FAQs

Mary O Maker

ABOUT, BOOKING, PAYMENT, POLICIES

  • Mary O Maker is the business of Mary Obico, a lifelong San Francisco Bay Area resident with a deep passion for sewing and fashion. Mary holds a Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Merchandising from San Francisco State University and has furthered her education through fashion design and sewing courses at City College of San Francisco, Canada College in Redwood City, and College of Alameda.

    Her love of sewing started at age five, when her grandmother taught her to hand-stitch. She has a special interest in historical costume, couture, tailoring and bridal sewing — anything that calls for meticulous attention to detail and thoughtful problem-solving for clients of every body shape and size.

    Since the beginning of 2026, Mary is the Chapter President for the Alameda County Chapter of the American Sewing Guild, a non-profit organization whose mission is advocating for sewing education for all ages and different levels of sewing.

  • Mary O Maker serves clients throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Fitting appointments are conducted in person at her studio in South San Francisco. Under special circumstances as a client with a health condition or disability, Mary can make house visits at the client’s home for fittings and complete services at her studio. Contact Mary via the inquiry form on the website to discuss your specific needs and arrange a meeting.

  • Fill out the Client Inquiry Form on the website. Within 48 hours from the form submission, Mary will reach out for a brief discussion about your needs by phone or email. Once you're comfortable moving forward, you will sign a Client Services Agreement and pay the applicable booking or consultation fee to secure your spot.

    • Optional consultation — $50 (bridal) or $40 (formal), paid before the appointment.

    • Bridal alterations deposit — The $100 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your fitting and will be applied toward your total alteration balance.

    • Formal alterations booking fee — The $45 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your fitting and will be applied toward your total alteration balance.

    • Custom-made deposit — $100 (bridal) or $50 (formal) non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your fitting and will be applied toward your total alteration balance.

    • Rush fee — $100 for bridal bookings within 10–12 weeks of the wedding; $50 for formal bookings within 6 weeks of the event.

  • Alteration and custom-made services can be paid via Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, or Check through a secure payment link provided by Mary O Maker.

  • According to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, alterations to new clothing are taxable, while alterations to used clothing are not taxable.

    An item is generally treated as new if tags are still attached, it has unfinished hems or cuffs, or the customer has not previously worn it except to try it on.

    Alterations to used items are generally not taxable when they are just repairs or refitting, such as mending, replacing a zipper or button, taking in or letting out seams, or adjusting size after the item has been worn. CDTFA’s rule is that these charges are not subject to sales tax.

    According to CDTFA’S Regulation 1524 custom made garments created from scratch are taxable.

  • There is a 48-hour cancellation policy. If you need to cancel or reschedule a fitting, please notify Mary at least two full days before your scheduled appointment. Keeping appointments is strongly encouraged, as each session is part of a carefully coordinated timeline.

  • Your garment will be steamed and ready.

    • BRIDAL Pick Up. Mary will demonstrate to the designated bridal dressing attendant on the wedding day the proper order and manner of dressing the bride — particularly important when there are complex alterations or a bustled train. Mary will show you how to properly handle and steam the gown for your event day.

    • The client inspects the garment, settles any remaining balance, and signs a Gown Release Form before taking it home.

  • Reach Mary through the client inquiry form on her website, by email at info@maryomaker.com, phone or text at (650) 255-2870. You can also direct message and follow her work on Instagram and Facebook.

  • Mary specializes in bridal and formal wear, sometimes professional wear as in suits— both alterations and custom-made pieces. Bridal includes wedding gowns, dress rehearsal attire, and wedding reception dress. Formal includes bridal party - bridesmaid dresses, mother of the bride/groom outfits, and flower girl dresses - prom dresses, gala events, black tie, reunions, and other special occasion attire. She works with clients of all ages, sizes, and body proportions.

BRIDAL ALTERATIONS

  • Mary offers a full range of bridal alterations, including:

    • Strap adjustments and shoulder corrections

    • Bodice tailoring — bust, waist, and hip fitting

    • Bridal Skirt - Hemming and train shortening. Adding or removing skirt under layers.

