The Basted Fitting

The Irrefutable Mark of True Custom Clothing

At Alan David Custom every garment we produce includes a ‘basted fitting’ stage option. The ‘basted-fitting’ can be a critical step in the creation of custom-made apparel.

At Alan David Custom, after a client’s measurements have been taken, a unique paper pattern is created. No short cuts are taken. It is from this pattern that the garment is carefully hand cut, assembled and temporarily hand stitched with white basting thread (see photo). At this point, the basted garment is ready for fitting.

This is the step that dramatically sets us apart from all others. Trying on the garment now enables both the tailor and customer to perfect the fit and the style of your custom suit. The fact that the suit is simply ‘basted’ makes it possible for us to change the style as much or as little as necessary. For example, the client may elect to make the shoulders of the garment wider or narrower, raise or lower the armhole or make the silhouette fuller or slimmer. He may also choose to adjust the fit of the trousers by raising or lowering the rise or tapering the thigh or knee areas. This guarantees the consumer complete satisfaction with the final fit and appearance of his custom made suit.

A word of caution, beware of others that claim to make custom clothing but in reality only make “made-to-measure” garments. What is the difference between a made-to-measure garment and a true custom garment? With a made-to-measure garment there is no individual pattern created and no basted fitting step provided. A “made-to-measure” garment is delivered 100% finished. The only adjustment available to this made-to-measure garment is the type of basic alteration done to a ready-made, off-the-rack suit or jacket. It is not at all personalized and, most importantly, certainly not custom. There is no basted-fitting step involved because the garment has essentially been completed by the time the client sees it. That is why we not only create individual patterns for every customer, but provide a ‘basted fitting’ step for each garment.

Please click here to schedule an appointment online or call us at 212.227.4040