I had this situation recently. I told a client no for a resin casting project. I didn't feel comfortable and the materials were from a special event. I didn't want to mess those items up because they can't be replaced.
For the client and yourself. No matter how skilled you are, doing something like that in two days I a way that would satisfy that client would require much more money than the dress cost, imho.
Even in the tech industry this rings true. I had a client come to me to tell me he wasnt satisfied with Gsuite services (top of the line performance). I said we couldnt help him since what he was asking coudlnt be done and if Gsuite didnt fulfill his needs neither could we.
Yes! It actually hurts the pocket to take work from someone you know can't be pleased - they will leave a negative review. I have learned over time it saves me money in the long run to tell some people no.
Looking at the design of the dress, it doesn't look like anyone would be able to lift their arms higher than their shoulders, even if the rest of the dress fit properly. It's a cute dress, but nothing particularly special about it, IMO.
Up until the late 19th century many "ladies" had sleeves set like that because they never expected to have to raise their arms. A servant helped them dress and did their hair, they had servants to open doors and carry their packages--a "lady" only had to raise a teacup or a fork to her lips, and maybe do a little embroidery or sketching.
Yeah, that sleeve underarm is set too low, the shoulders need something (a strap perhaps?) to keep the sleeves up on the shoulders. That dress is a nope all the way around.
@@annainspain5176are you sure about that? From what I’ve seen, and also heard from dress historians, the armscyes came up pretty high below the armpit at least in the 18th and 19th centuries, which would have allowed for a lot of movement. Much more than we get today from jackets
@@laras6544, you are correct. The higher the quality, the more fitted the arm scythe should be. If the arm scythe is larger, the more the shirt/jacket/dress will lift when the arms are raised.
Completely agree. But it's not for her body type... she's too endowed for the look. If we did make room for her chest now you've got extra darts to ruin that smooth plain nothing look beige zennials can't get enough of.
My grandmother was a professional seamstress who said the same thing!! She sewed almost all of my dresses until about second grade, and in junior high & high school she sewed all my dresses for my choirs/musical groups. Her beef was pattern designers! She often said patterns & instruction were SO off, and frequently would “do her own thing,” and my dresses always fit great. I love & miss you grandma!❤
@@REALcatmomseamstress here.. She was absolutely right! What a lot of people dont know, is pattern manufacturers use measurements from mannequins for their pattern bases. Thats why they rarely fit real people.
That is a dress that was made to be seen in, not to be truly worn. There’s no coherent design I can see. So refusing to do the impossible in a last-minute situation for someone with inflexible and unrealistic expectations? You did the right thing for both her and yourself.
Who in their right mind cuts a neckline that far into the arms eye and then sews the arms so tight/no easement in it?? Just a bad dress! I canr believe the bar for "good quality" is so low that someone thought it was actually good... ugh... i can just hear my grandma spinning in her grave who was a union membered garment worker. Horrible
Agreed. The first review lady looked great from the front, till she showed the chest and arm problem. Even the original model seems to be forced into a kinda awkward pose like that.
Yeah I'm not sure if there was an actual elopement or if she just wanted to wear the dress on Tiktok while it was still trending. Making it look like it wasn't altered and still fit would be an essential part of the plan.
@@MildExplosion i think she had to order the popular dress Ol too so that would have taken time, not something you tend to do for a wedding that's close. You'd be going to a store in person. And then say you can't accept any alterations that are visible and being shady about it.
this dress is giving bad vibes, i went to their website and this dress is still there. 213 dollars---so.. if the model looks like she has been kidnapped , and kept as a sex slave in some dungeon while taking those photos.. run from this brand. There is a black variation of this dress, the model looked like she has been tied up and her shoulder locked in postition
If she is eloping, she has a lot of control over when to get married. It’s not like she’s having a wedding with 300 guests and has been planning it for the last 24 months. But if she was refusing to accept anything other than this dress then buy two of the same dress in the same dye lot. You could use the fabric from the second dress to do alterations. If she wasn’t concerned with price she could have you custom make a dress. I wouldn’t want her as a client because she’ll never be happy unless she looks like the model in the advertisement, not recognizing that she doesn’t have the model’s shape.
Non-English-native speaker hear. Honest Question: Has eloping just come to mean "having a wedding without guests"? because I learned it meant marrying after literally running away because your parents/guardians were against it.
