Cheers & Jeers

What I write on this site is taken from my experiences over the years. It is my views of how things have been for me and my opinions of how things ought to be. Anyone is welcome to agree or disagree with me. I have received letters that don't ask questions and have not been sure what page to post them on, so I have created this page for comments written to either criticize or congratulate me and my site.

added May 2011

added April 2011

Hi Leanna,

I just wanted to say thank you for all of your helpful information and the pictures!  I have been sewing for 40+ years and have done a ton of alterations but was asked to bustle a wedding dress for my nephew’s bride and, having only done a bustle once, was looking on the internet for help.  Your site is the only one that is truly full of good information and I just wanted to thank you for sharing your knowledge!  I appreciate the time it took you to set up the site and write all that information down.  It has been most helpful.

Thank you again, Peg

added January 2011

Hello Leanna,

I just wanted to express my thanks to you for all the helpful information you've provided on your website, especially with regards to shopping and the preparedness and cost tips for alterations. You've answered many of my questions, and even educated me on a few points I had not even considered (such as choosing the bra before the dress)!

Thank you so much for taking the time to share this information to the Internet public. Your special knowledge and advice dedicated to a relaxing and *comfortable* wedding day is most helpful to all of us brides to be!

Best of luck, Michelle

added September 2010

Hello Leanna, I was just browsing your pictures of your basement and then your den that was set up as a dressing room.  I love them all.  As a seamstress, I only wish I could have such a wonderful space like yours.  I just have a small corner in the hallway, and a coat closet.  I dream of having a house with a space I could call my own sewing room.  I’m happy for you that you finally have a work area you are satisfied with.  I was inspired by your pictures and have decided to buy a little cabinet with small drawers like yours for my area.  Thank you for your inspirations, and happy sewing! Ana

added July 2010

Dear Leanna,

Many, many thanks for your detailed response!

You are so kind to take the time to advise clueless young women like myself, who are embarking on the huge task of coordinating a wedding, figuring out formal clothes etc. Your advice is great: professional and re-assuring. I will use your suggestions. I will also use your online website as a benchmark for professionalism.

Many thanks again! -- and I hope you are still dancing. :-)

Anjie.

added February 2010

Hi Leanna,

I am a home based professional dressmaker and when I discovered your website last year it was like Hallelujah!!  It was a god send when I so badly needed it and I thought here is someone who is expressing everything I thought and felt about being in the business and I no longer felt so isolated.  I have been doing my own business for 3 and a half years since I yet again lost a job due to cheap imports from China.  Whilst it has been harder than I thought I persevered because I knew I was good and I had to keep going.  I am currently looking in have a separate work studio built in my backyard along the line of your current studio which made me start drooling when I first saw it.  I was so envious of your custom built cutting table and I thought I must get one of those!!  

I wanted to say thank you for creating such a great website.

Kind regards, Leisa

added February 2010

added January 2010

I work in the Hollywood area as a seamstress to the stars as well as to everyday people. No matter who I do alterations for, the rules never change on how to do things properly as well as creatively. Thank you so much for the insight on different bustles for dresses. It has helped me tremendously.

Sincerely, Gabrielle

Hi Gabrielle,

It's so cool you have written. I've never been to California. I bet it's cool working there with all the great variety.

Thank you for letting me know my site has been of benefit to you.

added January 2010

Hi,
Thank you so much for your great information on bustles. My daughter selected a white tufted wedding dress with a train for her upcoming Senior Presentation in National Charity League. However, the dress cannot have a train for the event. I am an experienced sewer but had no idea how to approach this task. Your detailed description, pictures and explanation are fantastic and have renewed my confidence that I can accomplish this task. Thank you so much for taking the time to put this information on your website. We really appreciate it.
k

Thank you so much for writing. It's so neat to hear from folks who have found something useful on my site.
Lea

added January 2010

added December 2009

added October 2009

Leanna,  Your website has been more helpful to me than you could ever know.   I have been a seamstress for profit for about 20 years.  You are listed in my “favorites” so when I do get a coffee break, I scan though your different pages.  

Many of your ideas and policies are things I already follow, but it is encouraging to know that Im doing things right.   When you work for yourself, you never know.  If course, I so busy, I must be doing something right.   

I have worked four kids though college doing this, my last is a senior this year!  You would think I would have a PH. D by now ;o)   

Thank you for your encouragement!   Donna from Ohio 

added July 2009

Dear Leanna,

I just read your shopping rules guide and thought I would compliment you on it.  My best friend got married several years ago and as her MOH I learned from her struggles. 

I have to say that after dealing with horrible service dealing with David's Bridal was like a breath of fresh air.  Her and I had both worked retail and understood that we needed to take the salesperson's pitches with a grain of salt. 

