(Please note, this series on brides comes from my book. You can buy the book here.) The majority of brides are happy, sweet, in love with their dress, and appreciative of the BAS (bridal alterations...
The psychology of brides; Part 1
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The psychology of brides; Part 1
by Dee Dee Anderson | June 5, 2023 | Bridal Alterations, Mindset Monday | 0 Comments
(Please note, this series on brides comes from my book. You can buy the book here.) The majority of brides are happy, sweet, in love with their dress, and appreciative of the BAS (bridal alterations specialist) work. There are a few brides that can give you stress,...
Should You Make Bridal Alterations Your Career?
by Dee Dee Anderson | May 30, 2023 | Bridal Alterations | 0 Comments
Many people spend a lifetime trying to figure out how to make a career out of something they love. Doing something you don’t enjoy day in and out can really take a toll on you mentally. Working in a profession you love can fill your life with joy instead of dreading...
Career Options for a Bridal Alterations Specialist; Part 2
by Dee Dee Anderson | May 22, 2023 | Bridal Alterations, Bridal Shops, Mindset Monday | 0 Comments
Work at home for a Bridal Shop This can be done either exclusively for one store or taking outside work from several shops and private clients also. I recommend not signing an exclusivity agreement with a bridal shop. I love the shops I work with, don’t get me wrong,...
Career Situations for a Bridal Alterations Seamstress; Part 1
by Dee Dee Anderson | May 8, 2023 | Bridal Alterations, Bridal Shops, Mindset Monday | 0 Comments
Oh my. Where do I start? I am amazed at the variety of different work situations that BAS (Bridal Alterations Specialists) have available to them. For this Mindset Monday I want to introduce you to the most common career for bridal seamstress. Bridal Shops This is the...
How can the Anderson Alterations Academy help you achieve your dream sewing career goals?
by Dee Dee Anderson | May 4, 2023 | Bridal Alterations | 0 Comments
The Anderson Academy can mentor you as you create your own business and clients. Knowing the protocols that bridal shops look for in their seamstresses is important. The basics like measuring, bagging a dress, zipping up a dress and appropriate dress code for sales...
Top 5 Things Every Bridal Alterations Seamstress Should Know
by Dee Dee Anderson | April 24, 2023 | Bridal Alterations | 0 Comments
A highly skilled bridal alterations seamstress is in high demand these days. And the skill of sewing in general is a dying art. Bridal shop owners and brides depend on having a good seamstress, and they are hard to find! There’s a lot more than just sewing that goes...
Mindset Monday: My Favorite Tools!
by Dee Dee Anderson | April 17, 2023 | Mindset Monday | 0 Comments
So let me tell you about some of my favorite bridal alterations tools. They may surprise you. These are all tools that get used often. Olfa cutter. I don’t use razors. They are not child friendly. I don’t have children in my sewing studio, but I still remember...
Mindset Monday: Sewing room essentials!
by Dee Dee Anderson | April 10, 2023 | Mindset Monday | 0 Comments
The basic sewing room essentials for a Bridal Alterations Specialist are: Very dependable sewing machine. I would recommend an industrial sewing machine. Bridal alterations have serious deadlines. Breakdowns with machinery can cause you so much stress. On this same...
Refine and upgrade your sewing skills
by Dee Dee Anderson | April 4, 2023 | Bridal Alterations | 0 Comments
As a seamstress, it’s a great idea to push your skills to the next level. You want to make a career out of it. Sewing is a skill that constantly gives back. Not only does it offer numerous physical and mental health benefits, it also allows us to create our own style...
Mindset Monday: Yoga
by Dee Dee Anderson | March 12, 2023 | Mindset Monday | 0 Comments
We will soon be in the middle of the busy season for bridal alterations. This is the perfect time to incorporate some yoga into your daily routine. The wear and tear on our bodies as we work on these heavy dresses is real. Doing a yoga warm up before we start...
Mindset Monday: Prepare for March Madness
by Dee Dee Anderson | February 27, 2023 | Mindset Monday | 0 Comments
Ok people, March Madness is on its way! You should all know what I’m talking about. It’s not the basketball game madness. No. It’s way more intense than that. It’s the busy season for bridal alterations. You need to prepare now for the upcoming heavy work season. Here...
Bridal Shop Owners! Are you prepared for wedding season?
by Dee Dee Anderson | February 9, 2023 | Bridal Shops | 0 Comments
Bridal Shops are feeling the shortage of bridal alterations specialists. The time is now to get your shop prepared for the influx of brides. Will you be ready to service their alterations? A big part of selling a bridal gown is knowing that it can be fit to the...
