I just had a bride that about put me over the edge. She was sweet and naive and that is the only reason I made it through this morning's fitting. First of all, she called on April 25, for a wedding that is May 18th. Most alterations places would not take something that late. I try to have some flexibility in my schedule for late orders. Dress was brought in, obviously a TEMU or very cheap China knockoff. I am fine with that. I think inexpensive dresses look just as good as expensive ones.
Plus paying thousands for a one-time gig is just stupid in my book. However, that being said both kinds of dresses cost the same to alter. When I quoted the price, she was gob smacked as it was twice what she paid for the dress. But she had no choice that close to the wedding. The dress was too tight, and I had to see if I could get enough fabric in the seams to make it fit. Once that was done the dress was too long in the torso. I had to remove sleeves and take up bodice When she came in for a second fitting, she wanted her feet to show. So, I had to really cut to her train. I explained the train and she also agreed to what I was doing. She comes to pick up dress and now says it is hard to move her arms up and down as I took out the wrinkles in the too long bodice. Well, that is the nature of this kind of dress. You cannot have smooth and loose at the same time. Then she wants the hem cut all the way around and no train! Something I would never have agreed to do in the first place as a cheap dress is never on grain and getting a hem straight is next to impossible. I always turn this kind of work away and would have at the first consult. But I was able to bustle the dress up in back with 5 bustling loops, so it was about even all the way around and she was happy. I was sweating by the time she left. Egad!
I also was able to spring clean the family room yesterday. Took most of the day. I even took the cover off the sofa and washed it and put it back on. It looks brand new. Now I am onto the front room and dining room which will be much easier as they are used so much less.
I have to sew today as I was lacking in that department yesterday. I think I am in avoidance mode over 9 pairs of pants that need to be altered. Not hemmed but altered at the waist and hips. Very hard to do. Don't want to do it. Need to do it. Will have to trick myself into doing it. Haven't figured out how yet. But I will work on this.
It is cold a crappy out, which I do not enjoy, I need to be grateful as at least I am glad to be inside. Have to pick Kelsa up from school and I have a choir practice tonight. We sing on Sunday and Mother's Day practice was a tossup.
Well, I had better get busy as this sewing is not going to do itself. Wouldn't it be nice if it would? A girl can dream.
There is an adult prom fundraiser this weekend and I am getting last minute calls for alterations. I am charging them double. If they can afford those expensive tickets and wait until the last minute, they can afford me. Anne are you proud?
Kim is growing a set.
Have a great and productive day staying positive while you are in the negative.
God is good.
Kim
Hope you charged a lot to last minute bride and to the adult prom folks! Has anyone heard from PP? I just noticed Linda has not posted to her blog in over a week. Cindy in the South
ReplyDeleteWell I am tired of last-minute adults, for non-emergency things. Now the elderly man that needed dress pants for his wife's funeral tomorrow, I had no problem with. They had been married 67 years, and he had no idea what he had in his closet. I will bend over backwards for someone like that.
DeleteYes mam, you need to charge and arm and leg to those people that do that crap. That is just crazy!
ReplyDeleteCINDY - last time she was on (PP), she was going in for an x-ray and looking for a new computer. I have wondered if she needed an operation or if she just doesn't have a working computer.
Thank you! . Hopefully it is just a computer issue. Cindy in the South
DeleteI think just had her on my blog I will go back and check.
DeleteI am beyond proud of you!! 'Bout time! For the bride I suggest you add a PITA charge since she changed her original alteration plan.
ReplyDeleteI was really gobsmacked by her. But she was sweet, and I think just plain old naive.
DeleteThat is crazy to wait that long for alterations. Charge them big time.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Some people are just inconsiderate others are just clueless,
DeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteI just hated customers who did not know what they wanted and then changed it. Yes, PITA charge was due.
Cindy, mainly the problem is lack of laptop. It seems none of my passwords work for anything--Yahoo mail, google, my blog. I had the xray which the tech thought was a hip fracture, but dr who read it said it was not a fracture. I will go for second opinion. Big Box person knew nothing. She said the backlit keyboard was only on gaming laptops that the keys lit up. Sounds like a carnival ride to me. Bought another elsewhere and have to take it back to get old stuff loaded. I really dislike the man who showed it to me. Woman who will transfer all the stuff sounds brilliant. So, I suppose I will go back to that store. This morning, my back would not hold me, so legs collapsed. Had to use walker all day. After starting cortisone pack, I am getting better. Well, did not mean to hijack your blog.
Glad you are ok PP!!! Cindy in the South
DeleteHey hijack away, just as long as you are okay!
DeleteVery impressed that you charged the last minute folks what your time is actually worth! Well done! And, that dress sounds miserable. To your point, alterations cost the same regardless of the original price of the dress, although, I have to imagine the truly inexpensive dresses are of poor quality & would cost even more to alter! - Hawaii Planner
ReplyDeleteIt is a rollercoaster around here I tell you!
DeleteDonuts. That's what motivates me. I would run 10 miles straight if I knew there were pastries involved. Lol
ReplyDeleteOh, heather you and me both.
Delete