I am a former Bridal Boutique owner, for 16 years, and a seamstress for over 30 years. At least 20 of those years have been solely Bridal Alterations and Design.
This channel is a place I hope to create and collect a library of tutorial videos on bridal and formalwear alterations along with videos on how to turn your passion for sewing into a lucrative career.
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Heyy everyone repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Jesus is soon coming.🙏🙏 If you wanna be saved believe on Jesus (John 3:16- 17). He is the only way to eternal life. Because he was the perfect scarifice, shed his blood on the cross for the whole world's sins, and now God's grace is freely available to anyone who believes on Jesus. Check John 3:16- 17, Romans 10:9- 10, John 14:6 and 1 John 1:9. Believe and come to Jesus now while you're still on earth and breathing. Btw not forcing just saying. God bless!
I just altered a 1974 Gunnesax full length dress with angel wing lace sleeves. The bodice got side gussets. What a surprise when I discovered the angel wings were extra wide and were also inserted into the bodice side seams. This was a FIRST! but it came out great all things considered. Such a beautiful dress... offwhite muslin. Also hemmed it up and shortened the sleeves, so 4 hours later I made $60. Here in NC thats what I charge anyway. Lets talk about that too... regional pricing.
Id love to hear the business side of sewing please! I dread my hand written invoices but its all Ive got. Hey at least Ive got my logo stamp that I stamp at the top of each invoice. Lavoie Boho
I think most of the prom (and morp) dressed that I hemmed last year were bagged hems. I use a similar method on them. Thank you for the work you do to teach people. I have been sewing since I was a kid (in the '70's), and love sewing historical garments, especially ACW ball gowns. Unfortunately, we no longer reenact, so for the last few years, it's been modern prom and wedding gowns. Plus making children's clothes.
Very beautiful place aunt I wish I have no what to do with my sewing stuff
Thank you so much! I used to sew on the dining room table and have a box that organized my sewing stuff. I kept it in a closet. Get yourself a really good organizing box. 😃 it will work until you get a sewing space. God bless! And happy sewing! -Christa
I Mrs Crista!!! I enjoying and learning from you. One question: How much do you charge for all those alterations, is a lot of job and dedication. Thank you!!!!
Thank you sooo much Wendy! I base it on my average time to alter each part. I aim for $50 per hour but usually don’t hit that these days especially with filming. lol and I’m getting slower in my old age. 😂 I also figure in, the area I live in, the amount I need per hour to make it worth my while and a few other factors. I cannot remember what I charged in this case, but average bodice work in my studio on a mother’s dress (it’s different than bridal) runs $75 to $120, and hem $75 to $120, to take in the shoulders was probably $75 on this one?? I take into consideration lace, beads, how many layers etc. I hope that helps. The best thing to do is start keeping a journal of times and expenses for each alteration you do. Break it down to bodice, hem, shoulders etc. keep notes about appliqués etc. Then you begin to know about how much to charge for each. Thank you so much for watching! -Christa
We could do without the dramatic music ! Lol
lol 😂 as a bridal seamstress you don’t need anymore drama in your life? lol JK Thanks for letting me know though. I do appreciate it. I want to make videos that are easy and peaceful to watch. Thanks so so much! -Christa
thank you so much for all the information
You are so welcome! 🤗 God bless! And thank you so much for watching! -Christa
Thank you for this amazing tutorial. I am hemming my daughter’s wedding dress which has this hem. However hers has an inch wide mesh stabilizer in the hem also. How would you handle that? Do you have a tutorial on that? Thank you in advance.
Oh my goodness. That is horse hair. I just remove it from the area and then stitch it to the bottom of the seam allowance. I’m trying to figure out how to explain that on text. 🤔 Basically you don’t have to worry about stitching it exactly the way it was stitched down. Just secure it to the bottom and when you flip it back right side out, it will be inside and work perfectly. I hope that makes sense 🤓
@@christasdressshoppe thank you, that is exactly how I was thinking of doing it. I think perhaps hand sewing it back on maybe better, as to not distort it. Thank you so much for your response, much appreciated!!