Mindset Monday: Pricing, part 2
by Dee Dee Anderson | February 6, 2023 | Mindset Monday | 0 Comments
I do my pricing quite differently than most bridal alterations specialists. So you may or may not want to do your pricing my way, but hear me out. I don’t price according to how many hours it will take me to do the job. I have over thirty years of experience doing...
2023 Back to the Future Symposium
by Dee Dee Anderson | January 27, 2023 | Symposiums | 0 Comments
Well, the January symposium has come and gone. You can still find it on my website under symposiums or use this link: https://theandersonacademy.com/symposium-23/ I had such a great time doing this year’s symposium. I especially enjoyed getting to know the expert...
Mindset Monday: Pricing, Part 1
by Dee Dee Anderson | January 23, 2023 | Mindset Monday | 0 Comments
At the beginning of the year before our schedules get too crazy, we Bridal Alterations Specialists should ponder and refine our pricing for the year. Pricing is hard when you are starting out. I am still refining my pricing and I’ve been doing this for well over 30...
Mindset Monday: Financial Balance
by Dee Dee Anderson | January 16, 2023 | Mindset Monday | 0 Comments
The new year has begun. We are sorting through our finances, getting ready for tax returns. This is a great time of year to consider finding balance with our sewing income. If you are like me, there is definitely a busy season ahead and then a slow season during...
Mindset Monday: New Years Goal Memory
by Dee Dee Anderson | December 26, 2022 | Mindset Monday | 0 Comments
Happy New Years to everyone. I want to share with you a fun memory I have of a past New Year’s goal of mine. Many years ago, my New Year's goal was to use up all my random bottles of perfume and figure out a “signature” perfume and when I had used up all my stuff, I...
Mindset Monday: Work Ethics; Part 2
by Dee Dee Anderson | October 24, 2022 | Mindset Monday | 0 Comments
I try to work hard, but I am not perfect and have some regrets on how I have used my time sometimes in the past. Here are some things I have learned about work ethics over the years: When you are working, go full out. Be concentrated and careful. Don’t dilly dally...
Mindset Monday: Work Ethics; Part 1
by Dee Dee Anderson | October 17, 2022 | Mindset Monday | 0 Comments
I want to tell you a bit about my husband, Doug. He was raised in a family of hard workers. Not just hard workers, they love hard work. They find so much joy and fun doing really messy, dusty hard work. His brother owns a ranch and when the herd is brought down out...
Mindset Monday: Priorities
by Dee Dee Anderson | October 10, 2022 | Mindset Monday | 0 Comments
“The easiest way to discern a person’s priorities is to see how they spend their time. “ This statement is a punch in the gut to many of us. I feel that ache too. So today’s Mindset Monday is definitely do as I say and not as I do. I have much to improve on in this...
Mindset Monday: Yoga Anyone?
by Dee Dee Anderson | August 29, 2022 | Mindset Monday | 0 Comments
Every Wednesday in the morning I go to a beginner Yoga class. One of my girlfriends in the class said “Hey, you should do a blog on Yoga. You love having yoga before your fittings.” I do all my fittings for bridal alterations on Wednesday and yes, yoga is the perfect...
Mindset Monday Indecisive Brides
by Dee Dee Anderson | August 15, 2022 | Mindset Monday | 0 Comments
“Decision Challenged Brides'' These brides are simply overwhelmed by the many decisions that need to be made for a wedding. Psychologists call it decision fatique. They just have so much going on. For most brides, getting married is the first event they have had to...
Mindset Monday: Pricing!
by Dee Dee Anderson | July 25, 2022 | Mindset Monday | 0 Comments
How do you know what to charge? I do my pricing differently than most. And pricing can vary so much from location to location. BAS (Bridal Alterations Specialists) pricing in the UK is significantly less expensive than in the US. Canada is similar to the US and...
Mindset Monday: Hunker Down!
by Dee Dee Anderson | July 10, 2022 | Mindset Monday | 0 Comments
This is a tough love kind of topic. I try to be a compassionate person, but sometimes the consequences of giving up and dropping the ball is a high price to pay. Especially in the bridal alterations business. I would rather push you to the finish on some serious work...
Mindset Monday: Time Management
by Dee Dee Anderson | June 27, 2022 | Mindset Monday | 0 Comments
As the CEO of my own business, I am so aware of time management. It’s just me, myself and I getting the sewing done. Many people struggle with being their own boss because they don’t manage their time wisely. And frankly, I don’t think everyone is cut out for being a...
