Tanya Sent on 06/06/2023

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Incredible

If I could give 10000 stars, she would get 50000! When I started the alterations, I was 212 pounds and a size 16. She altered the dress to fit my body, and then re-altered the dress months later when I lost 46 pounds. During my last fitting, I got overwhelmed and almost passed out. She sat with me, encouraged me, and made sure I was ok without ever making me feel like I was messing up her schedule. Not only did she alter my dress, but she made me feel BEAUTIFUL both inside and out. If she altered clothing besides wedding dresses, I would buy my clothes too big just so I could hangout with her! ❤️

Lauren Sent on 11/11/2022

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More than 5 Stars, more than 10 Stars

The Guilded Thimble is incredible… we have had the pleasure of working with her twice - once for my Spinsters dress (which was actually my grandmothers dress from the 1960’s) and again for my wedding dress!!

Everyone knows that finally finding “the dress” is such a relief and then quickly turns into “protective panic” when you go to alterations… not with Carissa… to start off, you are welcomed into a calm and adorable workspace and starts your appointment to walk through everything YOU would like altered! She listens to your desires with an open mind and asks helpful questions to get the full picture. By the end of your first appointment you already feel comforted knowing you picked the right person. You can truly see her love for wedding dresses, their construction and their designs - you can instantly tell that she is going to put undivided attention to your dress and not only take care of it but also take care of your vision! Coming in for our second appointment, she had substantial alterations done and just this huge smile ready to share them with us! I am not a hugely emotional person when it comes to surprises, but I wanted to cry (happy tears) when I put the dress back on! What started off as a vision in my head, and jumbled words trying to explain it to her, was now a reality! For my dress personally she reconstructed the “flow” of the top which to some seems like a minor visual change - but made the world of difference to me!

The entire process with Carissa feels like you’re walking in to hang out with an old friend… she is a very warm, inviting and loving person. And her confidence and experience in her craft truly speaks for itself - we were overjoyed for the chance to work with her again and made one of the hardest “to-do’s” the easiest to check off! I am so thankful she squeezed us in… and I am so thankful for everything she has done for us!

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Delaney Sent on 11/05/2022

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The definition of high quality!

I was referred to The Guilded Thimble by Church Street Bridal and I couldnt be happier with the work Carissa did. She truly cares about her clients and her passion shows through her work. My dress was perfect. She assured me everything would be just right for the big day and she was absolutely right. I felt so comfortable in ny dress all day and it truly felt like it was made for me. Carissa's shop is beautiful and very welcoming and I loved being there every time!

Maelynn Sent on 07/24/2022

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Best decision ever!

I got my wedding dress altered at the Guilded Thimble and Carissa turned my dress into my dream wedding dress! She did such an excellent job tailoring it to the way that I wanted. She listened to me and worked with me and altered it to perfection! She gave me curves that I never knew I had! Do not hesitate to go to Carissa. She knows what she is doing! I learned about her because my sister and all of her friends go to her! No regrets whatsoever! I am 100% satisfied with her work! She truly has a talent and a gift! Thank you so much again Carissa!! So, so, so HAPPY with my dress!

Best,

Maelynn

Anna Sent on 07/10/2022

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Quick and Perfect!

She was absolutely amazing for helping to make my dress fit beautifully and wedding day ready. The appointments were super easy, quick, and stress free!

Elise Sent on 05/15/2022

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Best Choice!!

Carissa is truly an alterations magician. It was absolutely amazing to see my dress go from just a dress to a dress that perfectly fit me. She took her time, listened to my thoughts, and then crafted my dress to perfection. She is SO talented and I would recommend her to anyone and everyone.

Erin Sent on 04/14/2022

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Book your appointment right now!

