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Wedding Etiquette Forum

*UGH!! - now what!?*

So last night, I got my table runners back from the woman who was sewing them for me. We VERBALLY talked about the width of the runners, and spoke about the LENGTH in emails - the length was correct, but the "runner" is much more like a "cloth" it's 42" wide!!!! I told her I wanted a foot of the orange swirl pattern I picked out with 2"-4" of brown burlap poking out underneath.

I emailed her last night telling her that they were wrong and she came back with an e-mail telling me she wanted to fix the problem, but "severely underestimated the time it would take her to complete the runners" and would need to charge me an ADDITIONAL $250 to fix them!

If she had done them the way I requested - not only would I have only had to buy about $125 of fabric (vs the $350 I spent) but she wouldn't have had to spend as much time on them. I'm already EXTREMELY tight on my budget. I didn't expect to spend $200 on my runners - let alone $550 I've ALREADY paid or the $800 she's expecting from me!

She's been so nice and accommodating, but honestly I think this is poor business practice - but she's just a woman who sews, not a business of anysort. Anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do?

Re: *UGH!! - now what!?*

  • It sounds like it was her mistake. She gave you a time estimate, and she was wrong--she even admitted it. Plus, if you gave her size and color specifications and she messed it up, the fault is hers.

    I'd try to find a way to have her compensate for her mistakes. But, because it was a verbal agreement, I don't know that you could make her pay for the re-do since you can't prove what you wanted in the first place.
  • Agreed. I totally think this is on her. I requested a "table runner" and she gives me a 72" X 42" sheet. What would you suggest as a way for her to compensate for the mix up?
  • "I do not sew, and it is up to you to estimate the time you will need and quote your fee accordingly.  It is not up to me to compensate you for your mistake.  However, when you remove the extraneous fabric, which cost me an additional $225 in materials, please feel free to retain it to use for future projects.  That way, you will be compensated for your mistake and the fabric won't go to waste.  It'll be a wash."
    You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. ~Mae West
  • Honestly, I have no idea what's fair and what's asking too much. I'm kind of a bitch when it comes to stuff like that, so I'd be telling her that any additional costs are on her. She rushed through the job and didn't give you the agreed-upon product. Any changes should be on her own dime.
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