Alter Ego was recommended to me by several people for alterations for a bridesmaids dress (a wedding I was in on July 17) and my wedding gown (my wedding date of October 16).
I went for my initial fitting on May 26 for both dresses. I took all my undergarments and shoes like they recommend that you do for a better estimate of proper fitting. The bridesmaid's dress needed the length shortened and the top taken in (strapless, simple, A-line dress)--I would think pretty easy alterations. My wedding gown needed to be bustled and the top taken in (top was v-neck and had no lace or beading-- it is a pretty simple design)--again I would think pretty easy alterations.
After pinning the needed alterations for the BM dress she moved on to my bridal gown and pinned the top--seemed good. Then when I wanted to discuss bustle options (really had no idea what I wanted) she said that with my style of dress a side bustle would be the only one she could do. So she didn't even give me a choice and not knowing anything about sewing I just took her word for it--I mean she is the expert or so I thought.
My second fitting was on July 12--the Monday before I needed the bridesmaid dress. The top was still too big (I could have kept my car keys, wallet, a lipstick, and a makeup compact in that top!) and the length was still too long--I was stepping all over the bottom of the dress. I asked the seamstress if she could correct both problems before I needed to wear it the upcoming Saturday and she said "that is the best we can do" and gave me some reason about the way the dress was made, blah, blah, blah and then suggested that I just wear a padded bra and purchase some double sided tape that they sold in the store. Say what?
Next I tried on my wedding dress and AGAIN the top was still too big. It was actually pulling away from my body. Again she said that is the best we can do--use the double sided tape. Is it uncommon to have more than one bridal gown fitting? This was July and my wedding was in October. I would think it would be common to have several fittings/adjustments leading up to the wedding.
Anyway, at that point, I didn't want to fight them and I didn't want them to touch my dresses any further. I thought I can make the BM dress work if I have to, although I wasn't happy with it. But I sure wasn't going to let them continue to work on my wedding dress any further.
I ended up taking my wedding gown to another alteration shop just for my sanity and to get a "second opinion" about if that was really all that could be done. First, the second shop had no issue at all altering my dress to fit me like a glove---and no double-sided tape needed! Second, I wasn't dissatisfied with my bustle but I really wasn't given any options to compare to. The second seamstress, without me prompting, asked if I was happy with the way my gown was bustled. I told her I wasn't unhappy with it but she asked if she could show me some alternate bustle options. Low and behold--I loved another style much better!
One thing I want to say is, as I've talked about this experience to other friends that have used Alter Ego, they say that the owner of Alter Ego is really excellent and they have been very satisfied with her work---but there is no guarantee that you will be lucky enough to have her work on your items. She really needs to hire better people.
