I had moved to CA recently to get marry and so I needed to find a local seamstress. I'd looked around and figured to support a local (& Asian) shop. I read all the reviews I could and decided to set up a consult with Ling. Normally brides book alterations 2-4 months in advance due to the busy season and to ensure a date. Ling suggested that it'd be best to book alterations at least 6 weeks out from the wedding date. This is because I will be closest to my size for the wedding day. It made sense to me and I was okay with it.
Once I arrived to my appointment, I was dissatisfied and disappointed in what she was only able to do. My wedding dress material is crepe, with some boning on the inside- as a built in corset to keep the shape of the dress around my waist to the hips and also along the bust. She'd suggested to only adjusting the straps on the shoulders, add a bustle, and hem the length (for $350)! My dress also had straps that falls off to the side of my shoulders that need to be fitted more. She wasn't going to adjust those and said it's supposed to look like that! I had 1 inch gap between my arm and the straps off my shoulders. And the straps don't drape like what you think. It hugs onto your arms. I'd told her no, it's supposed to be slightly fitted as stated and shown to me at the bridal shop that I got my dress form. Plus there's an elastic band so it'll still be stretchy once adjusted. She then agreed to adjust those.
I also wanted the extra material off the hips to be more fitted and she said no it looked fine and didn't need it done. I also needed the bust more stitched in because I have a smaller bust. The material on top of the bust kept sticking out. It didn't lie flushed along my chest. She said I can use double sided tape to tape down the material. I'd also requested for bra cups to be sew in my dress. I already had the cups that came with the dress but I wanted something with more support. She said it was fine and I can use just the stick-on bra cups that can be found on Amazon.
I had also ordered a rhinestone belt off Etsy that was 2 inches too long. It had a hook clasp. The seller stated it can be adjusted. Ling looked at it and said no it can't because the hook was superglued and machine sew, not hand sew. She told me to buy the belts with the ribbon instead because it would be easier and I wouldn't have to worry about adjusting the belt. By this point I felt defeated.
I couldn't also forget- that there was a huge black cockroach in the fitting room when I went back in to change. I killed it, of course. But after that I told Ling, she should probably get her place checked out. She stated that it came from outside, she's never had any issues. Some brides in the past have brought bugs/roaches in to the store because who know how long their dress was at the bridal shop before they got it. She pretty much implied that I brought in the cockroach! I told her, I've had my dress since Dec. and had taken it out multiple times at home to try it - with no issues of any bugs. Ling then said that the bugs stick to the bottom inside of the dress bag so I wouldn't see. How would I not see a huge cockroach in my bag or on my dress?! In my head, I didn't want to argue and was polite to apologize anyways and just let it go.
Let's just say, I would of preferred to book in advance somewhere else! If I had known I would of booked back home and take the extra trip to fly back to get my dress altered correctly. I was so stressed and had to scramble to find another seamstress. Luckily I was able to find one that same day and had the consult. She knew exactly and saw what I wanted and needed done. The seamstress I went with was also willing to fix my belt. She said it is easy to fix! I saved $100 also (vs. what Ling quoted me).
I'm sure other brides have had good experience at Ling's with their wedding dress but I did not. read more