Custom Sewing by Heather

w. You mentioned that you had sent a text with pictures, however, and with apology, I need to let you know that I did not see your text (and photos) until after reading your review and searching for your text as a result. I will not attempt to make excuses for that other than during this, our busiest time of the year, I am not always able to keep up with all communications as timely as I would like, and yours was inadvertently overlooked. Based on how you currently feel about me, you may find that hard to believe, nevertheless, it is the truth. I only wish you would have made another attempt to reach out either through text again or through an email or a phone call, before writing your review so we could discuss your frustration. Based on what you have said in your review concerning the things had nothing to do with the quality of my work, I feel I need to address 3 issues you brought up: 1) The way I treat my brides, 2) My pricing, 3) Social Media Follow Coercion. First of all, I am really sorry your daughter felt the way she did and that you obviously agree with that. Never once during our appointments did I get a sense that either of you were uncomfortable or dissatisfied with me as person or in the way you were being treated. It troubles me to think I could cause this kind of pain or stress for any of my brides, as my intent is to always make the alteration experience the most “stress-free” part of the wedding process. This is honestly the first time anyone has ever expressed to me that they felt treated this way of me being “condescending” and “intimidating.” In fact, I have several thousand reviews through various review sites that would express the opposite. With that said, the experience was obviously very real for your daughter and again, I am very sorry I made her, and you, feel that way and will take this to heart in the future. Regarding my pricing, you compared it to another bridal salon that said they could have done your daughter’s alterations for significantly less. I understand there are other alterations businesses out there that might offer more competitive pricing. Every businesses has the right to set their own prices based on the market, their experience and reputation. I am never cryptic about my pricing and am always upfront from the beginning, as I do not want the cost of alterations to be a surprise. I gave you and your daughter a price quote after your first appointment, so you were fully informed going into the alterations process and made the choice to go with my services. You said I “make demands” for brides to like and follow our Facebook and Instagrams pages, as though we could “demand” any bride to do anything. We do however, invite and encourage our brides to “like and follow,” giving them an opportunity to observe what other brides are doing or may have done should they need inspiration during their own alterations process. Lastly, I want to address your photos. Some of the things that you are pointing out are a little difficult to see in the photos, however, for the ones that can be seen, I can only say that had I seen any of those prior to the dress going out the door, I would have either corrected them or pointed it out to you and your daughter. My workspaces are clean and designed to protect this from happening to any of my brides dresses, as is my streaming person’s, who is also a wedding dress seamstress of many years. You mentioned dirt marks from my design floor. I’m not sure how that could happen since I do not allow pre-worn shoes of any kind in there and also sweep the floor regularly. With that said, I’m sure there is always the possibility of the things you mentioned happening either here or at your venue while getting ready. Like I said, had I noticed here, I would have taken care or it, but there is that possibility that I did not notice. I want to say once again, that I am sorry for the way you and your daughter felt during the process. I was shocked after reading the review and what it had to say about me personally and then realizing it was from you. I felt when you left my studio for the last time that you were very happy with the me and experience. Your daughter looked beautiful in her dress and I can only hope she felt beautiful in the way it looked, fit and felt on her special day. Heather