I was referred to Sandra by a friend who said she did wonderful work. I was a little skeptical at…read morefirst because I had never heard of her before, but her studio was close by so I decided to make an appointment and run the job by her to "feel" her out.
I met her at her immaculate studio in Fort Green and fell in love with her immediately. She was super sweet, very supportive, but most importantly, very very calm. It was my first time being a bridesmaid in a VERY important wedding (I'm talking million dollar Great Gatsby type wedding, 1,000 guests being held at a private museum in California). I was going to be surrounded by a bunch of people from high school that I hadn't seen in ages, so in a way it was like the high school reunion I never wanted. It was important that I made a good impression. But, not surprisingly, the bridesmaids dress was hideous and fit me awkwardly. I looked like a seal dressed in a pear costume. I needed this fixed, pronto. The problem was I had to alter the dress without it looking like it had been altered. The bride(zilla) had specifically said that she didn't want anyone to change or alter the dress.
When I told Sandra this, she was very understanding and dealt with my neurosis very well. What I liked her her also, was that she was very confident. She told me exactly what needed to be done to make the dress fit my body type and complement my curves and height. She assured me she would be stealthy about the alterations and clean everything up seamlessly so no one would ever know I had changed it.
Less than two weeks later I went to go pick up the dress. I slipped the dress on almost in slow motion because I was apprehensive about how the dress would look. The wedding was a week away, so if it didnt work out, I wouldnt have much time to fix it. But ALAS, the dress FIT LIKE A GLOVE and I stood there staring at myself in the mirror, amazed that it was the same dress! I couldn't believe it! Somehow she made it so the dress actually looked flattering! I kept asking her over and over how she did it, and she said she changed the waist line, took in some of the weird puffiness out on the sides etc etc. I was totally flabbergasted and so, so grateful. Now I could go to this wedding confident, not having to feel self conscious in a dress that made me look ridiculous.
I just came back from the wedding this weekend. It was a beautiful but ridiculous affair (people spraying 200$ bottles of champaign all over the dance floor, fighter jets flying over the ceremony, opera singers, lots of taxidermy). As I hoped, no one expected a thing. I even got compliments on how cute the dress looked on me, which we all know is rare for a bridesmaid dress.
So, point is, go to Sandra with you most delicate, prized wedding designs and dresses. This girl is professional and patient. I loved working with her. If I ever decide to get married, I'm going back to her.