Christa you crack me up because I've been altering gowns for 45 years and when you were talking about the brides moving around and looking down etc. and screwing up my pins, I laughed out loud. I have to tell you about something that will save you hours of time when trying to get that invisible thread out - a razor blade! you can literally splice right down onto that thread and get that lace right off. I used to sit & pick & snip for hours at a time omg. 45 years and I just figured that out! you will love it! I reallly enjoy your videos!

@christasdressshoppe

Жыл бұрын

Lol 😂 yes! What is with the bride wiggle when you are trying to pin their hems? 😅 I’ve seen so many seamstresses using the razor blade to pick out appliqués. I’ve always been so afraid that it would cut a hole in the tulle. I will have to give it a try in a spot that won’t matter if it does. Now you made me curious if I’ve been missing this all these years. Thanks for the tip Brenda! ❤️

@brendarowe984

Жыл бұрын

@@christasdressshoppe the trick to Not putting a hole in the tulle is to touch/scrape the Applique thread with the razor blade. It's hard to explain, but you will see when you get it started. I was TERRIFIED to do this, but I'm telling you it has saved me HOURS of picking! You deserve it!!

@findingshalom

Жыл бұрын

@@brendarowe984 I’m definitely going to try this. I’ve been so afraid to try it. Thank you! I’ll let you know how it goes!

@brendarowe984

Жыл бұрын

@@findingshalom I hope you do, after I finally got the courage, I kept saying over & over "45 years of alterations and I'm just now figuring this out"!! LOL!!!

@kayro8853

Жыл бұрын

Yes the razor is a gamechanger!! Make sure to use a fresh one often, they get dull quickly, and she has the technique exactly right--gently press against the applique rather than the tulle to pop the stitches. You will be sooo happy, it goes super fast 😊

Your video is amazingly easy to follow along. This type of clear explanation is needed when it comes to gown construction. Thank you for taking the time to share

@christasdressshoppe

20 күн бұрын

Thank you sooooo much!! 🤗 🥰 God bless! Have an amazing day! -Christa

Double rolled hems are the best.

@christasdressshoppe

2 ай бұрын

♥️ 😊

I listen too Spiritual inspiration talk shows! On KZread! I do everything you do with bridal! It’s nice to know someone is doing it the way I learn! It make me feel good! I have work for several bridal stores! The language is so important as well! Thank you for sharing your professionalism! ❣️

@christasdressshoppe

3 ай бұрын

Thank you so so much! I love listening to spiritual inspiration while I sew as well. 🤗 ♥️ By the way, you can find me on my other channel talking about the goodness of God. That channel is Finding Shalom. Have a great week Mary! God Bless! -Christa

Good to see how you detach and reattach the lace...and graduating towards the back hemline! I listen to music while I sew or if spring/summer I open the windows and listen to nature - birds chirping and/or the rain. :) Another great video...thank you!

@christasdressshoppe

2 ай бұрын

I’m so glad you are finding my videos helpful. 🤗 that means so much to me. Instead of rain today ☔️ We woke up to ❄️ snow! 😱 I’m ready for Spring. lol

Thank you for your video!

@christasdressshoppe

Ай бұрын

🤗 You are so so welcome! ♥️♥️♥️

Thank you for all your tips. I have been doing alterations for many years including prom gowns and wedding gowns for many years. I was looking through other videos for repositioning the lace appliqués and your video helped me the most. I appreciate you taking your time and covering all issues. I currently have a 7 layer wedding gown to shorten and your video is helpful for this project. Thank you again.

@christasdressshoppe

Жыл бұрын

Oh! Thank you for telling me this. It made my day. I’m so glad I could help. ❤️ Good luck on your 7 layer wedding gown. It sounds like a fun one. Lol 😂 I am currently working on a giant ball gown and can’t seem to get to the end off the endless layers. I know your pain. Lol Thank you again! Have an amazing day!