@@i.b.640 it's both. English is difficult. When marriage was mandatory in society... 1950s ish eloping was for when parents didn't approve. But it also means a small spontaneous wedding. You can watch the Elvis little white chapel online, live. In Las Vegas. It's fun to watch random ppls elopements. It's also considered good manners when you're on your 3rd or more weddings. Ppl finding second partners in their 4th quarters of life typically elope. Less stress.
@@i.b.640it started that way, then was more along the lines of family cannot afford a wedding, to a trendy catch all term for sub 100 guests. So, it’s lost meaning.
I think this customer would've been a nightmare to work with and not liked anything you did to the dress, had you said "yes." Sewing is my hobby. I've been designing and sewing clothing, as well as making minor alterations for myself and family members, since I was 10 years old (I'm in my 70s), but I know my limitations. You're a professional seamstress not a miracle worker!
I have concluded that people have a distorted and aspirational image of themselves. The Beyoncés and Kim Kardashians spend a zillion dollars to attain and maintain those figures including surgeries and custom made clothes. They are not buying from Shein and Temu! They don’t have a plate of fried chicken and mashed potatoes then go in the studio for a photoshoot.
I RUN 🏃 from those clients that knows more about sewing/alterations than me, who has been sewing since 3rd grade and I’ll be 66 in a week. I hate it when they say, “ Oh, it’s simple.” Than you do it. I’m just saying ❤❤❤
Looking at the dress itself, it's giving me Tudor-England vibes. That neckline with the pearls makes it look almost like something Anne Boleyn would wear for a portrait 😂 But, y'know, all Henry VIII's wives had a whole team of seamstresses to custom-make their clothes for them. And they would have worn a dress like this mostly sitting down. I can't imagine buying a mass-produced dress with those kinds of sleeves and tight upper section and expecting it to be a comfortable fit on most women.
Back in the day 1975 when family and friends were having babies i needed to go to a formal wedding and didnt have the money to buy a dress to use only once. I was 5" 4" and weighed 150 lb. A frihend offered to give me a dress to wear that had been given to her. It was a lovely dark blue, the fabric draped very nicely and it had give but did not look like it did. I got compliments on the dress as did the person who wore it nrxt 2" taller and 10 lb lighter. We followed the progression of the dress for a couple years until it moved outside my friend group and it fit tall and tiny, heavy and light, any bust size we refered to it as the Magic Blue Dessy Maternity Dress. There should have been no way a dress could do that but it did!
This reminds me so much of a dress I had years ago! Also dark blue and such a comfortable, forgiving cut with lovely draping. Could be dressed up or down. I had to dress smart for work so I wore it til it was threadbare - I wish I could have bought ten of them at the time!
I sew and knit. I was taught in regards to picking patterns that if the model is posed in an unnatural way, it's most likely hiding design flaws and the style is probably more trouble than it's worth. Also as a tall, top heavy woman I've had to realize that the "make a dress from a men's shirt" and "make a top from a bandana" sewing videos aren't going to work on my body no matter how much I want to be part of the trend. Good on you for sticking to your no!
Lol yes. I can look at those DIYs and know they're not gonna support or flatter my chest and figure. But learning then what DOES look good becomes life changing and empowering.
My mentors in sewing and knitting gave the same caution. Poor posture or awkward positions may hide design flaws. In sewing, I was taught to look at the pattern drawings rather than the modeled garment. Several things can be seen as far as shape and fit to help make better choices.
It's important to pay attention to the shape of the model. Traditional models are 5'9" or taller, flat chested with litter behind or hips. If you have curves it's best to buy the size that fits the widest part of your body and then have the dress taken in where necessary.
I have been sewing for 40+ years. I do not sew for anyone outside my immediate circle of family/friends and even then I have had to refuse some ridiculous request. People who do alterations are angels with the patience of Job. Sewing is my stress reliever, sewing for others is extremely stressful. Hats off to you.
My Dad was always pushing me to make wedding dresses. I always told him I didn't need that kind of grief and stress in my life. Now, at 71, I have somehow stepped into a thriving alteration business, including wedding dresses, which leave me awake at night and stressing that the Bride will be disappointed...or her Mom...or her MIL...or,or,or...Maybe God is working on my inner perfectionist??? He is certainly working on my need for humility.
My mom was a seamstress. She would've been even more blunt with the woman. She wouldn't have even given her a "let's see" appointment. You were kind in doing that much for her!
