When you get your dress altered you are not just ‘mending’ the dress; you are changing it to conform with your size and personality. Budgeting becomes a useful tool when you want to make changes as it is easier and even fun if you know the price. Whether you’re preparing for a specific occasion, revamping an old favorite, or simply helping a new piece feel comfortable on your skin, it is true. This article will be discussing major aspects highlighting factors affecting cost of clothes alteration including the level of difficulty, fabric type, among others, geographical location. So let’s see how much it costs to alter the dress!

Factors Affecting Clothing Alteration Cost

Work complexity

The only thing which influences this is how much it is difficult to undertake alterations. It is easier, more frequent and possibly cheaper when the clothes are made shorter or when they are made tighter. Sometimes, clients require the dress to be ‘let out’; this is the process whereby the dress has to be made bigger. For this kind of alterations, the seamstress can employ several approaches to attach extra material to the outfit. As the complexity of the work rises and the time spent on it increases, the price also rises

Dress type

The price of the dress increases depending on the difficulty level of the design. There are several factors that may not work as planned when one intends to alter a wedding dress. At least, it is comforting to find out that wedding dress shops tend to keep only one or two of each style in a particular size. Such dresses are usually narrow fitted and you will most likely have to take the dress you bought to the tailor for alteration. Wedding dresses are mostly designed in such a way that they can be easily altered than ready-to-wear-gowns.

Taking a dress in is easier than letting it out, and the price is cheaper as well. This is true, sizes that are too big will most probably require to be done all over again because even the cuts will require to be made again starting from the shoulders and neckline right down to the side lines of the bodice and the skirt. But it will all be worth it because you might have to deal with a wardrobe failure if you don’t make the right alteration.

Stitch Type

It can also be observed that the cost varies depending on what kind of stitching has to be employed. Depending on the style of the dress, there are various kinds of stitches that are created. . A blind-stitched change, which can also be referred to as an ‘invisible,’ is cheaper than top-stitch hem change. Those requiring more hand sewing are time-consuming and cost more as compared to those requiring more in the machine. To ensure that the decorations are getting attached in the right manner, the majority of formalwear and bridal gowns with delicate fabric, elaborate lace work and additional small beads used require hand sewing.

Fabric type

The type of dress also determines the thickness of the cloth, which in return determines the kind of machine required for the alteration hence the cost of the dress alteration service. For instance, if a seamstress wants to alter a denim dress by shortening it and doing hemming she will be required to employ a sewing machine and materials that are stout. Leather is not a fabric used for dresses regularly and therefore gets charged 50% more to have your leather dress altered as compared to a fabric dress.

Customers Location

There are so many differences in alteration for different places where you make your living. The cost of services such as dress alterations are usually higher in the larger cities or in the regions that are considered more affluent, as the prices reflect living expenses and the demand for the services. On the other hand, it is possible to come across with an agreement that offers a lower rate in small towns and rural areas. 

Alterations Price List