Formal Wear
Bridal Party
Special Occasion
Prom
Formal Alterations & Custom-Made
Read on for more information about our services, process, and timeline.
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Formal Alterations
Book Your Alterations with Mary O Maker
As soon as you have your formal attire, book your alterations 6 weeks before the actual event date. There is a $50 Rush Fee if you book less than 6 weeks out.
To start the process, complete the Client Inquiry Form and submit photos of yourself wearing the garment. A visual gives me a better idea about the fit and troubleshooting for solutions.
A $35 Booking Fee (not going towards the alteration cost) is required to secure a reservation on the calendar and to cover in-person fittings. A client service agreement is reviewed and signed before fittings and alterations start. Individuals under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a Parent/Guardian at In-Person fittings.
Services and Cost
Bodice tailoring, straps, and hems are the most common formal alterations.
Average cost of formal alterations: hemming, $30 - $90, Bodice Tailoring, $45 - $60; Full Alterations, $105 - $200
Alterations Process
The Formal Alterations Process usually requires 1-3 fittings and 1-4 weeks of alterations for Full Alterations. At the first fitting, the bodice - straps, shoulders, bust, waist, hip - is adjusted. At the second fitting, the bodice alterations are complete to check how it fits on the wearer. Any bodice adjustments are made and hemming is next. A third fitting is required if more adjustments are needed and client requests for customizations and add ons.
Between the fittings is 1 week processing.
Cancellation Policy
Keeping your appointments are strongly encouraged. Due to life circumstances, if you know days ahead that you are unable to show for a fitting or need to reschedule, please inform 48 hours before the appointment.
Mandatory at all Fittings
Undergarments, shapewear, bra cups, slips, strapless bra, and correct shoe heel height to wear with your formal attire for accurate alterations. If you are unsure about the foundation garments to wear with your outfit, I can make suggestions of foundation types and brands through a consultation before the first fitting.
Feel great for your special event
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To begin, fill out the inquiry form!
Custom-Made Formal
with Mary O Maker
Make Your Dream Outfit a Reality!
Clients who are part of a Bridal/Groom Party such as Mother of the Bride/Groom, Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, as well as Prom and other Special event attendees are encouraged to look into Custom Made Services at Mary O Maker for a one of a kind look, tailored to their unique body shape, size, and proportions.
Interested clients are encouraged to book 3 to 5 months from their actual event date for a pleasant bespoke experience that allows enough fittings and time to complete work. Formal Custom Made Bridal Gowns & dresses start at $150. Other Custom offerings are pants, starting at $70; skirts, starting at $85; jackets, starting at $125; Blouses & Shirts, starting at $80
Begin the Formal Custom Process
Inquiry + Consultation
To learn more about Custom Made Formal, the process, timeline, and costs, a client is strongly encouraged to submit the client inquiry form on the website and book a $40, one-hour consultation with Mary O Maker through a payment link.
At the consultation, the client shares any inspiration photos, sketches, and fabrics of their ideal custom-made garment. After the custom-made consultation, the client can move forward by booking a non-refundable $100 deposit (that goes toward the cost of custom-made services) through the payment link and completing and signing a client service agreement through the document signing link before any work starts.
FIRST APPOINTMENT.
If the client did not have a consultation prior to the first appointment, Mary O Maker will meet with them to discuss their ideal garment.
Inspiration Visuals such as sketches and pictures are very helpful in communicating the client’s wishes of the dream garment.
Mary O Maker will provide feedback on suggested silhouettes and designs that will highlight the wearer’s unique body shape, proportions, and lengths. Fabrics, Trims, Decoration, and other related materials are discussed if the client wants decoration on their garment.
Mary O Maker will do most of the work when it comes to sourcing fabric and other related materials to ensure a stress free custom made experience for the client by having fabric swatches and trim samples available on display.
SECOND APPOINTMENT.
The garment design is finalized through a design proposal that is presented, reviewed, and signed by the client.
After confirming and signing the proposal, the client pays 50% of the custom made cost through the payment link. After payment, Mary O Maker can take the client’s body measurements to create a mock up or sample garment.
At this appointment, the client may want to wear any foundation garments and correct shoe heel height for a precise fit. Otherwise, Mary O Maker can make suggestions on foundation garment type and brands. Creating the sample garment takes about 4 weeks.
THIRD APPOINTMENT.
The client will try on the mock up with their foundation garments and shoes to see how it fits.
If major adjustments are to be made, another sample will be made until a proper fit and desired look is achieved. If minor adjustments, client can move forward with any decoration design - lace, beadwork, applique - applied to the garment.
This process may involve time for sourcing and ordering enough quantity of the fabric, lace, trim, beadwork.
LATER IN THE PROCESS
Once Mary O Maker has all the fabric and related materials to complete a client’s custom made, she can start construction with occasional fittings, usually up to 3, to ensure a good fit, the desired silhouette and correct placement of decoration on the client.
FINAL FITTING & PICKUP
When the client is satisfied with the fit and outcome of custom made, they pay the remaining balance of the cost and any additional charges through the payment link. They are advised to inspect the garment and sign a custom made/gown release form through the document signing link before taking it home.