Book an appointment right now! Seriously!! 1. Get engaged. 2. Book with Carissa! My dress fit really well to the naked eye but it still felt off to me. I couldn’t really explain it but the bust was uncomfortable. Carissa squeezed me in at 8pm on a Thursday 1 month to the day before my wedding! I drove the 2.5 hour round trip and it was worth every second! She literally fixed my dress in 15 minutes. It was incredible - she has an unbelievable gift! Carissa is friendly, welcoming and efficient. Her space is so cute, clean and has the best vibes! I finally know my dress is perfect, thank you Carissa!

Anna Sent on 04/04/2022

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My dress was in fantastic hands!

Went to Gilded Thimble for my wedding dress alterations, she was able to take my dream dress and make it even more fantastic and fit like a glove! She made the process so easy and made me feel completely comfortable leaving my dress in her hands to work her magic!

T S Sent on 03/26/2022

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Might Love My Dress More Than My Fiance!!!

I brought my wedding dress home from the Gilded Thimble a week ago and I have put it on 4 times since then! I cannot believe how amazing it fits. It brings me to tears every time. She really does work miracles. No wonder people travel from all around the country just to see her!

Marian Sent on 03/26/2022

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A True Artist

The Gilded Thimble is the absolute BEST choice you could ever make (honestly maybe even better than finding your dress to begin with!). She will take a dress that you thought you loved and thought fit fairly well and will SCULPT it to perfection. She is a true artist. If you thought saying yes to your dress was a moving experience, wait until she works her magic.

Molly Sent on 12/14/2021

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Amazing!!!!

When it came to wedding dress alterations there was only one choice, The Gilded Thimble.

Crysta Sent on 12/05/2021

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Choose Carissa!

Carissa is wonderful!! I had been looking for someone I could trust with my wedding dress and after reading multiple positive reviews, I chose the Gilded Thimble and she most definitely came through! She is very well organized and SO KNOWLEDGEABLE. Appointments are quick because she knows what needs to be done as soon as she sees the dress. Her prices and turn around times are more than reasonable, her shop is super cute and clean, and I truly could not be more happy with my choice!

Sherinda Sent on 07/19/2021

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True professional

I had the best experience with Carissa. She was so sweet, kind and always made me feel heard. I didn't need too much done, but my wedding dress fit great especially in my bust area, since I didn't wear a bra. The "girls" stayed in place the whole day. I highly, highly recommend her, and the pricing for all she did was great. Also she has a giant stuffed Llama in her dressing area, so that won me over too. 10/10

Maggie Sent on 05/08/2021

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Most amazing bridal experience!

Carissa was so amazing, and the entire experience at her shop was incredible! Her service, pricing, and kindness were all unbeatable! She completely exceeding my expectations and made my dress work perfectly for me!

Libby Sent on 03/16/2021

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Fantastic experience!

Carissa brought my vision to life and transformed my gown into my dream wedding dress! She was so easy to work with and made the process enjoyable! I am a happy bride thanks to her!

Leah Sent on 11/20/2020

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Incredible experience with an amazing seamstress

I cannot express how wonderful my experience was at Gilded Thimble. She was personable, kind, and attentive to every detail of my dress. She walked me through each step of the process and always asked for my opinion and desires for the dress. Her office was inviting and warm, making the entire experience special. I would highly recommend any bride to see this incredibly talented seamstress, you will be in amazing hands. I can’t thank Gilded Thimble enough for making my wedding dress absolutely perfect.

Raven Sent on 10/15/2020

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She was Great

Carissa Was Awesome! Very sweet i am so glad i choose her to do my alterations for my dress! I went with a budget plan. She had my dress for a lil over a year due to covid an postponing my wedding. My dress had so much detail on it but i loved it!

Harley Sent on 09/15/2020

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Excellent Seamstress

I thoroughly enjoyed my day at The Gilded Thimble. They worked with me to get my alterations done all in one day since I traveled a few hours to make it. My dress turned out even better than I could’ve imagined. She worked to make exactly what I wanted happen. During the alterations she always explained alternative options and what things would be like price wise. She was very professional and I highly recommend her to any bride looking to have their dress altered.

