PART 6: COLLEZIONE FORTUNA- THE TRUTH ABOUT ALTERATIONS

IN the last 5 Blog Posts about " The Truth About Alterations", we would like to summarize these facts including how your Bridal Gown should fit once all alterations are completed:

1.  Once the bust line is taken in, it should shape your bust line to it's natural shape. It should not be tight.  Extra bra cups may be added inside the lining of the bra built in for extra shape and uplift.  The built-in corset should be comfortable not tight! You want to be able to breath not faint..

There should be no "back-flab"!!!! If there is, the gown is too tight.

2.  The waistline should be at it's natural length.  Again, you should be able to zip up the dress easily. If you can't..it's too tight!  Lace back corset dresses are a plus for"curvy" figures.  No zipper worries, but again, the dress needs to fit properly!

3. Hips- you should be able to sit in a chair comfortably.  If you can't the dress is too tight!   Be aware "trumpet" styles are often taken in more than they should be without consideration of the fabric of the dress. Laces and tulle overlay fabrics may rip if too tight. Satins may leave seam wholes.

4. The length-  did you get measured for the proper length wearing the proper  shoe length  you plan to wear on your wedding day?  Once this measurement is taken, you have to stay with that shoe length or the dress will be longer than you want it to be and your heels will get caught in the dress.  An experienced Consultant in Alterations will know how to take your proper measurements for your dress.

5.  Bear in mind, Alterations are extra in 99.9%  Bridal salons and Bridal Boutiques, and David's Bridal and never negotiated.  This shouldn't be a surprise , and alterations are never free!  If they are advertised as "FREE" beware because they are often incorporated into the cost of the dress..you are going to pay no matter what..no one works for free!

6. Allow time to order your dress!  It can take up to 6-9 months. Start looking or you will end up buying off the rack.  Bridal salons/stores can only do so much to get your "dream dress" in time for your wedding. It's not their fault if you wait to the last minute to order.

7.  Stay AWAY  from ONLINE retailers...!  There is NO WAY on earth you will get a $2400 dress from a website stating a major bridal lines name for $350 or less.  Shop local..there is a huge difference in every aspect.

At Collezione Fortuna Fashion Boutique and Bridals, Su Vecino Courtyard, Lincoln Bet. 5th. & 6th, Carmel,CA 93921, (831)626-1287, www.collezionefortuna.com, we know our inventory like the palm of our hand, and have many years experience in Fashion.  Shop locally with us by calling for your appointment today (831)626-1287.

(c)2012,Collezione Fortuna Fashion Boutique & Bridals, All Rights Reserved

PART 5: COLLEZIONE FORTUNA -THE TRUTH ABOUT BRIDAL ALTERATIONS

PART 5: COLLEZIONE FORTUNA-THE TRUTH ABOUT BRIDAL ALTERATIONS


Part 4 covered the topic of " The Truth of Alterations in the Bodice of Bridal Gowns".  As you can see the process is time consuming and not as easy as it appears..that's why Alterations Specialists come into play.

When  you have a Bridal gown that requires shortening in the length these procedures can be done depending on the dress and pattern:

1.  It can be taken up from the waist. This requires detaching the top of the gown from the skirt completely, removing the zipper completely  and  doing the same  buttons and any decorations on  the back of the dress. This is not recommended for lace gowns, or tulle, or anything that has a beaded waistband.  A skilled seamstress will have to look at the dress prior to doing the work.  An experienced Bridal Salon and their consultants are familiar or (should be) with all fabrics and styles of gowns and be ready to give their honest recommendations if these processes can be accomplished.

2.  Lace Bridal gowns or satin gowns or any gown with a trim on the hemline cannot be shortened or made longer to accomodate a tall bride.  Bridal gowns are made in a standard length and each length will vary  with each designer.   It's recommended to have the gown ordered in your proper length with a "hallow to hem" measurement.  These charges are all going to be extra...AND you have you allow plenty of time for this to be done!  Your bridal gown will arrive in the proper length and you may save on the alteration costs.

3.  I cannot  EMPHASIZE ENOUGH  to order your gown early!  As soon as your wedding date is set..you need to think about ordering your dress!  It takes 6-9 months to special order your dress unless you are lucky enough to find "the one" that fits perfectly off the rack!

