Bad Manners and Brimstone
General Etiquette => The Work Day => Topic started by: cymbaline246 on December 08, 2019, 06:54:51 pm
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I work in a store that also takes in clothing for tailoring. A customer came in last week with a garment that she wanted remade into something entirely different. She didn't see it that way, but what she wanted was something in a completely different style than what she owns. To make it even dicier, I suspect the existing garment is very, very expensive. I told her I wasn't qualified to do this kind of work. She needed someone who makes custom garments from scratch, and had experience with pattern drafting. Cue sad face and negotiating, "maybe you could just shorten it." She'd shown me several pictures she'd photoshopped of potential re-makes, and she wasn't even sure how short she wanted it to be. I said, no, no seamstress really enjoys finishing someone else's work. We sent her out with a suggestion of someone who does make custom clothing.
She left several other garments, which were completed. She was contacted by text, and replied that she is coming in next week to speak to me again. I'll have to say no again, if she asks. But I don't know how to more definitively say, "We do basic alterations here. I'm not qualified to take on a project like this."
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I have to tell people all of the time that we aren’t a good fit. Most of them handle it ok, but every now and then, we get some really upset clients.
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"We are not qualified. This is beyond out skills. Please contact XYZ who does custom clothing work." Repeat yourself like a broken record.
Sounds like she's trying to get out of paying the cost of custom work. And since you sew, she's trying to make it your problem to figure out. Don't let her talk you into even touching that outfit. You know she'll blame you if anything goes wrong.
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Personally I'd be so grateful to have someone just tell me decisively right up front "We can't do that. Maybe XYZ would be able to do that for you."
I've had people attempt to do things they had no experience with but assured me they knew what they were doing and the results were disastrous.
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So much easier to keep saying no than to be sued. And the kind of person who refuses to take no for an answer seems to me to be the kind of person who would sue you when it wasn't to her vague specifications.
On the bright side, you could be on Judge Judy! ;)
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Sounds like she's trying to get out of paying the cost of custom work.
That's possible. But also possible that she really hasn't got a clue about how clothes are put together and how it is (or isn't) possible to alter them, or indeed anything about sewing in general; all she knows is that this garment is currently not how she wants it to be, and she presumes that anyone who can sew can surely change it to what she does want.
C246, I think it was lucky that she wanted something that was clearly way beyond what you are qualified to do. Because with people who are that ignorant of sewing it isn't even about "not wanting to pay" the cost of custom work; they honestly have no conception of the work entailed in making or remaking a garment to a good standard. They imagine you can spend a couple of hours zooming over it with a sewing machine, and hey presto! - so if you charge even half what your labour is worth they are honestly outraged.
Edited to add: and I know whereof I speak! I have a friend who made beautiful authentic hand-sewn historical clothes - I wouldn't insult them by calling them 'costumes', because they were real clothes, you put them on and immediately they felt right and normal - and because she loved the work she actually charged less by the hour for making them than she did for copy-typing, her other main occupation. But she still regularly encountered people who considered her prices a rip-off.
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That old phrase “I’m afraid that won’t be possible” repeated until she gets it might do the trick.
I’ve found it helps when I’ve internally decided no, to recognize that all I have left is to communicate it. I think something about me processing mentally “there is no way this person can make me do this thing” might change my demeanor when speaking. When I do that, the other person seems to give up much more quickly.
“For the reasons I previously stated I am not willing to work on this garment.”
This lady sounds like a piece of work!
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Sounds like she's trying to get out of paying the cost of custom work.
That's possible. But also possible that she really hasn't got a clue about how clothes are put together and how it is (or isn't) possible to alter them, or indeed anything about sewing in general; all she knows is that this garment is currently not how she wants it to be, and she presumes that anyone who can sew can surely change it to what she does want.
This is it. She even said, "If I was doing it, I'd just ____. I just don't know what to do about the lining."
Those of you who sew know this is akin to saying, "Of course I can build my own house. I just don't know how to install a decorative cover on the light switch."
