FAQ

General Information

What is the limebarb.com costume commissions section?
This is the section of limebarb.com where we accept orders for custom costume and clothing commissions based on the pictures, specifications, and measurements you provide. You can also view our gallery of previous commission work here.

What sorts of things can you make?
We pride ourselves on our ability to do excellent work with the following:

-All fabric-oriented clothing items
-Bodysuits
-Pleather and vinyl
-Period costumes
-Feathered wings
-Light prop work
-Armor in Wonderflex, plastics, and fiberglass
-Boots and shoes (we typically make shoes by building on top of store-bought shoes.)
-Styled wigs and custom-colored wigs
-Gloves
-Mascot-type fur suits
-And much more~!

For a quick slideshow of some examples, click here. We have created a very diverse array of items because people come to us with a wide variety of complex projects. You can see our full gallery here.

What don't you make?
We do not work with:

-Vacuum forming
-Latex
-Large-scale full armor pieces (i.e. Halo suits, Gundams)
-Some large props
-Metal work

We take limited orders of large and complex props during the cold season because most of our prop work is done outdoors.

Who can you suggest for other commission work?

Facing Props - Excellent prop and latex work.

Bounty Hardware - Close friends of Barb's who do excellent prop work. Be advised that they take limited orders.

Katie Bair's Petting Zoo Wigs- Beautiful work with wigs.

What kind of experience and training do you have in making costumes?
Barb attended Columbia College Chicago for fashion design and has been making personal costumes since 1998. She started making costumes professionally in 2002. Barb and her staff have created well over 1,000 costumes and custom clothing items. The various part-time seamstresses we employ have either finished fashion/costume design degrees or are close to doing so, and the craftspeople have been trained directly by Barb.

Costumes & Quotes

Why don't you have any prices listed in your gallery?
We make every single one of our costumes to-order, meaning that they're custom-made to your measurements and specifications! That means that no two costumes will be exactly alike, and the prices are based on your specific preferences. Furthermore, the prices may fluctuate slightly from time to time as the cost of materials rises or drops. Please visit the Request-A-Quote page for information on how to get a price quote.

How much are your costumes in general?
This question is impossible to answer because we do such a wide variety of costumes. A simple medium-weight cotton skirt and shirt would obviously cost less than a large, detailed pleather suit with armor pieces. The cost really depends on how complex the costume is, how expensive the materials required to make it are, and any other specific preferences the customer may have. If you want to know the cost of a specific costume, just visit our Request-A-Quote page and drop us a line! :)

Can I ask for a quote on more than one costume?
Yes, and you can submit all of the requests in the same e-mail as long as it's clear which reference pictures go with which costumes. We ask that you limit your requests to five costumes or less though, as we get a lot of e-mails.

Can I get something exactly like a costume you have pictured in your gallery?
We try our best to meet our customer's needs and specifications. However, certain fabrics may no longer be available when you place your order, meaning we will substitute with a similar fabric. In most cases we will be able to find the same or nearly identical fabric. Please visit the Request-A-Quote page for information on how to get a price quote.

What do you mean by 'Standard' and 'Deluxe'?
For a detailed explanation and examples, click here!

I want something that you don't have posted in your gallery, can you make it?
Most likely, yes! We enjoy making new and interesting costumes. :) Please visit the Request-A-Quote page and send us all the pertinent information. It is especially important that you provide clear reference pictures in this case.

I want a costume based on a character, except in a different color/shape/etc., can you do that?
Absolutely! We make everything to-order for the individual, so if you have specific requests please feel free to make them. :) We will work with you on an individual level to determine what you want and what is possible with your costume. We generally strive to be as accurate as possible with costumes, but we are also happy to do different interpretations of an existing character.

Can you make a costume based off my original character or design?
Yes we can, so long as you supply sketches or reference pictures of some sort.

Can I get a price on a costume with and without certain pieces?
We give itemized quotes on all costumes, meaning that we break down the prices according to each piece, so you know how much each piece will cost and you can decide how much or how little of the costume you want to order. We do not give discounts if you're buying the entire outfit. The prices we give to you are the exact prices of each item. They do not rise or fall depending on the amount that you order.

