Do you know your worth???
Bridal alteration specialists have a very unique skill set. Just because you can sew a suit that’s lined or make a dress doesn’t mean you have the skill set of a bridal alteration specialist. It does mean that you are a good candidate for training because you would probably pick it up pretty quick.
Bridal alterations is a very unique set of skills and gowns have become more difficult to alter over the years. I’ve been doing this almost 40 years and back when I first started, altering the inside of a wedding dress was a lot easier than it is now.
For one thing, the bodices were constructed differently. Manufacturers actually had the attitude of “Oh, they’ll probably be making some adjustments. And now, oh my goodness! NO. They don’t consider alterations at all when manufacturing these dresses.
And some of these new ones with sheer netting with a boning corset bodices are a challenge. You need to know what you are doing before you mess with them.
Well, frankly, for all of the wedding alterations, you need to know what you are doing.
This is Dee Dee back in her early 20s. (The Bride was older than her.) I am trying to “age out” of bridal alterations and just teach. This picture was taken about 40 years ago.
You need to be well trained and have the experience necessary to complete the alterations beautifully.
There’s really a level of risk involved. And you are willing to take that risk. And that makes you a rare breed indeed. And frankly, you should be charging more because you are taking on risks that a normal seamstress will just not take on. And they shouldn’t. Because they don’t have the skills.
In conclusion, we are worth more because of our higher skills, our willingness to take on risk and because there are so few of us out there. Let’s nurture the next generation of bridal alterations and bring ourselves off of the endangered species list.
Love you all.
Dee Dee Anderson