Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
Looking for more info about one of our products, services, or a pending order? Check out our list of frequently asked questions below for some quick answers. If you can’t find an answer, please get in touch with us and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
What are the stone packages?
In order to help you find a dress that not only suits your dancer but also suits your budget we have created a series of stone packages at different price points.
There are three levels of stone pricing; Silver, Gold, and Platinum which use different stone manufacturers.
You can then choose from three different levels of stone coverage; light, medium, or heavy to achieve the desired effect.
When we design your dress your stone coverage and manufacturer will be taken into account to ensure the most stunning result within your budget.
The Silver stone package has a limited colour range and not all stone colours are available in all shapes and sizes.
The Platinum range does not have as large a selection of colours in larger stones and pear shapes. If selecting this option we are typically only able to source clear, AB, and gold stones in those shapes/sizes.
how much will my dress cost?
We have attempted to create as clear a pricing guide as possible but due to the nature of Irish Dancing dresses and the variation between them each dress will be individually priced. The prices given in this guide are a good place to start and variation to these costs should be minimal if your requests align with the design and stoning level selected. Following the design phase you will be provided with two design options based on the information provided in the questionnaire and a price associated with each design.
what information do you need from me?
If you are purchasing a new dress you will be sent an order form once your deposit has been paid. This will include information regarding all the required measurements and how to take them as well as a questionaire about your likes/dislikes for the design. At this stage you will be able to provide as much information regarding your dancer and their preferences for their dress as you wish, please be aware however that we will not copy a design from another dressmaker and we prefer to design each dress ourselves rather than use pre-purchased design drawings.
How long will it take?
Our turn around times depend on a number of factors, particularly the time of year and how many other orders we are currently completing. It is very important to us that every order receives our full attention and as such, there are some periods where we are unable to take on additional work or complete orders as quickly as usual. If you have the opportunity to plan ahead and make a booking well in advance we recommend you do so as this allows us to complete the design and digitising phases early so that the construction of the dress and measurements can occur more quickly closer to the delivery date.
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Where custom dresses are concerned the production time for a dress is 1-2 months once the final design is approved. The design process is generally a maximum of a month but at times this can stretch out if we are awaiting feedback from the dancer or teacher.
Semi-Custom dresses are typically around a month of production time once the design, colours and fabrics have been approved.
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Custom hairpieces can typically be completed within 2 weeks of the design being approved. In some cases, where stones or fabric need to be ordered in this may be delayed by a couple of weeks but we will make you aware at the design stage if this is likely to occur.
Made to order hairpieces are typically able to be completed within 1 week, with some variation if fabrics or stones need to e ordered.
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Kickpants are usually able to be completed within 1-4 weeks. Some fabrics are already in stock or able to be sourced locally but depending on the colour needed the fabric may need to be ordered in and may take up to 3 weeks to arrive.
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Alterations typically take 1-2 weeks to complete depending on the complexity of the changes needed. Some alterations are able to be completed with no additional fittings but typically an alteration will require; an inital fitting to see the changes that need to be made, a second fitting once the stones have been removed and dress unpicked, a final fitting. These fittings are typically conducted at my home studio in Wilson, WA.
Do you post?
We are happy to post items both interstate and internationally. When you make an enquiry with us please let us know where you need the item posted to so we can estimate the postage costs and times.
Please allow extra time if you wish your item to be posted. Parcels can take up to 10 days to travel interstate and international parcels can have significant and unpredictable delays. We are not responsible for delays that occur once the parcel is in the hands of the postal service but if any issues occur please contact us and we will do our best to help.
All items posted within Australia will be via Australia Post and include signature on delivery.
Please be aware that international postage may incur customs charges and the buyer is responsible for payment of those. We are unable to estimate customs charges or under-declare the value of an item sent so please make sure you are aware of your country's customs and import charges before purchasing.
What can i do to keep the cost down?
Irish Dance is an expensive sport and we will do our best to keep the costs down for you where possible. Our advice will always consider the most efficient and cost effective options. That being said if you need to reduce the cost further there are some options;
For a new dress
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Select a semi-custom design. A significant part of the cost of an Irish Dance dress is the design and digitisation of the unique embroidery. The semi-custom option is a great way to achieve an individual look at a lower price point. We will never replicate a particular combination of colours/fabrics exactly.
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Select a cheaper stone. There is a lot of hype in the dance world about particular stone brands and there are certainly some minor differences in quality between brands of stone, however that difference becomes indiscernible on stage and we have found there is no visible difference between the shine achieved on stage for cheaper stones. In some instances people have reported that the lower cost stones in larger shapes with AB coating scratch more easily but this can be reduced by ensuring your dress has a protective layer (such as a towel) between stones when folded in a dress bag.
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Stoning your own dress can help to reduce your costs. If stoning the dress yourself please make sure you are purchasing quality glass crystals and using an appropriate glue such as E6000 or GemTac. Acrylic gems can melt with the use of some glues and other glues will not hold the stones on the dress securely. Emerald Spirit Designs take no responsibility for damage to a dress that occurs if you choose to complete the stoning yourself. Please take all safety precautions recommended when using adhesives as some can be toxic if used incorrectly.
For alterations
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Remove and clean glue off the backs of stones prior to your alteration. Many dressmakers use glues which are very difficult to take off the back of the stones so doing this step yourself will reduce the time charged for your alteration.
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Replace stones yourself. If stoning the dress yourself please make sure you are purchasing quality glass crystals and using an appropriate glue such as E6000 or GemTac. Acrylic gems can melt with the use of some glues and other glues will not hold the stones on the dress securely. Emerald Spirit Designs take no responsibility for damage to a dress that occurs if you choose to complete the stoning yourself. Please take all safety precautions recommended when using adhesives as some can be toxic if used incorrectly.