Hand sewing works too. Horsehair does like to get wonky easily. lol A little tip (if it’s not too late) is the use a knit or jersey needle on your sewing machine. The rounded tip allows it to slide past the plastic threads of the horsehair.
@@christasdressshoppe oh thank you so much, it’s not too late. We just did her dress fitting and I will be hemming in the next few weeks. Thank you so much 🥰
Very informative. Thank you.
Thank you so much for watching and commenting!! 🤗
Thanks. Your story is so inspiring.
🤗 thank you so much!
I love your videos! I am new to bridal alterations! I have taught textiles for 10 years however I still feel I am a little scared handling a wedding dress ❤
Thank you soooooo much Zoe!! 🤗 I was nervous to handle the wedding gowns when I first entered the bridal world. But now I know all the ways things can be fixed if something happens. So I now feel more confident. It reminds me of my mom who for a long time worked with newborn babies. It would always shock me how they handled them when I would visit. It was because they knew what to be careful of and what to not worry about. Knowledge is key. 😃 You will grow more and more confident as time goes by. Thank you so much for watching and commenting! I appreciate you so much! And boy would I love to sit in one of your textile classes. How fun! I bet you have incredible knowledge. ♥️♥️♥️ Happy Sewing! Have an amazing day! -Christa
Try Amazon. That’s where I found them quite easily.
Thank you very much!! I will look them up. I hope they have improved them since I bought mine. I bought them long ago before there was such a thing as Amazon. 😂 lol now I feel old. 😂 Thank you so much for the info!
Thank you, that was very helpful.
Glad it was helpful! 😊 Have an amazing day! Happy sewing! -Christa
Wow!!! I am so very sorry for the loss of your Mom, this had to be the hardest video ever. That being said,, I learned so very much and prior to you telling us about your horrible loss, I was thinking BRIDEZILLA. I am sorry for that word but I was shaking for you when you had to change the first one which was so elegant and I realize the bride's day is supposed to be perfect. I commend you and honor your profession for even getting this video recorded, posted and telling the story. God bless you Christa.....
Oh thank you so much! 🤗 Yes it was such a hard video to finish. But I’m so glad I powered through. Thank you so so much for your kind words. I have had a few of those true Bridezillas through the years and yikes. lol When I owned a bridal shop and sold the gowns I ran into maybe 1 or 2 a year. But luckily now being a more “word of mouth” and just alteration business, I don’t see very many of them. Thank you God! lol This was probably more of a miscommunication. She had an image in her head and I had a way in my head of how most wedding gowns are done. At the bridal shop I used to have hundreds of gowns at my disposal, so I would just grab a gown and show them what a lace up looked like and they could show me what they were thinking. I think in my slow season I need to make a sample or two of different styles so they can point to the one they like. 😄 Thanks again for your kind words! -Christa
I think those tools are called Bobkins now. Amazon has them I believe.
Oh that is awesome to know!!! I will look that up. Thank you so much! God bless and Happy sewing! -Christa
What a fabulous video, and thanks so much. I'm just about to embark on making my granddaughter's prom dress. Even though I have done lots of sewing I've never made a lace up back and your guidance is just great. I'll let you know how it goes, but in the meantime, sending love and cwtches (that's a cuddle in Welsh 😉)
Oh that is so exciting!!! Wishing you the best! I’m sure it will turn out amazing. Keep me posted! -Christa
Thanks Christa. I've discussed with my granddaughter the lacing for the back of her dress. She really likes the second version using the rattail cord. How did you attach it to the dress? In the same way as the first version?