More story times, please! The constant flattering with the evasiveness was a 🚩 for sure. The dress is cute but to be so inflexible is a waste of your time and hers. Also, you said "fiancé at the time"; I thought that was funny. 😊
As someone with a larger bust, one look at that dress and I knew that it wouldn't work for me. Or anyone with a bit more in the chest area. The sleeves also sit oddly. I can totally understand why you refused to do alterations on that dress.
They just aren’t realistic. 🤦🏼♀️ Good for you. That was a nightmare in the making. We can always take up, usually be creative and add under the arms. I have said no to several my self. Really ticked them off, but no is no.
A couple issues I see with this dress - the armholes are too big/not fitted, so it's like your biceps are attached to the side of your chest, which is why they cannot move their arms. Obviously the neckline is too low and not contoured, so the only way to keep it from falling forward is to make it overly tight, cutting your boobs in half. How I would re-design this dress to stay true to the design concept: Re-set the sleeve - bring the armhole up higher so that your shoulder joint has more range from the underarm being more fitted and like a second skin instead of a straitjacket. For the bust - obviously contour or let out to fit the cup size, bring up the neckline a bit more above the apex, and add elastic or negative ease bias binding to keep the neckline tight to the chest. I couldn't tell if this dress is boned (I'm not going near TikTok to find out), but a boned bodice will help keep it up. Also, square neckline on both front and back means the sleeves will be falling off the shoulders from weight alone unless it's elasticized. One remedy for this is a ribbon in the back to connect the shoulders to keep it on. Yes that will alter the look, but who wants to be pulling their sleeves back up the whole time. Just look at the model at 3:00, she's posing in a way that looks like she's trying to keep the left sleeve on her shoulder while the right sleeve is slipping off lol
I am a begginer. I'm just glad to get the pieces together. Your suggestion about the arm holes is exactly what is wrong with the dress. Too bad you didn't design the dress.
I would have liked to know why she wanted to elope and wear this particular dress, seems as though she was focussing on the dress and not the wedding and to show off the dress on Instagram.
@@MondesThreads I have family members who eloped and the bride literally rented her dress. No point in spending tons of money on the perfect dress that will be seen by 4 people... fast, inexpensive, and intimate. Isn't that the point of an elopement after all?
@@MondesThreadsno kidding. Ive been the witness for a few of them. Most of the elopements ive seen was ladies just wearing something nice with flowers on it. Not white. But wasnt a first marriage either
I’m not a professional seamstress but I do know people who do alterations. I meant the fiancé of one of my coworkers. And this woman was very large, over 300 pounds. There’s no size shaming. Currently I am very overweight. It’s just that we have to be honest when we’re talking about looking our best. She had bought a size 8 dress and said she was going to lose the weight to get into it in 12 months. There is no way anyone could lose that much weight in 12 months in a healthy manner and fit that dress. She was not working with Doctors and she was not on any sort of medical weight loss. Two weeks before the wedding, my coworker comes to me and asks if I knew someone who could do alterations and make a corset. Long story short, I warned my friend who is the person who was doing the alterations of the situation. When I spoke to the fiancé, she said it won’t be a problem to get into the dress because she’s going to have a corset made. A corset is not a magical black hole that removes the weight on your body, it move things around. My friend, who does the alterations suggested for the first time that the bride to be find another dress. She ended up doing the alterations and she did get the dress to fit. It barely fit. It was a huge improvement. But I overheard people at the wedding saying that she doesn’t fit her dress. Ladies and men it doesn’t matter what size you are and it doesn’t matter what the size on the tag says, just look your best. Don’t get hung up on the style or the size.
My aunt used to make bridal dresses and always let a longer than usual seam allowance. In her experience, brides lose some weight for the first fitting and gain some weight after that due to nerves and the stress of the wedding planning. She has spent more than one night before the wedding letting out the dresses
A dress that barely fits - straining at the seams - isn't flattering. It focuses attention the extra curves and looks awful. Something that drapes nicely, with some movement in the fabric is actually far more 'body positive' in that it doesn't scream 'denial'.
Wow, as a former custom seamstress of 45 years, clients are so clueless sometimes and hate to admit that something is inappropriate for their particular body type. Good on you for standing firm.
