1. Experience is important. Ask how long they have been in business and what kind of experience they have. I’ve been in business since March 2011, but I have been sewing since 2005, and have years of retail experience that I brought with me to my business.

2. They should be able to meet with you on your schedule. I offer weekday hours, evening hours, and weekend hours by appointment.

3. Know if they gave any kind of warranty on their work or not. If they say no, ask why not! I give a 1 year warranty on all the alterations I do, except for hems that are let down (which are usually only $5) because it’s very difficult to give a perfect hem on a piece of clothing that has already been worn and washed multiple times.

4. Are you able to receive pictures/updates about your work via text message? This is always something many people appreciate: updates during the alterations process and pictures when it’s done! If you’re getting married and need alterations done for your dress but live far away from the shop where it was altered, this is a great way to keep in touch with updates from the alterationist!

5. Are you able to bring

1. You should have a good idea of your body shape and know what kind of fit you are comfortable with.

2. You should know what kind of occasion you will be wearing the garment for, and how often you will wear it

3. You should have an idea of what kind of fabric you want the garment to be made out of

4. You should have a rough idea of how much money you want to spend on the garment (what is your budget?)

5. You should be able to communicate this information with your alterationist and be open to his/her suggestions as well!

6. Your alterationist should be able to show you online images of other garments he/she has made to give you a good idea of what they can do and what their style is like

7. Your alterationist should be able to answer any questions or concerns that may arise throughout the process clearly, concisely, and in a timely manner

8. The alterations may not turn out exactly as expected (this happens often!) but if there is an issue with an altered garment, it is best for both parties if they work together towards a solution that works for everyone

9. If you are unhappy with your alterations then don’t hesitate to speak up about it

1. Ask if the alterationist has experience with the type of garment you need altered before you book an appointment.

2. Also, make sure they are open to doing the type of work you need done. I know some people that avoid doing certain alterations because it is more difficult or they don’t want to do them.

3. Try to bring a garment that is similar in style to what you need done, if possible, and try it on together with your alterationist, so they can see what they are working with. It helps me tremendously when I get to see how a garment fits and discuss any issues with my clients.

4. Do not buy a dress/garment too big just because you know you will have it altered later, unless it is absolutely necessary for the garment to be slightly bigger than your measurements (i.e.: wedding dress or evening gown). In case of dresses or garments that require extensive fitting and/or adjustments, please note that extra charges may apply for alterations on oversized garments or for garments purchased too large.

5. Expect to come back for at least 2 fittings and possibly more if your dress/garment requires extensive alterations or a lot of adjustments are needed (i.e.: wedding dress or evening gown).

When you are looking for a alterationist to alter your garments, it is important to know exactly what you want changed and how you want it done. It is also good to know what type of fabrics your garment is made out of as well as the quality of the construction. Also consider the value of your garment and how much you are willing to pay to have it altered.

1. They will ask you what kind of alterations you want in the beginning, but it may be best to leave it up to them. Some alterationists know their craft better than their customers, and they can suggest what will work best.

2. If your garment has a lining, alterations are typically easier if the lining is removed first. Some alterationists do this as a matter of course, others do not. Ask about whether or not your garment needs to be lined for alterations, and how much more this will cost (if anything).

3. The first thing that all alterationists should do when they receive your garment is to try it on. If it doesn’t fit them, it won’t fit you either.

4. Alterationists typically remove and re-attach buttons when doing work on sleeves or shoulders. There are a few instances where buttons may break off during the process and cannot be saved; this happens most often with older garments where the thread has deteriorated to the point where the button falls off even without intervention.

5. When working with new fabrics (silk, wool crepe) that you don’t have experience with, tell your alterationist right away if you wish to keep the scraps or if they can go ahead and throw them away

1) They should be an expert in their field. This may seem obvious, but it is not always easy to be sure.

2) They should have experience in the type of alterations you need. Someone who specializes in wedding gowns may not have as much experience with shortening pants or letting out a dress.

3) They should provide estimates in advance of doing any work. This is important so that you know how much the alteration will cost and can make sure that you are comfortable with the price. If they don’t provide estimates, they likely do not want you to know how much they are charging until after they do the work and you cannot back out without losing your garment or cash (see

I’m creating a website, right now. For my company. I’m writing the content for the website and it’s coming along beautifully, thank you very much.

So here in my blog I’ve decided to post a couple things that I want to put on my website. This way, if you want to know what kind of stuff I’m writing, you can just read it here!

My site is going to be full of tips, tricks, mentions of clients that have been kind enough to let me take their picture. And also a little bit about me and how this all started.

I look forward to reading your comments and feedback!

Thank you for reading!