Friday, June 24, 2011
Chocolate Cupcake
Monday, May 09, 2011
Is My Dress Done Yet?
That has to be the most common question I hear at this time of year. If I answer that once a day I answer it 50 times. I try really hard not to get irritated or short with my customers when I am hearing this question for the umpteenth time in a 20 minute period, but I am not always successful. In an attempt to alleviate some of my own frustration and some of your frustration as a customer I am going to attempt to explain more plainly how this whole process works.
In the realm of bridal and formal wear there are very distinct seasons and trends within those seasons. Here in Wisconsin it has been my experience that April through October make up the popular "bridal season". The other big formal wear event that impacts my schedule is prom. Depending on the year proms start some time in mid April and run through mid May.
Many of you call months ahead of time to find out when you should bring your dress in for your first fitting. Thank you!! If your event is any time from March to June I will tell you to bring your dress in as early as possible because no matter what the trend of a particular year those months are always, always crazy busy because of the double whammy of weddings and proms.
Now this is where many of you tend to get confused or misunderstand the process. Just because you bring your dress in 3 months before the event, this DOES NOT mean that your dress is going to be done in two weeks. All this does is guarantee your place in line. But understand this, the line is not single file nor is it first come first serve. If you bring your dress in in March for a June wedding I am still going to have to finish dresses for March, April, and May weddings ahead of you because their event is first. How quickly your dress gets worked on is at the mercy of how many other weddings are ahead of you on the calendar. The majority of dresses are completed 1-2 weeks before the wedding. If your event happens to be during an incredibly busy weekend you can plan on getting your dress the week of the event.
Please also remember that there can be many, many events on the same weekend making my crazy schedule juggling even crazier. This past prom season was a perfect example. You may not realize this but I work on prom dresses that come from 8-12 different area schools. Normally the proms at the different schools are spread out over several weekends. This year, because Easter was so late, there were 5 local proms all scheduled for the same weekend. That spells H-E-L-L. Luckily I didn't have any wedding parties scheduled for that weekend as well.
Similar situations happen with popular wedding weekends and I have no way whatsoever to predict which weekends are going to have multiple weddings. For a normal summer weekend I am usually working on 2-3 different wedding parties. A busy weekend could mean 6-7 wedding parties or parts of parties.
So to get back to the main point - no your dress isn't done yet. No, I haven't even started it yet. In fact, there is a pretty good chance that I have no idea who you are when I'm talking to you on the phone because I don't really remember the names as much as I do the color/style of the dress. So please don't be offended if I ask you to remind me of those details so I can figure out who you are. And I promise I will try not to be short with you when I tell you your dress isn't done yet:-)
*Disclaimer* I have to plead with you my state of being human. In all seriousness, if it is the week of your event and you haven't heard from me please, please call and double check with me. As much as I try to keep everything in it's proper event order, every now and then something gets hung in the wrong place or I just plain old miss it.
In the realm of bridal and formal wear there are very distinct seasons and trends within those seasons. Here in Wisconsin it has been my experience that April through October make up the popular "bridal season". The other big formal wear event that impacts my schedule is prom. Depending on the year proms start some time in mid April and run through mid May.
Many of you call months ahead of time to find out when you should bring your dress in for your first fitting. Thank you!! If your event is any time from March to June I will tell you to bring your dress in as early as possible because no matter what the trend of a particular year those months are always, always crazy busy because of the double whammy of weddings and proms.
Now this is where many of you tend to get confused or misunderstand the process. Just because you bring your dress in 3 months before the event, this DOES NOT mean that your dress is going to be done in two weeks. All this does is guarantee your place in line. But understand this, the line is not single file nor is it first come first serve. If you bring your dress in in March for a June wedding I am still going to have to finish dresses for March, April, and May weddings ahead of you because their event is first. How quickly your dress gets worked on is at the mercy of how many other weddings are ahead of you on the calendar. The majority of dresses are completed 1-2 weeks before the wedding. If your event happens to be during an incredibly busy weekend you can plan on getting your dress the week of the event.
Please also remember that there can be many, many events on the same weekend making my crazy schedule juggling even crazier. This past prom season was a perfect example. You may not realize this but I work on prom dresses that come from 8-12 different area schools. Normally the proms at the different schools are spread out over several weekends. This year, because Easter was so late, there were 5 local proms all scheduled for the same weekend. That spells H-E-L-L. Luckily I didn't have any wedding parties scheduled for that weekend as well.
