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| Frequently Asked Questions |
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How do I know that this item will fit me?
Do you make custom orders?
Do you make Rush Orders?
How do you price your items?
How do I care for my item?
Where else can I purchase Vintage Doc items?
What kind of sewing machines do you use?
Where do you get your fabric?
How do I know that this item will fit me?
There is a Size Chart provided in each dress and corset listing. Also, all
sizes are listed in INCHES. "How do know what my actual measurements are?" - you may ask. It is very simple - take a tape measure and wrap it around yourself.
Bust: the fullest part across the nipples - THIS IS NOT YOUR BRA SIZE!
Waist: the smallest part around the torso - ABOVE your bellybutton. The exact middle of the pinched "hourglass" figure.
Hips: the widest part of the lower body.
Remember to measure yourself while dressed in the undergarments that you plan on wearing with the item! Be mindful of any "breathing room" you need.
CORSETS: breathe OUT all the way (so that your torso is at it's smallest), then measure. Please keep in mind that most corsets are normally worn 2 to 4 inches smaller than your actual body measurements.
Overbusts: already have a 3" gap built into them. This will ensure an excellent body-hugging fit with no chance of shifting/falling down during wear. When placing an order, please choose the size closest to your body measurements.
Underbusts: are measured closed (no gap). When placing an order, please choose at least one size smaller than your body measurements. For example, if your waist is 26" around, then you should order the 24" underbust.
All corset listings include steel boning. Steel is much more durable than plastic, will not break or warp under pressure, and is suitable for tight-lacing. Many people do not even consider a corset "genuine" unless it is made with steel. Each listing also gives you a choice of either 1/4" or 1/2" spiral steel for the bodice. 1/2" is highly recommended for plus sizes, or for anybody who wishes to have full support for waist reduction.
DRESSES with a ZIPPER BACK: breathe IN all the way, then measure. Remember that the zipper back cannot be adjusted like the grommet back! If the bodice is too small, it may constrict your breathing and movements, making it very troublesome to wear.
DRESSES with a GROMMET BACK: breathe OUT all the way, then measure. The LARGEST number listed in the size range is the dress measured CLOSED (when the two back panels touch with no gap). If your body measurements are significantly LESS than this number, the back panels will overlap and the bodice will be too loose.
If you need assistance, feel free to contact us. Please do NOT email us with your bra size, or tell us that you "usually wear a size 6", whatever. You may be a Size 6 in Brand X, but a Size 8 in Brand Y. There is no such thing as universal sizes. Give us inches!
Do you make custom orders?
We cannot accept custom orders for sizes at this time - the only sizes available are the ones already listed. However, if you would like to request one of our dresses or corsets in another fabric print, please click on the images below to place a Special Order! Our knit tops and t-shirts, however, are strictly OOAK (one-of-a-kind).
NOTE: We ONLY use lawfully purchased, LICENSED t-shirts and fabric in our reconstructions. They are obtained directly from retail stores or wholesale suppliers. We do NOT screenprint/spongepaint/sharpie/bootleg or otherwise ripoff designs or logos. It is unlawful to do so. Period.
Sometimes out-of-print vintage and/or deadstock fabric is offered for items. In
these situations, there is a strict limit to the quantity that can be made -
most of the time only one. But once it's sold, it's GONE.
Do you make Rush Orders?
If an item is needed sooner than the posted turnaround time, upgrading to a Rush Order is REQUIRED. Please see current turnaround times HERE.
You must first CONTACT US with your due date prior to ordering to schedule a completion date and confirm fabric availability. We obviously cannot make your Rush Order if we don't know your deadline ahead of time! Those who place a Rush Order without disclosing their deadline to us will have their order downgraded to a normal turnaround time until they contact us! We will not chase you around for your information, so please be considerate.
Rush fees vary and are NONREFUNDABLE. If you need an item completed in less than 5 weeks, the Rush fee is set at 20% of the base cost. If you need an item completed in less than 2 weeks, the Rush fee is DOUBLED. Our calendar is already full as it is with orders that were placed on time - bumping these projects would be unfair to the clients who already paid for them. Squeezing in additional projects forces us to work double-time, so rush fees are put in place to make that time well spent.
Be aware that Rush Order fees DO NOT include Express Mail shipping costs. It is the client's responsibility to choose the best shipping method for their order. Those who have extremely tight deadlines may be required to upgrade to a faster shipping method. CONTACT US with any questions or concerns if you suspect this may be the case.
How do you price your items?
Many of the fabrics used in our pieces come from different sources, countries, and decades. Some are extremely rare, discontinued by the manufacturer or imported....and a few are over 30 years old! We take care to use only the best in supplies and materials in our creations. Our pricing reflects this accordingly.
Time and labor is also included in the final cost of an item. We do not contract out our work, and make everything in-house...from pattern drafting all the way to the smallest ribbon bow. Every finished piece is very labor intensive - on average, it takes at least 16 hours to complete a single item. This is the reason why we cannot offer bulk discounts - no matter how many pieces are purchased, it still takes the same extraordinary amount of time and materials to finish each one.
This should go without saying, but all prices are non-negotiable. Any inquiries regarding discounts, trades, private sales or price-bargaining will be ignored and deleted. We take pride in our professional work and cannot tell you how insulting this is.
How do I care for my item?
EVERY dress and corset is lined with either a 100% Cotton woven OR 100% Cotton Twill fabric which is pre-cleaned and pre-shrunk with heat for maximum stability. However, please
do NOT simply throw them into the wash with the rest of your laundry! If need be,
please spot-clean with COLD water. Re-shape and then dry flat.
Many warehouses are dirty and spray their fabrics with chemicals for various
reasons. All material is washed BEFORE being cut up for DIY use, so your garment
is ready-to-wear!
Where else can I purchase Vintage Doc items?
Other than this site, Vintage Doctor pieces are only available on Etsy.
We DO NOT take wholesale or consignment orders.
What kind of sewing machines do you use?
All of The Vintage Doctor creations are of extremely high quality and will NOT fall
apart on you! We use a Brother Industrial Sewing Machine, a Husqvarna Viking Huskylock Serger, as well as a professional grommet machine press. We serge AND
topstitch, so all items are always guaranteed to be of a professional element.
Where do you get your fabric?
You can find a list of websites in the Resource section of
www.WhatTheCraft.com.
Do not ask us for a step-by-step tutorial on how we make our clothing/patterns, or what store/town/street we get our fabric from. We work our asses off countless hours trying to find and create the most unique styles and materials the market can offer - you don't think that we would just give those secrets away, do you?
We will not give out our fabric sources, sorry!
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