She wants an oversized, double breasted long coat turned into a fitted single breasted jacket. And she wants the pockets, cut into the front and rendered useless by shortening the coat "moved." And she likes the long roll line on the lapel, but she wants the snaps moved up which will shorten it.
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If there comes a point, you might want to way, "I -am- sorry that I can't help you. Please respect my decision."
Or, since more words is more softening than fewer: "I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to respect our decision."
Or, quote her a really high price--whatever you'd pay someone else to do it, plus the time it would take you to find them. Though--I have a feeling that what she wants is simply not possible.
If the pockets were patch pockets, it's possible that the jacket could be made fitted. It would be a LOT of work to make the double-breasted into single-breasted, because that will involve a remake of the lapel.
I suppose someone could simply rip out all the stitching and treat the resulting pieces as though they were the fabric for a new coat. But that's more work than making one from scratch.
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Or, quote her a really high price--whatever you'd pay someone else to do it, plus the time it would take you to find them. Though--I have a feeling that what she wants is simply not possible.
I wouldn't do that. She might take you up on it, then when it goes poorly, blame you. "Simply not possible" sounds right. I used to sew clothes for myself. Fabric pieces are cut to fit together for a particular design. Just going from double breasted to single breasted creates problems.
OP asked about how to respond in further conversations. I would repeat the original response, which was very good. Even if the customer decides to go with just shortening it from a full length coat to a jacket, I would say no. She sounds unrealistic, and an unrealistic customer is more likely to be dissatisfied and create problems after the job is done.
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Honestly, for what she wants done, it might be kinder to let her know a brand new jacket will probably be less expensive than altering/reconstructing this one.
You may also need to be more exact. "We offer basic hemming, zipper/button repair and this would require completely deconstruction of the garment, a pattern made, then reconstructing the garment. This is not able to be done by anyone here, go to place we recommended."
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Sounds like she's trying to get out of paying the cost of custom work.
That's possible. But also possible that she really hasn't got a clue about how clothes are put together and how it is (or isn't) possible to alter them, or indeed anything about sewing in general; all she knows is that this garment is currently not how she wants it to be, and she presumes that anyone who can sew can surely change it to what she does want.
This is it. She even said, "If I was doing it, I'd just ____. I just don't know what to do about the lining."
To this, I would respond with a shrug and say, "You know what? Neither do I! You should take it to someone who does."
And yeah, no, don't quote her any price, high or low.
Do y'all have the name of someone you can refer her too? (That might help redirect her.) Or just say, "I think you can google 'custom tailor' or 'custom seamstress' to find someone qualified to help you."
But in the end, I think you said it beautifully in your OP:
"We do basic alterations here. I'm not qualified to take on a project like this."
And if necessary, keep repeating, "I'm not qualified to do this."
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I suppose someone could simply rip out all the stitching and treat the resulting pieces as though they were the fabric for a new coat. But that's more work than making one from scratch.
It's also more expensive than simply buying a new coat.
I once had someone contact me because she used to be a size 20, then lost a lot of weight and wanted all of her clothing taken down to her new size - 10. I had to tell her that it was cheaper to just buy new clothing. Non-sewing people simply don't understand.
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I just want to comment that you're not "turning down business." To me, it sounds like you're making a smart business decision because you're not qualified and can end with disastrous results.
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Sounds like she's trying to get out of paying the cost of custom work.
That's possible. But also possible that she really hasn't got a clue about how clothes are put together and how it is (or isn't) possible to alter them, or indeed anything about sewing in general; all she knows is that this garment is currently not how she wants it to be, and she presumes that anyone who can sew can surely change it to what she does want.
This is it. She even said, "If I was doing it, I'd just ____. I just don't know what to do about the lining."
Those of you who sew know this is akin to saying, "Of course I can build my own house. I just don't know how to install a decorative cover on the light switch."
She wants an oversized, double breasted long coat turned into a fitted single breasted jacket. And she wants the pockets, cut into the front and rendered useless by shortening the coat "moved." And she likes the long roll line on the lapel, but she wants the snaps moved up which will shorten it.
