- What does a seamstress do?
- Will my dress fit perfectly after alterations?
- How to have stress free bridal alterations?
- How to save money on alterations?
- Why bridal alterations seem to be expensive?
- Is it possible to size up a dress?
- Is it possible to alter a dress bigger than two sizes?
- How much does it cost?
- What do I need to bring to my Bridal Fitting
***Remember, finding the cheapest seamstress is not a best solution, you may end up having to pay another seamstress for making corrections***
- What does a seamstress do?
Seamstresses provide tailoring, alteration and custom sewing for clothing or costumes. Seamstresses can reshape clothing that is too big or too small so that it fits properly — for example, hemming pants that are too long or bringing in the waistband of pants or a skirt that is too large. Seamstresses can also provide more complex alterations such as adding tucks to shape a dress or bringing in the body of a shirt. More time and expertise will be required for challenging fabric such as silk or clothing with lining, like a blazer or lined slacks. Seamstresses are also skilled in altering wedding dresses and other formal wear. The time and skill required for these types of alterations is greater than for basic tasks like hemming, so be sure to find an experienced seamstress to handle your special items.
Many seamstresses can also custom-make clothing for you. To come up with the design, you can bring in a pattern you like or an item of clothing you want the seamstress to replicate, or ask the seamstress to create a pattern for you. You can bring your own unique design to life with the help of a seamstress. There is no formal job training required to be a seamstress; many learn to sew and design from practical experience. For larger projects, like tailoring a suit, always be sure to review portfolios of work and read about the seamstress’s experience before committing.
2. Will my dress fit perfectly after alterations?
Your seamstress will do everything in her power to achieve that kind of result, but… It very much depends on the construction of your dress as well as your figure. It’s difficult to access the seams of an already made dress. If it’s design is complex, with lace overlay, beads, appliques, some of the seams may even not be accessible or it may be to risky to do so. Usually the side seams are the most accessible, but sometimes in order to make your gown fit changing other seams may be involved. Women have several types of bodies. Your body proportions also take a great part in determining the alterations. They may be distant from standard body measurements which your manufactured dress was designed for. For example, if you have a very large chest comparing to your waist and hips, your alterations may get more difficult. If you have a very small chest and wider hips it will be the similar challenge. Same thing with full waist, very small waist etc… Perfect fit may not be guaranteed is such cases.
3. How to have stress free bridal alterations?
- You should always START your alterations EARLY, never wait until very close to your wedding. Book your first appointment 5-6 months before the wedding. Request for your dress to be finished at least a month before the wedding. It’s perfectly OK to say that your wedding date is earlier. It won’t hurt anyone.
- Find a seamstress you will TRUST. If you are not sure about a place or a person who will be working on your dress, simply don’t do business there, keep searching. Trust is crucial. It really helps in communicating and avoiding a lot of unnecessary stress.
- It is BEST to try to get your dress altered between October and March. Your seamstress will be less busy and you will get more of her attention and better service. April to September is always very busy for all bridal businesses.
- COMMUNICATE with your seamstress. Present your preferences to her and ask plenty of questions. Also, listen to all her professional advice. She alters dozens, if not hundreds, of dresses each year, and most likely, has great skills and knowledge in alterations. Tell her all of your concerns, even if they occur later during the process. Good communication can help to avoid a lot of stress on both sides.
- Consider her ADVICE on a best fitting undergarments for your dress. Always bring them to all the fittings. You can even leave them and your shoes at her studio.
- NEVER CHANGE any UNDERGARMENTS such body Shapewear and Longline bras during the entire alterations process. They can affect the measurements of your dress, which may result in changing the fit of your dress and additional alterations. Never change your shoe heel height after your dress is hemmed.
- SHOW UP to all of your fitting appointments so your seamstress will be able finish your dress on time. Call in advance if you need to reschedule, she will be grateful to you for respecting her time.
- NEVER RUSH your seamstress with your alterations, the more time she spends working on your dress, the better results she will be able to give you. And remember, the more fittings, the least chance for any errors. Your seamstress should do a fitting for each alteration: one for bodice, one for hem and one for bustle.
