Hemming dresses with lace on bottom

Blackbird230 · March 2015

I was trying on dresses last weekend and the consultant told me it would be about $400-$600 to hem the bottom of the dress I loved because it's lined with tons of lace. Is that a reasonable cost estimate from most seamstresses? Did you have to do that? I loved the dress, but it's already toward the top of my budget and that would only be the hem alterations and nothing else! (I would also need to take some poof out.) Thoughts?

QueerFemme · March 2015

A lot of times seamstresses will hem dresses that have scalloped or lace edges at the waist, instead of from the bottom if possible. it really depends on the style of dress. You could also talk to another seamstress about pricing. I have found that most in-salon alterations are more expensive than an independent seamstress.

julieanne912 · March 2015

I think that sounds high. I have a lace dress and the store owner said she thought it would be about $250 to hem it. However she suggested that we we order mine in a petite size, and then I'll buy shoes if needed after the dress arrives to avoid hemming it.... I prefer to wear my cowboy boots or flats but I'll do heels if it means I can save $250 haha!

julieanne912 · March 2015

Also this is my dress http://cdn.maggiesottero.com/styles/1450_x_1977_front/5/5SS030.jpg so to me it looks like it would be pretty hard to hem it (not really sure how they do it really).

missdelilah · March 2015

It really depends on the type of lace and the number of layers in the dress. I agree with QueerFemme that the quote seems high, but it depends what area you're in. I'd definitely shop it around a little. Even try emailing the designer photos of the dress to various seamstresses in your area (and if you go on your local board you should be able to find some really great suggestions and reviews) and seeing if you can get some ideas before you buy the dress.

hyechica81 · March 2015

you say only the hem would be needed as of now but once you get in your dress there are going to be other alterations needed.

they will order your dress biased on your measurements most of the time you will go up two sizes bridal sizing runs funny. the dress will fit you in some parts ( mine was the waist it fit like a glove. but the bust was way to big and i needed a hem since i am short)

you wont know what alterations you will need until the dress comes in and i would suggestion ordering in the size you measure they can always take a dress in but they cant always take it out

rcher912 · March 2015

julieanne912 said:Also this is my dress http://cdn.maggiesottero.com/styles/1450_x_1977_front/5/5SS030.jpg so to me it looks like it would be pretty hard to hem it (not really sure how they do it really). ---------------------boxes---------------------------------------------------------------

Goodness, that's a beautiful dress, but from my untrained eye it does look like it's going to be a beast to hem!

I would at least get a second opinion from another seamstress. The bridal shop I bought my dress at has in-house alterations where they'll do everything for the low, low price of $500, but I'm definitely going to take my dress elsewhere first and see if I can maybe squeeze that down (I'll also definitely need a hem!!!)

theartistformerlyknownas · March 2015

Edited because I looked at the picture... it does seem that they'll need to lift the whole thing from the waist as QF mentioned. It's a lot more work than a standard hem because then all the waist darts need to be redone too. That price does seem high to me though, so I'd get a second or third quote. In-store seamstresses at the bridal salon are often a lot more expensive than private places.

Oftentimes with other dresses, the lace at the hem is a separate strip. They'd remove that strip, hem the dress, and then sew the strip back on. Doesn't appear to be the case with your dress.

plainjane0415 · March 2015

lolo883 said:
Edited because I looked at the picture... it does seem that they'll need to lift the whole thing from the waist as QF mentioned. It's a lot more work than a standard hem because then all the waist darts need to be redone too. That price does seem high to me though, so I'd get a second or third quote. In-store seamstresses at the bridal salon are often a lot more expensive than private places.

Oftentimes with other dresses, the lace at the hem is a separate strip. They'd remove that strip, hem the dress, and then sew the strip back on. Doesn't appear to be the case with your dress.

I went for my first dress fitting on Saturday, and this is how my seamstress is going to do the hem. My dress came with the seperate strip of lace at the hem, and she told me she would take that off, hem it, and then attach the hem back that she took off.

She is doing the hem, bustle, and adding pads to the top, and she has booked two more appointments, and that's mainly because of the hem. The next fitting I go in for will be just to check the hem, because she wants to make sure everything looks right.

I'm not sure how much all of this will be when it's said and done, but I'm willing to pay whatever it is because I trust this seamstress, as she has hemmed this exact dress before, and has been working with the bridal shop I bought my dress from for over 15 years.

Blackbird230 · March 2015

Thanks for all of the advice ladies! I found another salon with the same dress and am going to inquire and also look at my other frontrunner that has a plainer tulle bottom.

HappyinLove56 · March 2015

I paid about $250 to have my very lacey dress hemmed. It has VERY elaborate lace at the bottom. I got it hemmed by the alterations manager at the Alfred Angelo where I bought the dress. I think I could have saved a few pennies getting it hemmed elsewhere but, now that I've seen how completely perfectly she hemmed the delicate lace, I am glad I paid more to get it done right by someone who hems that same dress on a regular basis. Just be sure if you do go with the lace dress that you pay an experienced hand and don't ruin the beauty of the dress.

Alterations suck! I'm paying a total of $500 to get a $1,000 dress altered. $350 of that was just the hem and bussle (which are standard alterations). It feels a little ridiculous and unfair. What's even worse is that alterations came at a time in my wedding planning process when I had already spent lots of money on other things. But I really think there wouldn't have been any point in buying a gorgeous lace dress and then skimping on the hem. Buy the dress you can afford to buy and alter properly. That's my 2 cents. Good luck!

missdelilah · March 2015

It seems sort of standard to assume that alterations are going to cost at least $200 - $300, particularly when you're working with lace and appliqués. I was lucky, and didn't need my dress hemmed, but I do understand that this can be a particularly expensive part of the process. I had mine slightly taken in around the waist (which was a bit of a pain because of the lace) and had cups put it. It ended up costing $120, but I'm pleased that I'd put that money aside just in case.

@blackbird230: have you worked out what you're going to do yet?

Knottie45547263 · March 2015

My dress had to be hemmed and had lace on the bottom. I believe I paid $300 for it to be done. Sounds normal to me - they had to take it off by hand, lift the dress, and reattach.

redheadbride15 · March 2015

I've been quote $350 for alterations including shortening my fit'n'flare lace dress (which has complex seams over the hip & waist and cannot be hemmed at the bottom), plus sewing in bra cups (it's backless). It's a complex set of alterations and will require more fittings than normal. My advice is to call several local seamstresses and describe the issue and they should be able to give you a ballpark quote. The price of alterations does vary by region.

Blackbird230 · March 2015

@missdelilah, I actually fell in love with another dress at another salon. Funny enough they have the same dress I was looking at and a policy that alterations don't go above $300. Much happier with the other salon!

Hemming dresses with lace on bottom

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