If you’ve been with us you’ve probably ready our how to choose the right tailor article if not here it is as well. We can never emphasize enough the importance of discovering the right seamstress, dressmaker, tailor, friend. Yes, friend. For many of us we have our perfect go to place. The place we go to for auto repairs, the salon we go to for haircuts, the neighborhood mom and pop shop for something different – a personal experience. But at the same time the personal experience started somewhere, the first time you come into a shop and you feel welcomed, comfortable, and knowing that the service you will be provided fits you standards. As a service industry leader in tailoring and alterations you need to find the right one, it may just be a onetime fix. It may be a long term relationship. The bottom line is your comfort. If you’re uncomfortable in the way your dress feels imagine the night of the ceremony. Though it may be a little repetitive from our past blog post we are continually demystifying the industry and want to just educate the public some more!
If you can’t trust and rely on anyone to work on your hair, car, home you probably should do the same for tailors. This is your friends’ wedding day, it happens once! Don’t start with the perceived idea that you can just cut a dress and add some stitching and your dress will be fine. There’s a lot more to your dress than you may think. We just want to make sure you choose the right tailor wherever you are in the United States.
Here is a list of things to think about before choosing a seamstress/ tailor/ dressmaker to alter your dress. (It’s never a conclusive list, but it is a start. Remember the more you ask the more you know =D)
- Does the tailor work on dresses regularly. Good indication of wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses and prom dresses will help you gauge the level of skillset this individual may have. If the tailor shop performs a majority of bespoke suits on a daily basis but only one dress a month, don’t be discouraged. Ask for a portfolio; try it on see if they can envision what you’re hoping for. Don’t be a bridesmaidzilla, be nice ask questions and hopefully they can help you understand more. This could be your wedding dress.
- Does this tailor also perform custom dresses? This may be a better indication you’ve found the perfect place. But before you say yes also ask more questions. A portfolio may be nice. Even though a dressmaker is able to create a dress, does it come with quality and craftsmanship? Every tailor has a different approach in helping you reconstruct or tailor your dress do you like it?
- Portfolio, do they have one. Some shops may have a large selection of dresses you are able to look at before you purchase. At an alteration shop, it’s truly a photo album that can bring together the magic of understanding your needs. This is generally developed over time and is an accomplishment to many alteration shops and the tailor themselves. This is where you can take time to see the varying intricacies of different dresses they have performed and the number of dresses and brides/ bridesmaid/ dresses they have done in the past.
- Communication. S/he asks questions, you ask questions it’s a conversation and you both are able to understand each other. They’ll ask you when your wedding is, what you need to have done, tell you want you can have done, work with you on your needs. They should instruct you on what you need such as shoes and undergarments. Ask questions.
- They run with you. Time wise. Be courteous, they will be too. Bridesmaid tailors, tailor shops especially during varying seasons are busy especially master tailors. Work together and they will help you.
- Every shop does things differently, call them, write them and ask for answers. Most shops are mom and pops – some play high end, some are in the middle, less experience tailor shops may be new, many more are just really good tailors. This is a wedding day choose wisely. Ask for their policies, and payment options.
- Do they invest in you? The environment you fit in doesn’t have to be a nice place. But it should feel comfortable during your fitting. Do they have a website that can answer your questions? Reviewing their website also helps you become a more knowledgeable consumer.
- Reviews/ Feedback/ References: Shops that have been around some time may have altered something for a friend or family member. Ask around, weigh out the positives and negatives, and learn about the entire story. Shops with negative feedback may have been one poor consumer, were they able to reconcile with that client if it’s something you read online. Ask the tailor shop.
9. Diversity: A really good tailor is diverse in the orders they take on. This shows the level of skill set and range of services they are able to provide. Choosing a tailor that is both specific in dresses / diverse with the skill sets in tailoring dresses is very helpful.
10. Ask your bridal shop: Most bridal shops may partner with a local tailor. They may also have some great advice in choosing your next tailor!
Bridesmaid dress alterations shouldn’t be a hassle. Getting something tailored should be a simple transaction. Try on your garment, have it pinned, and show off whatever you’re wearing. Don’t stress yourself out, be diligent and take time to find out your needs and if a bridesmaid tailor is able to accommodate. At Cheung’s Tailor Alterations, we hope that every day you’re becoming a more informed consumer. Have a great wedding and dance on!
For our past and current clients thank you for 25+ years of support. We have been so grateful to be part of your life from daily wear to the special moments.
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