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gown alteration costs?

halliebahallieba
10 Comments
in Minnesota-Minneapolis and St. Paul
Hey ladies,

I'm wondering how much I should be expecting to pay for my dress alterations, so I know what is a good price and when I am being raked over the coals.  For example, how much does it typically cost to sew in cups so you don't have to wear a bra?  How about taking in the sides if you lose weight?

Your help/thoughts are appreciated!

:)
I can't wait to be Mrs.! :)
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Re: gown alteration costs?

  • Bimbi284Bimbi284 member
    Ninth Anniversary 1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    From what I've heard, Louise Kegley will only charge up to $250 (I think)...but that's for like MAJOR alterations. I don't think she charges too much for minor alterations like what you've mentioned. She's definitely one of the most of not the most reasonable in regards to price for quality of work.
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  • LittleSweetieLittleSweetie member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I paid $125 for Louise to take in my dress (with beading), sew in cups and hem.  ETA: and bustle.
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  • jtothelee216jtothelee216 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I am paying Louise $130 to sew in cups, add two extra loops to my corset back, hem 4 inches, and "fix" a couple of the scallops on the top of my sweeheart neckline.  Plus, she's an absolute doll to work with, which is PRICELESS!
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  • drdifabiodrdifabio member
    Seventh Anniversary 2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I am paying Louise around $150 to:

    -Putting bra cups in (maybe)

    -Fit it around my bust
    -Fix the sash in the back (my dress was a sample so the sash needs some work)
    -Take it in a very little bit at my waist so it doesn't slide around
    -Hem it because it is VERY long
    -Add a bustle
    -Adjust the crinoline under the dress so it lays better

    Like the PP said - she is sooo sweet too and will give you a discount if you pay in cash.
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  • hkieslinghkiesling member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I used Louise and loved her (I'll send her number to anyone who PMs me).
    I paid $110 for a hem, bustle, cups, and taking my crinoline in.  I think the cups alone were $10.
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  • KittE7KittE7 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    wow, that's way less than I heard from the BoF seamstress - she said 300-350. Of course, she hasn't given me an exact quote yet.

    Do you have to meet with the seamstress in person & try on your dress in order to get a quote?  I don't want to schlep around my gown to get quotes from the BoF lady & Louise.  I'll need cups, major chest take-in, and a hem.

    Also, could I somehow see Louise's work, including bustles (French, side), before going with her?  I know the BoF lady does a lot of my gown style & similar, but maybe Louise could do it, too, for less.
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  • NicoleR77NicoleR77 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Louise sounds so great!  For those of you who have used her, how far in advance did you contact her?  I have my dress now, but am still a year out so obviously it's too early for alterations at this point. I'm just wondering if she ever fills up and won't take additional work?
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  • olivehimolivehim
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Our wedding is about a year away and I'll be meeting with her in a few short weeks already.  I want to be sure all of my alterations are possible (I bought my dress off the rack and is a couple sizes too big) and don't have to go out an look for a different dress.  I'm not sure if she agreed to meet with me this early because of that or not, but I'm sure she'd give you some guidance if you called.  She's good about email too.  A couple of times I've called her recently, the line is busy so I know she's SUPER busy right now!
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  • NuggetBrainNuggetBrain member
    5000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Whatever you do don't use Mestad's alterations services - to have it hemmed and taken in a bit here and there (no cups, no changing strapless to halter or zipper to corset or anything major like that) on a plain satin dress was almost $500.
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  • halliebahallieba
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thanks for all the tips!  Yikes--sorry to hear that you got so raked over by Mestad's, NuggetBrain!
    I can't wait to be Mrs.! :)
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