Brooke Sent on 07/23/2020

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Highly recommend for alterations

Overall a wonderful experience! She did a great job on my wedding dress!

Jennifer Sent on 07/07/2020

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Wedding Dress Genius!

Carissa is truly a wedding dress alteration prodigy. She looked at the dress, knew exactly how to adjust it to make it flatter my body, and did a fabulous job. She communicates clearly, fairly and her price point is unbeatable for the service you get. I got my dress altered in the midst of Covid-19 and she ensured the entire process was clean, stress free and the dress is absolutely perfect. I can't thank her enough for her wonderful work and help through these times.

Jenna Sent on 06/25/2020

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Very Accommodating!

She is amazing at what she does, and super great to work with. I did a sew in a day appointment and she even brought a lounger, blankets, and pillow into the room for me to nap on while she sewed since I am a night shift nurse! I would recommend her to anyone looking to get alterations done on their dress. She did a beautiful job and made sure to keep the price affordable!

Bethany Sent on 06/03/2020

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Amazing Seamstress!!

The Gilded Thimble is absolutely amazing! She is very experienced, which made me feel confident in bringing my wedding dress to her. She's also incredibly responsive to all communications. I had a "Sew While You Wait" session, and when I brought my dress home, there were a few things I wanted adjusted slightly. When I reached out to her, she responded right away and was more than willing to have me come back to the shop (more than once) and make alterations. She has been a blessing!! The thing you want most as a bride is to feel good and beautiful in your wedding dress, and she makes that her priority! I 100% recommend her to every bride!

Lydia Sent on 05/11/2020

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Pleasure to work with, and my dress looks great!

I bought my dress off the rack knowing that it did not fit me correctly. Within a minute of trying on my dress, Carissa had a plan to make it fit me without breaking the bank. She was upfront about what she thought needed to be done and what we could skip, which I appreciated.
I had both of my fittings during the COVID19 social distancing and she was able to work with me in a safe and flexible way. My dress looks like it was made for me, even though the alterations and measuring were mostly done from 6ft away!

Rachel Sent on 05/08/2020

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Amazing work!

Carissa worked with me to help me fit into my dream dress! Her work is incredible and she really puts her heart into all she does. I did not have a ton of time to get my dress done before the wedding, but she was able to finish all my alterations with time to spare. She is incredibly helpful and works around the clock to keep her studio extremely clean and sanitized.

Erica Sent on 03/24/2020

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Great Experience!

Carissa is awesome! My wedding dress was beautiful! She goes above and beyond to make certain that your wedding dress is absolutely perfect. Thank you Carissa for making my wedding day the best day ever!

Sarah Sent on 03/19/2020

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Wonderful Experience

Carissa did incredible work on my dress! I didn't have too many crazy alterations to be done, but by the time we finished working on my dress, I felt comfortable and beautiful. I recommend her to all of my local friends getting married. Thank you, Carissa!

Ana C. Sent on 02/14/2020

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She makes your dream dress...PERFECTIOn

My dress had a lot of work that needed to be done. Thanks to Carissa, I truly had no fear that it wouldn't turn out perfectly. I LOVED my dress and Carissa was able to take my Pnina and make it custom. Honestly, she was able to enhance the style to be perfection. She went above and beyond to really make sure it flattered my body in every way possible. She was able to fix things that I did not think about due to her expertise. She is very kind and honest during such a stressful time.
My dress had so much detail and required so much work but she did it perfectly and affordably!
Would highly recommend her and will be suggesting her to anyone who needs to perfect their dream dress!

Samantha Sent on 02/02/2020

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Extremely talented

Carissa helped me make some significant changes to the back of my dress and transformed it from a dress I liked into a dress I loved!! She was also very kind when I was in an accident two weeks before my wedding and in distress during final fittings. She is a lovely person and so talented!

Ashley Sent on 01/23/2020

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My dress felt custom made after Carisa was finished with it!