    • Bustle - Suggesting & creating a bustle style for the bridal train to keep out of bride’s way and allow easy movement during the ceremony and reception

    • Bodice Structural Support. Adding or modifying boning, corset panels, or waist stays

    • Switching or adding bra cups

    • Neckline modifications

    • Customizations - Adding sleeves, corset tie backs, modesty panels for concealing skin, or detachable overskirts and sleeves

    • Removing and re-applying lace, appliqué, and beadwork

    • Shortening horsehair braid hems

  • Costs vary based on a gown's construction, fabric types and number of layers, embellishments, and how much work is needed. General ranges are:

    • Basic alterations ($300 – $500) Simple silhouettes & dress construction, fewer layers, minimal lace or beading. Hemming, straps shortened, small bodice/side seam adjustments, simple bustle, minor fit tweaks.

    • Moderate alterations ($550 – $700) More fitted or layered gowns, lace dresses, moderate structure, some detail work, multiple fit areas. Hem, bustle, bodice shaping, taking in at bust/waist/hips, sleeve or strap changes, moderate neckline adjustments

    • Full alterations ($750 – $950) Structured gowns, heavier fabrics, multiple layers, corsetry, trains, or noticeable embellishment. Extensive resizing, complex bodice work, train and bustle construction, neckline reshaping, layered hemming, significant structural fit corrections.

    • Complex alterations ($1,000+) Highly detailed gowns, heavy beading, extensive lace, designer construction, major silhouette changes, or vintage/heirloom restoration. Major reconstruction, redesign of silhouette, extensive beading/lace handling, panel additions, corset-back conversion, large size changes, restoration work.

      A precise quote is provided after an initial consultation or first fitting, once the full scope of work is assessed.

  • As soon as your bridal gown is purchased or while you are waiting for your special ordered dress from the bridal shop, reserve an appointment with Mary O Maker to secure your spot. Following the standard bridal alterations timeline the first fitting is scheduled 10 to 12 weeks before your wedding date. Bookings made with fewer than 10–12 weeks are subject to a $100 Rush Fee.

  • The process follows this timeline:

    • Optional Consultation — 1-hour meet & greet to discuss styles, procedures, shapewear, and timeline. $50, paid in advance.

    • Booking — Pay a $100 non-refundable deposit and sign the Client Services Agreement to lock in your spot.

    • 1st Fitting (10–12 weeks out) — Bodice fitting: straps, bust, waist, hips, torso length, neckline.

    • 2nd Fitting (6 weeks out) — Verify completed bodice work; focus on hemming, skirt shape, and bustle options.

    • 3rd / Final Fitting (3–4 weeks out) — Confirm hem length, finalize bustle style, address any remaining adjustments.

    • Pick Up (1–2 weeks out) — Gown is steamed and ready. Mary demonstrates bustling and proper dressing order to your bridal attendant. A Gown Release Form is signed before you take the dress home.

    Three one-hour fittings are included. Additional fittings beyond those are $50 each.

  • At every fitting, please bring or wear:

    • The Actual Shape wear you will wear on your wedding day. If you're unsure which shape wear style works with your gown style, Mary can provide a recommended list of brands and types upon request.

    • Bra alternatives (strapless bra, adhesive cups, etc.) compatible with your gown

    • The Actual Shoes with the correct heel height that you will wear on your wedding day.

    • Bridal Accessories (Optional) - veils, gloves, capes, headpieces, jewelry, belts, coverups, detachable sleeves- if you want to ensure a cohesive bridal look with your bridal alterations.

    Failure to bring the correct shape wear and shoe heel height to every fitting may result in a rescheduled appointment and cause further delay and long processing time in the bridal alterations process.

  • Steaming is performed before pick up and is an additional charge ranging from $40 – $100, depending on the complexity of the gown and the number of fabric layers. After steaming, trying the dress on again is discouraged to avoid unnecessary wrinkling.

    Mary will show you how to handle and steam your dress for your wedding day.

FORMAL ALTERATIONS

  • Mary O Maker provides alterations & custom made services to clients attending or participating in a wide range of formal events, including:

    • Bridal Party

      • Mother of the bride or groom outfits

      • Flower girl dresses

      • Bridesmaids

    • Prom dresses

    • Quinceanera and other special celebration gowns

    • Evening and cocktail wear for any special occasion

  • Common alteration costs for formal wear:

    • Hemming $30 – $90

    • Bodice tailoring $45 – $60

    • Full alterations $105 – $200

    Final pricing depends on the garment's complexity, fabric, and the alterations required.