That being said we never once felt like we were getting 'the pressure buy pitch'  They were wonderful about making sure we all looked our best and were very honest and knowledgeable about the alteration process-even to the point of bringing out the seamstress to answer our questions.

When it came time to plan my own wedding I went straight to david's.  Again, the consultant I worked with worked with me to make sure the gown was something I wanted that would fit with few alterations.  She even steered me from more expensive gowns because of simpler silhouettes looking better!

You said that repeat customers don't happen in the bridal industry, but recommendations do.  Please let brides know to spread the word if they found someone they love!

A Happy And Beautiful Bride
Liz

added December 2008

Thank you for writing. It's always good to hear that someone has benefited from my site.

added May 2008

I just wanted to write and say that much of the commentary in this article is very good and information brides need to know. I have been in the business of custom making and altering bridal gowns for 31 years....I also own a "bridal salon"......I just wanted to ask you if you make money and pay your bills doing what you do...? 

If so why is it wrong for "bridal salons" to make money as well......?? Also keep in mind that there are many other products one purchases where the sales staff work on comission.....furniture, jewelry, appliances and many more.....are they not supposed to make money either....? We live in a capitalist nation and anyone you purchase anything from (including you) is in business to make money. I (and many other salon owners) would appreciate not being berated for trying to pay our mortgage and feed our families...so unless you work for free please change the attitude of an otherwise very informative article.

Thank you, Victoria

You read a lot of things into my article that are not there. I never said it was "wrong" to sell by commission, nor did I say that bridal stores do not have the right to make a profit. I am merely stating that this is the way the stores are run and brides need to understand that this means they may be subjected to highly persuasive selling tactics that I do believe have no place in any legitimate establishment who should be looking out for the interests of their clients while they earn their profits. I do not think that a charming sales person has the right to ply their talents on any consumer just to make a sale. These people do just about anything to sell what they have to sell instead of helping the bride find what she wants. I have often found myself in the predicament of discovering that an item I bought was not as it was told by the sales person. Getting stuck with a frying pan that does not suit my needs is a repairable problem, but getting stuck with a wedding gown that you are not able to exchange because a sales person was misleading of an unsuspecting bride, is simply wrong. I routinely have brides telling me that "the sales person said this could be altered" only to have to tell them that it can be after $400 worth of work.

No, I will not be changing one word on my site. Making money in business is a good thing. Using deceitful selling practices to do so is NOT. Brides need to know that not all sales persons know what they are saying. Some are simply misinformed or ignorant about the gowns they are selling or the alterations processes possible, but others simply lie in very persuasive ways to get brides to buy a gown so they can make their commission. I have worked in a commission based store and I know it happens. I will not stop warning brides to be mind full of what they are facing. They need to know that the bridal industry's NO RETURN policy is very real and they need to make an informed choice before they plunk down their money.

added March 2008

I am a small store owner and wrote to you several years ago.you were very helpful when bridezilla made me feel like quitting a;; those years ago/ I have helped so many achieve their dream look thanks to your reassurance that I handled her situation correctly. Thank you. We do allot of pregnant bridesmaids and never avoid them because it's a fact of life. We suggest ordering theirs last and as close to the date as possible. Of course adding the extra fabric and the dress must be an a-line otherwise it doesn't work. We add just a triangular gusset and it works well but we order several sizes larger too allowing for mother nature to take it's course hormonally. A wedding is a joyful event please don't discourage the pregnant maid to sit the sideline.as you know everything and anything is possible.You sound the a magician so with you I'm sure a miracle is an everyday occurrence. God bless.
Kathy

No where on my site does it even suggest that I think a pregnant lady has to "sit on the sidelines". I list several options for dealing with this problem. I think it is mean of you to suggest that I am trying to discourage ladies just because one very legitimate option is to give the pregnant lady a different place in the wedding plans than being a maid. There are many wonderful things she can do to be involved with the wedding without being a maid.

I will not be taking this option off my site just because some people think it awful. I have helped many pregnant maids and brides fit into their dresses over the years and I have one large page of advice and suggestion of how to fit dresses when a maid is pregnant. My message to brides is that this situation adds stress and cost to her wedding and she does have the choice to avoid it and still have her loved one in her plans by simply making a different place for her. I am not evil or uncaring or mean for making this suggestion. I just have the guts to do so when no one else will let a bride know that it is OK to look at other options for her wedding plans.

added January 2008

Thank you for such an informative site. As you know, a lot of us learn these techniques only by another seamstress sharing her knowledge. In a small town, competition is strong and some people do not want to share their knowledge. Learning new skills can be a problem. Thank You for such a well developed site with many ideas. It has really helped me to think "outside the box" on bustles, which I before saw only as certain styles. I now see how creative you can be and can give myself permission to do what it takes to fix the problem as long as it makes the dress, LOOK LIKE IT WAS DESIGNED WITH THAT FEATURE and that it wasn't an add on. Thank You, I will continue to revisit your site for new information. Sincerely, April

Thank you for the note April. It's nice to know that someone is learning something from my site.

added January 2008

I just wanted to let you know what an inspiration you are. Please don't stop what you are doing! I am a home sewer and everyone is telling me I should start a business b/c they like my quality. I have been thinking of starting an alterations business to include teaching sewing lessons to teenagers. Your website is loaded with answers to many of my questions and fears.

