Dress alterations in San Francisco/Bay Area?

[shigidigi]

I noticed quite a few people on here live in the Bay area too, and I was wondering- when you needed to get your wedding or bridesmaid dresses altered where did you go?

I have heard horror stories of people either being charged an arm and a leg for the tailoring or having the dress ruined, hence my fear!

If anyone has had a good experience or heard of one with a seamstress somewhere in the Bay area, I would really appreciate it. I havent bought a dress yet, but like so many of you I am determined to buy it online and save some money. I just worry that all the money I save might get sucked back in for overpriced alterations. It seems many places wont touch your dress or they charge you outrageous prices unless you bought it there.

 

[thumbelina]

Hi Shigidigi!

I got my dress from Trudys Brides in Campbell, and they referred me to an independent seamstress that I thought was fantastic. I don''t remember her exact address but her shop is in Hayward. Her name is Janine and she can be reached at 510-865-5922.

Also, if I may make a suggestion... Have you gone to any shops to try on dresses yet? The reason I ask is because the dress I ultimately ended up getting was nothing like the one I had in mind, but it really was the perfect dress for me. Make sure the dress you get online is going to suit your body and coloring.

Congrats and good luck!!!

 

[shigidigi]

Thumbelina that''s so funny that you mentioned Trudy''s because I went there yesterday! I ultimately found "the dress" which is very exciting, but I can get it for considerably less at Pearl''s Place or netbride, and despite how awesome they are at Trudy''s I knew they would frown on doing alterations on a gown I didn''t buy with them.

Thanks for the recommendation of Janine. Does she work out of a shop or is it her home? And if you don''t mind me asking, what types of alterations did you need?

Thanks so much!!

 

[neatfreak]

I really liked a tailor that is next to the Anthropologie near Powell St.

For the life of me I can't remember her name, but she's Russian I think, and while I was there last summer getting a few things tailored she had a few brides in there and they were GUSHING about what a fantastic job she did on their dresses.

She's not fancy, and neither is her shop, but she's cheap, quick, and did a great job on the clothes I had done.

I will try and find out her name, but Anthropologie next door sends all their alterations to her, so they could probably tell you if you called there.

 

[thumbelina]

That''s great that you found "the dress" and can get it online! You''re through the hardest part!

Janine works out of a very small shop. I think she can basically do any type of alteration. On my dress, she had to let it out in some places and take it in at others. I got married in November and wanted sleeves, so she added 3/4 sleeves to my dress. I also had beading at the bodice, and she was going to replicate the beading on the sleeves if I wanted it. (I opted not to, I thought it looked better and made alterations cheaper.) My dress was silk, and the bodice of my dress was asymmetrical and had ruching. So the way she made the sleeves, with ruching and only tulle, really looked elegant. It sounds odd... but it really was a beautiful job. Oh, she also did a hem (on a chapel train), and put in a french bustle. I can''t recall exactly, but all together I think I spent a couple hundred on alterations. Well worth the outcome!

 

[shigidigi]

Wow, thanks Neatfreak and Thumbelina!!

I will go to both to try and price them out. Thanks so much for the help- it makes me paranoid to go with someone who doesnt have a good reputation from word of mouth!

Thanks guys!