Tip the Seamstress?

mrsguilbert42013 · March 2013

I went with a friend's recommendation for a seamstress to hem, bustle and add straps to my dress. She is awesome and only charging me $60 for everything. I'm wondering, is it customary to tip a seamstress?

BrittRN+ · March 2013

Hmm, I hadn't thought of this. It's a nice gesture, but I don't think it's necessary.

mabapunta · March 2013

Not sure if it's customary. I didn't even think about it, mostly because my dress alterations were already $254. The seamstress I went to works for herself, so she doesn't have anyone else reaching into those profits. If I had gone to David's Bridal or something like that, I may have considered giving a tip to the seamstress.

tiny speck · March 2013

I think if your seamstress just works on her own there's probably no need but if she works within a larger company I'd add a tip, like PP suggested. Same kind of logic with photographers, bakers, etc owning their own business vs being employees under a larger umbrella.

allychase · March 2013

I'm paying 370 dollars for alterations so hellllll no am I giving her any more than that

dandelionsgirl · March 2013

My alterations are $474 and there is a sign in the fitting room that says "We don't mind if you show appreciation to the person who sewed your dress" So I am assuming they want me to tip but that seems awfully expensive.

[Deleted User] · March 2013

My alterations were only $180, so I'll probably give her $200. She's doing quite a bit, but her work is very reasonable (and from the Wedding Wire reviews, very good).

ChiGirl2013 · March 2013

Just because a person owns their own business doesn't mean that every penny you pay is going into their pockets. They still have to pay for supplies, insurance, advertising, licensing, continuing education, etc. I own my own business and I'm BARELY in the black most years. Whatever I make goes right back to the accountant, advertising, updating/upgrading things to make the business grow, etc. Sure, alterations can be $300, but how many hours of that person's time did it take her to do what you need her to do? How much electricity did she need to use, thread, etc? How much is her business license? How much is her insurance? Those are all things to take into consideration.

That being said, yes, I am tipping my seamstress $50 on $200 worth of alterations. She is AMAZING and she deserves to be shown a little extra gratitude, IMO.

Tip the Seamstress?

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