I don't think that dress would be a proper fit on ANY body. It's way too short-waisted, so those skirt pleats are inevitably going to buckle rather than flow. The width of the neckline looks like it actually cuts in to the armscye, which is why even small busted women wouldn't have freedom of movement. The skirt flare, at that short a length, is frankly not flattering on anyone. It looks as if it was designed for maximum cleavage exposure (even though anyone with a cleavage wouldn't be able to wear it), entirely oblivious to the REST of the woman's body.
Certain garments are created for certain body types, and it's a fact, and IMHO there is nothing hurtful in acknowledging reality. For example, a lot of regular size women's clothing is created for pear shaped women: small chest, smaller waist, larger hips. As someone who is larger on top and smaller on the bottom, it can be frustrating to find clothes that fit my shape. This isn't even touching the question of what is more flattering or more "in line" with a person's body type and style. To me the big red flag was that your client not only bought a dress that wasn't designed for her body type, she got it in a size that was too small. In fairness, that dress style does look like it's quite specific for a particular body type (a very rare one among women, let's just say). But it's clear that she didn't have an objective picture of her own body, or the garment, and instead preferred to follow her own magical thinking that you'd be able to perform a miracle. People with poor boundaries do this all the time - rather than being realistic about their situation, they will pressure and manipulate others to change the reality for them. Having firm and clear boundaries, especially as a woman and a woman business owner, is an absolute must, and you absolutely did the right thing.
People who do not sew often don't understand the limits of what an alterations specialist can do. It sounds like you handled the situation tactfully and professionally. Your workbisxamazing!
I'm surprised more people didn't respond this way. If your main concern is posting in TikTok vs your marriage day, you need to reassess your priorities.
Yes. That was my reaction too. That maybe she wanted to go viral on Tiktok, wearing that dress and that it's more important than the marriage itself. SMH.
That dress was cute but the Arm holes that connect to the dress was too short, not enough material, they couldn't raise there arms🤦🏾♀️ Im glad you said no! Awesome video 😊
I know!!! What idiot cuts a bodice that far back into an arms eye and doesnt do gussets in the armpits??? People just dont know what good clothes should feel like since they havent had them in so long or ever for those under the age of 30
@MondesThreads Can you make me a David Meister leopard print dress with the embellishment on the chest. I've wanted this dress for years. I even bought a smaller size for my daughter that could be used for a pattern. I need a size 14. Thank You!!!!
Oh, wow. Your "no" was absolutely the right response. The dress is cute enough but the lack of movement in the arms would have made me send it right back no matter how the rest of it fit. As for your client... she was taken with a dream and a desire to go viral and that's a dangerous combination. It could have ended up being a huge disaster even if you'd had a couple-three weeks to work on it just from her emotional state! Poor girl... I know what it's like to buy something that you absolutely love and then... it just does not fit and never will fit no matter what. :/ I just gave a friend a piece that's been hanging in my closet for years now because I finally had to accept that no matter what that dress was just NOT going to fit me, ever. And it fits her perfectly so... Sigh. So glad you said no!
Thanks for sharing your experience. I can identify with your experience. As an embroiderer, there are certain garments that can't be embroidered (a very dense design on a sheer/stretchy fabric). I've also had to turn away projects that would likely disappoint my client and exceed their budget. In most cases, I love working with people and exceeding their expectations. It a blessing to see people happy and excited, especially when the item is for a gift for a loved one. I have a hard time turning people away. However, the disappointment, time, and the possibility of creating an inferior product isn't worth the risk.
Apart from the, frankly just uncomfortable looking sleeves, I feel like if she really wanted this look, she could have done better with buing a nice dress with a similar silhouette and attempt to adjust the neckline. I agree with you that she was being so cagey about the dress itself because it was a viral dress. And a friendly and respectful 'no' was definitely the best answer. I'm a full-figured woman myself and I, too, had to learn the hard way to keep my own bodyshape in mind when dress shopping.
I used to do custom sewing as well as alterations. I love the work you do, you are such a creative problem solver! I learned there are some clients that are too much trouble and aren't worth the time. That dress is badly designed. It looks really restrivtive and uncomfortable.
I like how the girl altered the dress in the second video you showed. It made it look fun and still stylish. You can even put a wrap with it and still look cute.
I cannot sew well, but my mother could. I am SO grateful that she was able to sew things for me and do basic alterations. She taught me how to be realistic about expectations and details like construction, seam allowances, fabrics, etc.. It boggles the mind the way people come to you expecting literal magic that breaks the laws of physics. You do AMAZING work and I am always in awe of your creativity and skill, but there are some things that just cannot (and SHOULD NOT) be done. No one could make that dress fit without changing the look.