Sometimes if you have multiple layers and no matter what you try the lace just won't come out right. I have found that in some dresses you can actually do it from the waist. Take all layers from the waist and pin them together to hold them straight and take apart. Take off the amount you measured from the bottom hem. Making sure to leave a seam allowance. Re gather all layers and re attach to bodice saving all details from lace bottom and not worrying about cutting all layers evenly. Especially if this is a beaded hem.

@christasdressshoppe

6 ай бұрын

Hello Sherry Thank you so much for this comment. Yes, definitely, there are some gowns that lend themselves nicely to lifting at the waist instead of the hem. I have some seamstress friends that would much rather do it that way. I have done it that way a few times and once got myself into a real mess taking it apart at the waist. (It just happened to be put together very unusually) ever since then I try to always do my alteration at the hem line. But I’m so glad you brought that up for those who might find that much easier. -Christa

I’ve learned a lot from this video. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!!

@christasdressshoppe

Жыл бұрын

I’m so glad!! Thank you for watching and your encouraging comment.

Your videos Christa are so helpful and thorough. Thank you so much

@christasdressshoppe

2 ай бұрын

Thank you sooo much Terry!! ♥️

I love lace hems! I do at least two twice a week! I like using the nylon thread. To free hand the lace back on, this way you don’t see the thread! The high peaks I pull down before I fusses cut!

@christasdressshoppe

3 ай бұрын

That’s awesome!! Now days, most gowns have them. So it’s so good that you love them. 🤗 ♥️♥️♥️

I have a custom drapery and home decor workroom, I’ve always wanted to do wedding dress alterations. ❤

@christasdressshoppe

7 ай бұрын

Oh that is really cool. I bet your workroom is amazing. Thanks so much for watching! ❤️ -Christa

Hi Christa from United Kingdom. I have the opportunity to alter bridal wear and prom dresses and it’s so lovely to watch you alter the dresses thank you for this channel

@christasdressshoppe

Жыл бұрын

Oh you blessed my heart this morning. Thank you so much for watching! I’m excited to have you along for the journey. -Christa

RIP your mom, and may beautiful memories of her fortify you ❤

@christasdressshoppe

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Pauline. 🤗 ❤️

Thank you for your, channel! Shalom! 🙏🏽❣️

@christasdressshoppe

3 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! God bless!

I just found your channel Crista and I’m loving the detailed videos

@christasdressshoppe

4 ай бұрын

I’m so glad you found me!! Thank you so much for watching! And for such a kind comment.

Love her too @daityDiaries, I am from Ireland too, love your video ❤️

@christasdressshoppe

5 ай бұрын

Oh that’s awesome! What a beautiful place to live. ♥️ Yes, I just love her. You must have that beautiful accent. I just love to hear her talk. Blessings! Have a beautiful day! -Christa

I really like your way sewing clearly educating! Love.

@christasdressshoppe

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! That is such an amazing compliment.

Thank you for sharing your experience.

@christasdressshoppe

8 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for your encouraging comment! ♥️

Doing an appliqué dress now. The bell sleeves have kicked my butt! I had to take ALL the lace of the sleeves (2”) and reattach. Sad to say, I had to had stitch this back. Finding those threads underneath was church. I had 3 lights, and still had issues. When I could see the sparkle, I would pull like crazy. The front is going to be different. I have a free form foot finally coming. I have a hook in my ceiling with a swivel for my dresses. It works for pressing a hem, and for trimming. I also have a mid size bistro table on a platform that I have them stand on and also set my mannequin on. Than you for the fussy cut! I am going to try that on the front of this gown. I think that it MAY work. 🙏🏻🤞🏻🫣

@christasdressshoppe

4 ай бұрын

Oh gosh! Those invisible threads. Ugh! I’m so sorry it’s been such a struggle. I always wish those threads would glow with a certain light. But unfortunately I haven’t found one. 😢 I hope the fussy cuttings works for you! It’s been a life changer. Let me know how it goes! God bless! And Happy Sewing! -Christa