Are your costumes sturdy?
All of the clothing items we make are of a "ready to wear" quality, meaning they are similar in construction and sturdiness to something you would buy at a regular clothing store, like Target. Keep in mind that certain types of fabrics should be dry-cleaned though, and that we recommend dry-cleaning anyway in order to preserve the color of your costume.

How soon can I get my costume after I order it?
This depends on our availability, but in general we require at least eight weeks between the time you pay and the time the costume is due. We often tend to book up three or four months in advance though, especially in the Spring and Summer. Please refer to our availability chart and feel free to contact us if you're not sure about whether we're booked for a certain date or not.

Why are your costumes more expensive than store-bought costumes?
The cost of our costumes are not only based on the cost of the materials we use to make them, but also the time, love, and expertise we put into them. We do not mass-produce anything, and everything we make is given careful, individual attention. You are also paying for our experience in making quality, sturdy costumes and clothing. We have been in business since 2002 and have made hundreds and hundreds of costumes. We also use higher quality materials than most store-bought costumes would use. Custom-made garments are never cheap, and for the level of time and customization that are put into our costumes they are actually a very good value.

Ordering

Once I have requested a price quote, what happens next?

Will you start making my costume before I pay?
Nope, sorry! We we require payment (or at least a deposit for orders over $300) in order to purchase the materials needed to produce the costume. We also require that all payments be completed before we ship you your costume.

I'm outside of the U.S., can I place an order with you?
Yes! Please keep in mind that you will have to pay international shipping rates though, and that all payments must be made in USD. Also allow extra shipping time as going through customs may slow down the delivery of your package.

How much is shipping?
The cost of shipping is based on whatever you order. For example, if you order a jacket and boots, the shipping cost will be higher than shipping the jacket alone because the boots add weight. The shipping cost will also be higher if you're outside of the U.S. We will give you an exact shipping cost once you have decided which items you are going to order. We ship our orders via USPS Priority Mail. Domestic orders for clothing and costumes generally start at $10, while international orders generally start at $20.

Can I pick up my costume?
Yes! We are located in Chicago, IL. If it is convenient for you to come pick up your costume on your due date instead of having us ship it then you are welcome to. :) Just e-mail us to make arrangements ahead of time.

Do you offer any sort of discounts?
We offer a discount for returning customers who submit pictures of themselves in their costumes. For more information, click here.

Can I pay in installments?
Yes, if your order total is $300 or more. Sorry, but we can not accept payment in installments on orders less than $300. Specific information about payment plans can be found on our guidelines page. Please contact us before you make your first payment if you wish to pay in installments, as all payment plans are subject to our approval.

What methods of payment do you accept?
Our preferred method of payment is Paypal. We also accept checks and money orders. Please keep in mind that all payments must be drawn in USD. We will give you our payment address/paypal address once you have specified what items you would like to order.

If I'm not happy with my costume can I get a refund?
In general, no. We don't have stock and make everything to-order according to the preferences of the customer, so it is the customer's responsibility to be sure that they are ordering something that they want and that they will be comfortable wearing. However, if we have made some sort of fitting mistake or other error we are almost always willing to fix it for free. More specific information on our policies can be found on the guidelines page.

Measurements

What measurements do you need to give me a quote?
Just an estimate of your clothing sizes is fine. However, you may provide your detailed measurements if you are so inclined.

What measurements do you need to make my costume?
For most costumes, we need at least your core measurements according to our measuring guide.

I'm having trouble taking my measurements, what should I do?
If possible, it is a good idea to have a friend help you take your measurements. It will be much easier and quicker that way. If you don't understand how to take any of the specific measurements on our guide, just send us an e-mail and we'll do our best to explain it to you.

I'm crossplaying, is there any special information you need?
If you are a man crossplaying as a woman and you intend to wear breast shapes under your costume, you should take your measurements according to the women's guide with your breast shapes on (although be sure to specify whether your shoe size is in men's or women's sizes!) If you are a man crossplaying without breast shapes, just submit the regular male measurements. If you are a woman crossplaying as a man and you will be wrapping your bust, please submit your chest measurements with your bust wrapped.