Yes, attach it the same. I make a casing.for each style. I like the strength and ease sewing them in. 😊
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
Thank you sooooo much!! 🤗 🥰 God bless! Have an amazing day! -Christa
Another timely video, thank you and the tips, like gel in the bra cups (though I haven't run into this from the manufacturer, I have added gel cups to the gown). I also try to have the gown "displayed" when the bride comes, especially the bustle, so she can see what it will look like. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much!! God bless you! I love hearing how other seamstresses work with their customers. ♥️♥️♥️ I never thought of displaying the bustle for them.
Love your videos! I knew the bobbin tension trick also, but I rarely change it. Southern Illinois
Yay!! Thank you so so much Julie! That’s awesome that you knew that trick. I did not know that most of my sewing life. lol Then again I had a different type of bobbin in my little old Kenmore machine that I bought when I was 16 and used most of my career. 😃
Thanks for your tips, the drawings are helpful! I am very visual, too.❤
Oh you are so welcome Rose!!! Thank you for watching! Have an amazing weekend!
Great video. You explained your methods well. I do the same way. If I forget to draw part of my instructions, I really miss it. Usually I can figure it out. But, occasionally I need to have another fitting. Most of my bridal counts only require two fittings. Sometimes with a lot of alterations, it takes three or possibly four fittings. Keep up the great content !
Gowns * not counts
Thank you so much Julie! I am the same. If I forget to give myself a diagram I may forget exactly what I was supposed to do. And I’m usually finished in two fittings….. but there are those with a lot of alterations that take more. Thank you! Have an amazing weekend!
Just curious to know where is your studio or do you train in studio.
Thank you for sharing. I use this method as well. I am a visual person as well and need to make drawings to keep myself on track. Good video!
That’s awesome! We seamstresses must think alike. 😃 Thank you so much for watching! Have an amazing weekend Andrea!
My mom was dying of cancer while I was sewing my gown plus my bridesmaids dresses! She was buried in the gown I sewed for her. It was actually therapeutic to sew while going through her decline. That was 40 years ago! I just learned something new from you! Thank YOU! God bless!
Oh wow 😢 that’s so hard. I’m so sorry. You are right. It is therapeutic to sew and work with your hands while going through loss. Thank you so much for sharing this with me! God bless you Karin! 🤗 Christa
Absolutely amazing! <3
🤗♥️ thank you! 😊
I feel like I’m undercharging for my services. How much would you charge for something like what you’ve done in this video?
Hello Wendy! Prices is a hard thing to quote because it depends on so many factors. Experience, where you live, whether there is beadwork etc. However I can give you a general idea of what I charge in a small north west city of the United States. I think I charged $120. That’s low for a big city just two 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
If you sew the lace apliques upside down, how will you see the beading that could possibly break your needle?
Such a GREAT question!! Thank you. Yes, there are many hems I cannot do upside down. I just can’t see the beads and sometimes can’t even see the edges of the appliqué to know where to sew. Sewing upside down is only for those hems where there is no beadwork or minimal beadwork. Or for those that I can easily see from the backside. Bonus, it works great when you are sewing appliqués on a sleeve you are making. 😃
I had this same dress and only a week for alterations, so I was happy about how the hem had been done! A single point American bustle at the waist worked for her.🤍
That’s awesome!!! I’m not going to lie, I was relieved when I saw that hem. I had so much on my plate, I was grateful for something easy. 😃
How much do you charge for doing a lace wedding dress with 3 hems
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
What a wonderful job. I really loved 🥰
Thank you so much Gloria! 🤗
This was awesome you did great job
Oh thank you so much Melanie!! 🤗
Always good to see your videos! Can’t wait to see what you’re planning to show us. I don’t do bride dresses, only wedding party dresses (scared to tackle a bride dress). I was busy with prom gowns when my daughter, who was going through a difficult divorce asked to move in with us for a year do she could get back on her feet financially. Well, I had to give up my wonderful sewing room so one of the children would have a bedroom. Moved my sewing machine to my bedroom and have all of 8” sewing space. It is impossible to sew on a gown so I had to turn away several clients. I will be 80 next year and had decided that it will be my last year for alterations since it’s so hard to get up and down off the floor to mark hems, so losing my sewing room is making it a little easier to start preparing for ending alterations. I want more “me” time to sew what I want to do. ☺️
