Maria has taught tailoring for 10 years and has been making wedding dresses for over 30 years. She can make anything from a picture, sample or sketch. She makes her patterns to fit you exactly. She does not source fabrics other than the ones we can get from our vendors. A customer usually comes to her with a photo. You must source any special fabrics usually at Britex in San Francisco or on your next trip to LA or NY. Gowns are less expensive to buy from retailers because the cost of manufacturing is directly related to the cost of labor and almost the entire bridal industry’s labor is in China. The term couture means sewn by hand to your body measurements and of course this personalized labor is more expensive than a production dress. Maria has been called on to copy bridesmaid dresses to fit girls with special proportions or even full term pregnant women. She has had customers requiring a rush custom made dress. These dresses are not inexpensive, but the wedding date has always been met.