$850 Hemming Alteration

AnyaK

I'm hoping I can get some insight on altering my wedding gown!

I took my dress to a very popular and highly yelp rated shop in my area to get my dress shortened in the front.  I've been told by a few people that it would be an intensive process as there are three layers and beading all along the bottom.  I also need the bustle done.

The seamstress quoted me $850 (more than my actual dress) but since I came into the store because a friend had been to her a month earlier, she would bring it down to $800.

I said I was sorry to have wasted her time, but there is no way I could pay that and was expecting it to be no more then $300.  Then she told me that she would do it for $300 just for me.

So now I'm wondering if $300 IS in fact a good deal because of the beading and layering that makes it a lot of work, or am I still being taken advantage of and I should march back in the store and just get my dress back and take it somewhere else. 

christinamarie325

$850 is very over priced for a hemming job. If she were making a whole gown, or doing alterations in other areas, I'd understand.

$300, With beading, and 3 layers, I think that's probably pretty fair. You could call and ask around. That's $100 a layer. Since it's being shorted in just the front, it needs to be done properly so that the transition from short to long is clean and neat, and not chopping looking. All of the layers will need to be made an even length to match with lots of measuring and pinning.
She'll probably have to take the beads off where she is hemming so as to not ruin her machine. unless she does the hem by hand, which will take quite a bit of time, and is the more "couture" way of doing thinngs. 

kd.joseph

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_850-hemming-alteration?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:15Discussion:41bb62ed-4a02-484d-aae3-a1be5696ccedPost:aaaab2b2-7144-4cb2-aa2b-6d527296f326">$850 Hemming Alteration</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm hoping I can get some insight on altering my wedding gown! I took my dress to a very popular and highly yelp rated shop in my area to get my dress shortened in the front.  I've been told by a few people that it would be an intensive process as there are three layers and beading all along the bottom.  I also need the bustle done. The seamstress quoted me $850 (more than my actual dress) but since I came into the store because a friend had been to her a month earlier, she would bring it down to $800. I said I was sorry to have wasted her time, but there is no way I could pay that and was expecting it to be no more then $300.  <strong>Then she told me that she would do it for $300 just for me.</strong> So now I'm wondering if $300 IS in fact a good deal because of the beading and layering that makes it a lot of work, or am I still being taken advantage of and I should march back in the store and just get my dress back and take it somewhere else. 
Posted by AnyaK[/QUOTE]

Well that sounds shady.

Check your local board for other recommendations for seamstresses. $850 sounds ridiculous.

JoanE2012

I'd be a little suspicious of someone who charges $850 who will suddenly drop her price to $300.  I'd probably look elsewhere.

[Deleted User]

I don't know...that does sound pretty strange that she just all of the sudden dropped the price, but look at it as a blessing.As long as you have everything in writing, and receipts, I'd let her hem your dress, but try to do more searching for someone who is cheaper. 

Avion22

I paid $375 in the DC ara (which is pretty expensive), and that was to have my LACE gown hemmed, bustled, and taken in in the bodice. Lace is one of the harder materials to hem. I would be very wary of someone who would quote so high a price, then recant to a much lower price when called out on it. Sounds prettyt shady. If possible, get her $300 quote in writing, then go get a few more quotes before picking someone.

WildMagelet

Without looking at the dress I'm not sure about the pricing but it doesn't sound ridiculous, I would, however, run from the hills from someone who miraculously just changed her price by $550.  I've been known to help out in terms of budget but that's a HUGE jump.

DiLynn83

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_850-hemming-alteration?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:15Discussion:41bb62ed-4a02-484d-aae3-a1be5696ccedPost:98cf4384-1bab-4759-91a0-fb2042829029">Re: $850 Hemming Alteration</a>:
[QUOTE]Without looking at the dress I'm not sure about the pricing but it doesn't sound ridiculous, I would, however, run from the hills from someone who miraculously just changed her price by $550.  I've been known to help out in terms of budget but that's a HUGE jump.
Posted by flutterbride2b[/QUOTE]

<div>This.  Totally this.</div>

Giaspo

It only needs to be shortened in the front? Is it a corset back? Could be tied too tight and hiking up the back. How much does it need to be shortened? Another layer of crinoline in the front might be less expensive. Good luck!

ceceibson

I am wearing a Pronovias gown that is very fitted underneath, with probaby 6 layers of lace-appliqued tulle overskirt.  I am 2 sizes bigger on top than on the bottom and 5' 1" tall.  So this dress needs lots of work.  My alterations were $550.  That's for takin in the bottom 2+ inches on eatiher side and fitting it to my bottom, removing all the lace appliques and hemming every single skirt separately then putting them back on, shortening the straps, putting in bra cups and creating a bustle.

$850 sounds way too high. And clearly is, since she agreed to do the work for $300 or whatever.