What "made to measure" actually means
Made to measure means the suit is cut to your body — not to a size chart, not to a standard block, not to the closest S/M/L/XL. Every panel, every seam, every dart is placed for the shape and posture of one specific woman.
This is different from bespoke (which starts with a paper pattern drafted from scratch) and different from ready-to-wear (which uses a standard block). Made to measure sits between. At TEEYAN we do made-to-measure by default and true bespoke on special commission.
The fourteen steps
1. First WhatsApp
You message us. We ask three things: your wedding or event date, your city, and the function. Based on those we tell you honestly whether we can fit the timeline and which of our nine suits — or a custom silhouette — would suit you best.
2. Suit selection and honest conversation
We do not pressure. If the timeline is tight, we say so. If the suit you have chosen is heavier than the occasion needs, we say so. If your budget is stretched, we suggest a lighter version. This conversation happens over WhatsApp voice notes and photos — no forms, no PDFs, no pitch decks.
3. Colour and karigari review
We send you fabric colour swatches (photographed under three light conditions — daylight, evening warm, camera flash), embroidery motif references, and karigari density options. You approve each element on WhatsApp.
4. Measurement protocol
We send a WhatsApp video walking you through 18 body measurements. You measure yourself with a tailor's tape and send the numbers back. If you are in Punjab, you can come to our Mohali atelier for the measurement. If you are abroad, the remote measurement plus a full-length photo gets us within one small alteration of perfect.
5. Deposit
Fifty percent deposit to begin. Balance on completion, before shipping. We only accept bank transfer or WhatsApp Pay — no cards, no PayPal.
6. Muslin stitching
Our master tailor stitches a full muslin (cotton mock-up) in your measurements. This is a rehearsal of your suit — same silhouette, same panels, same seams, but in unbleached muslin so we can see how the shape falls before we cut the real silk.
7. Muslin fitting
We put the muslin on our dress-form and photograph it from four angles. We send you the photos. You approve or request adjustments. If adjustments are needed, we re-stitch the muslin (once, sometimes twice) before we approve the fit.
8. Silk cut
Only after the muslin is approved do we cut the real silk. Every silk is inspected for weave defects, colour consistency, and hand-feel before it is cut. If a bolt has any visible flaw, it is set aside and a new bolt is ordered.
9. Karigari begins
The embroidery frame is set. One karigar is assigned to your suit — not a team, one hand. This is the slowest, most important step. Depending on the density: 40 to 280 hours of hand stitching. We photograph the karigari at 30%, 60%, and 90% completion so you can see the work develop.
10. Construction
Once the karigari is complete, the panels go back to the master tailor for construction. Seams are hand-finished on the inside. Linings are stitched separately and attached. Hemming is done by hand.
11. Final finishing
Any loose thread, any small stitch out of place, any bead not sitting flat — corrected. The suit is steamed and hung on the dress-form for 48 hours to let the weight settle before final photographs.
12. Photographs
We photograph the finished suit on our dress-form from six angles. We send you the photos on WhatsApp. This is your final approval before shipping.
13. Balance payment and packing
Balance transferred. The suit is wrapped in acid-free tissue, placed in a cotton bag, and packed in a custom TEEYAN box with a hand-written care card. Our shipping partner (FedEx or DHL Express) collects.
14. Duties-paid delivery
Delivery in 5 to 10 business days. We pre-pay import duties to Canada, USA, UK, UAE, and Australia — so no customs surprise on arrival. You sign for the box and it is yours.
Timeline honesty
- Steps 1-5 (conversation → deposit): 3 to 10 days depending on how quickly you decide colour and karigari.
- Steps 6-7 (muslin): 7 to 10 days.
- Steps 8-9 (silk cut → karigari): 8 to 12 weeks. This is the long step. No shortcuts here.
- Steps 10-13 (construction → shipping): 10 to 14 days.
- Step 14 (shipping): 5 to 10 business days.
Total: 13 to 17 weeks from deposit to delivery. Add 2 to 4 weeks buffer for high-embroidery bridal suits.
What we do not do
- We do not stitch a suit in less than 8 weeks — the karigari cannot be rushed.
- We do not stitch three suits from one karigar at the same time — one karigar, one suit, always.
- We do not use polyester thread or synthetic silk substitutes — real pat silk, real zari, real dabka.
- We do not sell "sample" or "showpiece" suits — every TEEYAN suit is a bride's or a customer's suit.
- We do not upsell. If the lighter suit is right for your occasion, we suggest the lighter suit.
How to start
Message us on WhatsApp: +91 94920 00054. Tell us your event date, your city, and what you are thinking. We will reply within a day with an honest assessment.