Sewing By Carolyn — Local services in Rochester

I am not one to make reviews often but I do think that it is important to share my experiences with this local business. I took my wedding dress to them to get alterations.

When I went in for my initial fitting I explained that my dress fit really well upon purchasing and I thought it would just need a bustle and maybe a little hemming. They agreed that it did actually fit very well and suggested that we move the straps a little and fix some “scrunching” in the bodice. I am not a tailor/seamstress so I have no knowledge of the field of sewing. I explained to them that I would like to keep the cost as low as possible to stay within budget and exclaimed that I bought the dress that I did because it was an “off the rack” sale dress. They acknowledged the desire to keep it under budget and verbally stated that alterations would fall somewhere between $700-$1200 “but most likely closer to the lower end.”

I went back for 2 subsequent fittings prior to picking up my dress. My second fitting was very brief she just wanted to see how high the hem needed to be. At my third fitting(less than a week before my wedding) my dress was not even put together yet. The bodice was completely unattached from the skirt. However, I decided to just trust the process because they are the professionals. I went back to pick up my dress on the Thursday before the wedding and it fit perfectly and was beautiful.

It came time to settle up with the bill and she told me the remaining balance was $1900.00!!!!!! I was in shock… I paid the bill left the shop and looked over the bill and cried! This was not in my budget and anyone paying for a wedding themselves knows that it’s already expensive enough without added costs that you were not prepared for.

I reached out to them after the fact describing that this was not anywhere near the price that they originally verbally quoted me and I did not understand how it became so costly and why I was not informed about this during the alteration process. They stated that the “hand sewing of the bodice was a very tedious and time consuming process.” Had I been informed of this before they performed the task I would have told them I didn’t care at all about it because I don’t think it was even noticeable and not worth the added money.

Their solution was to offer me a free dress cleaning after the wedding and apologized and said “we probably should have communicated better.” I can not believe that any company could run their business like this and I feel like I was definitely played in the process. I do not at all understand how a dress brought into their shop that fit almost perfectly could cost $1900 for alterations… I have included photos for reference that the dress in fact fit prior to any alterations and I honestly can’t even tell much of a difference in the bodice of the finished product. I am not trying to diminish their work however, I hope anyone considering bringing garments to them has very deep pocketbooks or else I would recommend finding...

I would highly recommend there services! They helped me last year with a bridesmaid dress and this year with my wedding dress. 🍂❤️🍁

They did a amazing job altering my dress and making me so stunning for my wedding day. I brought my mom's veil here and that speaks a lot to let someone work with something that is passed down. They altered it so I could wear it on my day, nothing is more special than seeing your mom excited for that moment.

There prices were reasonable and fair. They fill up quick! So if you need a reservation I would make it sooner than later! That also speaks to the great service they provide. They not only helped me alter the dress but gave me so many great suggestions for the wedding day. These ladies are so kind! They made sure that everything fit well and I felt comfortable.

Its not easy to find a good place to help with alterations when your new to the area but I would definelty go back them and refer any of my friends (which I already...

Carolyn is like, the cutest grandma type person. She took me in on an hours notice to measure me for a bridesmaid's dress I needed to order online TODAY. She will also be doing any alterations I need (well, or her daughter) she not only did the measuring, but whips out her smartphone and pulls up the site and dress and with the help of the daughter via text, helps me select the right size to order!! Talk about service. Then she gave me priceless advice on where and how to select the right bra (I'm endowed) and looking around her work area, it would appear she can fix anything. or alter anything. coats, costumes, bras, dresses, I don't even know what all she had in there! Don't be put off by the out of town address. She has big bold signage beginning a ways away, so its super easy to find and your GPS will work out there. it was like 14 minutes from downtown Rochester. tl:dr? exceptionally knowledgeable, personal service....