Mrs. Toucan, Boston
Age and Occupation: 25, Full-time Research Assistant, Part-time Graduate Student
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Actuary
Engagement Date: February 18, 2007
Wedding Date: June 7, 2008
Blogging Since: November 07, 2007
Venue: St. Catherine of Genoa, Jin Asian Cuisine Restaurant
About Me: I’m a Gemini to the extreme. On one side, I’m a girly girl. I read countless bridal and fashion magazines, and have an obsession with keeping up with the latest Hollywood gossip. On the other side, I’m a sports fanatic. Despite being a full-time bride-to be, full-time research assistant, and part-time student, I’m also a full-time Red Sox fan from spring training to October, and a full-time Patriots fan from mini-camp to February. I devote almost as much time researching my for fantasy football team as researching for our wedding!
The Awkwardness of Alterations
April 18th, 2008 @ 5:05 pm by Mrs. Toucan
Yesterday, I went to pick up my dress and went straight over to my first fitting! Even though I knew I’d need a lot of alterations on my dress, and a lot of poking and prodding would be involved, I don’t think I was prepared for how awkward the process could be. So, naturally, I’ve decided to share with you my extreme awkwardness in the form of photos, in hopes that may be less traumatized* by the experience than I was.
This means that you, Mr. Toucan, cannot read the rest of this post. Sorry, love, peace out! 
The people at VOWS Bridal Outlet recommend the seamstress across the street, Anahit, for all their alterations. So, I walked across the street, walked in the door, and saw walls of mirrors. I realized then that walls of mirrors are kinda terrifying. We (FSIL Toucan came with me ) were greeted by Anahit, who FSIL and I agreed reminded us of a stern yet lovable grandmother (but obviously not old enough to be a grandmother).
We were told to take our shoes off at the door, and Anahit led me to the dressing room and I changed into my dress. She told me to leave the zipper open, which led me to feel quite naked…
See nakie AWK-WARD! (I can’t believe I’m posting
this embarrassing picture, by the way)
Immediately, Anahit started pinning away…
After Anahit pinned up the whole back, I started to feel a lot less naked and a lot more comfortable. That lasted about 2 seconds, and then in went the bra cups (eep!). I told her I wanted to take down some of the sweetheart neckline so that it was a less severe heart shape. And the cutting began…
eeek! Scissors to the chest!
After I survived the scissors to my chest, the next part to deal with was the length of the dress. She first had to pin up the petticoat (is that the term for the fluffy part?), which led me to lifting up the skirt part over my head:
Okay, obviously not over my head…
After I could put the skirt down, the rest of the alterations process wasn’t so bad. Before we dealt with the hemming, we worked on the bustle which will kinda look like this:
Oooh! I can tell I’m gonna like this when it’s done!
(It will look a little flatter and less poofy after the back zipper alteration is made)
After the bustle was “made,” I was told that it was imperative that I stand VERY VERY STILL, and DID NOT MOVE. Wow, talk about pressure, no? While I was absolutely not moving a single muscle, Anahit was doing this:
Gah! Cutting the dress!
The thought of cutting the dress still makes me feel uneasy. I realize that at 5’4″ plus the 3.5″ heels I’m wearing, I’m not tall enough to wear the dress as is - but all the cutting made me nervous - never mind the fact that if I moved a single hair I’d risk permanent damage to the dress (ok, tad dramatic). The good news for being a shorty is that I got to keep the extra fabric for my bouquet wrap (or whatever really), and I’d know that it would match my dress exactly!
After a few more snips here and there, I made it through my first dress fitting mostly unscathed. I really wish I was a little more mentally prepared for the uncomfortable nudie and a stranger-is-touching-my-boob moments… but, I’m really excited to see all the changes in a couple of weeks!
*It wasn’t really traumatic, I’m just being overly dramatic. I was, however, at least mildly uncomfortable.
**I probably should also mention that Anahit is a sweetheart, and it wasn’t her that made me uncomfortable. I ‘m pretty sure with all the alterations that needed to be done, I would have felt uncomfortable with anyone doing my alterations.