@debiperkins

4 ай бұрын

@@christasdressshoppe I googled that, too! I’d you ever find that bobbin thread, you can go to town. Both sleeves done , but the final stitch in the bottom. She has to try it on before I cut. 😈 The chalk mark in the mannequin is a gam changer. I have 4 different sizes. 🫣

@debiperkins

3 ай бұрын

I did the fussy cut. 😱 I have it pinned and it looks awesome. I did remove the lace appliqués under the hem piece. The free form foot was wrong. I found one that fits my old girl. It is on the way. My bride is on her way for a fitting so I can finish. 🙏🏻🤞🏻🙏🏻 makes me wonder about my sanity. 🤦🏼‍♀️

@christasdressshoppe

3 ай бұрын

Yay!! I hope it fit perfectly.

@christasdressshoppe

3 ай бұрын

lol we all wonder about our sanity at times! 😂 I’m sure you did great! I hope you got the right foot now. Blessings! 🤗 😘

I mostly listen to podcasts. Financial or some political and a few comedians. Depending on my mood. If I need a pick up, I will listen to 80’s rock

@christasdressshoppe

Жыл бұрын

I find myself listening to podcasts sometimes as well. 💗 and yes, 80’s rock! It’s the best. Anything to keep me going! Especially during the long days.

Please, make more videos about alterations dress ,I love and enjoy your education!

@christasdressshoppe

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much. I have more in the works. 💗 Thank you for joining me on the journey.

I mostly listen to worship music and audio bible when sewing.

@christasdressshoppe

Жыл бұрын

Me too!! Or videos about the part of the Bible I’m studying. Often Archeology videos from Israel. 😁

@christinefoss5767

Жыл бұрын

@@christasdressshoppe I will have to check those out! I recently am into more studying of the bible so am interested in that, too.

@christasdressshoppe

Жыл бұрын

Sooo good! When you can see the place you are studying, it just comes alive.

Try oiling the scissors hinge with sewing machine oil. Extends life of the cutting.

@christasdressshoppe

4 ай бұрын

What a great tip!! Thank you so much!

Do you have any tips on hemming a pageant dress? My daughter is 5 and ultimately I would like to alter it so we can let it out as she grows. It’s LOTS of layers I kind of know how I can do the inside layers but the top chiffon layers I’m stumped. It has a rolled hem

@christasdressshoppe

Ай бұрын

Would “pick ups” work? Sometimes depending on the dress you can tack spots up under one of the layers and hide the fact that you are shortening it. You can look up videos on hemming a dress with pickups and see if that will work for her dress.

What stitch length do you use when re-attaching the lace with free motion? How does the invisible thread work for you? It seems I have trouble with it at times.

@christasdressshoppe

5 ай бұрын

You can place the stitch length on 0 when free motioning. The length really has to do with your motion. Yeah, I struggle with invisible thread too. It’s just that kind of stuff. 😞 But I can usually get it to work after playing with the tension etc. What I would really love to do (if I had the space) is keep one machine threaded and ready to go with invisible thread. But now I’m just dreaming. lol

How much should we charge the client for these alterations? I'm starting alteration. (Please don't say it depends on you and the client and your city....)

@christasdressshoppe

4 ай бұрын

lol 😂 it does depend on your city and your experience etc. I am in a smaller town in Idaho and I cannot get as much as my sewing friends in our capital Boise. And we in Idaho definitely struggle to charge as much as someone in Washington, California or New York etc. However, having said that, I have seen a hem like this across the country go for anywhere between $250 to $700 (I could never get $700 for just the hem. Those that charge that high are in places like New York) The best way to figure your price is in these steps. 1. Ask seamstresses around in your area. Also ask in nearby cities or cities with a similar demographics. 2. Figure out what you need to make per hour. 3. Keep a journal of time it takes you to work on similar alterations. Keep a running journal so you start to get an average of how long it takes you. 4. On hems, time yourself on different types of layers. 5. Charge by how many layers, what type of layers, appliqués?, beads? Etc. 6. Then set a price according to the amount of hours worked and needed hourly wage. Work with that for a while. Reevaluate every 6 months or so. Adjust as needed. 7. As you get more and more experience, increase your price even if your time got quicker.