Carissa is the best!! I opted for a sew while wait appointment and had a great time in Bedford. Carissa is great at listening to your dress vision and also offering her expert opinion on how best to reach that vision! She hand sewed some additional lace pieces on my dress and also made the perfect veil to go with the entire look. The dress fit perfectly on the wedding day, the bustle was perfect all night, and I didn't have any issues. The dress comparison before and after alterations was literally like night and day, and I truly felt like I was wearing a custom dress with how well Carissa fit it to me. I’m so happy I went with the gilded thimble for my dress alterations!

Toni Sent on 11/23/2019

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Amazing Job!

The Gilded Thimble is amazing! I was planning to have my wedding dress alterations done in Charlotte, NC but needed to change plans last minute (3 months prior to my wedding). The Gilded Thimble was able to squeeze me in and I will forever be thankful for that! Carissa is so sweet and professional. She made my dress fit so well and was such a pleasure to work with! Everyone loves her work!

Kara Sent on 11/16/2019

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Carissa is the best!

I live about four hours away but knew a “sew while wait” appointment would be worth the drive after seeing Carissa’s work on both my sisters’ dresses. I fell in love with a strapless dress and was concerned about it slipping. All my worries were put to rest after Carissa’s alterations. The dress fit perfectly! Carissa worked magic with my dress’s lace and beadwork, too. Her new location is gorgeous, and we felt right at home. Carissa really is one of a kind.

Lauren Sent on 11/12/2019

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So happy!!

Carissa was great and was perfectly organized about everything regarding the alterations! Her work is beautiful and everything about my dress ended up looking perfect!

Megan Sent on 10/29/2019

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Top-Notch service!

If you want it done right, go see Carissa! She is brilliant! She saw my dress as it was and what it could be even when I could not! She gave me multiple options for way to get the final product with price differences. She took my dress from a size 14 to a 6 and it looked like that was how it was originally sewn. She is a master of her trade!

Sarah Sent on 10/21/2019

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Once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Carissa's name was passed along to me by a good friend who recently had her mother's wedding dress redone for her own wedding. I was toying with the idea of doing the same with my mother's wedding dress, that was made by my grandmother who is no longer with us. I wasn't sure what to expect, but the experience with Carissa exceeded my wildest dreams. I'm not a very "fashionable" person but she worked with me on what design/cut I liked and helped me pick out lace. She even handmade my veil! Out of ALL of the "things" you have to do before you get married, THIS was my favorite part and the most worth the time and money. Yes, I drove from Culpeper to Bedford, 2.5 hours each way! Trying on dresses and finding "the dress" is special, but it doesn't compare to creating your dress with a seamstress who's craft, skill and wonderful personality will never cease to amaze you. Thank you, Carissa, for offering this incredible experience!

Erin Sent on 09/20/2019

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So flexible

So flexible and easy to work with! She gave me multiple options with prices of what would work for me. She saw things that I didn’t and pointed them out so I could make a decision that works best for me.

Mandy Sent on 09/13/2019

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Amazing job

This lady is so awesome. She is responsive, always very friendly and helpful. Not only did she keep me within my budget she went above and beyond my expectations with fixing my dress. My dress had a huge rip in it and she was able to fix it . Hands down a very successful and easy process with her making my dream dress come to reality!

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Lanie Sent on 06/17/2019

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Exceeds Expectation

Carissa is wonderful! Words can’t express how thankful I am. She listened to everything I wanted and worked her magic. She is also very flexible and understanding; I had a last minute dress switch up! I did the sew while wait option since I live 4 hours away and it was defiantly worth the drive. Thank you again Carissa!

Katelyn Sent on 09/27/2018

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Carissa with the Gilded Thimble is OUTSTANDING! I cannot say enough positive things about her & they way she does business. She answered all of my texts within no time. She accommodates her clients and makes you feel at home during the “sew while you wait” session. Her work is AMAZING! My dress is everything I could’ve dreamed of. She is definitely in the right business! If you want someone to take care of you & ensure you feel confident on your big day, take it to her! I would’ve never wanted to take my dress to anyone else!!!! So excited for my big day and how beautiful my gown is!!!!