Regards, -Marie

added December 2007

I am amazed at the range of information you offer, as well as the depth in which you cover each topic! It’s a shame that every bridal salon doesn’t share your perspective and deal as honestly and as realistically as you do. You are providing such terrific information to brides!

Susanne, Vacaville, CA

added December 2007

Hello!
I found your site when googling bustles last night, (searching to see if my technique for a unique gown was in keeping with other seamstress's ideas,) and was pleased to find such a great site! I have a sewing studio in my home, as well, and it is always a pleasure to see how other seamstresses set up their businesses and to discover what their business practices are. I've been doing it for years now, and have most elements down to a regular pattern. But, when I first started it was so difficult to find techniques and prices for the alterations I was less familiar with. It was nice to see that we are on the same page with most of our policies, and now I don't feel so guilty about my prices, because they are in line with your own; generally they are a little cheaper, but my town doesn't support as lucrative of a market as a big city, so it evens out, I think! I need to write up a brochure similar to your explanations of your policies and perspectives on the bridal industry, because I find many women have little comprehension of how time-consuming bridal sewing is (as is all tailoring, for that matter,) and how much skill and eye to detail are required for quality sewing work. I am finally weeding out the clients who want to pay $3 for pant hems, and expect their garments back, overnight, with no extra charge! Then there are the great clients who thank you profusely and tip well and beyond their bill. You never know what people are going to come up with, next!

Good luck with your current projects! I'll definitely bookmark your page for the future. It's a wonderful reference and a pleasure to hear about a fellow colleague's experiences!

Thanks, Larissa

Thank you for your encouraging comments. Doing alterations can be such a isolated and lonely occupation. It really helps to know that there are others out there who face the same questions and situations.

added December 2007

I just happened to look at your web site and was greatly disappointed. I have been altering bridal gowns for over 20 years. I have taken gowns in from a size 16 to a size 4. I have also let them out, maybe having to replace panels, up 6 sizes. I have also worked for 5 bridal salons~ and yes they do want to please a bride and make their day special. No they are not out there to make a buck. I can tell you this because 4 out of the 5 of them went out of business because they couldn't support themselves. There really is no money in the Bridal Gown Industry. I know this because I owned one myself. People who operate one lose money trying to please a bride. I doubt you will let your viewers see this!

I get letters like yours about once a year and I have posted some of them. There are hundreds of letters on the site, so many that I can't even tell you where any certain one is. I doubt you have read everything or you would not have accused me so harshly. You have certainly not seen this page: http://www.leanna.com/HomePro/bride.html#all

I don't believe that it states anywhere on my site that good and decent bridal salons don't exist. I say in one page that I am happy to be associated with one such good salon. I am here to educate brides about all aspects of the bridal industry, even the truth that many salons are not going to have the bride's desires as their first priority. Just as you clearly say, businesses have to make money to survive. A Bridal salon can't do just any alteration. Making gowns that are more than 2 sizes too big or small is a tedious and time consuming operation that brides do not comprehend the extreme difficulty. They do not understand that the choices they make will cost them a lot of money they weren't counting on. All consumers need to be responsible for their shopping choices, including brides. I am here to inform them of things that can be done and why they should avoid doing other things. I try to teach both sides of each issue I am asked about for I have been on both sides.

I am happy that you had the good fortune to work in a salon that did care and you are obviously very skilled in your craft to know how to do such difficult operations. You must know that these types of alterations usually come with a big price tag both monetarily and in the changes that often need to be made to design. Quite often, brides don't want these. They want the impossible. The exact same dress only 10 sizes bigger. I am here to enlighten them that these situation are not as simple as they are thinking.

Normally, after I have answered a letter, it is put into a folder on my computer until I have time to do postings on the site. I do my best to answer letters in a few days, but once written, it could sit in the posting folder for months for it's just not as important for me to get it up as it is to get that one bride her answer. I do have live customers who are my first priority. When there is a lull in sewing work, I work on my site. But, for you, I will be posting this as soon as I send it off to you because I think you need proof that I am doing what I can to be honest and state my views as my experience has taught me. You and anyone else reading this may have a differing point and can tell me so. I have stated that all my postings are my opinion and can be take or not at the reader's discretion.

Look for your letter at: http://www.leanna.com/Bridal/BridalQA/SalonIssues.htm