FAQs

10 What services do you offer?

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I offer alteration services for Bridal, formalwear, Mother of the Bride, Mother of the Groom, Bridal parties including children as well as pocket squares and bow ties for ring bearers and Groomsmen. I do not do menswear. Menswear requires tailoring skills which normally does not fall under the bridal seamstress umbrella.

I also offer custom embroidery services. I do custom applique shirts made from fabric from your gown. I embroider gifts for most memorable occasions such as engagement, wedding, baby, memorials. I monogram gifts and linens etc. My items for sale will appear in the “Shop” tab on my website very soon.

I also do some custom work when I’m available. I make baptismal gowns from wedding gowns, I make dressing robes from mother’s wedding gowns, I make purses and custom veils as all special order items.

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9 How do I get started?

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Getting started is simple. Reach out through my inquiry form or, send me an email or schedule a call—I’ll walk you through the next steps and answer any questions along the way.

What makes you different?

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I have a complete shop in my home in Atco, NJ. While I do see customers there, I also see customers at Hand Me Gowns Bridal in Hammonton, NJ on the weekends. I am not your typical “in-store seamstress”, because I operate a fully insured business out of my home, and collaborate with HMG as well. I feel strongly that brides need a great relationship with their seamstress and full transparency on pricing. It’s not really clear exactly what we do, so by educating my brides and having clear communication about how they want their dress to look and feel, I can achieve beautiful quality results. I try to go above and beyond with my clients to come up with solutions to problems that other seamstresses won’t even consider working on. From head to toe, I make sure you are educated in all of the options available to you during the alterations process.

8 When Should I book My Fitting?

How can I contact you?

4 What do i need to bring?

How much do alterations cost?

i’m planning on losing weight will that affect the process?

Are you insured?

Accessibility

I am available Monday through Friday during normal business hours via email, and text at (856) 816-8242. While I cannot answer the phone while I’m working please leave me a voicemail and I will return your call promptly. During the weekends I can be found 10 am to 5 pm at Hand Me Gowns, in Hammonton, NJ by appointment only.

As soon as you buy your dress! I schedule a limited number of brides each month to ensure I can provide the very best service to each one. Once you have your fitting, and you are in my schedule, your dress is in the system and you are considered “In Progress”.

Bring your gown and any undergarments you plan to wear with your dress. You don’t have to wear a bra with your dress if you don’t want to. We have options in the alterations process to account for a bra and actually build it into the dress. If you are large busted, I strongly encourage you to look into a long-line bra if it works with your dress. If not, we will discuss all of this during your first visit. Absolutely do not worry about bras or shapewear until we meet. If you have your shoes, please bring them. If you don’t, do not stress over that either. Your hem and bustle are the last items we focus on, so you will have time to shop for shoes. You are welcome to bring someone with you if you would like to. I usually prefer just one person. The alterations appointments are much more private than your dress shopping appointment was. We need to focus on the details and make sure we aren’t distracted by a lot of guests. Please ask me first if you are bringing anyone with you.

The cost of alterations can vary based on the style of the dress, the fabric, embellishments and the way the dress is constructed. Different designers assemble their dresses differently and some make it easier than others for seamstresses to access places inside your dress to make the necessary alterations. Most people also don’t understand that prior to doing the actual alterations, in some cases, we can spend hours deconstructing your dress to properly alter it and then put that particular section back together. Certain lace, hand-strung beading, etc., all has to be removed by hand and then put back on by hand which is very time consuming but there just is no way around it. A typical price range for straight forward bridal gown alterations can be anywhere from $500 to $1000. Resizing a gown is different from standard alterations and can typically cost from $800 to $1500 depending on the factors involved.

Bridesmaids dresses and other formal gowns average between $75 to $200 but could also cost more or less depending on the work needed. Prom gowns which are heavily beaded or pageant gowns can cost more on the higher end due to their detail and embellishments.

I do like to offer all in one package pricing. The pricing above does not reflect my pricing as I do not list my pricing online. I cannot give out a price for a gown I have not seen in person and will not. The prices above are in my area and based on the average going rate. I price my alterations with an all in one price in mind so that you know what the price will be from the start. I do not support working with a bridal seamstress and not knowing your total bill until the end and then being shocked at how high the price is. I will quote you a price and we will agree upon that price from the start.

I normally started about 8-10 weeks out now because of the rise in weight loss drugs. By the time we begin the alterations process, you should be in maintainance mode. If you are on medication that affects your weight, or your are planning a medical procedure prior to your wedding, please discuss this at our first Consultation so we can create a plan that works for both of us.

Yes! I have insurance that covers my shop and all of the contents of my workroom and your gown while it is in my possession. Your gown is stored in the bag, on a gown rack in a temperature and humidity controlled environment. My shop is the entire lower level of my home and is private and used only for my business. There are no animals allowed, and no smoking or eating in my gown shop, If you come to my shop for a fitting, I ask that you not bring any food or drink, and only one guest as was mentioned above.

I work by appointment only out of my home. My shop is on the lower level of my home and there is one flight of steps to access my shop. It is not handicapped accessible. If you need assistance, please let me know and I will make other arrangements at Hand Me Gowns to accomodate you. It is not a problem at all.