ISO custom-makers of Inverness capes

[Steve Ashton]

As a maker of custom/bespoke clothing perhaps I can attempt to add some hard reality to this topic.

Sir, may I suggest that you inquire with some fabric stores in your area on the per yard cost of the fabrics that are similar to what you wish your inverness design to be made from.

Then multiply that per yard cost by the amount needed to construct an inverness. (almost 10 yards)
Add the cost of the thread to stitch the seams and whatever fasteners you like.

I am fairly confidant that the cost of the materials alone will exceed your stated budget.

Then inquire with any garment shops in your area of their hourly wage.
Or if you prefer use your own hourly wage?

Then multiply that hourly wage by the number of hours needed to complete a project like this. (20-30 man-hours)

Again, I am fairly certain that you will have exceeded your stated budget - in labor cost alone.

To give you some real world numbers - for the last inverness made in my shop, the cost in just materials and labor was $1285.00. To that, a retail shop would have to add a percentage of their overhead for machine maintenance, insurance, keeping the lights on and the water running.

At a minimum, for one-off, custom design and sewing, most shops would ask for an up-front deposit equal to the cost of the materials with payment in full on delivery. This is not an unreasonable standard in the industry.

Perhaps you would be able to get a recommendation for a home-based amateur with a love of sewing through your local High School, Community College or Trade School with a fashion design curriculum. Perhaps a young person, who is talented, but still trying to establish their name in the fashion design industry.

Perhaps you could widen your search to include websites and social media on general sewing/dressmaking. There are thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of amateur sewers who may be able and willing to meet your requirements.