My Soul is Fed with Needle and Thread

Soul has been starving.  Returning to basics and balance.  The joy I feel when handling a piece of fabric, creating something new, fixing something old, making a garment fit like a glove, seeing people smile has been missing for a long time.  Needles whirring up and down, scissors slicing, fabric flowing, patterns crunching, iron steaming....these are the sounds of my trade.  I am happy to return...my soul is fed!

Basic Price List

The following is a basic price list for some of the services that I provide. Keep in mind that these are estimates and your particular alteration might be slightly more or less. An accurate quote can be made at the time of your fitting/consultation.

Hems/Pants
Jean/Basic $15.00
Blind hem (machine) $15.00
Blind hem (hand sewn) $20.00
Hem w/ cuff $20.00
Euro hem $20.00
Hem w/side slash $15.00
Hem w/ lining $20.00

Hems/Skirts - Dresses
Basic hem - straight skirt $20.00
Basic hem - full skirt $30.00
Basic hem w/ kick pleat $30.00
with lining add $5.00
Handstitch hems $30.00 (start)
Bridesmaid Gowns start at $40.00
Wedding Gowns start at $50.00

Suit Alterations
Take in through back seam $20.00
Shorten sleeves $24.00
Replace or move buttons $.50 ea plus cost of buttons
Replace lining start at $30.00 plus cost of lining

Zippers
Replace in skirt or pant $15.00 plus cost of zipper
Replace in front fly $18.00 plus cost of zipper
Replace in jacket or coat start at $30.00 plus cost of zipper
Replace in dress (invisible) $15.00 plus cost of zipper

Pant Alterations
Take in through Center Back
*existing waistband seam $10.00
*w/ belt loops $15.00
*w/out existing waistband seam $18.00
*w/ belt loops $20.00
Take in through side seams
*existing waistband seams $14.00
*w/belt loops $16.00
*w/out existing waistband seams $16.00
*w/belt loops $18.00
Add darts to back $3.00 each
Taper leg through hip $5.00
Taper bottom of legs $5.00 plus cost to hem

Blouse/Jacket alterations
Take in through sides $10.00
Shorten sleeves w/out cuff $8.00
Shorten sleeves w/cuff $20.00
Hem blouse or Tshirt  $8.00

Mending/Repairs
Per minute charge $0.25

Per hour charge $15.00

Custom Sewing and Pattern Design
Per hour charge $16.00

Patches (vests and Letter Jackets)
Small patch (1/2"-1") 1.00

Med patch (1"-3") $2.00
Large patch (3"-5") $5.00
X Large 5" + or Detailed patch $8.00
Patch on sleeve or leather $10.00

Best Costume Awards- 2011

Alice Dress for "Alice" - Large Group Contemporary

Medieval Princess Dress in "Happily Ever After" - Musical Theatre Solo

Rose Petal Bustier in "Strawberry Fields" - Ballet Solo

Steampunk and Gothic Dresses in "Sober" - Contemporary/Pointe Group Dance

"Sober" girls and I with our Best Costume Trophies

Dance Costumes

The last few weeks have been a blur of satin and tulle while I've completed several costumes for a competitive dance team. This is a quick peek...there will be more photos to come!

Beautiful Summer Wedding

A Summer 2010 wedding in Estes Park, CO that

I had the privilege of doing alterations for. Included hemming all 5 gowns,

fitting alterations and the wedding gown bustle.

Christening Gown

May 7, 2010: This heirloom christening gown and matching bonnet were made from a 1940's era wedding gown that belonged to the baby's great aunt. I used the original skirt and maintained the piping at the waistline. The wedding gown had covered buttons and loops down the back and I was able to re-use the loops but had to cover new buttons as the original ones had rusted. The back of the christening gown features these buttons and loops over a velcro placket because, afterall, who wants to hook 18 buttons while holding a baby??

Sew Pleasing

When sewing for a wedding party, it is my task to try to fit and accomodate as many body types and circumstances as possible. In this large 2009 fall wedding there were several challenges to meet. One bridesmaid had a baby just a week before the wedding so her alterations needed to wait until the last minute. In her situation, we added a chiffon, pleated sleeve to the originally strapless gown to give more coverage and support. I used a matching shawl that came with the gown to fashion the sleeves. Another bridesmaid had a surgical scar that she wanted to cover on her chest. I used the chiffon that was cut from the hem to make a halter-style strap that covered her scar as it wrapped behind her neck. The mother of the bride had a gown that beautifully coordinated with the wedding party but she was unhappy with the extreme fullness of its skirt. I removed three layers of netting from the underskirt and made a few adjustments to create a more elegant, straighter skirt on the gown.
This wedding is a great example of how a few alterations and adjustments can be used to create a happy and coordinated wedding party!