Please don't hesitate to send any questions or enquiries to sewsuz2020@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer below.
Booking in advance is always recommended; this could be as soon as you buy or order your dress(es)/outfit(s) &/or have your wedding date.
*A booking fee applies for all bridal, bridesmaids & formal wear (per dress) upon confirmation of appointments. Alterations are charged separately to the booking fee.
As the saying goes, the early bird catches the worm! BOOKING IN ADVANCE IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED whether with me, SewSuz, or any other Bridal alterations specialist; this could be as soon as you buy or order your dress(es)/outfit(s) &/or have your wedding date. As with any other wedding supplier spaces are limited & last minute requests, especially during peak season, cannot always be accommodated.
A first fitting with SewSuz is usually scheduled for around 8 weeks before your wedding date with a second fitting around 4weeks before. Some dresses may require 3 or more fittings which cannot always be foreseen but will be booked in appropriately. This can vary with the required alterations or certain circumstances BUT…booking in advance regardless is advised!
This includes bridesmaids too! -I’ve limited appointments & sewing time & cannot accommodate all requests to add on extras at a later date so do consider them as advised from the start of the booking process.
Appointments are held by appointment only on Monday 9.30am-7pm or Friday 9.30am-3pm as an alternative.
The rest of the week is dedicated to sewing.
I am unavailable on weekends.
All appointments are subject to availability.
Late/evening appointments are in high demand & are often booked months in advance; as with other important appointments or trades people you may need to arrange time off work to attend fittings...it’s your wedding after all!
Bridal appointments are allocated for up to one hour (per dress).
Bridesmaids & other formal wear are allocated for up to 30mins (per dress).
I am based in Knowle Park, Bristol. All address details will be confirmed upon confirmation of appointments booking.
I am located just off of the A37 Wells Road. Also close to other main routes including the A4, A38 & M32.
On & off street parking is available.
The closest Bus Stop is located at Broadwalk which is just a five minute walk away. Buses that run from central Bristol & Temple Meads Train Station include the 2, 2a, 73,
172 & 376. *Please do check local bus timetables for further information or changes to services.
Sometimes BUT not always.
Booking alterations in advance for any wedding or event is always recommended, especially for peak season spring & summer dates.
It's not always possible to accommodate a last minute request however dependent upon on my schedule & your requirements any rushed timelines that can be accommodated around a full schedule will incur rush fees that will be applied in addition to the total cost of alterations & steaming.
No two dresses or garments are the same but I can give a rough estimate prior to your first fitting based on the details & pictures you provide, this is of course subject to change upon seeing the dress & fitting.
Typically I advise alterations to fall between £250-£450+ however this will ultimately depend on the dress & your requirements; construction, required alterations, any additional design changes such as adding straps, sleeves, modesty panels to bodices, lace up back, etc.
& of course is it a plain fabric? How many layers? What fabrics & finishes? Does it have lace? Is it beaded? These things will all be taken into consideration!
Yes. Upon confirmation of appointments I require a non-refundable booking fee of £30.00 per bridal gown & £15.00 per bridesmaid/formal gown. This secures your pre-booked appointment times & covers some of the time spent in appointments. Full booking terms will be sent with appointment offers if you wish to proceed with booking.
The booking fee is charged separately to alterations.
-Your DRESS/GARMENT(S) in need of alteration.
-A full length BREATHABLE STORAGE BAG & HANGER. I am unable to store boxes& fitting space is limited.
- Bring or wear any FOUNDATION GARMENT(S) that will be worn with the garment/dress are to be worn for every fitting. This includes bra’s, shape wear, stick on cups, tape if you plan to use any & underskirts, etc. If you have a few options you’re unsure of we can look at these in your first fitting. *Bust cups are also available here too.
- SHOES!! It is essential that you bring & wear the shoes that will be worn with your dress to all fittings as they can affect your posture & I cannot carry out a hem fitting without them!
Planned or not it happens & sometimes without realising; sometimes it’s outside of our control whether stress, hormones, medication or other medical reasons.
I personally don’t advocate for dieting or hitting the gym all in aid of your wedding day...but this is a personal choice, I just ask that if you are planning any body changes including weight loss/gain or surgeries of any kind, including cosmetic body changes, to please ensure that your goals are reached & maintained ahead of your first fitting & where possible recovery time from any surgery is accounted for.