Yikes. I am a basic seamstress, and I looked at the description and winced repeatedly. It isn't going to happen the way she wants, and she will hate the results. She'd be better off finding someone who does custom work and getting a new garment made. It would also most likely be cheaper in the end.
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I understand her wishes. I have had a few garments that I've made into other things simply because the fabric is that remarkable. But, those were my own things done for my own use that I approached with the attitude of "Even if it doesn't work out, at least I tried."
I don't think I'd even contemplate doing attempting it for someone else.
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I would just keep telling her: "I have told you several times that I am not qualified to do this work. I would not want to damage your garment because I lack the skills to do what you want. I recommend XYZ company to do this type of work."
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you might get her to let go of her dream if you offer her copious sympathy, and admire the garment with her, etc. And then delivery the "no" again.
It's what I did when my kids wanted a toy. I'd admire it with them, and acknowledge their yearning, and maybe even yearn a little alongside them. And then say, with a markedly regretful tone, that we couldn't buy it today.
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How about you act a bit crazy and yell, “I’m a seamstress, not a magician!” I’m picturing you doing this in some kind of man’s 50’s Brooklyn accent while waving your hands around and muttering to yourself.
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The thing is, what she wants may very well be possible if she contact the person the OP recommended. I don't know why she's resisting and would rather pin her hopes on someone who says they don't have the skills.
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As an intermediate level sewer, I have learned that it is not possible to take clothes down more than two sizes because the grain lines get distorted, even it you were to completely take every piece of fabric apart & recut it, you're going to have to TILT the pattern pieces to get them to fit inside the old garment pieces...tilting means that things will hang oddly...and that doesn't look good. Sometimes creases, pleats, darts, and other old seams will continue to show - which doesn't look good. If you want clothes to look good after loosing a lot of weight - celebrate by buying a whole new wardrobe - making the old one over to fit the new you is going to make you look odd, not good. The fabric won't be as sturdy, it may be faded in the wrong places after moving the seams & such around, and it's going to look ridiculous to those who know what custom clothes look like and strange to those who just know what clothes look like...they may not be able to tell why... But it's not worth the money that it would cost to do that kind of work on used clothing. It might be worth it to wear your grandmother's wedding dress - but that's about the only time I'd even think to try...
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The thing is, what she wants may very well be possible if she contact the person the OP recommended. I don't know why she's resisting and would rather pin her hopes on someone who says they don't have the skills.
I suspect anything is possible but the cut-in pockets sound like they would really present a problem.
I’m picturing them falling in a funny spot, lower on the body than would look normal and maybe even wrapped around the back. I don’t sew but I watch my Mom do it!
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Here's a link (https://www.realmenrealstyle.com/difference-double-breasted-suit-jacket-single-breasted-suit-jackets/) with double and single breasted jackets. As you can see, the entire front of the jacket is different. Pockets wouldn't fit in the same place, especially if you're cutting it down from a coat. Depending on whether she wants a short or long jacket, pockets might not even be possible, moved or not. The lapel won't look like it does now, and she wants to keep that.
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Still, she would be better off getting an expert opinion on whether or not it can be done. An expert can explain clearly and may be able to provide options. I can understand if the OP doesn't feel comfortable explaining because it's not her area of expertise.
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How about saying 'I honestly wouldn't attempt anything that radical on a jacket of my own, so I certainly couldn't undertake it on a garment belonging to a customer'? That might help convey to her that you're not just being difficult, or don't 'feel like' taking on the job.
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Here's a link (https://www.realmenrealstyle.com/difference-double-breasted-suit-jacket-single-breasted-suit-jackets/) with double and single breasted jackets. As you can see, the entire front of the jacket is different. Pockets wouldn't fit in the same place, especially if you're cutting it down from a coat. Depending on whether she wants a short or long jacket, pockets might not even be possible, moved or not. The lapel won't look like it does now, and she wants to keep that.
Can cut in pockets be “moved”? Wouldn’t you have a big seam where the pockets previously existed?