Mindset Monday: Batching!
by Dee Dee Anderson | June 20, 2022 | Mindset Monday | 0 Comments
As a professional business owner, I am in charge of managing my own work time. Time management can make or break a sole proprietorship business. Today, I want to focus on batching. First, let’s define batching: to arrange (things) in sets or groups. Ok. How does this...
How to overcome burnout as a bridal alterations seamstress
by Dee Dee Anderson | May 19, 2022 | Bridal Alterations | 0 Comments
Wedding Season Burnout Every year at this time, I have the same conversation with my girlfriends at early morning exercise. I’ve been up early sewing before heading over for exercise. I will be working long hours getting my work done. I am turning work away, but...
2022 Colorful Bride Symposium Was A Huge Success!
by Dee Dee Anderson | February 11, 2022 | Symposiums | 0 Comments
Holy cow! That symposium was so fun. I really had a great time filming my classes and felt like Diana Casey and Adrienne Gonzales went above and beyond with their videos. The live webinar was amazing. The guest panelists were so knowledgeable. I felt like I was...
You Are Invited To The Second Annual Bridal Alteration Symposium – Adding Color To Wedding Dresses
by Dee Dee Anderson | December 30, 2021 | Bridal Alterations, Bridal Shops, Events, Uncategorized | 0 Comments
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ASDP Boise Educational Retreat
by Dee Dee Anderson | November 12, 2021 | Day in the life of a Bridal Alteration Seamstress, Events | 0 Comments
I traveled 4 hours to Boise with my husband to attend this wonderful sewing professional training conference. Covid cancelled the large event, but they put together a smaller retreat for those who could come. So much planning and coordination took place to make this...
Bridal Shops need Bridal Alterations Specialists
by Dee Dee Anderson | October 22, 2021 | Bridal Shops | 0 Comments
Bridal Shops are feeling the shortage of bridal alterations specialists. 2022 is forecast to be the biggest year in weddings since the 1980s. The time is now to get your shop prepared for the influx of brides. Will you be ready to service their alterations? A...
Bridal Shops need Bridal Alterations Specialists
by Dee Dee Anderson | October 11, 2021 | Bridal Alterations, Bridal Shops | 0 Comments
Bridal Shops are feeling the shortage of bridal alterations specialists. 2022 is forecast to be the biggest year in weddings since the 1980s. The time is now to get your shop prepared for the influx of brides. Will you be ready to service their alterations? A big...
Myth Busting for Bridal Alterations – Things to know before you shop for your wedding gown.
by Dee Dee Anderson | September 6, 2021 | Bridal Shops | 0 Comments
Hello to all the new brides out there. Congratulations to you on your engagement!I hope one of the best parts of preparing for your wedding is shopping for your wedding gown. I would like to educate you a bit before you go shopping for your gown. Finding your...
Learn How To Be A Top Notch Bridal Alteration Specialist – With Your Own Personal Mentor
by Dee Dee Anderson | August 6, 2021 | Bridal Alterations | 0 Comments
You have probably heard of life coaches, sports trainers, and mentors. Usually, these words are referring to our physical strength, mental or emotional health or long term life goals. The Anderson Alterations Academy teaches students the skills they need to...
How Bridal Alterations Gives You The Freedom To Choose
by Dee Dee Anderson | July 7, 2021 | Bridal Alterations | 0 Comments
One of the biggest and most important ways that we spend our time is work. Earning a living, paying the bills and then hoping for a little extra money for non essentials takes a significant amount of time out of our day. If you have good sewing skills, you may have...
What Bridal Shops Need to Do to Survive 2021
by Dee Dee Anderson | February 12, 2021 | Bridal Shops | 0 Comments
The Covid-19 outbreak is making things difficult for everyone. If bridal shops want to survive 2021, it's going take a lot of work. You’ll have to do some careful planning to avoid material shortages. In addition to keeping your store clean and sanitized so it’s...
How Covid is Affecting the Bridal Industry – and How Bridal Shops Should Prepare!
by Dee Dee Anderson | January 27, 2021 | Bridal Shops | 0 Comments
How Covid Affects Bridal Shops A lot of people postponed their weddings during Covid-19, but plan for significantly more sales during 2021. Those cancelled 2020 weddings will happen in 2021 on top of the usual amount of bridal business. This is great, but if...
