Booking Terms & Conditions
Booking Requests
Needle en Pointe accepts a limited number of custom commissions each month to ensure every costume receives the time, care and attention it deserves.
Submitting a request form does not guarantee a booking. It is simply an application for consideration.
Once the request form has closed, all applications will be reviewed and booking offers will be made based on availability, workload, project suitability and whether I feel I’m the right designer for your commission.
Needle en Pointe reserves the right to decline any booking request.
Booking Offers & Deposits
If you’re offered a booking, you’ll be contacted via WhatsApp.
Booking offers remain open for 7 days.
To secure your booking, the following non-refundable deposit must be received within those 7 days:
• Custom Costume – £50
• Stretch Tutu – £100
• Tiara – £15
If the deposit isn’t received within 7 days, the booking offer may be withdrawn and offered to another customer.
Pricing
Stretch Tutus
Stretch tutus are fixed-price commissions. Current prices can be found in the Pricing Guide and vary depending on the style selected and any optional extras.
Custom Costumes
Custom costumes, ballet dresses and other bespoke garments are charged at £20 per hour, plus the cost of fabrics and materials.
The final cost depends on the design, garment size, construction, fabrics, embellishment and time required.
As a guide, most custom costumes take between 5 and 18 hours to create.
Long skirts, sleeves, catsuits and heavily embellished designs naturally require more time and materials than simpler garments.
Ombré dyeing is charged at £15-30 per costume.
Any design changes or additions requested after work has commenced may not always be possible and may incur additional labour and material charges.
Prices are subject to change until your booking has been confirmed with a paid deposit.
Design Process
Needle en Pointe specialises in original, artistic designs created in my own style.
Every costume is individually designed and handmade for your dancer.
I always welcome your ideas, inspiration and preferences, and we’ll discuss key elements such as colours, fabrics and the overall feel of your costume.
However, you’re commissioning Needle en Pointe for my creativity, experience and design expertise.
While your ideas are always considered, I don’t offer a fully itemised bespoke service where every trim, appliqué, embellishment and design detail is individually selected or approved.
Final creative decisions, including fabrics, trims, embellishments and construction methods, remain with Needle en Pointe to ensure the finished costume works beautifully as a complete design.
Needle en Pointe will never knowingly copy another costume maker’s work.
AI-generated images are not accepted as design inspiration.
Measurements
All costumes are made using the measurements supplied by the client.
Measurements must be taken over a well-fitting leotard using the Needle en Pointe measurement guide.
Please do not add extra measurements or “growing room”. I carefully consider normal growth when drafting my patterns where appropriate. Adding extra allowance to your measurements can result in a poorly fitting costume.
It is the client’s responsibility to ensure all measurements supplied are accurate.
Needle en Pointe cannot accept responsibility for costumes that do not fit correctly due to incorrect measurements being supplied.
While every effort is made to consider normal growth where appropriate, Needle en Pointe cannot guarantee fit where a dancer experiences significant growth or body changes after measurements have been taken.
Communication
WhatsApp is Needle en Pointe’s preferred method of communication.
Please provide a WhatsApp number that you regularly monitor, as all booking offers, updates and correspondence will be sent via WhatsApp.
Delays in replying to messages or providing requested information may affect production times.
Payments
The remaining balance must be paid within 72 hours of the final invoice being issued.
Costumes will not be released until full payment has been received.
Alterations
Alterations are only available for costumes originally made by Needle en Pointe and are subject to availability.
If a costume requires adjustment due to my workmanship or measurements, alterations will be carried out free of charge within 28 days of receiving your costume.
Alterations requested after 28 days are chargeable.
Urgent alterations requested within 21 days of a performance may incur a higher hourly rate and are subject to availability.
Many stretch costumes cannot be altered once completed due to their construction, embellishment or fabric properties.
Needle en Pointe cannot guarantee that alterations will be possible.
Alterations required due to incorrect measurements being supplied, changes in the dancer’s size, or changes requested after completion are chargeable.
Collection & Delivery
Collection is available by appointment from Gillingham, Kent.
UK orders are sent using Royal Mail or Parcelforce, depending on the size and value of your order.
Postage is charged at a flat rate of £18 per stretch tutu.
Custom costumes are typically around £5 postage, depending on their size and weight.
All parcels are sent using a tracked service.
Needle en Pointe takes great care when packaging every item. Responsibility for your order transfers to the customer once it has been handed to the postal service.
Needle en Pointe cannot accept responsibility for delays caused by Royal Mail, Parcelforce or any other delivery service.
International shipping may be available by prior arrangement. Any customs duties, taxes or import charges are the responsibility of the customer.
Returns & Cancellations
As every custom item is handmade specifically for you, custom commissions cannot be returned or refunded unless faulty.
Deposits are non-refundable.
Should you cancel your commission after work has begun, you may still be charged for any labour completed and any materials purchased specifically for your order.
Photography
Unless agreed otherwise before completion, Needle en Pointe reserves the right to photograph completed commissions for use on the website, social media and promotional material.
Ready-to-Wear Items
Ready-to-wear items may be subject to different pricing, payment and return policies, which will be stated on the individual product listing.
Respectful Communication
Needle en Pointe aims to provide a friendly and professional service and asks customers to communicate respectfully in return.
Needle en Pointe reserves the right to withdraw a booking or refuse future commissions in cases of abusive, aggressive or unreasonable behaviour.
Circumstances Beyond My Control
Every effort will be made to complete your costume in good time before your performance date.
However, Needle en Pointe cannot be held responsible for delays caused by illness, family emergencies, supplier shortages, postal or courier delays, or any other circumstances beyond reasonable control.
Should an unforeseen delay occur, I’ll contact you as soon as possible and work with you to find the best solution.
Changes to These Terms
Needle en Pointe reserves the right to amend these Terms & Conditions at any time.
The Terms & Conditions in place at the time your booking is accepted will apply to your commission.