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Here's a link (https://www.realmenrealstyle.com/difference-double-breasted-suit-jacket-single-breasted-suit-jackets/) with double and single breasted jackets. As you can see, the entire front of the jacket is different. Pockets wouldn't fit in the same place, especially if you're cutting it down from a coat. Depending on whether she wants a short or long jacket, pockets might not even be possible, moved or not. The lapel won't look like it does now, and she wants to keep that.
Can cut in pockets be “moved”? Wouldn’t you have a big seam where the pockets previously existed?
Sometimes, but it'd be a nightmare of a job. My mom does seamstress work on the side and can construct garments from scratch with no pattern, but I'm telling y'all she'd laugh herself silly at the request and tell the person to buy a new coat. She's done some pretty insane cosplay ensembles for people, so she's got the skills.
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I showed the description of the work your customer wants done to my sister, who runs an alteration shop and does do custom work (she does a lot of work for re-enactors, for example, and she's made a few wedding dresses), and she said she would turn down the work for the reasons VorFemme cited. She did say that she once took apart a very nice kilt that no longer fit and was able to make another garment from it (another style of skirt), but there are yards of fabric in a kilt to work with.
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I showed the description of the work your customer wants done to my sister, who runs an alteration shop and does do custom work (she does a lot of work for re-enactors, for example, and she's made a few wedding dresses), and she said she would turn down the work for the reasons VorFemme cited. She did say that she once took apart a very nice kilt that no longer fit and was able to make another garment from it (another style of skirt), but there are yards of fabric in a kilt to work with.
I learned about how much fabric there is in a kilt watching the Great British Sewing Bee. All those pleats! This whole conversation has also made me think of that show, because the first challenge of each episode was to convert an existing garment into something completely different. As you can imagine, some were more successful than others. If you like sewing, highly recommend checking the show out online (same producers as the Bake Off).
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I showed the description of the work your customer wants done to my sister, who runs an alteration shop and does do custom work (she does a lot of work for re-enactors, for example, and she's made a few wedding dresses), and she said she would turn down the work for the reasons VorFemme cited. She did say that she once took apart a very nice kilt that no longer fit and was able to make another garment from it (another style of skirt), but there are yards of fabric in a kilt to work with.
I learned about how much fabric there is in a kilt watching the Great British Sewing Bee. All those pleats! This whole conversation has also made me think of that show, because the first challenge of each episode was to convert an existing garment into something completely different. As you can imagine, some were more successful than others. If you like sewing, highly recommend checking the show out online (same producers as the Bake Off).
Oh! That sounds good. Is it on Netflix?
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Here's a link (https://www.realmenrealstyle.com/difference-double-breasted-suit-jacket-single-breasted-suit-jackets/) with double and single breasted jackets. As you can see, the entire front of the jacket is different. Pockets wouldn't fit in the same place, especially if you're cutting it down from a coat. Depending on whether she wants a short or long jacket, pockets might not even be possible, moved or not. The lapel won't look like it does now, and she wants to keep that.
Can cut in pockets be “moved”? Wouldn’t you have a big seam where the pockets previously existed?
Sometimes, but it'd be a nightmare of a job. My mom does seamstress work on the side and can construct garments from scratch with no pattern, but I'm telling y'all she'd laugh herself silly at the request and tell the person to buy a new coat. She's done some pretty insane cosplay ensembles for people, so she's got the skills.
My point was if fabric is cut you cannot exactly uncut it. The seams from the pockets are always going to be there. Some seamstresses might be able to work magic and cover them up or else make those seams almost invisible, but it’s pretty unlikely.
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'I would only take on a project I feel 100% confident I could do a good job for you. I do not have the skills for this, and would not want to leave you with a pile of cut up fabric. "
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I showed the description of the work your customer wants done to my sister, who runs an alteration shop and does do custom work (she does a lot of work for re-enactors, for example, and she's made a few wedding dresses), and she said she would turn down the work for the reasons VorFemme cited. She did say that she once took apart a very nice kilt that no longer fit and was able to make another garment from it (another style of skirt), but there are yards of fabric in a kilt to work with.