Take Your Seamstress Career to the Next Level
by Dee Dee Anderson | December 8, 2020 | Bridal Alterations | 0 Comments
Refine Your Bridal Alterations Skills As a seamstress, you always need to push your skills to the next level if you want to make a career out of it. Sewing is a skill constantly gives back. Not only does it offer numerous physical and mental health benefits, it also...
Different Work Situations of a Bridal Alteration Seamstress
by Dee Dee Anderson | September 30, 2020 | Bridal Alterations | 0 Comments
Whether a bride's wedding dress needs just a simple hemming, a bustle added, or needs to be completely resized, a bride's goal is to find a credible and experienced seamstress that they can trust with their dress. As a bridal alteration seamstress, you have the...
Why It’s Vital for Brides to use a Reputable Bridal Alterations Specialist
by Dee Dee Anderson | August 25, 2020 | Bridal Alterations | 0 Comments
All seamstresses are different! Some are good at children's clothes or keepsake quilting. Some specialize in men’s tailoring. But when it comes to a wedding dress, you want someone who is an expert in bridal and formal wear alterations. Even a professional seamstress...
Top 5 Things Every Bridal Alterations Seamstress Should Know
by Dee Dee Anderson | August 17, 2020 | Bridal Alterations | 0 Comments
The need for a competent and highly skilled bridal alterations seamstress is in high demand and the skill of sewing in general is a dying art. Bridal shop owners and Brides depend on having a good seamstress, and it’s hard to find! There’s a lot more than just sewing...
Don’t Create Bridezilla!
by Dee Dee Anderson | July 16, 2020 | Bridal Alterations | 0 Comments
How To Keep Your Bride Happy! It’s very important that a seamstress presents herself as calm and confident as she meets with a bride during the alterations process. This can be one of the most stressful steps a bride goes through in preparing for her wedding. ...
Lace Hem With Netting Border
by Dee Dee Anderson | July 14, 2020 | Day in the life of a Bridal Alteration Seamstress | 0 Comments
Day in the life of a Bridal Alterations Seamstress Well, today I am hemming a lace dress. But this lace hem is a bit different, so I thought I would show you how I did it. This hem has a sheer netting border below the lace. It is important to keep that sheer...
Top 5 Essentials You Need To Start Your Own Home Based Bridal Alterations Business
by Dee Dee Anderson | July 3, 2020 | Bridal Alterations | 0 Comments
Not only are the skills of a bridal alterations seamstress highly sought after, it is also a very rewarding career and comes with numerous benefits. Such as, being able to choose your own schedule, choose your own pay and work from home! The Anderson Alterations...
7 Months Pregnant
by Dee Dee Anderson | June 21, 2020 | Day in the life of a Bridal Alteration Seamstress | 0 Comments
Pregnant and Getting Married! I received a phone call from a mother of bride. Her daughter was 7 months pregnant and getting married in 2 weeks. They were frustrated with the gown shopping process. The salesgirls were putting this bride in huge dresses that would...
Hemming From The Waist
by Dee Dee Anderson | June 19, 2020 | Day in the life of a Bridal Alteration Seamstress | 0 Comments
This dress has incredible beadwork on chiffon. The hem border would be lost if I hemmed it from the bottom. The best alternative for this dress is to hem from the waist. The bride also needed the torso shortened in the back. I would have needed to remove the bottom...
Extreme High-Low On A Lace Edged Hem
by Dee Dee Anderson | June 18, 2020 | Day in the life of a Bridal Alteration Seamstress | 0 Comments
This dress has an amazing lace. The only issue is the lace edged hem. This lace edged hem has an extreme high-low difference. We are talking about a 4” high low. That means from the bottom of the lace to the top of the scallop there is a 4”...
5 Reasons Why Bridal Alterations Is An Ideal Career
by Dee Dee Anderson | May 21, 2020 | Bridal Alterations | 0 Comments
Bridal Alterations can give you the job security you are looking for! Finding a well paying stable job can be difficult, yet, it can also be easy! If you have a skill in sewing and would like to turn that skill into a career. Bridal Alterations could be a path that...
A Beautiful Bride
by Dee Dee Anderson | May 19, 2020 | Day in the life of a Bridal Alteration Seamstress | 0 Comments
Today I received a sweet text from a former beautiful bride with pictures. Back in January and February I worked on her dress. Long before this Covid 19 stuff was affecting the USA. The bodice needed back and shoulder lining with a back zipper added to the...
Lengthening a Hem
by Dee Dee Anderson | May 19, 2020 | Day in the life of a Bridal Alteration Seamstress | 0 Comments
This heavily beaded dress needed the hem lengthened about 1” to 1 ½”. Usually I take about a week to gradually ease the length down. But this one went down in two days easily. In this first picture you can see the vertical stretch happening to the front of the...