I applaud the fact that you can say no as people often agree to do something that they aren’t able to do for different reasons whether it’s the time frame, getting required materials in time, if it’s beyond your capability or some other reason. Not allowing yourself to be manipulated is a skill that some people haven’t mastered. I appreciate the truth rather than being strung along and then getting frustrated and angry by having to repeat the process in order to get a project done by someone else. When it comes to clothing, people can be unrealistic when they don’t understand their body type and how certain styles work better for them. One friend didn’t realize that the clothes that I was picking for her fit better when we shopped together had princess seams rather than darts. She had never sewn and never noticed construction. She was almost 60 years old.
Completely off topic but i love the design of your glasses! They fit your face shape very well, and draw attention to your eyes. I think you look absolutely beautiful.
Good for you! I’m a seamstress also and had to say no a few times. The buttering up… I can’t stand it! I had one client tell me I would “love to alter her clothes because I love a challenge.” Actually, no, I love making custom clothing but there’s not a lot of money in it so I do alternations. 😂 People like to come to me thinking I can make a $200 dress for $50. No, just buy the $200 dress!
To be honest, if I would be a young woman , I'd fall in love with the dress because it's gorgeous. As a German the fitting reminds me a little of a bavarian dress called Dirndl. 😊 Thank you for your great videos! Best wishes👋
It's really hard saying no, especially if a client is pushy and trying to plead with you to take on a project. I am a barely competent sewer but I have had to do this with clients in the food industry. A protein bar that tastes like a Reese's peanut butter cup with 20 grams of protein, no sugar but also no artificial sweeteners? Honey, that is just not going to happen 😂. In some cases the demands of the client feel disrespectful. I think you are absolutely justified in saying no to this particular client and I definitely felt for you while you were describing the process. I do think the dress is pretty and would suit certain body types but there are flaws in the pattern which even someone like me can see!
'It's really hard saying no ...'. I used to make a lot of clothes for myself, some of which were admired by others. As soon as they started in with, 'can you', I said sorry, but I only sew for me. It was hard enough fitting myself, let alone doing it for someone else, and I don't employ garment industry finishing.
Good for you, you stuck to your no. And laid out the reasoning directly to her. No matter what you would have done it would have been wrong and she was going to be very difficult. The time she wasted trying to butter you up and convince you of your skills no less, she could have found another dress. You did her and yourself a favor. 👏🏾
There is something about the square neckline that inhibits movement in the sleeves. My wedding dress had a square neckline and the dress had to be taken in (I barely have an 'A' cup), but after it was taken in, I had barely any movement in my arms and they were rubbing against my arm pits, but I just had to take it because the seamstress told me there was no other way (okay, so it was beaded and embroidered and had she cut any more, all of that would have been ruined). I've had t-shirts with square necklines and it's always the same problem. You were right to tell her no.
Monde, you arent a seamstress, you are a master psychologist. Your tact, and grace, your good nature, your ability to make other people happy is just astounding to me. God Bless you for the joy you bring to this world with your talent with fabric and design, as well as your understanding and patience. Not only that, you are beautiful, inside and out
It's the sign of a true professional when they are able to identify their limits. You are a wise lady to say no and good for you for standing your ground.
I too and a seamstress who does bridal and formal wear alterations. Saying no is the hardest but necessary think to do. I learned this the hard way and had to pay for a new wedding dress. Thank the lord the owner of the bridal shop allowed me to pay wholesale so it was under $1000. In the end the bride got a dress that was so much more appropriate for her figure. Should have said no to begin with.
I feel your pain! I used to do alterations and made curtains for a while. Someone told all of these complicated things she wanted and said oh it’s easy. She said she knows how to sew so she knows what she’s talking about. I told her no, pull out your sewing machine and do it yourself. Needless to say, she couldn’t even thread her sewing machine let alone make alterations. Even after she called me again, I still said no.
I think the dress is really cute. The most helpful comment was the woman who tried a size large and explained that she would need an XL, so nobody larger than her could possibly wear this dress.
I regularly see a French trained dressmaker (he was an atelier at one of the big design houses) ..... He gives me advice I trust and I love him for it. He never wants me to look daft. I really like the idea of a 60's style trapeze dress ..... But I am 5' tall and a 32E on top. When I asked him ..... His eyebrow went tactfully up!