Lauren Sent on 09/15/2018

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If I could give more than 5 stars, I would! Everything about my experience with the Gilded Thimble was wonderful. Carissa is a delightful person to work with and she put both my mom and myself at ease throughout the entire alteration process (which can be difficult, when you can see your dress being cut apart throughout the process). Her studio is beautiful and comfortable. We could't believe how quickly our Sew While Wait session flew by and we enjoyed every second. Also, of course, the dress was absolutely PERFECT! This woman is a magician and so incredibly talented! If you want your alteration process to be fun and enjoyable, choose the Gilded Thimble! You will not be disappointed!

Stephanie Sent on 06/19/2018

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My dress alterations adventure originally started with a different local seamstress, but after a few months and realizing the original seamstress had some things come up that kept her from being able to complete my dress, we were directed to the Gilded Thimble. I cannot speak highly enough of our experience. My dress had to be restructured to accommodate the difference in the length of the dress' torso vs. my own and what that did to the illusion lace and lace detailing on the back. When I found out how much still needed to be done in a very short amount of time, I was so worried, but Carissa did every single thing we discussed and made my dress exactly what I had imagined it would be. It fit me like a glove and considering our circumstance in having to switch seamstresses last minute, she worked with us on the pricing and gave us an amazing deal. Several fixes required her to cut the dress while I was wearing it, but her thorough explanations and experience led me to trust everything she did. If you live in Central VA, don't look any further. This is absolutely the one person you should trust with your dress to make it perfect for your special day.

Caitlin Sent on 05/21/2018

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She did a great job with my dress alterations! She did them quickly and was very nice to work with. She was also flexible with the scheduling of my dress fitting which was nice to have since I am a teacher. I would highly recommend to anyone needing wedding dress alterations!

Elizabeth Sent on 01/21/2018

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I enjoyed working with Carissa to help me bring my vision for my wedding dress to life. It had to be altered and there were a few structural changes I wanted. She did an incredible job and I was able to leave with my dress same day!

Suzanne Sent on 01/20/2018

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Having my wedding dress altered by Carissa was an overall wonderful experience. She gives the bride options and discusses the pros/cons (if any) which is helpful to an indecisive bride :) The work she did was beautiful and the time spent with her will be a sweet memory! Would absolutely recommend!

Sarah Sent on 12/27/2017

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Nothing short of a miracle worker! When you have a dress that you are determined is impossible to fix, give Carissa sometime and your gown will look like something from a fairytale.

Dana Sent on 11/09/2017

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Carissa is amazing! She made my dress fit like a glove at my sew while wait appointment. She also had beautiful belts in stock and veils, reasonably priced. We blinged up my dress with one! Kind of like a one stop shop.
I started my dress shopping months before alterations and someone recommended the gilded thimble and I’m so glad they did! She answered all of my questions via text I had prior to even buying a dress. Carissa was a huge help! I am almost married and had a crisis and needed to pick my dress up earlier than my scheduled appointment she made special accomodations so I could get my dress wayyyy earlier. I am so pleased with my decision. If you’re having thoughts of alterations and not sure where to go definitely schedule an appointment, you won’t be disappointed. If you’re driving a distance she is worth the drive!

Jessica Sent on 09/22/2017

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I cannot say enough wonderful things about Carissa! We drove 14 hours to get my dress altered, and it was COMPLETELY worth it. The space is super welcoming and relaxing. She took a dress that was at least 4 sizes too small, and made it into my dream dress. Over two days she completely took it apart, made it into a 2 piece, changed the shape of the skirt and the crinoline that supported it, shortened the bodice, added side gussets, put in a corset back, and added the most amazing straps. Highly highly recommend The Gilded Needle!