At Collezione Fortuna Fashion Boutique and Bridals, we have 40 years of experience in fashion design, and alterations.  We will not sell you a dress for the sake of making a sale!

www.collezionefortuna.comFor Bridal, Bridesmaids, please call to schedule your appointment (831)626-1287..and our appointments are FREE of charge!

Part I, The Truth to Bridal Alterations

The Truth of Bridal Alterations is this type of alterations is a skilled process that requires many hours of fitting your gown properly in many stages.  Each layer of your gown is considered to be one dress which requires fitting , measuring, tailoring, and whatever it takes for each detail to be perfect!

There are many out there who claim to be "skilled" and "knowledgeable" and Bridal Alterations..and honestly..they are NOT!

Larger Bridal Salons have a full service "Alterations Department" that have several women who specialize in beadwork(which takes hours of work by hand, no glue, ) adjusting the lace appliques, and redesigning certain features of your Bridal Gown.  These alterations are never FREE.

A smaller Bridal Boutique usually does not have an Alterations Department and they focus on working with a "team" of skilled local Professionals in Couture Bridal Alterations.  This is not unusual.  With their focus on bringing in the best in Bridal Couture to their store and working one to one with their Brides, this is ultimately important in placing your orders, and making sure your order arrives in time for your wedding.

With Brides waiting for the last minute to purchase their gowns, they are unaware most salons do not carry every style!  It takes 20 weeks (6-9 months) or more for your Bridal Gown to arrive!   For example, if you are planning your wedding for September 15,2012, it may be too late to order your dress, unless the company has it in their warehouse in your size, with Custom Changes impossible.

At Collezione Fortuna Fashion Boutique, we take every step to make sure your gown arrives in time for Alterations.  I good rule is to have it in your possession  3  months before your wear date of your wedding.

We never charge for a Bridal Appointment!  For more information, and to make an appointment please call (831)626-1287.  All Brides are treated like our "daughters" getting married..we care..and we want their dream dress to be perfect!

In Part 2, we will discuss more about your appointment and what to expect.....Part 1, The Truth About Bridal AlterationsPart 1, The Truth About Bridal Alterations

DID YOU KNOW.................A MOMENT OF TRUTH about ALTERATIONS

Alterations...the truth is  ARE THEY REALLY FREE?

There  are  privately owned Bridal Salons that do offer "FREE ALTERATIONS ALONG WITH A FREE VEIL" included with your Bridal Gown purchase.

Brides-beware of ANY Bridal Salon that offers anything FREE with your Purchase, especially what is the most important is ALTERATIONS.  With over 35 years in Couture Design, and in all types of Alterations including Bridal Gowns and MORE...alterations cost money if they are to be done appropriately, and there is no way under the sun they are "FREE".   What is often done to make a bride believe she is getting "FREE ALTERATION SERVICES"  IS the retail cost of the Bridal gown is overly inflated to the point the average cost of the alterations is included in the cost of the dress and averaged out in the store owner's inventory.  This means you are STILL being charged for your alterations, and this is often a trick shops use to get a Bride to buy!!!!!!  It's the same with offering a free veil or headpiece.  It's also incorporated into the cost.  You are paying for everything when you sign that charge slip or put your cash out on the table !

The average cost of Bridal Alterations cost anywhere from $250.00 and up depending what is needed and often a Couture Seamstress will not know the exact cost of what needs to be done until the dress is fitted, then taken apart and each lining counts as a dress, and shortening a hem is often estimated by the amount of yardage needed to be removed and the time it needs to be hemmed and the number of fittings.   SO, YOU tell me, how can  all this work be FREE???

Word of wisdom- any Bridal Salon that offers FREE ALTERATIONS ...ask a lot of questions!  Take that dress elsewhere to someplace that knows what they are doing and has had many years experience in either making Wedding Dresses and is an REAL EXPERT because it will be worth every dollar spent!  A good Salon will refer you to a Professional who has experience and works closely with the Salon..and it becomes a "Team effort."  We care how the outcome of your gown will fit you on your wedding day and save you the tears later of "unprofessionally "done alterations that are FREE.

(c)2012,Collezione Fortuna Fashion Boutique, All Rights Reserved

WORDS OF WISDOM..ARE BRIDAL ALTERATIONS REALLY FREE??

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