Ordering it was easy. There is a custom sash listing on etsy which you just need to buy. Before checking out, make sure to specify which main piece you are coordinating with. That way she will be able to custom make the sash to your coordinate. The sash in total for me was 45 USD, 5 USD for shipping, bringing it in total to 50 USD.
Timing/Shipping:
I ordered the sash on June 17th, and she sent it out on July 3rd. This was a processing period of approximately 16 days (12 working days). I think this is very reasonable for the quality you receive, as she hand makes each one individually. The sash came in a bubble wrapped package which I think is suitable for the piece.
Communication:
To be honest, it was a bit of a surprise when I saw the shipping notification. I think she has a lot of creative energy and loves to make her creative decisions when making the sash. I did indicate to her which main piece I wanted to coordinate with, and had absolute trust in her so this was ideal for me. For others who may want more communication though, I would shoot a message to her after purchase.
Design:
The sash consists of a rosette that attaches to a wide sash. Both are made of grosgrain ribbon and two types of lace - cotton beige lace for an intricate design to break up the blue ribbon, and a gold metallic trim lace to finish the edges of the sash. The cotton lace has the additional detail of a darker blue ribbon woven through the middle. The flowers are standard craft artificial flowers (likely hydrangeas?) that adorn the rosette. Additional details include the sash being finished with a briolette bead on each side, and a tassel off of the rosette.
Personally, I could not have asked for more. At first, I was nervous that the sash would not match the dress, but it actually matches up very beautifully so! It reminds me of how members of royalty often have a distinctly colored sash, usually blue.
Construction:
For the most part, the stitching is very straight. There were some parts where you can see the sewing becoming ever so slightly uneven, however it does not impact the overall design as the thread was carefully matched, and is not noticeable unless you're looking in very closely. There is no puckering of the sash along the seams (the waviness is from the excitement of opening the package and not ironing it yet). The rosette is backed by a piece of felt, with her logo attached to it, as well as a safety pin and a clip. It appears to be glued however is very sturdy. The sash drapes very nicely when pinned together.
Quality:
The grosgrain ribbon seems to be on par with other grosgrain ribbon I've purchased in the past from ribbon specialty stores. While it is not soft, the structure allows it to drape across nicely without looking too limp in my opinion. The cotton lace is quite nice soft and very suitable for the sash. The flowers, as mentioned before, are dyed well and look realistic and not too plasticky.
Overall opinion:
I think for the price, you receive a very well made product with quality materials. The design is beautiful, and you can have the assurance that someone with a background in both lolita and clothing design has put a lot of thought into this. I would highly recommend this to anyone who needs that extra oomph for a special event. For people who want more input on the sash, I would suggest messaging her for in progress pictures during the process. Overall, I am very pleased with what I have, and I cannot wait to wear it out soon!