14 Responses to “The Awkwardness of Alterations”
When I went to the seamstress for my alterations, I was a bit uncomfortable too. I had on bikini undies, which she told me not to wear on my wedding day because of the lines (even though I really didn’t need her to). Plus there was a lot of “manhandling” of the breasts to get the neckline right. I got over it of course, but it was a wee bit uncomfortable at first.
Wow. I guess I knew that alterations would involve some cutting of the dress, but I never really considered the idea of picking it up one minute, and the next have someone hacking away at it while I’m still in the room!!!!
(I know she wasn’t really ‘hacking’ it, but still … Scary Mary! :o)
Wow, cutting onsite! That IS scary! My tailor pinned and prodded, but never cut with me there. I had the whole train cut off of my dress, and was hemming and hawing till the final decision, so being IN it while she cut it would have been rather traumatic! Once I finally said “let’s cut the train” all i wanted to do was have her whisk the dress away so I wouldn’t see it again until it was train-less.
When you get to your 2nd dress fitting (when the bodice is the right size, especially), it feels great - it’s nice when the dress actually looks like it should look on you!
I had my first fitting today!! Not as much manhandling as you experienced, but definitely had to leave shyness at the door. So exciting, it’s getting close!
I had only one fitting for my dress. (Is that weird?) Anyways, it was custom and just needed a little tucking here and there, but the (male) tailor stuck his hand up the back of dress to “tug” on the lining at my waistline. That was uncomfortable to say the least.
After that, he proceeded to slice open the side seam with a razor…while it was on me….to “fix” the pleats. EEEK! My mom says that she wishes that she had a camera to take a picture of my face.
Anyways, I got it back yesterday, and it is PERFECT! I’m very glad to be done with the fittings.
Hi Miss Toucan, I just had to respond to your post because Anahit also did the alterations on my Amsale gown (purchased at VOWS) and she did a spectacular job! I can’t say enough good things about her and her work. She might be strict, but she knows what she is doing and will make sure you look gorgeous on your wedding day. Congratulations!
whoa. that is traumatizing.
as i read yoru post i kept thinking, this woman must be very awesome, or this is giong to turn into an awful mess!
lol….happy to see an above commenter affirming her skillz!
for me, i am sooo very paranoid, so the sight of the alterationists cutting my dress would have filled me with panic. i probably would have cried. i would be completely panicked until i saw the dress again in one, whole, perfect piece!
btw: i love your bustle! can’t wait to see it in the next round of fittings!
I got the shivers when I read your post… And as a seamstress myself I’m a bit shocked she did this - it takes a surgeon’s steady hand and nerves of steel to cut a garment on the person and if you make a boo-boo…I don’t even want to think about it…
Okay, the hem, but cutting freehand at the bodice? Man, talk about cojones!! I’m turning a whiter shade of pale just looking at the pic.
I’m glad she has a good reputation and I’m sure she’ll do a stellar job but it’s a very surprising approach in my opinion.
@mrsmccutie: Oh, absolutely! She was VERY highly recommended, and after speaking with her, I have no doubt that she know what she’s talking about! Like I said in the post, it definitely wasn’t her - I think I just wasn’t prepared for everything that was going to happen!
@GetMarried4Less: I’m with you. I’m most excited about the bustle - which is weird because it was never anything I even thought about before the fitting…
@mrsallgood: I don’t know anything about being a seamstress, so I had no idea that cutting the dress there was unconventional! She does have a stellar reputation - and really steady hands. She handed me all the pieces that she cut off. The two pieces that she cut off the bodice matched perfectly!
Two words: NIPPLE COVERAGE
I win the uncomforatble fitting moment. In front of my mom, BM and a bunch of people in the store, I was told I needed more nipple coverage. awesome. NOthing makes a girl feel better about herself than hearing those 2 little words.
I have also heard raves about Anahit so it looks like you’re in good hands! I need some major alterations as well and am in the Boston area - did she charge an arm and a leg? Also, is there a name for your bustle? It is gorgeous!
How did you like VOWS? I am trying to make an appointment there now and just wanted an opinion before I go. The dress looks gorgeous! How did your dress come out?
@Sue722: I sent you an email! If you didn’t get it, check your spam folder, or email me at: toucan at weddingbee dot com.
Got your email. I just bought my dress at VOWS! They are so nice there. Thanks!