Thank you for demonstrating how to remove the appliques. I have been looking for awhile now. I have a dress that I am starting. Its tulle with lace appliques at the bottom. It needs 5 inches removed. So. I think my best options are to remove the appliques that i can, move them up and place them pretty cut off the excess and sew the appliques in new spot. If you have a better way??? Again thank you so much.

@christasdressshoppe

7 ай бұрын

Thank you so much Penny! ♥️ If 5 inches needs to be removed and the lace is below that line, you can fussy cut it away for much of it. But even then, part of it has to be hand picked away. I use a seam ripper. Some of my friends use a razor blade. I have yet to be brave enough to do that. But soon I’m going to try on a dress that isn’t a brides. Just to practice and see. There are variables too. Like when there is beadwork that goes all the way through the tulle, or a very narrow hem. Saying a little prayer for your gown’s lacs to come off easy or give you an easy solution. Happy sewing! And thanks so much for watching! -Christa

@pennybrewster4697

7 ай бұрын

@christasdressshoppe thank you. I was just looking at the hem. I've handpicked what I feel comfortable doing. But the rest I'm going to fussy cut. Some of the appliques I can cut away and not lose anything. I think after that I will move them up and then the bride and I are getting together to decide if we need to add or reposition. Thankfully we have extra appliques to play with.

@pennybrewster4697

7 ай бұрын

How do you repair any holes that occur? Or does that not happen for you?

@Christ'a dress shop what DUCK size Scissors do you use please

@christasdressshoppe

3 ай бұрын

Hello 👋 I don’t know if I know the official size. It’s just the smallest scissors. I got them many many years ago at my local fabric store. Some even come in a set with the regular, large scissors. I hope that helps. 🙏🏻 Thanks so much for watching and commenting!! Happy sewing! - Christa

Hey Christa... do you mind sharing what brand is your dress form (mannequin) and size?

@christasdressshoppe

5 ай бұрын

Hello Angie, 🩷 I’m not sure what the brand name is. It’s rubbed off or lost long ago. But it’s just one of those you get at JoAnn’s fabrics. This one is the small size range. The one I used to have was the medium size range. I used that thing until it fell apart completely. I need to replace it. However, let me warn you that all of these type mannequins have plastic moveable parts that break almost right away. I don’t think they are worth the money we have to spend on them. However, I keep using them for hems and such years after the adjustable parts break. I just cannot dial in measurements. Except I can raise and lower the hem hight. I just wish they would put metal parts on them. Thank you so much for watching and commenting! God bless! Christa

@angiep1360

5 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for the response. I mostly want it for hems. I want something lightweight to put on the table like you do.. so I can give my poor back a break. @@christasdressshoppe

@christasdressshoppe

3 ай бұрын

They work great for hems! I hope you found a good one. ♥️♥️♥️

Hello from Texas. I have a train question. I'm making a mermaid style gown with a small puddle train. My question is, do I need to line the entire train, or just a regular dress lining that leaves the train party unlined? Thank you for your help!

@christasdressshoppe

4 ай бұрын

You can choose either way. Often in the past trains were lined to keep the outer layer of fabric clean. But if you do, you must tack it so it doesn’t go in a different direction than the train. Now many gowns with a lace trains do not line the trains. This is called an illusion train because you can see the floor through the lace. It’s very pretty. If there is a small train and the lining doesn’t matter, I will often remove the lining and cut it/sew it floor length. This also makes it easier to bustle. And Hello from Idaho 😀 👋 Thank you so much for watching!

@paulagoode1135

4 ай бұрын

@christasdressshoppe thank you sew much for your quick response! It's a satin train with handsewn lace medallions. Lots of stitches on the underside, and lots of kneeling and standing during the ceremony. My concern is her shoes catching on those handstitches. I'm thinking I'll leave it lined., with some seam allowance "anchors" to limit shifting of the layers. Thank you for the advice, it's nice to have someone to bounce ideas off of. I recently found your channel and enjoy your carefree spirit and practical approach to sewing . Peace to your day...