Similar situations happen with popular wedding weekends and I have no way whatsoever to predict which weekends are going to have multiple weddings. For a normal summer weekend I am usually working on 2-3 different wedding parties. A busy weekend could mean 6-7 wedding parties or parts of parties.
So to get back to the main point - no your dress isn't done yet. No, I haven't even started it yet. In fact, there is a pretty good chance that I have no idea who you are when I'm talking to you on the phone because I don't really remember the names as much as I do the color/style of the dress. So please don't be offended if I ask you to remind me of those details so I can figure out who you are. And I promise I will try not to be short with you when I tell you your dress isn't done yet:-)
*Disclaimer* I have to plead with you my state of being human. In all seriousness, if it is the week of your event and you haven't heard from me please, please call and double check with me. As much as I try to keep everything in it's proper event order, every now and then something gets hung in the wrong place or I just plain old miss it.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Real or Fake
The one on the left is the adult version and the one on the right is the Jr. bridesmaid version. Trying to put a young girl into an adult dress just doesn't work. Many times designers do not offer the same style dresses for the younger girls. That is where I come in. Most dress shops will allow you to order the same fabric that the bridesmaid dresses are made from, which is what was done in this case.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Latest Custom Project
I can't take credit for the embroidery on the train - a family member of the bride did the beautiful embroidery by hand.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
2011 Prom & Wedding Season
Well the 2011 Prom and Wedding season is upon us. The shop is already filling up! Prom is going to be very busy this year simply because so many proms are on the same weekend. Make sure you get in early before I am booked up. This may be the first year I have to turn work away. There is a limit to how much work one person can do:-)
Weddings are looking busy for the end of May and June which is typical. I have several custom dresses in process. I am hoping to post pictures as I complete them.
Just as a heads up I will be taking several weeks off though out the summer this year. Last year I didn't take any time off and paid the price with my health. We will also be continuing to work on some remodeling projects in the shop so we may be closed for a few days here and there to complete some of those projects.
So that's the news for now from the Purple Pincushion!
Weddings are looking busy for the end of May and June which is typical. I have several custom dresses in process. I am hoping to post pictures as I complete them.
Just as a heads up I will be taking several weeks off though out the summer this year. Last year I didn't take any time off and paid the price with my health. We will also be continuing to work on some remodeling projects in the shop so we may be closed for a few days here and there to complete some of those projects.
So that's the news for now from the Purple Pincushion!
Sunday, September 05, 2010
Welcome
Welcome to the online home of the Purple Pincushion! Whether you are a new or returning customer I hope I can fill all of your sewing and alteration needs. I specialize in bridal alterations, maternity bridal alterations, and “crisis” alterations.
I recommend that appointments for fittings be made at least one month before the date you need to wear your dress. Please call ahead of time to make an appointment for all fittings. The shop is getting busier and busier so appointments are necessary in order for me to remain efficient.
Every dress is worked on by me personally, and by me alone – one stitch at a time:-) I am looking forward to working with you!
I actually started this blog more than 4 years ago, but wouldn't you know it, I got busy and forgot about it:-) So I am going to give it another try.
Jennifer
I recommend that appointments for fittings be made at least one month before the date you need to wear your dress. Please call ahead of time to make an appointment for all fittings. The shop is getting busier and busier so appointments are necessary in order for me to remain efficient.
Every dress is worked on by me personally, and by me alone – one stitch at a time:-) I am looking forward to working with you!
I actually started this blog more than 4 years ago, but wouldn't you know it, I got busy and forgot about it:-) So I am going to give it another try.
Jennifer
Monday, August 28, 2006
Season Peak
I knew early on that September was going to be my busiest month - and boy is it ever going to be crazy. September 23rd seems to be the hot weekend. The 30th is pretty busy too. August turned out to be a pretty busy month even with taking some time off to go visit family. If I can just stay this busy through the end of the year I think I will finish the year out on a pretty good note. February and July were extremely slow, but that seems to be a pretty consistent pattern over the four years I have been in business.
I have seen quite a variety of colors and styles coming through the door for bridesmaids, so that has been interesting. Of course there are lots of reds for fall. Some oranges and browns too. Still mostly strapless or spaghetti strap dresses. Earlier in the summer there were quite a few tea length dresses. I am seeing more color in the wedding gowns which is kind of cool.
Not much else going on. I will have to try and get some pictures up one of these days.