Thank you so much Andrea! ♥️ I’m so so sorry about your daughter’s hard times. Saying a prayer for her right now. And praying for those grandkids. ♥️ I really get the need to enjoy sewing again and do some projects for yourself. I have a pile I would love to do but never have time to do creative projects for me. I wish you that time to enjoy sewing again! God bless! -Christa
I agreed to make a 18 foot pergola cover. What was I thinking during wedding season. Did all floors last fall including lower sewing area I hear y darling. Prayers definitely
😮 wow! That was a big undertaking I’m sure!! We do crazy things sometimes. lol 😂 Thank you so much for watching! And especially for the prayers!! 🤗
Knowing how long you have waited for carpets, I think we can wait to learn how you turn loops! Your videos are of such great content they are more than worth waiting for. I will admit saying no is hard, but I find it easier now that I have worked with a couple of wonderful ladies who are good at sewing but not wanting to be a seamstress full time. They are younger ladies who I have helped on a few projects and I know where their skills are at so I can feel confident sending a client to them for this or that. They usually aren't booked because it's more of a hobby/side hustle for them so they are kind of unknown treasures. I actually have hopes the one will go full time, but nonetheless, it's easier to say no I can't do a job when I can tell the client of someone else who most likely could.
Thank you so much Susan!!! ♥️ It is so nice to have other seamstresses you can refer people to. Mine keep moving away, retiring or deciding to stop doing alterations because of a season of life. We started a Facebook group for seamstresses in our area. Hoping to build a network. Thanks for sharing! That is an amazing solution. Surround yourself with other seamstresses that you can refer people to.
I have a set amount of dresses I take a month, so it's easy to say "I'm sorry, I'm fully booked this month. I'm only 1 person so I can only take X amount right now" During the Spring, my family plays baseball so I'm very careful about not over-booking myself.
Yes! This!! I’ve been moving in this direction. It’s working so much better. If I could just say no to the sad stories and friends of friends. lol Thank you for sharing! This is the perfect solution. Have a great week!
I am new to your channel as well. My first video I saw of yours was bustling a long lace train. Do you or others have any suggestions for bustling copious amounts and multiple layers of tulle? Due to cascading applique, the bride wants this to be an under bustle. On the train, the manufacturer has tacked all layers every 11" except for 95" of extra train side tulle yet to be gathered that's not attached to lining. Any suggestions? So far im using organza ribbon to make loops every 11". Strings inside to grab 3loops per string. Would snaps on the lining work better when bustling?
Hello Julie 👋 I’m so glad you are here. Oh boy, you have got a big one on your hands. These are so hard to get all those layers to behave. For me, it’s just time and patience to try every which way, until I can finally get the right combo of pick ups. Obviously the manufacturer knew how unruly the train was, so that’s why they tacked it down so much. It sounds like you are doing good using organza ribbons. You could also use clear buttons in areas that you have appliqués. A French bustle (under bustle) is probably the hardest on tulle dresses. But just stick with it. Saying a prayer for you today. Have an amazing day! I would love to hear an update on how it went. -Christa
I have tremendous trouble saying “no”! I have slowed down some because of grandchildren- I babysit regularly ♥️ . I used to sew/ do alterations 7 days a week- 8-10 hrs a day. However, I love to sew, and like you said, the hardship cases and friends requests are hard to turn down. I am new to your channel. Looking forward to following!
It’s sooo hard. 😬 I used to run myself ragged too. No time off. Congratulations on your grandkids. They are such a joy! I’m glad you found me! God bless and Happy Sewing! -Christa
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
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.
I really love the way the video is detailed. Hope to learn more from you. Thank you so much
Thanks so much Esther! I’m so blessed to have you here on the journey with me! Happy sewing! - Christa
Hi Christa, can you a video on adding slits?? I love your videos ❤
Hello Yes 😊 Actually, I just met with a bride who wants me to add a slit to her dress. So in about a week I will be working on her dress. I will film it. 😃 Thank you so much for the request.