Make Bridal Alterations Your Career
by Dee Dee Anderson | April 30, 2020 | Bridal Alterations | 0 Comments
Many people spend a lifetime trying to figure out how to make a career out of something they love. Doing something you don’t enjoy day in and out can really take a toll on you mentally. Working in a profession you love can fill your life with joy instead of dreading...
Day In The Life Of A Bridal Alterations Seamstress – Rodeo Queen
by Dee Dee Anderson | April 30, 2020 | Day in the life of a Bridal Alteration Seamstress | 0 Comments
My model for the Level 2 Rodeo Queen section of my Academy is getting married. Hurray! What a treat to work with her again.Last year I had altered a ton of her clothes for a Rodeo competition. I took in a gold leather jacket, suede dress, leather skirt, leather jacket...
High Demand for Bridal Alterations
by Dee Dee Anderson | April 17, 2020 | Bridal Alterations | 0 Comments
High Demand for Bridal Alterations! Want to make a career out of your sewing skills? Anyone trying to create their own business should know the importance of finding their niche. Focusing on what they are good at, being the BEST at it and knowing WHO to do it for. ...
Should You Make Bridal Alterations Your Career?
May 30, 2023
Many people spend a lifetime trying to figure out how to make a career out of something they love. Doing something you don’t enjoy day in and out can really take a toll on you mentally. Working in a...
Career Options for a Bridal Alterations Specialist; Part 2
May 22, 2023
Work at home for a Bridal Shop This can be done either exclusively for one store or taking outside work from several shops and private clients also. I recommend not signing an exclusivity agreement...
Career Situations for a Bridal Alterations Seamstress; Part 1
May 8, 2023
Oh my. Where do I start? I am amazed at the variety of different work situations that BAS (Bridal Alterations Specialists) have available to them. For this Mindset Monday I want to introduce you to...
How can the Anderson Alterations Academy help you achieve your dream sewing career goals?
May 4, 2023
The Anderson Academy can mentor you as you create your own business and clients. Knowing the protocols that bridal shops look for in their seamstresses is important. The basics like measuring,...
Top 5 Things Every Bridal Alterations Seamstress Should Know
Apr 24, 2023
A highly skilled bridal alterations seamstress is in high demand these days. And the skill of sewing in general is a dying art. Bridal shop owners and brides depend on having a good seamstress, and...
Mindset Monday: My Favorite Tools!
Apr 17, 2023
So let me tell you about some of my favorite bridal alterations tools. They may surprise you. These are all tools that get used often. Olfa cutter. I don’t use razors. They are not child...
Mindset Monday: Sewing room essentials!
Apr 10, 2023
The basic sewing room essentials for a Bridal Alterations Specialist are: Very dependable sewing machine. I would recommend an industrial sewing machine. Bridal alterations have serious deadlines....
Refine and upgrade your sewing skills
Apr 4, 2023
As a seamstress, it’s a great idea to push your skills to the next level. You want to make a career out of it. Sewing is a skill that constantly gives back. Not only does it offer numerous physical...
Mindset Monday: Yoga
Mar 12, 2023
We will soon be in the middle of the busy season for bridal alterations. This is the perfect time to incorporate some yoga into your daily routine. The wear and tear on our bodies as we work on...
Mindset Monday: Prepare for March Madness
Feb 27, 2023
Ok people, March Madness is on its way! You should all know what I’m talking about. It’s not the basketball game madness. No. It’s way more intense than that. It’s the busy season for bridal...
Bridal Shop Owners! Are you prepared for wedding season?
Feb 9, 2023
Bridal Shops are feeling the shortage of bridal alterations specialists. The time is now to get your shop prepared for the influx of brides. Will you be ready to service their alterations? A big...
Mindset Monday: Pricing, part 2
Feb 6, 2023
I do my pricing quite differently than most bridal alterations specialists. So you may or may not want to do your pricing my way, but hear me out. I don’t price according to how many hours it will...
2023 Back to the Future Symposium
Jan 27, 2023
Well, the January symposium has come and gone. You can still find it on my website under symposiums or use this link: https://theandersonacademy.com/symposium-23/ I had such a great time doing this...
Mindset Monday: Pricing, Part 1
Jan 23, 2023
At the beginning of the year before our schedules get too crazy, we Bridal Alterations Specialists should ponder and refine our pricing for the year. Pricing is hard when you are starting out. I am...