Darla Sent on 09/20/2017

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Cannot say enough about Carissa and The Gilded Thimble. She came personally recommended by many of my daughter's friends in the Lynchburg area, and they were right! My daughter's wedding dress needed to be shortened and bustled. Carissa made the process relaxing and fun, and the dress looks wonderful. She serves only brides, which means she is very aware of all of the emotions and stress that can accompany wedding planning. Her studio is beautifully designed to make the bride and those with her feel special, but also right at home.

Stephanie Sent on 09/13/2017

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Clarissa is a TRUE BLESSING!!
First, the shop is lovely and very welcoming...you are instantly at ease and feel at home.
My dress did not require too much attention, but the point is Clarissa made sure I looked beautiful in it. Today, Clarissa helped me renew the excitement for my wedding, which is priceless!! And my bustle...AWESOME!! Clarissa totally achieved my "princess" look. Thank you for everything...you truly are THE BEST!!!

Melissa Sent on 08/16/2017

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I read the reviews but had no idea just how special Carissa was going to be and how beautiful she was going to make my dress !! I am a very busty bride with a smaller waist, Carissa made some alterations that changed the dress which made me love it more than I already did. I has a "sew while you wait" appointment and when I left her shop I could not stop smiling so THANK YOU Carissa you are absolutely an AMAZING !!

Victoria Sent on 08/15/2017

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They are fantastic! I had my dress cleaned and pressed here prior to my bridal portraits and my wedding. I also used their preservation service. They were super accommodating and helpful.

Lindsay Sent on 08/13/2017

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Carissa was AMAZING! I bought a dress online that mostly fit, but was underwhelming when I tried it on. I scheduled one of the all-day sewing sessions and I was completely blown away. It was SO cool to watch the dress transform across the day, and by the end of the afternoon, it fit like a dream. By coincidence, she was making a dotted veil that complemented the lace of the dress perfectly, so I ended up getting a custom veil to really bring everything together. I felt gorgeous on my wedding day, and I knew I could dance and walk around and not need to worry about the dress slipping or getting in my way. Now the only thing I'm sad about is never getting to wear this beautiful dress again, haha. Go to the Gilded Thimble, it is SO worth it!

Abby Sent on 08/05/2017

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I’m not even sure where to begin with Carissa; this woman can do it all! We hired the Gilded Thimble to redesign my mother’s wedding dress for my wedding, and then ended up adding on day of wedding services too. I came to my first appointment with an idea of how I wanted the dress to look, but definitely not a clear plan that I could articulate. Carissa had me try on the dress, chatted with me for a few minutes, then got to work and when I tried on the dress again it was EXACTLY what I had been hoping for. She found ways to work around 35 year old stains and completely redesigned the waist of the dress. My mom and I were in awe of her sewing skills and knowledge!
Hiring Carissa for wedding day services was probably one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. She kept us smiling and laughing, and handled everything from steaming the wedding party’s dresses, to arraigning the groomsmen’s pocket squares, to tying on the mom’s corsages, to even filming our first dance and my father daughter dance (and so much more)! She thought of everything- when she saw how windy it was right as I was about to walk down the aisle she quickly tacked my veil to my dress so that it wouldn’t blow in my face during the ceremony- leaving me to focus on getting married! We love Carissa!

Alex Sent on 07/26/2017

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Carissa is amazing! I bought my dress at Church Street Bridal and knew it needed alterations, but didn't realize just how extensive they would be. Thankfully Carissa and The Gilded Thimble exist because I don't know if anyone else would have tackled this challenge! She hand washed my Pnina Tornai dress, tailored the fit to perfectly hug my curves, added lace and crystal detailing, hemmed the skirt, and to top it off it was all day in ONE DAY! My off the rack dress was transformed into a custom gown in 14 hours. It was a wonderful experience!

