ALTERATIONS

This can be an anxiety-inducing process with lots of unknowns, especially if you’ve never had a garment altered before. We get it, and we are here to help you get started and point you in the right direction!

We offered in-house alterations for the first 8 years we were in business. This gave us an expert education and knowledge base of gown construction.

Even though we don’t do alterations in house anymore, our experience and knowledge in garment construction is a crucial tool we use all the time to help you navigate what can and can’t be done to a gown. Are you loving a gown but wish it had long sleeves? We will tell you whether or not you can add a sleeve to a gown, add layers of fabric to something or take away layers of fabric, alter the shape of a neckline, etc. We can help you create customized ideas for your gown so that your vision comes to life during alterations, and we will coach you on how to relay that info to your seamstress.

Things to Know

-Your gown is not going to fit you perfectly when it arrives- it’s most likely going to be too large in certain areas, and too long. That’s what alterations are for!

-Alterations are not included in gown pricing. This is a separate service that will be performed at a separate place of business. Rates will vary from business to business, but $500ish is probably a good figure to have in your head for standard alterations (more about standard alterations below).

-We have an alterations referral list we hand out to brides who purchase from us. This list has recommendations for bridal seamstresses all across the Carolinas as well as Eastern Tennessee. Not local to the area? No problem! We are part of a network of bridal shop owners all across the country, and we are constantly asking one another for seamstress recommendations in different areas! We’d be happy to inquire about your location.

-You should contact the seamstress you want to work with shortly after purchasing your gown, even if your wedding is a year away. Some seamstresses want you to get scheduled immediately, and others prefer to wait, so let the seamstress help guide you in how to best schedule your alterations process with them.

-You will need to have your shoes picked out before you can begin alterations (and you will need to bring them with you to your alterations appointments), as heel height and sole thickness will determine how much the gown needs to be hemmed.

-Customizations can be done to each gown, and as stylists well-versed in alterations, we know what can and can’t be done and can answer those questions and provide feedback during your gown selection process.

-On average, standard alterations are completed in about 3 rounds. Specialized customizations may require more rounds. Most seamstresses prefer to have 2-3 months to complete standard alterations. Expedited alterations often incur an additional fee.

-Standard alterations usually include hemming the gown, adding a bustle, shortening straps, adding bust cups, sewing a belt on the waist, taking in at the bust, taking in at the waist, and taking in at the hip.

-Non-standard alterations usually involve adding extra fabric where there was none- for example, creating and adding a sleeve to a gown with spaghetti straps, adding lining to a bodice that comes unlined, changing the neckline of a gown, lowering the back of a gown, etc.