Katherine Gilliam is a pattern drafter, dressmaker, and seamstress based in Annapolis, MD.
Namesake Sewing's Story
I was always meant to sew. I grew up with the most creative, beautiful mother that made all of my special occasion dresses herself. Most recently, she made my wedding dress. It was the most meaningful gift I've ever received, one that motivated me to learn the craft that would hopefully enable me to one day share a similar experience with the people I love.
Shortly after my wedding, I started learning sewing and pattern drafting, trying to keep busy as a newlywed and create a new home while my husband served in the Navy. Within a few weeks I was fully immersed in my own little creative world.
In the years since, I began expanding my sewing into special occasion pieces and contemporary womenswear, working primarily with natural fibers and designer deadstock fabrics.
Now, I work with brides, bridal parties, wedding guests, and more from my home studio in the DMV area to bring to life one of a kind dresses, designed and made as a unique one-of-one piece.
Every dress is sewn especially for its wearer, celebrating the individuality of each namesake that inspired the design.
I specialize in classic, feminine silhouettes complemented by romantic textures and details. I want the women I dress to feel like they are wearing art.
I believe that we were each beautifully and wonderfully made, created with a purpose and loved by our Creator. I hope my work is a physical representation of that belief from start to finish.
Every dress is sewn especially for its wearer, celebrating the individuality of each namesake that inspired their design.
Katherine Gilliam
Designer, Namesake Sewing
Custom Process
1. Design Consult
This is a complementary session to talk through what you're looking for in a dress, design features that you prefer, recommended fabrics, and any modification requests or potential customizations. You'd also be welcome to come by in person to try on samples and brainstorm with the silks I keep on hand! After this session, I'll have the details I need to provide a sketch and firm estimate on your dress along with a curated edit of recommended fabrics for the design.
2. Measurements & Confirm Choices
Next we'd take your measurements. Be prepared to have a friend nearby to help if taking your measurements virtually! At this stage, a 30% deposit on the total dress cost is invoiced. Prior to your first fitting, you'll receive a toile (mock up) that allows us to test and adjust the fit of the pattern before starting work on the real dress.
3. First Toile Fitting
I'll draft a dress pattern custom to your measurements and sew a toile, or mockup, of your dress out of muslin. We'll use this to test the pattern and make any structural adjustments prior to cutting your actual dress. This session also gives us a chance to collaborate on remaining design details to make your dress fully you.
4. First Dress Fitting
At this stage, you'll try on your actual dress for the first time. An in person fitting at my home studio in Annapolis gives us the chance to to ensure the fit is perfect. I recommend bringing the shoes and undergarments you'd plan to wear with the dress!
We'll hold as many fittings sessions as needed to perfect your Namesake piece.
5. Final Fitting
Our final fitting accounts for any final tweaks that may be needed. In between each session I like to send regular updates and progress photos to keep you in the loop in case there's anything that needs to be tweaked along the way (and because it's always fun seeing it come together behind the scenes, too!).
Your Namesake garment is entirely unique to you.
- Fully custom pattern, drafted & refined to your exact measurements
- 1:1 consulting on fabric selections and details
- Customized design elements including appliqué, embroidery, and digital printing
- Unlimited alterations and fitting adjustments
- Dress designed and named exclusively for you
FAQs
What is the typical timeline for a dress? When should I reach out?
Dresses take ~3-4 months from start to finish. I take on only a small number of projects for each custom cycle to ensure full attention is given to our work together.
The sooner you'd like to reach out, the better! Namesake's availability for custom dresses in 2027 is already nearing capacity. To reserve your space in the custom calendar, schedule your design consult as early as you are able.
What types of materials do you work with?
Whenever possible, I work with natural fibers like silk, linen, and cotton. I often work with designer deadstock fabrics, the surplus stock of fabrics used in their mills and production that were never used. These include deadstock silks and silk blends from Vera Wang, Oscar de la Renta, Max Mara, and Carolina Herrera, among others. This practice is a sustainable alternative for buying net new textiles while offering a path towards a custom dress made from some of the highest quality materials available.
Do you work with clients remotely?
At this time, I only work with clients who are available to meet for in person fitting at my home studio in Annapolis, Maryland. 1-2 fittings are always required for the types of dresses I sew in order to achieve the intended custom fit, however, you're welcome to come for additional in person fittings if you are able!
If you are unable to attend fittings in person and are looking for a remote alternative, I would love to recommend you someone in my network of talented seamstresses and designers who may be a fit for the experience you're looking for!
Can you replicate a dress design that I like?
Inspiration is always welcome in the form of mood boards, reference photos and videos, and even dresses in your wardrobe that have a fit or design element you love. I do not offer 1:1 recreations of other designers' work - but I'd love to help you make a look you love into something truly unique to you!
What is the price range of a Namesake custom dress?
Dresses like those shown on the site currently range from $500 - $2,200. Prices are heavily variable dependent on the dress style and fabric selections, but a quote will always be provided after your initial complimentary design consult.