Remember YOUR PARTNER LOVES YOU FOR YOU, AS YOU ARE! Why else are you getting married?!
Please also take into consideration & advise of any (new) medications that could affect your measurements during the alterations process – especially if starting or changing to new meds through the fittings process...it’s surprising how some can affect you!
Most importantly your dress will be altered to fit your measurements at that time of your first fitting. If your measurements do change after your fitting(s) resulting in the need for additional alterations you will be charged accordingly & of course any further alterations will also be subject to timelines & other scheduled work as well as availability of appointments.
Once fittings begin there’s no need to stress about maintaining...eat & exercise as you do normally...enjoy the last few weeks leading up to the big day!
Of course! BUT my studio/fitting space limits the numbers I can comfortably accommodate & most other alteration specialists will advise similarly no matter how big their space!
I ask only those in need of fitting are present, & most brides do come alone, however I understand you may wish to bring some support. Please inform me prior to your appointment so I can ensure adequate seating is available.
I advise a maximum of 1 additional guest with a bridal fitting (bride + 1). This is particularly important for any dress with a train -which is most dresses.
It’s wonderful that your family & friends want to support you but this can create a major distraction to both you & I.
You need to be as relaxed as possible & I also need to be able to communicate with you to know that you are comfortable & happy with the pinning process; this isn’t easy with lots of distractions & conversation that can cause appointments to overrun.
I will always endeavour to assist where possible within my working appointment hours BUT, please bear in mind with a busy, often full diary, especially in peak season this isn’t always easy but ask that you give as much notice as possible & be flexible with any new times offered.
I do understand some things happen outside of our control such as illness & in these circumstances I will do my best to accommodate, we’re all human & please be assured, if I ever need to ask you to reschedule I would only ever ask if it was a completely unavoidable emergency or illness...I’ve been known to sew until the sun rises to ensure everything is on schedule!
Yes, areas undergoing alteration will be steamed/pressed however a full steaming/pressing service if required will be charged as an additional service.
If a full steaming service is required in addition to alterations or after alterations are complete this can be arranged & any additional collection appointment times will be subject to availability.
Wedding dress steaming pressing is priced upon fitting or seeing the dress but typically will range from £30.00-£75.00 depending on the style, fabrics & extent of any creasing.
Bridesmaid & other formal gowns typically start from £15.00 per dress.
Yes, however this will be subject to my availability & I may not be able to accommodate last minute requests/fast turnarounds.
If a dress is heavily creased &/or has been stored in a box prior to alteration, especially if a Satin or Mikado fabric, please be aware that it may require steaming/pressing ahead of alteration for the accurate pinning of hems in particular.
If this is the case an appointment can be arranged to drop off the dress the week prior to your first fitting to be steamed; appointments will be offered subject to availability & likely during my allocated sewing days, Tues-Friday between 9.30-3pm. If you are unsure please don’t hesitate to send some pictures for further advice.
*Steaming prior to alteration is chargeable as a separate service & your gown will be returned to you fully steamed at the end of the alterations process.
My preferred method of payment is by bank transfer. I can accept Cash in exact amounts & do have a card machine if preferred although try to avoid the fees where possible.
I require a minimum 50% first payment due at the first fitting or within 24hours before any work will begin on your garments.
I do not accept Cheques, PayPal or any other payment method.
All payments/outstanding balances are to be paid prior to or upon collection of items -before the items are taken.
Booking fees are to be paid by bank transfer to confirm your booking within 24 hours of any valid appointment offer.
I'm unable to offer home or any other external visits due to my strict scheduling of appointments & sewing time along with other external commitments.
Unfortunately not; although I endeavour to be as accessible as possible there is a step up into my fitting space & a step over the door threshold.
No. I am no longer able to offer any alteration or repair services to curtains due to my the size of my workspace.
Although I am focussing more towards Bridal & formal wear however during quieter months, November to January may take on the odd few subject to availability & scheduling.
E-mail is my preferred method of contact whether through the contact form on the contact page or direct to sewsuz2020@gmail.com
Do make sure to check the junk/spam folder for a reply though as sometimes they sneak past your inbox if I’m in your contact list!
If you still cannot find a reply please don't hesitate to email again.
I aim to reply within 48hrs, often it's much quicker but ultimately will depend on the time & day of contact (Mondays being my main day for appointments can be difficult to reply quickly), & also the time of year...peak season sewing can be intense & sometimes admin gets neglected for a day or two...or three.