$2500 for dress alteration????

[calidaisy]

hi everyone ... i'm totally stressed and depressed.

i went to see three alteration places from a referral list my friend got from monique lhuillier and i don't remember being this depressed in a long time. see, when i got my beautiful yet 2-3 sizes big VW dress in a sample sale ... i was expecting to spend $250 ~ $500 for alteration since it had to be brought in (bust and waist) and shortened.

contrary to my expectation, the first guy gave me an estimate of $1500 (and possibly more).
the second guy gave me $2500, which i think has more to do with the fact that i have a VW dress and this guy is located in beverly hills.

the third lady gave me $385, but i'm not sure if she knows her stuff as well as the first two guys. plus, she poked herself with a pin and left tiny blood stains on my dress.

the reason why the first two people gave me such an high estimate is because they said it is very labor intensive and time consuming to take off a lace applique in the dress and move up. the woman however said she can just shorten the dress from the waist, not cut the bottom, thus, not touch or move the lace.

i don't know what to do. does anyone know a good and reasonably priced alteration place in los angeles/ orange county? please help.

 

[calidaisy]

btw, here''s a link to a picture of my dress: https://www.pricescope.com/forum/op-requested/bought-a-dress-having-a-buyer-s-remorse-please-help-t82537.html

 

[miraclesrule]

Ah yes, the poking blood incident. I remember that. I thought you found another person who would alter for less? Whatever you do, keep looking. I think these folks are totally ripping you off. I remember your dress...I think I do. I will have to take a look. It sounds like you can find someone else. Or you could just tell everyone you go to that it''s a total VW knockoff and their cost is out of the question.

They just probably think you are a rich niche with that dress!

 

[calidaisy]

miracle, i''m not the original poking blood incident ps-er.
but when it happened to me today, i did remember reading that post ... and i knew exactly how she felt! ;p

 

[miraclesrule]

My bad....That is a gorgeous dress and it does need special care in the alteration. They need to take it up at the waist, but that is not unusual. I just think it''s crazy to pay what these folks are quoting you. But then again, they are in Beverly Hills.

 

[ladyciel]

Hmmm, I''m afraid I''m no help in recommending an alterations person in your area, but I know I''ve heard of raising hems from the waist before. It''s basically required for dresses w/ fancy hem shapes/detail on them, and I can''t think of a reason why it couldn''t be done on your dress. Maybe call up the expensive guys and see what their responses are? I''d love to know if they have a good reason not to do it that way other than the smaller bill...

Oh, one place to check for alterations rec''s is your local talk board at theknot.com. I know whenever I''ve posted at the detroit board I''ve always been able to get good vendor advice.

 

[cellososweet]

hi sweetie. When is the wedding? I have a great alterations person but she gets massively busy around this time! She is located in Lake Forest (south Orange County). I know it is pretty far (I even thought it felt like forever away and I live in Long Beach), but I''m telling you, she gets ridiculous reviews and she is an absolute sweetheart. My dress had to be taken in 3 sizes and had beading. I had my second fitting last week and was floored and how beautiful it looked! Let me know when it is and I''ll let you know if you have enough time to call her (she works alone so she can''t take a lot of people at one time). 3 sizes in and steamed for less than $350.

 

[diamondfan]

Why don''t you go back to one of those two higher priced ones and say, hey, I have a friend who knows a little bit about alterations, why can''t we just shorten it from the bottom? would that work?

See what they say. There might be a good reason why not, though there is a chance either way will work. Labor intensive or not, that sounds EXTREMELY high for alterations. You could buy a nice wedding dress, not a designer like ML maybe, but certainly something lovely, for that amount of money.

 

[calidaisy]

thanks, everyone!

cellosweet, can i get your alteration person''s info?
my wedding''s at the end of september so i think i have plenty of time.
i live in southbay, so driving down to the OC shouldn''t be that big of a deal as long as i can keep the tab down to three-figures, NOT four.

 

[calidaisy]

i almost had a heart attack when the first guy said $1500. after the first session, i went back to FI''s place ... and told him he had to accompany me to the other two sessions. FI ended up seeing me in my dress (even though i don''t believe in the bad luck stuff) ... while the alteration people seem to think of him as my "gay best friend."

i don''t think these guys will budge since they seem to cater to the wealthiest people out there.
thus, i think my better option would be finding someone good at a fraction of their price.

 

[cellososweet]

hi love. yup you have plenty of time. She usually wants people to call her about 6 weeks before, but i always fib my date by a week to make sure that i get my stuff done and back to me at least a week before the wedding

i''m not sure if we''re allowed to give out vendor contact numbers on here. i''m not sure if i''ve ever seen it done. i''m sorry if i''m breaking a rule. i couldn''t find where to search to make sure. if it gets edited out, you can look for her on projectwedding.com

Her name is mahtab. 949-457-2270

where''s the wedding at?

 

[calidaisy]

thanks, cello!!!
the wedding''s going to be at wayfarer''s chapel.
how about you?

 

[choro72]

I just wanted to chime in to second Mahtab. I don''t have my dress yet, but when I was choosing the dress I was looking for a seamstress to see which dress was less labor intensive.
I contacted her, I emailed her my choices, and she took the time to give me her honest opinion. I bugged her again about Hollow to Hem questions, and I bugged her the third time about where to get my measurements. All the time she replied within the day even though she knew she wasn''t getting any business from me, and she is so pleasant to talk to. Good luck!

 

[bee*]

WOW-$2500

I''d definitely try shopping around some more. Sorry to hear about that last girl getting blood on your dress-that''s rotten

 

[LAJennifer]

You should call Lady Jane in Toluca Lake - she charges by the hour. My dress was a strapless sheath that was way too big - she had to hem take it in at the bust and sides, sew in bra cups and do the bustle. It was $100 and fit like a glove. Lady Jane also altered the dress for msflutter. Her number is (81 761-3541.

 

[calidaisy]

thanks for lady jane''s info.
i have no idea where toluca lake is but will try calling her.

 

[LAJennifer]

Date: 5/16/2008 2:30:43 AM
Author: calidaisy
thanks for lady jane''s info.
i have no idea where toluca lake is but will try calling her.

Toluca Lake is just over the hill - before you get to Burbank.