Can anyone recommend a *really* good seamstress in the West Hills/Woodland Hills/Canoga Park area, or thereabouts? My dd needs to have a floor length ball gown altered. The hem needs to be lifted (sheer charmeuse with a lace trim over satin) and the back, which is lace over satin, needs to be shortened slightly. If the gown weren't so expensive, I'd try to do the work myself but I'm afraid of messing it up. I'd like to get the alterations started now before she leaves for college again mid-August, but she won't need the dress until her Junior cotillion in February (she goes to a private school in VA, and they have some really sweet southern-belle-ish traditions).
I have to add, just for the fun of it, that the dress is basically a white 1920's vintage-style wedding gown (the requirements for the dance are that the girls wear all white, floor length gowns), so shopping for the gown was my first taste of what wedding dress shopping will be like with my dd (although first she needs a fiance!). I never thought the experience would be as fun as it was (despite watching countless hours of "Say Yes to the Dress" with her). Mamas with little girls, it's definitely something to look forward to!
Thanks, Ladies; I'll check out the two seamstresses you recommended. Unfortunately, the store does not do alterations since we bought the dress from a showroom at a sample sale. I have to say, if you're looking for high-end clothing at a very reasonable price and are the right size (between a 2 and a 6!), the sample sales are the way to go. We paid $170 for a couture dress that would retail for about $1000.
I live in West Hills and use Bell Alterations on Ventura Blvd. in Woodland Hills. It's on the south side between Topanga and Shoup. They have been there for years. Maybe a little pricey, but the quality of work is very good. :)
See if the store you bought it from will alter it. Many stores that sell fancy dresses do alterations (some for free, some not).
She's not in your area but not far - she's Reseda/Vanowen. Her name is Angelica and she works out of her house - great work and amazing prices.
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