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From: sewcool72
Date: 04-14-2003, 07:41 PM (1 of 12)
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With prom season upon us I am getting more beaded gowns to alter than in past years. I'm not sure how to charge for the beadwork. When altering formal wear we have set prices w/o beads. When I take the sides in on a beaded gown, I secure all beads (one by one) and remove what is needed. After altering I replace the beads. I'm just not sure how much extra to charge. I got a dress in today to shorten and a lot of beads will have to be removed (and secured). Right now I have about 9 prom dresses with beading. And they are coming in fast. Anybody have a suggestion on how to charge? Rhonda
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User: sewcool72
Member since: 09-24-2002 Total posts: 19 
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From: MaryW
Date: 04-15-2003, 11:22 AM (2 of 12)
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Wow Rhonda, you certainly have patience for that sort of work. It sounds tedious to me. This is specialized, custom work and your hourly rate should be increased for this type of job. Maybe Linda is around and can help out. Maybe this can help you with a figure. http://www.sew-whats-new.com/clason/specialtysewing-2.shtml MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: Linda in Colorado
Date: 04-15-2003, 12:51 PM (3 of 12)
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Yup, I'm around! If it were me (and it has been from time to time), I would add an extra charge for that beading. Taking off the extra beads and securing the next in line can be time consuming, and frustrating, especially if you are working with tiny beads -- and that's usually the type you will be dealing with. So -- if you usually charge, say, $10.00 to take in side seams, then add $5.00 to $10.00 more for dealing with the beads. Your exact charges will be determined by the length of the seam you will be taking in, the number of beads you have on the dress and the size of those beads. Or in other words, how much time it will take you to deal with the beads. Remember to tack on an additional minimal charge for dealing with the lining. That would almost be like doing a second dress -- minus the beads of course. Please let us know what you decide. |
User: Linda in Colorado
Member since: 03-27-2000 Total posts: 102 |
From: MissVickie
Date: 04-16-2003, 04:17 PM (4 of 12)
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Hi Rhonda, Pricing is such a tough issue. There are some variables you have to figure out before you can put a decent formula together. Only you know your level of skill and what you are worth. I often find myself slipping into "oh.... well, I couldn't charge THAT much" Don't devalue your work when determining pricing. Only you will pay ( ask me how....) anyway, I know you're probably pretty busy right now but you might want to do a sample piece. Do a time trial to figure how long it takes to do a 4"x4" or 6"x6"section. Use your hourly rate, if you already have one in place, and get a price per Sq. In. Oh, and don't forget the PITA surcharge.......you have to factor a bit of that in for when you get a doosy....you know what I'm talking about? Good luck with things and so great that you're busy! Vickie |
User: MissVickie
Member since: 03-29-2003 Total posts: 3 |
From: Carol in ME
Date: 04-17-2003, 01:52 PM (5 of 12)
| The very first time I altered a beaded dress, I did just what you anticipate: unbeading, securing the remaining thread, seaming, and rebeading. You will have to decide what's best for you, but there are alternatives. You can hand-sew the seam with sturdy thread, and leave all the beading in place. I personally have v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y machine stitched an alteration right over the beaded portion. I have never tried this, but I have read that the extra beads in the seam allowance can be gently crushed with pliers. This gets rid of the bulk of the beads on the inside of the dress, but leaves the thread intact so it doesn't start to come undone. There was an article in Threads magazine on this topic some years ago. Maybe your library has the issue. Best of luck! |
User: Carol in ME
Member since: 01-27-2003 Total posts: 105 |
From: kaykay
Date: 04-17-2003, 10:08 PM (6 of 12)
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What a great tip about crushing beads, I have two wedding gowns to alter. One is Verry "Beady" in the bodice, I was dreading working on the princess seams. It sure sounds worth a try. BTW, this customer Strongly implied she would like me to be in the dressing room with her(not mamma??) I have done work for her before, redesigning another dress, and I feel I should charge for this "special attention". Have any suggestions? She is a good reference, etc. But is not that close an acquaintance(sp) that I should do it gratis. My usual hourly charge? say $20.00 and all the cake and punch I can hold???  Kerry Originality is undetected imitation
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User: kaykay
Member since: 02-12-2002 Total posts: 33 
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From: sewcool72
Date: 04-17-2003, 11:28 PM (7 of 12)
