Whether it’s a wedding dress inherited from your mother, or a vintage piece found in the Op Shop, many of us have taken a special dress to the dressmaker to be altered.

Some alterations can be done quickly – such as a button or hemline. At other times the alterations are much more complicated, and take several days. Patience is the key!

Many tailors and dressmakers will quote up to two weeks to complete an alteration job, even for a very simple job. Allow for the fact that dressmakers are often very busy, with any number of jobs on the go at the same time. If the job is very detailed, or involves a lot of beading or intricate detailing, it could take several weeks to complete.

Wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses require several appointments for fittings and may need a number of follow-up alterations. To ensure the job is not rushed, you should discuss the work involved well before the wedding, so the quality is not compromised.

If the wedding gown requires a lot of intricate beading or ornate decoration it will need to be done with care, so allow several weeks for any alterations.

Your best option is to talk with a dressmaker in your local area and discuss your needs and any deadlines with them. Yellow Pages can help you find a dressmaker for your special dress today.