frames in seconds.
For example, you know shirtmakers have tons of collar and cuff shapes on display/in a book? Why can't tailors do that with lapels, gorge heights, button stances, shoulder shapes, etc.? They take your pics, upload them, take your natural frame and coloring into account, and build the suit for a preview right there onscreen, thereby (perhaps) avoiding those unpleasant surprises so many speak of, and if the fabrics have been previously uploaded, all the better.
I'm sure SOMEONE can create the program. It'll save tons of time and frustration for both tailor and customer, leaving the tailor more time to actually make the garment.
Yes, some may hate this idea and decry it as another attempt at wiping away traditional values/the tailor's eye, etc., but, to me, it's just a way of finally bringing some of them into the 21st Century, while retaining the great tradition of custom-MADE clothing, not custom-OMG, this discussion is taking waaaay too long before I even make the clothing, clothing.
                                                     *cue "Star Trek" theme*

Last edited by BCL (2007-03-03 15:35:53)