Attire & Accessories Forum

The Truth About Alterations??

I really need to know what to expect with alterations...i.e, how much it will cost and what the process is like...I bought an amazing dress because the manager of this salon gave me an offer I could not refuse on a brand new sample. OK, so it's a size 10 and I am a street size 2-4. That means, basically, the bust and waist need to be majorly taken in. However, the length is perfect, because it's long enough (I'm 5'9"). I will also need a bustle. Does anyone have any idea what this will come out to? I want to be prepared! Thanks...

Re: The Truth About Alterations??

  • Thanks. However, I cannot take the dress from the store. They will not take it back for alterations if you take it anywhere else. I'm stuck because I kind of want them to do it but I haven't had my first fitting yet, so maybe they will quote me then?
  • Thanks again. Yeah, it's weird there. They won't let you take any photos, either. I don't love that aspect of it but everyone on Yelp and also my sister-in-law says that they do a good job with alterations. I want to do them there because it's on-site and just easier for me then to schlep it around, you know? I'm hoping it will be $200-$300 but...I don't know.
  • have you tried on this dress? if the dress is a size 10 but you wear a 2-4 in street clothes they might only take it in a size. Gowns usually run smaller. You can shop around for seamstress but if the store recommends  a specific one usually they know that the person does a good job. You don't want to risk your gown being ruined. 

    Same here I'm worried about the cost of the alterations. Mine has to be shortened, taken in around the bust, there is a rip on the tulle and I need a bustle too. So I can't imagine how much this is going to cost. I was told its going to be around 350. I think it's going to be more. 
  • I'd get a quote from the store before you do anything.  Not to sterotype, but many bridal stores will charge much more than a local seamstress will.  I'd see if you can get a recommendation from your local board, and go talk to a couple different people.  Make sure they have lots of experience in wedding dress alterations, not just general clothing alterations. 

    Without seeing the dress, it's hard to tell how much you'll need it taken in.  Depending on designer, that size 10 could be a street size 6 or 8, so it may not need a lot of work.  Or it might need a ton of work- which could also affect the integrity of the design of the dress, and make the work needed a lot more difficult and expensive. 

    And, why don't they allow pictures?  You bought the dress, you should be able to do whatever you want with it now.
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  • If you go to a seamstress not affiliated with the store, find out if she has worked on wedding dresses.  My fabulous seamstress who altered my entire wardrobe won't go near them because she said unless it's a very simple dress, bridal alterations can get too complicated because of all the detailing.
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_truth-alterations?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:15Discussion:2363d53d-4c50-4641-9c70-6621bd25f329Post:3cfc2c3b-af74-4e7a-8a22-76c38869d4b4">Re: The Truth About Alterations??</a>:
    [QUOTE]If you go to a seamstress not affiliated with the store, find out if she has worked on wedding dresses.  My fabulous seamstress who altered my entire wardrobe won't go near them because she said unless it's a very simple dress, bridal alterations can get too complicated because of all the detailing.
    Posted by tldh[/QUOTE]

    A friend of mine found this out the hard way...she felt the alterations we to expesive at the shop she bought her gown at so she took the dress to a woman that worked out of her house.  First the alterations she did made the dress look worse than better, the hem was uneven and jagged, she bustled the dress incorrectly and crooked, and the cups she added, instead of putting them inside the dress by taking the whole bodice apart, she just tacked shoulder pads into the boobs of the dress so you could see them!  To make matters worse, what the shop considered standard alterations, this woman said the alterations were quite extensive and refused to reapply the beads she removed from the gown when she was taking it in!  Not only did the dress look terrible, she was sent home after 7 fittings (this is not normal, I know it's 4 at the most unless you're doing custom work...), but when she finally got her unfinished dressed she was sent home with a bag of beads 4 days before the wedding!  The price - $275, when the salon she bought her gown at quoted her $325.  Shocking. 

    Keep in mind also, if you do the alterations with the salon, if the mess up the alterations or something happens to the gown you have recourse and can get your gown replaced - an independant seamstress won't do anything other than blam it on you.    After a ton of research I now understand why salons charge more for their alterations, they seamstresses are more experiences, because they work with more clients and they now how to cut into every gown they have in the store, they have insurance to cover any damanges or incidentals (i.e., fire....) and they pay taxes and for a business licesnce.  Shop local, right?   JMHO.
  • edited November 2010
    I will tell you point blank why they will not accept alterations if you took it out of the store:  because they know they mark up the cost of their alterations at the store.

    Go to your local boards and ask for references for a good seamstress.  Your local knotties will hook you up. I interviewed several before I dicided which one go with.  I had one seamstress that the dress should be washed before it was altered so it would "shrink" needless to say I got a very bad vibe and went with another one.  When you go to an independent seamstress ask for references and pictures of their work. Ask if they can give you a ballpark, but keep in mind depending on how elaborate the dress is they may not be able to until they open it up.

    And so you know, I've been in your predicament: my dress was a sample size 10 and I'm a size 2.  Take your seamstress search very seriously, and make sure you give her plenty of time to work on your dress(6 months is plenty if the dress is a floor sample).

    My alterations were about $750 from an independent seamstress but it was a big huge ball gown that had to be taken in, skirt removed and put back on again etc. But because I paid a fraction of the original cost of the dress it was totally worth it.

    Also after alterations are done you're going to want to have the dress cleaned.  Make sure you go with the most reputable dress cleaner in your area, and not just any dry cleaner.


  • Hi: Yes, I did try on the dress- twice. I love it and it looks great- with clips down the back! No shortening or lengthening is going to be required, but the torso and the bust will definitely need to be taken in. Fortunately, it's just a zip-up back, I am hoping it will be pretty straightforward.

    I would have taken it to a seamstress, also, for an estimate, but I am just not comfortable with removing the dress from the store and not using the in-house alterations. I cannot bring it back if I change my mind and want them to do it. It's Macy's Bridal Salon, run by Demetrios Group. Prior to that, it was the bridal salon at Marshall Field's- I think these people know what they are doing, but I just wanted to hear other experiences with alterations. The general guidelines at the salon are that they want you to expect $450 in alterations, but they don't guarantee it. http://www.macys.com/media/bridal/infoguide.pdf

    Overall, they seem pretty harsh to me, but my sister-in-law had her dress altered there, too, and was very happy with the work they do.
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