I learned about how much fabric there is in a kilt watching the Great British Sewing Bee. All those pleats! This whole conversation has also made me think of that show, because the first challenge of each episode was to convert an existing garment into something completely different. As you can imagine, some were more successful than others. If you like sewing, highly recommend checking the show out online (same producers as the Bake Off).
One way a person could deal with the cut-outs is to piece or quilt them together.
A friend of mine made a kilt; it is amazing how much fabric it takes!
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I showed the description of the work your customer wants done to my sister, who runs an alteration shop and does do custom work (she does a lot of work for re-enactors, for example, and she's made a few wedding dresses), and she said she would turn down the work for the reasons VorFemme cited. She did say that she once took apart a very nice kilt that no longer fit and was able to make another garment from it (another style of skirt), but there are yards of fabric in a kilt to work with.
Plus the fact that a kilt is - apart from the waistband where excess material in the pleats is normally trimmed off to make it less bulky - basically just a very long rectangle. If you can manage to steam and press the pleats out, it's no different from starting with a new length of cloth.
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I showed the description of the work your customer wants done to my sister, who runs an alteration shop and does do custom work (she does a lot of work for re-enactors, for example, and she's made a few wedding dresses), and she said she would turn down the work for the reasons VorFemme cited. She did say that she once took apart a very nice kilt that no longer fit and was able to make another garment from it (another style of skirt), but there are yards of fabric in a kilt to work with.
I learned about how much fabric there is in a kilt watching the Great British Sewing Bee. All those pleats! This whole conversation has also made me think of that show, because the first challenge of each episode was to convert an existing garment into something completely different. As you can imagine, some were more successful than others. If you like sewing, highly recommend checking the show out online (same producers as the Bake Off).
Oh! That sounds good. Is it on Netflix?
Sorry, no (at least not in Canada). I watched it on Youtube.
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Here's a link (https://www.realmenrealstyle.com/difference-double-breasted-suit-jacket-single-breasted-suit-jackets/) with double and single breasted jackets. As you can see, the entire front of the jacket is different. Pockets wouldn't fit in the same place, especially if you're cutting it down from a coat. Depending on whether she wants a short or long jacket, pockets might not even be possible, moved or not. The lapel won't look like it does now, and she wants to keep that.
Can cut in pockets be “moved”? Wouldn’t you have a big seam where the pockets previously existed?
Probably. But one could make seam part th design. Straight across, slanting up or down. It would add some structural interest.
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Here's a link (https://www.realmenrealstyle.com/difference-double-breasted-suit-jacket-single-breasted-suit-jackets/) with double and single breasted jackets. As you can see, the entire front of the jacket is different. Pockets wouldn't fit in the same place, especially if you're cutting it down from a coat. Depending on whether she wants a short or long jacket, pockets might not even be possible, moved or not. The lapel won't look like it does now, and she wants to keep that.
Can cut in pockets be “moved”? Wouldn’t you have a big seam where the pockets previously existed?
Probably. But one could make seam part th design. Straight across, slanting up or down. It would add some structural interest.
Yes, that’s what I meant. Asking a seamstress who specializes in alterations to redesign and remake a coat is just odd to me. Like asking my mechanic to build me a new car out of an old one. Someone can do it, but that’s not what they do there!
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Oh, this. I am a silver jewelry maker, mostly wire wrapping, some bezel work and basic soldering. I get asked to repair costume jewelry by soldering all the time. If it isn't silver or gold, generally speaking it is what jewelers call "pot metal", sometimes plated brass, sometimes some form of tin, sometimes no idea what alloy it is. It is NOT going to result in anything usable or pretty. Also, I could not re-plate it if I did manage to put it back together. Plus, popping rhinestones or crystals out prior to soldering would run a high risk of damaging either the stones or the settings for them. I have told people to go to a jeweler who can cast pieces and have the piece entirely remade. Even if they choose to have it remade in something like brass, they are astonished at how expensive it will be. Sorry, one-off work is always going to be vastly more than mass production.