I have seen quite a variety of colors and styles coming through the door for bridesmaids, so that has been interesting. Of course there are lots of reds for fall. Some oranges and browns too. Still mostly strapless or spaghetti strap dresses. Earlier in the summer there were quite a few tea length dresses. I am seeing more color in the wedding gowns which is kind of cool.
Not much else going on. I will have to try and get some pictures up one of these days.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Mid Summer Reprieve
Well, I'm doing better than I thought, it's only July and I have time to make a post!
I can't believe that I started this in February - it seems like yesterday. Anyway- I survived prom and the early wedding rush. I have been enjoying somewhat of a lull the past week or so. I think a lot of people must be on vacation because the whole town is empty. I have been getting lots of phone calls wondering whether I can still get people in for alterations for September and October weddings, so I know this lull won't last.
This is my 4th summer running my business. I finally feel like I am starting to get things under control (don't hold me to that). I am basically a one person shop as far a bridal sewing and alterations go. I rent out space to a friend of mine (my former apprentice) who does most of the non bridal work like pants hems and zippers.
I managed to alter nearly 40 prom dresses in about two and a half weeks time plus stay on top of all of the wedding alterations. I also costumed a theater production in the middle of all that - put that on the list of things to never do again!!
I get hooked by the adrenaline rush of working under extreme pressure. Like costuming a theater production in the middle of prom season. Or sewing 9 quinceneara dresses in two weeks - don't ask - language barrier. I will be looking into taking some Spanish courses before I take on another project like that!!
The problem is that after all the craziness of a big project I don't have all the pressure and time constraints to keep me going on the not so pressing projects. That is basically a long winded way of saying I'm a big time procrastinator. So I put things off until the last minute, thereby creating urgency and adrenaline. I think I would have loved working in an emergency room.
Amazingly I have made considerable progress in stabilizing my adrenaline addiction since I first opened the shop. It has been at least a year since I have had to pull an all nighter to get a project finished on time. I hardly know what to do with myself when my time is managed efficiently:-) Take Spanish classes I guess LOL!
I can't believe that I started this in February - it seems like yesterday. Anyway- I survived prom and the early wedding rush. I have been enjoying somewhat of a lull the past week or so. I think a lot of people must be on vacation because the whole town is empty. I have been getting lots of phone calls wondering whether I can still get people in for alterations for September and October weddings, so I know this lull won't last.
This is my 4th summer running my business. I finally feel like I am starting to get things under control (don't hold me to that). I am basically a one person shop as far a bridal sewing and alterations go. I rent out space to a friend of mine (my former apprentice) who does most of the non bridal work like pants hems and zippers.
I managed to alter nearly 40 prom dresses in about two and a half weeks time plus stay on top of all of the wedding alterations. I also costumed a theater production in the middle of all that - put that on the list of things to never do again!!
I get hooked by the adrenaline rush of working under extreme pressure. Like costuming a theater production in the middle of prom season. Or sewing 9 quinceneara dresses in two weeks - don't ask - language barrier. I will be looking into taking some Spanish courses before I take on another project like that!!
The problem is that after all the craziness of a big project I don't have all the pressure and time constraints to keep me going on the not so pressing projects. That is basically a long winded way of saying I'm a big time procrastinator. So I put things off until the last minute, thereby creating urgency and adrenaline. I think I would have loved working in an emergency room.
Amazingly I have made considerable progress in stabilizing my adrenaline addiction since I first opened the shop. It has been at least a year since I have had to pull an all nighter to get a project finished on time. I hardly know what to do with myself when my time is managed efficiently:-) Take Spanish classes I guess LOL!
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Wedding Season 2005
So far I have 10 confirmed bridesmaid dresses to make from scratch. Two different wedding parties, both weddings in September. I had one wedding gown re-creation from an original 1920's wedding gown, but the bride backed out and opted for a more simple wedding with no formal gown - bonus was she gave me the original 20's gown.
Alterations have already started coming in for March and April weddings. I have been getting phone calls about Prom already too, which is a good sign that maybe the high school kids are starting to think ahead a little bit.
This is concieveibly the only posting I'll have time to make until next winter. I would really like to get some picture of my work posted, but we will have to see if I get my photo editing software installed so I can at least post the pictures upright instead of sideways or upside down.
Alterations have already started coming in for March and April weddings. I have been getting phone calls about Prom already too, which is a good sign that maybe the high school kids are starting to think ahead a little bit.
This is concieveibly the only posting I'll have time to make until next winter. I would really like to get some picture of my work posted, but we will have to see if I get my photo editing software installed so I can at least post the pictures upright instead of sideways or upside down.
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