Elizabeth Sent on 07/20/2017

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When I was torn between a dress that needed a lot of love, I was referred to the Gilded Thimble. Before even purchasing the dress, I asked a million questions and Carissa was open and honest about the extent of alterations that would be needed. Once I found another dress, I ran right back to Carissa to book an appointment. During the consultation, Carissa took the time to map out what needed to be done to make the dress fit as well as the add-ons I wanted. She was very attentive and informative. My dress was quite dirty on the bottom when I purchased it from Church Street Bridal and after being dry cleaned, it did not change much. Carissa sent me photos and asked me if I wanted the bottom lace replaced and also sent pictures of examples of replacement lace. I asked her if I could come by and take a look myself. She didn't hesitate on giving me dates and times of when I could stop by and peak. When I went to my "sew while you wait" session the other day, Carissa did the most amazing job on bringing the vision to life even more beautifully than I had imagined! I love the space and how it's decorated so classy and makes you feel like a princess - then adding Carissa's charm, humor, and expertise, it was magical! It's always nice when someone is great at their craft, but it makes a huge difference when that person has a great heart and truly enjoys what they do on a daily basis. Carissa even yelled out at one point "I AM SO EXCITED! - You know it's great when the seamstress gets excited!" I will gladly refer all my fellow brides to The Gilded Thimble! Thank you again for everything! :D

Jenna Sent on 07/19/2017

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If you need your wedding dress altered, come to The Gilded Thimble!!! I got my dress with 5 months to go before my wedding day and was very worried I was out of luck with alterations since you often need to book a liftetime in advance for these things. However, Carissa took me in and did fast and AMAZING work to turn my already beautiful dress into a masterpiece. I felt amazing on my wedding day and have gotten endless compliments on it. The Gilded Thimble is a beautiful place and I felt so at home every time I went for an appointment. I only have good things to say about The Gilded Thimble!

Paris Sent on 07/18/2017

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I had a wonderful experience with Carissa. She gave me her full attention during my appointment and did a wonderful job on my dress!! I would recommend her to everyone.

Jennifer Sent on 07/12/2017

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I cannot say enough GREAT things about The Gilded Thimble & Carissa, Yael, & Sue. My dress is tailor made to my body and I absolutely LOVE it. The prices were reasonable for the quality of services provided. I would recommend every Bride-to-be use them for their alteration needs.

Emily Sent on 07/11/2017

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Carissa did an incredible job on my truly custom dress! I took a huge risk and bought a discounted dress off the rack and had it totally altered - the hemline, neckline, sleeves, back, and waist - to create a custom high-low dress with a V-neck and cap sleeves. She brought my vision to life, paying attention to every detail, and I would absolutely recommend her!

Kristen Sent on 07/07/2017

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I love this place! She helped me get exactly what I wanted and envisioned for my dress! She made me feel very comfortable throughout the whole process! The pricing is very fair and she tries to make it match your budget as much as possible! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!

Caitlin Sent on 07/07/2017

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My wedding dress was previously a sample gown, so it was a bit torn and dirty. It needed some work, and Carissa was the perfect person for the job! She ONLY works on wedding dresses, so she knows what she is doing when it comes to brides. (So much so, that we drove a 3hr round trip just to have my dress altered by her!) Her scheduling is amazing - she was able to schedule late evening appointments (8-11pm) which accommodate people from out of town who need to come after work, like us. A dream! Carissa had my dress cleaned and pressed, which already made a big difference. Then she was able to do everything else that my dress required - even removing and replacing the top layer of the dress. She made excellent suggestions about what would look best. We appreciated her expertise and fully agreed with all of her ideas. She made my train removable (genius!) and even made a beautiful veil to go with my dress. It was well worth the time and money to use Carissa, and I would send others to her in a heartbeat! To see all that she can do with dresses, just follow her on Instagram - you will see how impressive she is :)

Kathryn Sent on 04/25/2017

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The Gilded Thimble get 5 stars 7 days a week! My experience couldn't have been better! From complementary coffee and snacks to the heartfelt hugs, this is an easy decision if you're looking for a seamstress. Very easy to contact and communicate, beautiful little shop, one on one consultation and very speedy! You can trust Carissa and her staff with your dress! Price is very reasonable for the high quality work!