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Thank all of you so much!!! Since posting I have altered 3 beaded gowns. The one that was the worst was beaded with a design from the top to the hem. I had to take in the side seams and shorten the dress. I removed and secured the beads down the seam and was able to use a teeny-tiny zipper foot (Ihave industrial machines) and take it up right to the beading without having to add beads when I was finished. I also like the idea about crushing the beads inside the seam. The dress had 3 layers and 2 layers of netting. UGH!!! I had to add a few beads back to the bottom. Here is how I charged. I charged the usual $35.00 for taking in the sides of a formal dress plus $15.00 for dealing with the beads. For the hem I charged $45.00 plus $15.00 for the beading. She was very pleased and even at that price I was under what the bridal shops charged. She felt like she got a deal and I was satisfied, too. My price list has been intact for several years but I knew that if I was going to do the beads I was going to have to charge but I didn't know how. Up until this year I had managed to avoid beads but everything has them now. I have 2 mother of the bride dresses with jackets that have beading on the sleeves. Guess what needs done?! Right, shorten the sleeves. Since they are so time cosuming I am keeping the other girls on the regular work and I am only doing the proms and weddings right now. We consistently run 2 weeks on our regular work so I don't want to tie everyone up on prom. I am glad we are busy and I am not complaining but this Saturday is the first prom and I have 3 more weekends of them. (And the dresses keep coming) I'm tired already. Anyway sorry so windy!!! What do you think of what I decided??? Thank you all so much!!! Your help is worth all the beads in China?!?!
Rhonda
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User: sewcool72
Member since: 09-24-2002 Total posts: 19
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From: MaryW
Date: 04-18-2003, 06:13 AM (8 of 12)
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You are very good to your customers. I think your rates are quite conservative. What do you other gals think?
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: MissMinx
Date: 04-19-2003, 11:03 AM (9 of 12)
| How about the ‘Creativity” and that ‘Special Attention’ charge? You ladies sound so competent, why not charge for it? I understand you have to keep your costs below the big shops, but they can not provide the exquisitely detailed work that you do or may be not in that time span. Do not be afraid to charge, as I am sure your clients would love to pay ‘whatever’ for getting just what they want! I know I would. |
User: MissMinx
Member since: 02-14-2003 Total posts: 140 |
From: billie
Date: 05-20-2003, 11:02 PM (10 of 12)
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Hi all, well, I just got back from a tailor here in town to alter my daughter's prom dress. I'm sure I could do it myself, but with so much going on right now and working extra hours I didn't trust myself doing it. Plus the prom is this Friday! Anyway, it's a two-layer hem and the straps need to be shortened. He's only charging me $22.00! I said "Is that all?", I mean I was willing to pay more for such a short notice, but he said no because you might come back. This is after I told him that I've sewed for years, and I took an alterations class, plus I was asking him all kinds of other questions and I would love to come in a spend a day with him and be better at my altering/sewing skills (I've been out of it so long). He said that you can make up to $80,000 a year in this business. I'm a little skeptical, of course he came from the Los Angeles area where that is possible. I would like to make enough money to quit my part-time job (as much as I love it, it's wearing me out!). Anyway, back to prom dresses, he said he just did a dress and had to charge $300.00 because of the beadwork. Yikes! I didn't get the details, but I'll be back on Thursday to pick up my daughter's dress .... I'll bend his ear some more. I know, I don't post much, but I'm re-inspired, so I'm back to lurking. Billie 
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User: billie
Member since: 09-29-2002 Total posts: 4 |
From: MaryW
Date: 05-21-2003, 06:55 AM (11 of 12)
Hi Billie, and welcome to Sew whats New.  Don't lurk, it's more fun when you come out to play with the rest of us. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: billie
Date: 05-23-2003, 11:07 PM (12 of 12)
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Originally posted by MaryW Hi Billie, and welcome to Sew whats New. Don't lurk, it's more fun when you come out to play with the rest of us. I know, actually I haven't been here for quite awhile .... now all the sudden I have this renewed interest to start sewing again. My sewing room is getting dusty and although it would be nice to start a business of some kind, I'm just so wrapped up in many other things that I haven't had the time to think about it. My daughter will be off to college in the fall and I think things around here will change dramatically. At work the children have been bugging me to sew again. I was doing alot of projects with them last year, but because it was alot of prep work I stopped for awhile. Well, I have projects planned for them next month, but very simple stuff. Have a great weekend, everyone! Billie |
User: billie
Member since: 09-29-2002 Total posts: 4 |
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