Blog - The Anderson Alterations Academy

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

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. ...

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