Frequently Asked Questions
Location and Hours
Where are you located? My studio is in the Hellmann Creative Center in Covington KY.
If you do bridal alterations, why are you in an artist studio and not a more couture space? I love being at the Hellmann! It has a great artist vibe, industrial, creative, and filled with people who love what they do. If you’re looking for a formal studio with fancy bottled water and chrome fixtures, I’m not your person! I love non-traditional weddings, fun brides, and challenging projects. I have had many clients who were turned away from other alterations shops because they wanted something too weird or too complicated. My background in theatre makes me not surprised by much of anything, honestly, and maybe a bit braver than some. The lack of chrome and fancy water keeps my prices lower, and we’ll still have fun and get you looking your best!
What are your hours? My hours vary. I do not do walk-in clients, you must have an appointment. I am typically open most weekdays and Saturdays. I rarely will do an evening or Sunday appointment.
What is your phone number? My number is 660-281-0844, you can call or text. My hours do vary and I am often in fittings, so it may be a bit before I can get back to you.
Bridal/Formalwear
How far in advance do I make an appointment to get my bridal gown altered? Brides should contact me as soon as they have their dress, or if they know when it is supposed to arrive, to get on the calendar before it fills. Ideally, brides should have their fitting with me two months before the wedding. Then the bride will have a pick-up fitting about a month before the wedding. I have found that this schedule works the best, not too close, not too far. Having said that, there are lots of reasons why we might want to schedule out further. And I also understand that sometimes the bride won’t have a dress a full two months before the wedding.
Do you do rush work for bridal gowns or bridal party dresses? It depends on how much other work I have in the studio. I am a one-person business so there is a limit to how many clients I can serve. I find that I can often accommodate, but it varies, sometimes I simply can’t fit in another dress. Rush fees are also likely in this situation.
Can you give me an estimate on how much my alterations will cost? I can give you a range, if you are able to provide me with photos of the dress, or yourself in the dress, along with anything you know about what would need to be done. It is a range, though, an estimate. I will not be able to give you an exact price until your fitting. There are too many variables.
Why do the alterations cost more than my dress? For many brides, my estimates come in lower than other shops in the area. This situation comes up more often with bridesmaids and other formalwear. The short answer is because I don’t work for 35 cents a day like the employees at the factory where the dress came from. Also realistically, the cost of the garment has nothing to do with the time it takes to alter it. Cheaper garments are often more difficult to alter, because of shoddy construction. I have an entire prepared speech about fast fashion.
Alterations Services
Do you also alter “regular” clothing? Yes and no. My primary focus is on bridal and formalwear. However, I do a limited amount of casual wear and menswear. If I am not able to do your alterations, I can give you a referral to another alterations specialist. I take on very little casual wear in the spring and summer months, as this is peak season for bridal and I am usually fully booked.
Please keep in mind that, as I explained above, the cost of the garment has nothing to do with the time it takes to alter it, and that cheaper garments are often more difficult to alter.
Custom Design and Construction
Can you make me a Halloween costume? Yes, but. I do custom design and construction and have decades of experience including Broadway-level costume shops. Theatre costuming was my career. I can make you a Halloween costume, but it won’t be priced to what you will find in retail. If you want to invest in a quality piece, I would be happy to work with you.
What all do you include in your custom design and construction service? Please take a look at my web page for this, as it covers a lot of the things I can do. Please note that I do not do free consultation work/ source materials or patterns for free/ free research. Those things are part of the design process. I am happy to give you some initial information, but I am unable to commit time doing those things without contracting for design services.
Classes
How often do you offer classes? Classes are a new addition to my business. I am still figuring out what classes to offer, and how often. Please sign up for my newsletter (here on the website) or follow my facebook page. Updates and schedules will be in both of those places.
Do you do private classes? I find that a small-class environment of 3-4 students offers everyone the same level of information and attention without being cost prohibitive to the students. You learn a lot from the other people in the room!
Product Development
Why do you also do product development? One of the first contracts I got when I opened my business was for product development. There are few resources in the area for someone who needs sewing done by someone who is skilled to trouble-shoot, to help figure out streamlining processes, and who understands the basics of how factory assembly is done. I am not there to simply produce your product although sometimes that is a part of the agreement. My primary purpose is to come in with an eye to the production process, rather than your perspective of product invention and design. This prepares the product for the next steps.