@christasdressshoppe

4 ай бұрын

@@paulagoode1135 good call ! Yes, shoes catching and even pavement or some surfaces catching is a real problem. I think you made the perfect choice. 🩷

@christasdressshoppe

4 ай бұрын

@@paulagoode1135 and by the way! I love that “peace to your day!” ….. to you as well.

@paulagoode1135

4 ай бұрын

@@christasdressshoppe 🥰

I listen to music relaxing ,important when you are sewing bridal stuff ,fi I put tv on I miss half of what is going on ,,,

@christasdressshoppe

10 ай бұрын

Oh that’s so peaceful 🤗 I agree on the TV thing. I tend to put on things I have already seen or plan to watch again later. Because like you said, you end up missing most of it. I hardly look up. So most of it is just listening. Thanks for watching and commenting!! Have a wonderful weekend. -Christa

What you do call the clip / clamp that you use when the dress is too large for your dress form? I can't seem to find one on Amazon. I wondered also if you have tips for horsehair braid hems on the outer layer. I detest them. :)

@christasdressshoppe

Жыл бұрын

Lol they are just clamps I get at the regular hardware store. Lol 16 years running a bridal shop and my favorite clamps were always from the hardware store. I tried all the “bridal store” ones. Those were junk and damaged gowns. My absolute favorite ones from Home Depot are no longer made and mine have all broke now. This one came from Harbor Freight. You might find them on line.

@christinefoss5767

Жыл бұрын

@@christasdressshoppe thank you!

How much do you charge for doing a lace wedding dress with 3 hems

@christasdressshoppe

27 күн бұрын

Hello ! ♥️ Prices is a hard thing to quote because it depends on so many factors. Experience, where you live, whether there is beadwork, appliqués or horse hair. However I can give you a general idea of what I charge in a small north west city of the United States. These hems start at $250 in my studio. This is low for a big city just 2 hours away. And I’m high for the seamstresses in my town. So 🤷‍♀️ it’s hard to say. But basically, keep a journal of all the alterations you do this year. Record the time it takes you for each different alteration. Then look at all the similar alterations and come up with an average. Then figure what you need per hour (be sure to figure in your overhead. Then apply that about to the average time it takes you to complete a project. That’s how I get my price. Along with staying informed about prices around me. I hope that helps. Happy Sewing! -Christa

I would love to hear the part of the country you live in and how much you charge for things lime a horsehair hem. I'm having a hard time setting prices. 😬

@christasdressshoppe

9 ай бұрын

I live in a small town in Southern Idaho. I have a hard time charging as much as so many seamstresses across the country. However, the last 10 years I have been gradually raising prices. I have noticed that the brides are not minding. They come to me because of my experience. So I need to keep raising them. I cannot remember what I charged for this hem but this last 6 months for a hem like this I charged $250. I know this is much lower than many other seamstresses. But this one is pretty basic these days for me and I am getting paid plenty in my opinion. (Now the gown hem in the other lace hem video, that is a whole different story. Lol) How I started my pricing years ago is to keep a detailed journal of all my alterations for a while. Then look at how long it was taking me for certain types of alterations. I then figured how much I needed to get paid per hour and applied that to the average of time it took. This gave me a great baseline. It’s been a while since I journaled my time. So I need to do that again. I’ve been wanting to make a video about that. I will soon. Thank you so much for being on this journey with me! Happy Sewing! God bless! -Christa

@jenniferkatt7126

9 ай бұрын

@christasdressshoppe that is very helpful thank you so much! I have started keeping track of how long it takes me as well so that's a great approach to pricing. I live in a small town area as well so that is really helpful thank you so much!

@christasdressshoppe

9 ай бұрын

You are welcome! 🥂 here’s to us small town girls! ❤️