- Prepare to be FLEXIBLE and understanding. If she reschedules your appointment, it doesn’t mean that your dress won’t be finished on time. It is very possible that after opening the seams of your dress, she found out your dress will need more work than she predicted. She sometimes does a last minute or emergency alterations for another bride.
- NEVER go on a DIET months before your wedding. Try to avoid loosing or gaining any weight during the alteration process. This will result in a last minute alterations, additional costs to you, plenty of stress for both parts and the risk of having a “wedding dress disaster” is great. Your seamstress might also be too busy to make any last minute changes.
4. How to save money on alterations?
- Buy a dress that is not larger than one size in the chest and the waist. Never buy dress which is too small, because it may not have enough seam allowances to be let out.
- Buy a dress that is easy to hem: the lace applique on the bottom can be removed and reapplied. Hemming the dress from the waist is always more complex and much more expensive.
- Shorter trains need less points to be bustled, therefore the cost of a bustle will be cheaper.
- Alterations on lace dresses is more time consuming.
- Beaded dresses will also cost more to be altered.
- Dresses with long sleeves usually need more alterations.
- Do not buy any bridal undergarments unless your seamstress will tell you that they are necessary. Many corset strapless gowns have a built-in corset and have enough support to be worn with just a bra cups sewn in.
- Do not buy a dress if you are thinking of any restyling. Restyling is much more time consuming than any alterations.
- Silk dresses are also more difficult to work with and the alterations will cost more. Silk fabric might shrink after pressing or steaming.
5. Why bridal alterations seem to be expensive?
Alterations seem to be expensive, to many of you, when comparing alteration costs to what you are paid for your dress. Most of the gowns are produced in hundreds and thousands of pieces in overseas factories. Your alterations are performed locally. The price of your alterations includes your seamstress US hourly labor, US business taxes and expenses. Some seams, laces, beads or appliques have to be applied by hand-stitching and that is very time consuming. Bridal alterations take from 8-45 hours of work including the fittings. Wedding gowns are also the most complex garments and alterations can sometimes be more difficult than even constructing a dress from scratch.
6. Is it possible to size up a dress?
Altering a dress to a larger size may be possible. If the garment has enough seam allowances they can be let out, adding up to two inches to its circumference. If the dress has to be sized up more than one size, restyling such as adding panels or lacing may be needed. It may not always give satisfactory aesthetic results and it may be difficult to match the fabric. The cost of restyling may be very high, because it usually requires plenty of work/time. Avoid purchasing dress which is too small.
7. Is it possible to alter a dress bigger than two sizes?
This is also a very complicated, time consuming and costly alteration. It involves taking apart almost every seam and reconstructing the entire dress. For some designs this may not be possible. Restyling by changing the garment’s original design may be required on order to attain a more pleasing result. I would advise that you consult the bridal store alterationist before buying, or not buying a dress two or more sizes larger.
8. How much does it cost?
I offer professional high quality service at competitive prices. I am unable to estimate the price of your dress alterations until I examine its inner construction in person. The design of the dress may be very simple or more complex, therefore the costs will vary. If your dress has several layers of hem, lace trim, pleats, ruffles, appliques or beads at altered seams, the cost of alterations will be greater. If the dress needs to be taken in or out two or more sizes the cost of alterations will be greater as well. Longer trains will need more points to be bustled, therefore they will cost more. The designer label doesn’t matter in quoting the price of alterations. It’s determined by multiplying the time needed for making alterations by hourly rate. The price range for bridal gown alterations is $300 -$750. I hear often from my clients that my prices are great. If your alterations have to be done in less than 2 months, a rush fee may be applied. Consultations and estimates are $35 for up to 1-hour, if you choose me to perform the alterations, the estimate fee won’t be added to your invoice.
9. What do I need to bring to my Bridal Fitting?
It’s essential to bring your shoes and the same best fitting undergarments to each of your fittings, the same ones you plan to wear for your special day. Foundation garments can make a difference of up to 2 inches in the hemline or waist, and also show if dress will be too revealing in any area.