Hems & trains
Plain, lace, scalloped, horsehair, or five layers of tulle: hemmed to your heel height so you can walk, dance, and not think about it.
Bridal & wedding
Your gown, fitted like it was made for you
Wedding dress alterations, bustles, and bridal party fittings on Seattle's Eastside, by a seamstress who has fitted XXX+ gowns and treats every one like the only one.
Complimentary consultation
Three fittings included
Bustle lesson for your helper
What we do for brides
Every part of the gown, every detail
Bodice & silhouette
Taken in or let out through seams, darts, and boning so the gown holds you up, not the other way around.
Bustles
American, French, ballroom, or Austrian, chosen for your train, your venue, and the reception you actually want to have.
Straps, sleeves & necklines
Add straps for support, remove them for a strapless look, build sleeves from matching lace, or reshape the neckline.
Veils & finishing
Veil shortening, custom veils from matching tulle, sewn-in cups, modesty panels, and a final steam and press.
The whole bridal party
Bridesmaids, mothers of the bride and groom, flower girls, and the groom's tuxedo, fitted together so the photos match.
Bustle guide
Which bustle is yours?
A bustle lifts your train off the floor for the reception. The right one depends on the weight of your train, the lace, and how much you plan to dance.
American (over-bustle)
Hooks and loops lift the train onto the outside of the skirt in soft folds. Classic, shows off lace and beading, and photographs beautifully from behind.
French (under-bustle)
Ribbons tuck the train underneath the skirt for a seamless, romantic line. Ideal for gowns with clean backs and heavier fabrics.
Ballroom
The train disappears into the hemline so the gown looks floor-length all the way around. Elegant, modern, and easy to move in.
Austrian
A drawstring gathers the train into cascading ruffles up the center back. Dramatic, quick to do, and perfect for full tulle skirts.
Multi-point & hybrid
Heavy cathedral trains often need several points, or a mix of styles, to sit evenly and survive the dance floor.
The bustle lesson
At the final fitting we teach your maid of honor or mom how to do it, with numbered or color-coded points so it's quick on the day.
Fitting timeline
When to book, and what happens when
Most gowns need three fittings. We build the schedule backward from your date and tell you exactly what to bring each time.
Peak season (May–October) books up 3–4 months ahead. Less than six weeks to go? Call us; rush bridal is often possible.
As soon as the gown arrives
Book the first fitting
Call or book online once you have the dress in hand. Have your shoes, or at least your heel height, decided.
8–10 weeks before
First fitting: shape
We pin the bodice, set the length, and plan straps, sleeves, and bustle. You get your quote and a schedule.
3–4 weeks before
Second fitting: refine
Try the altered gown, fine-tune the fit, set the bustle points, and check movement: sit, walk, hug, dance.
1–2 weeks before
Final fitting: finish
Last check with the full look, bustle lesson for your helper, steam and press, and the gown goes home in a garment bag.
After the wedding
Optional: preserve or restyle
Shorten it to a cocktail dress, convert it for an anniversary dinner, or prep it for preservation.
What to bring to every fitting
- Your wedding shoes (the exact pair; heel height sets the hem)
- The undergarments and shapewear you'll wear on the day
- Any accessories that touch the gown: belt, sash, jacket, veil
- The gown's hanger and garment bag
- Your maid of honor or mom for the final fitting (bustle lesson)
- Your wedding date and venue details
Pricing
Bridal alterations from $XXX
Most brides choose the bridal package (hem + bodice + bustle + final steam, all three fittings included) from $XXX. Every quote is confirmed at your first fitting, before any work.
- 50% deposit reserves your dates; balance at pickup
- Consultation is complimentary
- Perfect-fit promise: free adjustments within 7 days
Heirloom & redesign
Your mother's gown, your wedding
Family gowns carry something new fabric can't. We modernize them with respect: a new neckline, sleeves removed or rebuilt, a slimmer silhouette, with the original lace and beadwork preserved and reused.
- Honest assessment firstOlder fabric and seams have limits. We tell you what's possible before you commit.
- Lace and details savedOriginal lace, buttons, and beading reworked into the new design wherever they can be.
- Time to do it rightPlan 6–10 weeks; the best results come from unhurried hands.
Bridal questions
Asked by every bride
How far in advance should I book wedding dress alterations?
Book as soon as your gown arrives, ideally so your first fitting lands 8–10 weeks before the wedding. For May–October weddings, reserve your dates 3–4 months ahead. With less time, call us; rush bridal is often possible.
How many fittings will I need?
Usually three: shape, refine, and final. Simple hems may need two; heavily beaded or redesigned gowns sometimes need four. We set the plan at your first fitting.
Can you alter a gown I bought online or secondhand?
Yes. Online, sample, and pre-loved gowns are a large part of our work. Gowns can usually be taken in two to three sizes and let out one size, depending on the seam allowance; we'll tell you honestly at the first fitting.
What does a bustle cost and which one should I choose?
Bustles start at $XX and depend on the number of points your train needs. We recommend a style based on the weight of the train, the lace, and how you want the back of the gown to look during the reception, and we teach your helper how to do it.
Do you work with lace, beading, and layered tulle?
Yes. Lace is removed and re-applied by hand, beadwork is preserved or re-strung, and each tulle layer is hemmed and matched. This is the heart of bridal work and the reason it takes longer than everyday alterations.
Do you alter bridesmaid and mother-of-the-bride dresses too?
Yes, and we can fit the party together in one visit so everything coordinates. Groomsmen's tuxedo and suit alterations are available as well.
Let's plan your fittings
Walk down the aisle in a gown that fits like a promise.
Book your complimentary bridal consultation online, or call and text to talk through your timeline.