Thanks for all the support on my angst from yesterday. I had to talk myself off that cliff and then I ask myself really Why? Plain and simple truth I have always been very jealous of my sister in laws what I would call simple lives. Really they are not simple, but they never had to work and everything is just given to them or so I feel. To be able to stay home and just keep a beautiful home how would that be?
Anyway I am over it. Well until the next time I have a melt down and you have to talk me off the ledge.
Okay today is a sh*t show. I knew I had two dresses coming in from a small outlying town that I would have to fix while they waited in town. They are due back at 1 p.m. It is a double prom dress hem and straps, and darts. I have the straps and the darts done (while in my pj.s) and the hem is cut but not surges. Then the other is all hand work and a couple of seams. But that is not the nightmare of this story!
Yesterday as daughter was dropping off the kids, I get a phone call and I was outside watering. Daughter brings me phone and says ," Mom I think this person is crying." Never a good sign. Well it is a bride who just picked up her dress from UPS and it needs alterations (surprise) wedding is TOMORROW. Oh but it is very simple she explain through her sobs, (This to a seamstress mean it is not simple) and it was not a full blown alteration of hemming, bustling taking in and straps. Oh and also her sister who is her maid of honor needs alterations on her dress. No problem as I only have three dresses that have to be done and out on Friday. Sarcasm heavy here. Have I gotten to touch the other wedding dress that I need to do? No but I have taken it out of the bag. SO it is staring at me and mocking me in my plight, dang dress.
Stay tuned for more of the Kim saga.....It is now 11:44 a.m. and I have had 5 people in here to pick up and drop off. I will keep you posted. Clothes on, teeth brushed, hair done, no makeup. Did I mention I need to clean my car and get my nails done, you know important crap like that.
Okay update' 12:17 pink dress done and steamed
12:27 black maid of honor dress done and steamed
12:44 black prom dress done and steamed
Ready to cut into bridal hem.... 2:44 bride dress done and steamed now I have to go use the carpet cleaner on the back seat of the car as Schmills spilled a rootbeer back there yesterday and it is a sticky mess. Hubs just got home from helping daughter with Oliver and Kelsa and he has to be at High school at 5 so early dinner and I am getting my nails done at 7:30 Yippee!
Kim
Last-minute fixes should be charged a PREMIUM!$$$$$! (tell them before they even show up!) Make it extreme as you don't want this happening often!!! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteWell I usually get one or two wedding dress last minutes like this a year, but they bring in good money.
DeleteWow Wee! What a day. Be sure to take care of you while doing all of that, Kim.
ReplyDeleteI was done really working by 3:30 then it was just grandkids and I got the best foot massage.
DeleteI'd charge $50 per 15 minutes of work(or $200 an hr.)for emergency clients. That should work to keep those types at bay.
ReplyDeleteAnd who has a BLACK bridesmaid dress?? Geez Ok, maybe an ultra formal nighttime wedding.....
Actually black is quite popular, not that I like it. DON"T WORRY I charge a lot for last minute.
DeleteI'm with the others - I hope you charge a premium for quick turn work, and make it worth your while!
ReplyDeleteGood luck, friend.
I do, I hate to take advantage of desperate people, but when I am over worked and stressed I become desperate, so it's only fair.
DeleteAbsolutely charge a PREMIUM! You really need to know you CAN say NOOOOOOO!!! Yes you can!!
ReplyDeleteQuit doing this to yourself - you need to breathe and take a break now and then.
I did say no today, when a very pushy woman wanted me to make a couple of simple blouses. Making anything is not simple sorry. I went and got a pedicure and a foot massage this evening it was wonderful.
DeleteYup, I agree.. I would charge heavily for last minute things like that.. it's only fair.. Girl, you need some help in that shop...
ReplyDeleteYou know Robyn if this keeps up I do.
DeleteI think your house is new and gorgeous, with a fabulous view, so I do not see how your sister-in-laws can have a nicer house than you??? I am not there, so I admit I do not know your sil’s houses. I just think your house is so pretty! I adore the outside pics of your house, which the outside has always been my thing. I am with the others, you need to charge a lot for last minute things. But, as my momma always said, money is green, and it is about the Benjamins. Straighten your crown, queen, you got this!!!!! It is awesome you can get that green coming in with word of mouth and no advertising!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhen advertisers call I always tell them the last thing I need is more work. Their houses are Huge, and one owns a several million dollar ranch. I mean if they want it they have it.
DeleteI had a friend that told me when she sold her mansion... yes mansion. That it freed her as the so called friends were only wanting to be around her for image and bragging rights. It wasn't until she lost it all (2008) that she found who was her real friends.
DeleteI hate sewing. I have never been good at it. My mother wasn't good at it either but she made my clothes anyway. I was the only girl at the ball wearing a cotton Little House on the prairie dress. I envy your talents, and your ability to support yourself. We have always had a small business and you have to make money when you can. And with health issues you have that constant worry that your body will cause problems. That feeling is heavy sometimes.
ReplyDeleteSo you needed that fairy god mother didn't you? I always made my girls gowns and they were beautiful but modest. My eldest always asked if she could remove the neck ruff. She was and is a smart ass.
DeleteYour girls were lucky! Mom made me some odd stuff! Like tops that were too small to get over my head, hems that weren't straight and came unraveled while walking across the stage,zipper that would unzip themselves, even underwear and bathing suits that would roll down when you walked. lol funny memories lol
DeleteIn an emergency I paid (gladly) 50 dollars to have a formal hemmed ( on a machine no less) the day I needed to wear it. Price is only an object in the absence of value. Wait till the last minute and pay the piper. So piper, up your last minute price list! I am in Sluggy's corner.
ReplyDeleteOh trust me my friend I did charge.
ReplyDelete