It's a very cute dress, but definitely best for a smaller bustline. I think you hit the nail on the head when you said, "It was a viral dress and she wanted to post." Yup...not good at all. She's getting married and she is more concerned about what she's going to post on social media than she is on her wedding ceremony.
I’m a 10-12 30K chest, I just normally have to wear loose fitting dressing now. Most dresses just are not designed for bigger chested women these days.
I remember when I was in my 30s a friend in the US offered to knit me a cardigan. She asked my bust size and I told her 36 inches because I'd always had a 36 inch bust. Yeah--in high school! Not in my mid-30s! When the sweater came I couldn't even get it on and I had to quietly gift it to someone who really did have a 36 in bust.
It’s a pity you let your friend make that for nothing. Knitting takes years to perfect and she spent weeks or months to make a gift like that. All because you wouldn’t get measured or just say no
@@Fenta-SodaShe's saying she learned a lesson. That your body changes before you realize it. Even if they're "positive" changes like losing weight or bigger bust. We think we're doing good because we know our measurements but we have to keep them updated. It even changes in certain points in our cycle. It's unfortunate the gift didn't work out. No need to beat a dead horse.
I truly couldn't ddo what you do with so much care and grace - so many of these dresses come from scam websites and it seems SO OBVIOUS to me that its a scam. If the dress you are sent even matches what you ordered online, it will clearly only fit a certain size range. Not saying that this is a good business practice, but people need to THINK! If something online seems too good to be true , IT IS! You are so talented, thank you for sharing your beautiful work with us❤
I think a big problem with viral dresses/clothes/etc is that what makes them viral is the "I've never seen something quite like that before" factor, but nobody stops to think "why haven't I seen something quite like that before?" Like the look of the sleeves on that dress is very unusual, but the unusual nature is created by the long, deep armholes that the sleeves are set into, which basically pins your upper arms to your sides, which is why you never see it on any other dresses! At least in this case the lack of room up top is just a style - bodytype incompatibility; it'd look nice on someone who's a bit flatter on top, so long as they never want to raise their arms. (And no shade, some people will put up with that for an evening out for the sake of fashion. It's a compromise; you've just gotta be willing to accept it.)
I may be getting old, but I also don't understand why you would want to wear to your wedding a viral dress that a lot of people have worn and milions have seen and judged. It seems like the point of the wedding it is not in getting married but in the social media
The dress reminded me of a dress that my mum made for an 8th grade school dance. The film Romeo and Juliet had come out not too long before and I took inspiration from Juliet's dresses. She made it in white cotton, with long bell-shaped sleeves. She embroidered tiny purple flowers around the neckline and the edge of the sleeves. I looked really good (it fit like a dream and I could move my arms!)
Maybe some people will put up with that for an evening out for the sake of fashion but I like to dance and I can't do it without moving my arms. There's no dress worth putting on tap shoes and trying out for Riverdance!
I love watching your videos. Some years ago, for a period of about 11 years, I had a home-based sewing/alterations business and had to alter a lot of pageant, bridal, and prom dresses, along with many other projects. I can so relate to all of your alterations stories!
So I was asked to alter a wedding dress ( because it all of a sudden was tight in bust and waist. ) She then went on to say she had not been eating to the point that she had not had her period in two months. She then said she gained a pound in last few days . Hmmmm I didn’t think it was my place to point out that she was pregnant! The reason I refused work was wedding was because in two months.
You'd think not having your period and gaining weight would be a clue but I guess she's going to be on an episode of "I didn't know I was pregnant" after having all the signs of pregnancy.
What I'm concerned about is she saying that she had not been eating much, while she apparently was pregnant. What's gonna happen to the foetus if the mom is not eating 😥
@@AC_336 If she had plenty of reserves it might not make a huge impact, plus people often say they have been starving on a diet when in fact they eat more than they thought. Long term starvation on the other hand can cause miscarriage and smaller organs even when the birthweight is within normal range. But that was from mothers who gave birth during very dire starvation, that is highly unlikely to be a modern woman dieting for her wedding. Especially when the pregnancy is still so early and the energy needs are small.
You were very wise. Also, and to answer some commenta: some women don't have regular periods or bloat when stressed so she could be perfectly unaware. I was till almost the third month of my first pregnancy! I said that to encourage to be kind 😊
She "wanted to stay true to the dress," but honestly she wasn't at all staying true and honest to herself about it. She wasn't being honest with herself and therefore by extension not being honest with you. You were definitely right to reject this job because not only was it an impossible ask but a lot of people don't realize that time is in fact a boundary too.
