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I'm not in the D.C. area, but I have worked with several seamstresses over the years because I am a very hard to fit size. I would definitely ask friends who they have used in the past and ask to see any seamstress's work. Also, I would suggest having her make something simple for you before the BM dresses (by simple I mean not expensive) so you can see what she is like to work with before you trust her with such a big project.
I am having my wedding gown custom made (well, I'm pretty sure I am). I am meeting with the seamstress today. I found these questions in the DIY Wedding book...
Ask for references (and ask the references how timely, how attentive to your request, how creative the seamstress was). Ask for pictures of previous work. and these questions:
How long have you been sewing dresses? Have you made something similar to this design before? What materials do you you feel most comfortable working with? What is the different in cost for different types of material? Do you make dresses from a pattern or do you make your own pattern?
mrs eggplant had her bm dresses custom made and had some problems with them: http://www.weddingbee.com/2008/08/05/the-sweetest-day-the-threads-and-how-they-unravel/
the bm dresses at this wedding i attended were also custom:
http://www.weddingbee.com/2007/09/21/hee-won-and-peters-wedding/
i wore a custom bm dress once, and it was ill fitting, post alterations.
it can be an inexpensive way to recreate a look, but it's only worth it if the seamstress is good. perhaps you could ask for references and talk to past brides about their experience with a particular seamstress?
IMG_9918-51.jpg (108 KB, 30 downloads) 2 years old 
My suggestions:
Have her show you her some type of previous work. Pay attention to the seams and zippered/buttoned areas as those are the trickiest. if she has something in a size close to urs try it on to see if it pulls in any way. Make sure you have everything written in writing. Try to just pay her for the design and work and buy the material yourself (it is much cheaper that way). Ask her if she will charge extra for alterations that need to be made after she makes the pattern and completes the dress. Even a perfect pattern will require small changes. Ask around for referrals- they are your best bet to finding someone good!
Whenever I want a new seamstress I always have them hem an old pair of jeans without me giving too much instructions. Jeans are really hard to hem properly and while they are not a good indicator of her patternmaking, they are a good indicator of her knowledge and talent.
good luck!
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Hi all,
I LOVE Jenny Yoo's dresses, but my bridesmaids just can't afford them. So, I have an appointment on Friday with a seamstress, who will presumably give me a quotes for replicating them (Nine, Mallory, Ella or Jocelyn).
Has anyone else done this? Have any questions I should ask? Sage advice for me? Also, does anyone know of any patterns out there that are similar to these dresses?
Lastly, if you are in the DC area, and you have a dressmaker rec, I would love to hear it!
Thanks!