I want to lose weight/bulk up before my order due date, can I hold off on giving you measurements?
In most cases, yes. You will need to submit your final measurements to us no later than one month before your costume due date. However, please contact us ahead of time and let us know as this is at our discretion, and also please provide us with at least an estimate of your current clothing size so we have a rough idea of how much fabric we'll need.

I want my costume to be baggier/more modest than it appears in the pictures, should I add inches to my measurements?
No. Supply your accurate measurements and in the "important information" section let us know if you want the costume to have a baggier-than-normal fit, longer skirt, etc. and we will calculate the appropriate difference when drafting the pattern.

What if I want it very form-fitting?
See previous question. The same rules apply.

Can I come in for a fitting?
Yes, absolutely! :) We are located in Chicago, IL, so if it is convenient for you to come in to do a in-person fitting you are welcome to do so for free. Please be advised that you will need to set up a date and time with us in advance, and that we can only offer this to customers who have confirmed their orders with payment.

Miscellaneous

What is the difference between the commisions section and the other sections?
The costume commissions section is where you can submit your request for custom costumes or clothing items. You can request almost anything here, you are not limited to what you see in the gallery.

The clothing store offers original fashions designed by Barb. These items are made-to-order and are based on patterns we have already drafted. That means you purchase what you would like through the shopping cart, and then the items are constructed and shipped in 2-8 weeks. Because everything is made to-order you can request clothing items with custom details or sizing.

The pre-made section offers pre-made clothing, costumes, and accesories for immediate shipment. All items listed within the pre-made shop are completed and all ready to go. They ship out in 1-3 business days.

When ordering, please keep in mind that each section has its own policies.

Why do you ask for reference pictures of costumes you have made before?
Sometimes when we make a costume for the first time the customer may neglect to include reference pictures for the entire costume (i.e. pictures of the back and sides) which may cause some details to be lost. By sending accurate and detailed reference pictures you ensure that you get the most accurate costume possible! :)

Can you sell me a pattern?
Nope! Sorry, but we only draft patterns for our own use.

Can I enter a cosplay competition in my limebarb.com costume?
It depends. You can not compete for a craftsmanship award, because those awards are for people who make their own costumes and it wouldn't be fair for you to enter in a costume you didn't make! However, we do allow for skit awards as long as you make it known to the judges that you commissioned your costume.

I heard some negative rumors about limebarb.com on the internet, how do I know you're legit?
We have a valid and current Illinois business license, and are in good standing with the Better Business Bureau. We also post the tracking numbers of packages we ship on the updates page so people can verify that we've actually shipped them out. You can also look at the hundreds of costumes we have made over the years in our gallery, plus a number of customer testimonials. We wouldn't still be in business and making so many costumes if our customers weren't satisfied! Any complaints you have seen are probably either outdated or purely speculative, as we have ironed out all of the problems we had several years ago when we were still growing our business, and we take customer service very seriously. It is unfortunate that oudated or untrue rumors are able to circulate, but rest assured, we are a legitimate business and here to meet your needs!

I e-mailed you a few days ago and still haven't heard back, what gives?
We are a small business with a small staff, so we don't always have the opportunity to check our e-mail every day. We generally check and reply to our e-mails in large batches two or three times per week. This almost always occurs on weekdays during normal business hours. That means if you write to us late Friday night you won't hear back from us until Monday morning at the absolute earliest! So if it has been a few days and you haven't heard back from us, there's no need to fret or re-send your e-mail, we will get to it! :) You should also check our updates page, because we will post a notice if we will be out of town or unable to respond to e-mails in a longer than normal timeframe. If two weeks have passed and you still have not heard back from us feel free to re-send, as once in a very blue moon e-mails do get zapped by our spam filter.

Can you tell me how to make my own costume?
We would be happy to answer a couple of your basic costuming questions. However, don't expect us to write you a novel or take you step-by-step through making your costume. We only have so many hours per week to devote to answering e-mails, plus we can't give away ALL our trade secrets. :)