  • As soon as you have your garment, book your formal alterations at least 6 weeks before your event date. Bookings made fewer than 6 weeks from the event date are charged a $50 Rush Fee.

  • Most formal alterations require 1 to 3 fittings and take 1 to 4 weeks to complete, with approximately one week of processing time between appointments. At the first fitting the bodice is adjusted; at the second, completed bodice work is verified and hemming begins; a third fitting addresses remaining adjustments or any added customizations.

  • At every fitting, please bring or wear:

    • Actual Shape wear you will wear on your event day. If you're unsure which shape wear style works with your dress style, Mary can provide a recommended list of brands and types upon request.

    • Bra alternatives (strapless bra, adhesive cups, bra tapes, etc.) compatible with your gown

    • Actual Shoes with the correct heel height you will wear on the event day.

    • Accessories (Optional) - gloves, headpieces, jewelry, belts, coverups, detachable sleeves- if you want to ensure a cohesive formal event look with your formal alterations.

    Failure to bring the correct shape wear and shoe heel height to every fitting may result in a rescheduled appointment and cause further delay and long processing time in the formal alterations process.

  • Yes. Individuals under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all in-person fitting appointments.

CUSTOM MADE

  • Yes! Mary offers bespoke custom-made services for both bridal and formal wear. Custom bridal gowns are available in Sheath, Mermaid, Fit & Flare, and Ballgown silhouettes, starting at $1,000. For formal wear, she can create one-of-a-kind pieces for bridesmaids, mothers of the bride/groom, prom attendees, and other special events.

    She can also create custom bridal accessories: gloves, removable sleeves, wraps, detachable trains, belts, veils, and jewelry

    Mary can create tailored suits, outerwear, children’s wear, pants, blouses, skirts, accessories.

    • Custom bridal gowns: Book at least one year before your wedding date to allow enough time for fittings, fabric sourcing, and construction.

    • Custom formal wear: Book at least 3 to 5 months before your event date.

    If your custom made request is neither bridal nor formal, contact and discuss with Mary your custom made needs so she can provide you with a customized timeline dependent upon the materials, labor, and complexity of the project.

  • Mary O Maker uses pattern design methods - flat pattern making, draping, copying ready to wear - from her fashion design education, past internships with designers, costume design experience.

    • Flat Pattern Design - involves using foundation blocks for the bodice, skirt, dress to create new designs. Sometimes, Mary will use sewing patterns that are closest to the client’s custom made style request to make design modifications using flat pattern design techniques.

    • Fashion Draping - involves shaping and molding fabric, usually muslin or an inexpensive fabric that behaves closely to the actual fabric that the client chooses for the final custom made garment to a dress form (mannequin) or on the client at fittings. After draping a client’s custom made garment on the mannequin or on the client, Mary will making fitting adjustments of the draped design on the client. When the client likes the fit, Mary will create patterns from the draped design to create in the actual fabric.

    • Copying Ready to Wear - A client can request Mary O Maker to duplicate and create in another fabric an existing garment from the client’s closet. Mary uses a rub off technique with a transparent fabric such as silk organza for tracing off style lines, seams to create pattern pieces from the client’s existing garment.

  • The custom-made journey typically includes:

    • Consultation — Discuss your vision, timeline, and costs. Bridal consultation: $50. Formal consultation: $40.. Inspiration photos and sketches are strongly encouraged at the first meeting — they help Mary understand your vision - how you want to look and feel. Body measurements are taken at the consultation.

    • Design proposal — Mary presents a finalized design plan for you to review and sign. At this stage, 50% of the custom-made cost is paid.

    • Mock-up / sample garment — A sample is made from your measurements (takes about 4 weeks). You try it on to confirm fit.

    • Decoration & construction — Once the sample fits correctly, embellishments like lace, beadwork, or appliqué are sourced and applied.

    • Final fittings (up to 3) — Occasional fittings ensure the right silhouette and decoration placement.

    • Final pickup — Remaining balance is paid, the garment is inspected, and a release form is signed.

  • Absolutely. You're welcome to provide your own fabrics, trims, and materials for Mary to work with. Alternatively, Mary can source all necessary materials on your behalf for a more stress-free experience — just let her know your preference during the consultation.