❤Thank you .. what tension you use so the stich is secure but not tide ?
Hello 😊 I think it depends on which machine I’m working on, and the fabrics thinkness, stretch etc. I always start where the manufacturer of the sewing machine placed a red line, a suggested tension. Then I correct either tighter or looser as needed. I’m not an expert on tension so I adjust little bits as needed. I never really pay attention to the number. It’s also important to note, that many machines have a tension screw on the bobbin case as well. If you are not getting the correct tension by adjusting the top, try adjusting the bobbin. I hope this was helpful. Like I said, I’m not a professional with tension. But small adjustments have always worked. If not, I take my machine in to get it timed and cleaned. I try to do this once a year in my slow season.
AMAZING!!!! thank you for the video
🤗 🥰 Thank you! Happy Sewing! -Christa
I can not believe a designer would hem a dress like that. I’ve only seen them left with the scallops all the way around. Are you sure it wasn’t hemmed before?
Yes, it came from a bridal shop with tags. Never worn before. But nothing amazes me these days. Oh I take that back …. there is a new surprise every day! 😂😂😂 The way they are making dresses these days. 🤦♀️ 🤷♀️ But I do have to say, it did make it a lot easier for her to walk and for me to hem it. 🤗🥰
I did one similar to yours and I agree the way you did it. It was the most difficult project I have ever done. What would you charge for that alteration?
Oh boy, I’m sorry you had one this hard. 😢 Price is hard. I’m not sure I could officially charge how much time this one cost me. However, ever since this one I added an itemized extra charge for things like beads, horsehair etc.
Lovely Video. ❤ There are so many ways to make rolledhems it's hard to pick one☺️
Thank you so much! ♥️♥️♥️ Yes there are! It’s awesome!
Thank you Christa for another great video x
😘 🤗 thank YOU!
Gah! That bustle following the seam was perfection too!
😄 you made me google out loud. lol thank you!! -Christa
Another option I just lucked into with a recent bride that had those deep scallops but didn't want her shoes showing was we took the excess lace, which had the full scallops as we had to take so much off, and alternated them behind the scallops we had left on the trimmed dress. So it was two layers of scallops on the bottom. It actually laid much better too because of the weight. I'm loving this straight to scalloped look though and will definitely be putting that out there as an option. Thanks for making me a better seamstress for sure!
That is a great idea! It probably looked so nice with 2 layers. I will have to play around with that idea and see if I can get it to look nice. I’m thinking it might even be nice to create samples of each to show brides. We can do that in our slow season. 😂 right now is not the time. lol Thank you so much for another idea on this difficult hem. ♥️
I loved this video. Very informative. You quickly mentioned that the dress did not fit your dress form. I am having the same issue with some of these smaller ladies. What is your solution? Also, adjustment for hems. I have been sewing for decades, but never had dress form tutorial.
Oh it’s so frustrating when they don’t fit. Either too small or too big. Both are a problem. I used to have this mannequin and a plus size one to give me more options. I think they sell a tiny one too. In a perfect world I would have many mannequins for all sizes. But financially that’s not an option. So what I have done with really small ones is hang them on a rack or curtain rod and do my best to get the hem right. I was lucky on this one and it had enough stretch that I could get my hem even. Maybe sometime I could do a video on mannequins. And different ways to use them. 😃 Thanks so much Cynthia!!
Oh, also, when I owned the bridal shop, we had hooks and chains all over the ceiling in the sewing area. My seamstress would hang them over the work area and hover them at the right height over the table.
Your thought and intention to detail with just hemming alone blows my mind! Fabulous work! Your brides really lucked out to have you work on their dress.
Awe! You are so kind!! That is a wonderful compliment. ♥️♥️♥️ you made my day! -Christa