I worked for JCPenney catalog back in the day while working my way through college. They had a bridal department in the call center with a huge closet with all the items that were in the catalog, so the rep could walk over and pull an item and describe it to the caller on the phone. You would NOT BELIEVE the number of women who would call in 3 days before their wedding to not only order the wedding dress (which they were told were designed to be altered to fit) , but their entire wedding party ...6- 10 bridesmaids etc ...I was like, how long have you been engaged? For over a year !! What the hell!! And then they'd get all upset if we were out of something , especially in May or June when EVERYONE was ordering their dresses. Never forgot that. It was worse than calling people two days before christmas to tell them we were out of the hot toy they ordered for their kid.
As a top heavy female who was a teenager during the height of the baby doll dress era, sometimes you need a person in your life to be blunt about what you can and can't wear. Its saves you a lot of embarrassment if they just tell you before you walk out the door to change and why. My dad told me at 14, as I left for school wearing a cute baby doll and a reducer bra, "Are you pregnant? You look pregnant." Never wore that dress out of the house and I am thankful for that.
I used to do alterations before I had children. I didn’t specialize in formal wear, although I had done a few wedding gowns. My husband’s brother heard this and told his fiancé that I did alterations, so this girl bought a wedding dress at the thrift store and showed up at my house expecting me to make it fit her. It was too small (like 4 inches in the back where it wouldn’t zip), and she didn’t like the sleeves so she wanted new ones made from a different thrifted dress she bought for fabric. I told her no, but I had a friend who might be able to help her. My friend was miraculous and made it work. About a year before that, when I was doing alterations, a woman came in and needed a dress for her son’s wedding. She found a pattern and some fabric, and there was no way this dress would look good on her. She came in for maybe a dozen fittings and was never quite happy. She was a really nice lady who was just clueless about dressmaking, but we live in a small community and there was really no one else who could do it. Even my boss didn’t want to do it and that’s why I ended up with this impossible project. No one was happy at the end. I had my baby right after that experience and didn’t go back to doing alterations. You should never take a dress you’re uncomfortable doing. Some alterations are impossible, and it’s best to say no to those.
You were right to refuse the alteration of the dress even though you felt the pressure of the client. The dress had no leeway for an alteration and finding a matching material was well nigh impossible. I love your chuckle and you're so good-humoured.
Tbh, this dress doesn’t even look that great on the model. It kind of looks like the photographer had to shoot it a particular way to make it look good.
She has to perform as therapist plus a sewing professional, impressive. She’s so honest and straight forward without being mean or immature. She’s so likable.
My New Year’s resolution was to say NO more, it’s very freeing! I identify with all you do and say! This is a much needed video to those who use our services! 😊
I’d like to use your quote: “I’m going to stay true to my no”. What a line. Great boundary setting with compassionate responses to your client. You have the patience of a saint
I don't think it's just as simple as finding a new dress, especially in that time frame. But I also think you did everything you could with working with her. The lace suggestion would have been a perfect alternative under the circumstances and even making the sleeves short like the other girl did. So I definitely think she expected too much from you and it's great you tried to work with her and help her out.
That sounds like a great call. I really enjoy these stories. Seeing the transformations are really cool and understanding what just isn't going to work is so interesting. This isn't my area at all so I can't necessarily tell how you make these transformations look just so, but it is enormously satisfying to watch and hear your thoughts and stories on the process.
People have a herd mentality that because something is popular/viral it must be good. Monde's break down of all the flaws of this dress shows the reality. One really needs to be a conscious consumer. Saves money and time. Good on her for saying no.
The thing I love about watching your videos is that you're always so kind and try not to be hurtful, even when it's the client making unreasonable requests or, let's say, not wanting to see things for what they are.
Soooo glad you held firm. People and these viral trends are so unreal. She learned a valuable lesson: all dresses aren’t meant for all bodies so find the dresses that make you look stunning. Hopefully she had a beautiful elopement
I think it’s a charming concept that dress, but just like you said, it definitely needs work on its front panel and under arm gusset panels. Maybe some flowing or blousy sheer sleeves. With a decorative pear button cuff. To match the pearl studs on the trim. I like the 1580s vibe to it.
