hello!

i'm wondering if anyone can tell me how much bridal alterations should cost (for hem of gown with several layers of fabric  and other very minor fixes - like brining up the straps)??  and do you have a rec for a reasonable and good tailor?  i have one quote from where i bought the dress - she wants $350.  i thought that seemes excessive - but what do i know!!

thanks

~kate

FYI, I just HAPPEN to know that David's Bridal is having a sale.

I figure I should use this info somehow...

kate:  at least $75 for a gown....

I know this Filipino lady who can hem dresses!

Keane, stock up now!! Your bride to be (out there somewhere) will thank you later.

Depending on how many things you end up needing (straps- are they being removed then added? just adjusted? how many layers? how difficult is the fabric to work with?  etc), it can cost quite a bit, but depending on how attached you are to the dress and how much you want someone who 'knows' the dress to work on it, that doesn't sound unreasonable...

There is a list of favorite tailors in the bay area that the knot.com brides to be like to use (have you check the chat boards there?)
I'll see if I can find it...

Stock up? I only plan to marry once :-/

KEANE... OMG..... everyone knows brides wear AT LEAST 3-4 dresses at a wedding.
OK fine, maybe not everyone, but now you do. : )

(Chinese dress, cocktail dress, white dress, another dress.)
(Vietanamese dress, cocktail dress, white dress, another dress.)
(Japanese dress, cocktail dress, white dress, another dress.)

Si Armina is the tailor I'm thinking of....
San Jose, CA
(408) 988-3144
She's in San jose but the girls LOVE her. : )

(Korean dress, cocktail dress, white dress, another dress.)
(_______ dess, cocktail dress, white dress, another dress.)

Etc etc etc etc etc.

(sorry, kate!)

Kate, my best friend had her Mom's wedding dress pretty much reconstructed by a dressmaker in San Bruno. I think she paid $500 or so, so $350 sounds a bit steep. My friend was VERY happy with her work. If you're interested, I can get the woman's info and give it to you via PM.

Kate - I dont think thats too excessive. Im paying 250 for my alterations to a very simple dress, no hemming. I dont have the woman's name on me but I am pretty impressed with her so far. If you decide that you do want to go elsewhere, pm me and I will find her info for you

Kirsten Tucker. I hear she's the best in Nor Cal.  Her biz is on the penninsula.

Kate, I paid about $85 for my wedding dress alteration. She took the bust in, shorten the dress and shorten the strap. I go it done a Galeria Taylor. The woman who did my dress is really good, but kinda called me fat and told me I needed to lose weight... :(

Hello Kate,
I am just wondering if you found anyone to help you with your dress, I have altered many bride dresses. I would love to help you in any way.

Galigula is absolutely the best place around for alterations.  I worked in the bridal business for a few years, and they'll do the best job.  $350 is absolutely reasonable for those prices.  What you have to understand is that all bridal gowns are different and no one can give you an estimate on a job without really seeing the dress...layers, construction, fabrics and stitching are all important.  Certain things are going to require hand sewing, which can equate hours of work.  I had a client who had a simple dress hem alteration that took 26 hours of sewing becuase there were numerous layers and they had to unattatch appliques on the hem, measure cut and re-sew them at a higher level.  Others are simple and can take only a few hours of work.  If you want quality alterations where they actually preserve the look and quality of the dress...expect to pay for it.  But whatever you do...whether you want to pay  a lot for good work or a little for mediocre work, ABSOLUTELY make sure you're going to someone who has extensive experience on gowns and bridal silks.

EVERYONE: This orignal thread is from MARCH 07.

that is all.

yeah girlfrend probably divorced already by now

Yes, this seamstress has many locatons all over the US and is very affordable and does a really good job. She is an expert. You name it she can do it. She has experience in wedding/bridemaids/prom dresses, Tailoring and couture sewing, Jean repair holes, rips tears. She does custom designs for men, women, and children. She only charges $7.50 for all alterations.Call 646-342-7843 for more infromation. All of her work is guaranteed by customer satisfaction.