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Cost of Dress Alterations at David's

Amandall2Amandall2
First Comment
in Attire & Accessories Forum
How much did you pay for alterations at David's?  I just need a straight hem.  I probably have the simplest, most basic dress on the planet, so to me it looks like it would be cheap to do.....how much can I expect to pay?  I have no clue.  I am about ready to take a scissor to it myself because I know I am probably going to pay a ridiculous amount of money for it.
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Re: Cost of Dress Alterations at David's

  • skippylouwhoskippylouwho member
    1000 Comments
    I don't know current prices but in until she was too old, my daughter belonged to a fraternal organization that wore formal gowns for many functions. We often bought wedding gowns and had the trains cut off - simply cut off and hem, no moving of trim, etc..

    We had a retired home-ec teacher as a neighbor who did alterations. She charged us $18 (this was as of about 4 years ago).  David's wanted $80.  They kept trying to hire her and she wouldn't, she said she couldn't feel honest about charging that kind of money and they would not let her charge less.

    So that doesn't answer your question but it gives you somewhat of an idea of what the mark-up can/might be.

    You might try to find a reliable seamstress in your area to make the alterations for you.
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  • tracy_ktracy_k member
    Seventh Anniversary 500 Comments
    Post on your local board and get a recommendation for a seamstress in your area. It will be much less than David's.
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  • JenPhil6212JenPhil6212
    500 Comments
    Call your local store! I did my alterations at David's but I got a lot done. and it cost me $200. I added a privacy screen, ballroom bustle, added a pink material to be sewn into  my dress, and had the material under the arms taken in.
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  • aerinpegadrakaerinpegadrak member
    10000 Comments 5 Love Its Combo Breaker
    The nice thing about David's is that they guarantee your alterations.  So if they screw it up, they'll pay to fix it or replace your dress.  You can't really get that guarantee from an independent seamstress.

    If all you need is a hem, you might be better off going somewhere else, but if you need more done, you might as well do David's.  I got the bust taken in and an under bustle added for about $170.  They're also fixing a few minor issues with the lace and pressing the gown, since I got it as a sample.
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  • tracy_ktracy_k member
    Seventh Anniversary 500 Comments
    I got the same promise from my seamstress, she had nothing but positive reviews from my local boards as well as on WeddingWire.

    Like many independent seamstresses, she caps alteration costs at $185... so no matter what you want done, you don't pay more than that. I didn't have much done, just had the top let out a bit and the waist nipped in a bit, plus the bustle and adding a slight dip to the neckline, so it cost me $120. David's would have easily been twice that.
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  • Amandall2Amandall2
    First Comment
    ok, so I guess I need to stay away from David's since most of the price figures everyone is saying is more than my dress.  I bought my dress for $150 from Davids, so there is not way I am paying more than about $40 for a simple hem.  Guess I will be hunting around for cheaper places.
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  • MLC613MLC613
    100 Comments
    I've always heard that David's is really expensive for alterations and that it is better to shop around! I got my dress and David's and they told me it would cost more to get it altered than I paid for my dress, so I'm going to shop around. Maybe try your local board for ideas as to where to go! Good luck!!
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  • MNVegasMNVegas member
    Fifth Anniversary 1000 Comments 250 Love Its Name Dropper
    I was just at David's today for first fitting. Hemming for chiffon gown, adding cups, shortening beaded straps came to $145.  This price also includes final steaming.
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  • swim1011swim1011
    500 Comments
    DB is super expensive.  Find recs for a good local seamstress on your local board (one who has lots of wedding dress experience, preferrably) and have her do it.  I guarantee it will be cheaper.
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  • Jenni83Jenni83
    500 Comments
    edited April 2010
    i got  my dress alterations done at db for my Sept 2009 wedding and the alterations cost almost as much as my dress to have done, they did a great job but they are just so exp,
    they charged my bridesmaids $85 to make the dress a little shorter & when i took a similar dress to be altered at a shop they charges me $25.00
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  • jbrouwere1jbrouwere1
    10 Comments
    My local david's charges 120 for a hem.

    I went in Monday for my first fitting I'm not getting my dress hemmed I'm having a bussel put in the front insted because its cheaper and my dress has pick-up so it looks good that way. I also added a corset back and a ballroom bussel to the back total in all was 300. My dress was 1200. There alteration are crazy I had my flowe girls dress done by and independent lady bought the dress to big of the internet she needed a 3t i got a 4t so it was about 5 in to big around and 4-6 in to long and straps needed to be moved in and shortned she did all this for 25.
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