User2656007 Sent on 03/30/2017

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My experience with The Gilded Thimble was wonderful. They provided feedback via text message for me with one dress I was considering buying, happily rescheduled my appointment when my dress was delayed, and then worked magic on it during a Sew While You Wait appointment. Carissa turned an unforgiving dress into a beautifully smooth sheath and we had a great time during the appointment. I really appreciated how she thoroughly explained everything that was going wrong with my dress and her eye for detail is second to none.

If you're looking for alterations is SW Virginia this is the place to go! Just keep in mind: you do need to book well in advance - appointments fill up quickly!

Faith Sent on 03/19/2017

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They did an amazing job on my dress. I loved it!

Ashley Sent on 03/13/2017

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The Gilded Timble is amazing! She's a wizard with a needle and thread. She made my dress look awesome. If you need a seamstress definitely go to her! Plus she's super nice and so easy to work with.

Andi Sent on 03/08/2017

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Loved working with Carissa! She is seriously gifted and very accommodating.

Alece Sent on 02/25/2017

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I cannot begin to express how amazing my experience was with the Gilded Thimble with my wedding dress alternations! I was referred by Church Street Bridal and had no idea what to expect but knew that reviews were high and I totally understand why. Friendly service the atmosphere of the shop was enjoyable to be in while I had my sew while you wait session. The outcome exceeded my expectations. MAGIC! Honestly I can see why people pay for alternations. We also took before and after photos and I could see the huge difference. I live in Blacksburg and it was worth the drive and then some! Thank you for such an amazing experience!

Nirmal Sent on 02/03/2017

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THIS PLACE IS HEAVENLY!!! Coming from Canada and not having any idea who to ask to adjust my daughter's wedding dress. We found Gilded thimble via google and they did NOT disappoint. This place made our experience truly out of this world. It's such a beautiful shop from the classy decor to the great staff. Honestly every second was a fabulous experience. They are well experienced yet gracious seamstresses. Amidst all wedding preps (in another country) these ladies brought such calm and tenderhearted help. They adjusted and added embellishments to the wedding gown and the maid of honour's dress and beautifully made them one of a kind. So that was 3 yrs ago ( Sorry Charissa! I forgot to post a review then). But now my second daughter is getting married and guess WHO will be our seamstress again :o)

Shavonne Sent on 10/22/2016

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The Gilded Thimble was absolutely AMAZING!!!!!!! They will always be my first recommendation to any bride. The overall experience brings relief in the midst of stressful wedding planning. I anticipated each and every session with them. Love Carissa!

Kristen Sent on 10/22/2016

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I was referred by Church Street Bridal where I bought my dress and by my sister. I did a sew while you wait session and brought my best friend along. I have a bussel done, the bottom hemmed, my zipper fixed, my sash attached, and the top taken in. It was alot of work and she got it done in 5 hours. She was very personable and friendly. I felt very comfortable the entire time. Highly recommend.

Libby Sent on 10/13/2016

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I had an amazing experience with the Guilded Thimble. She made my dress look and feel like a custom made dress fitting perfectly to me.

She also is able to use techniques that I have not heard anyone else can do just to ensure the best fitting.

I'm in love with my dress now thanks to the Guilded Thimble !!

Stephanie Sent on 10/11/2016

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I was referred to The Gilded Thimble by a couple people and I am so thankful I was!! The professionalism, the wonderful craftsmanship and value was amazing!! I had such an amazing experience and would recommend to everyone! If you want to feel beautiful and have an amazing time throughout your dress altaring experience, this is the place to go!!

Lauren Sent on 10/05/2016

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Carissa is amazing. I had been told by a vendor that my brand new dress was "unable to be altered" (it was a size larger than I needed...?) and Carissa and Yael helped assure me that it could be done and then they did it! I did a Sew-While-Wait and I totally recommend that too. It was a relief to have it all done in two sessions since I live about an hour and 20 minutes from their shop. I have some serious curves and needed a lot of support in my chest and they made it happen. I received MANY compliments on my dress and how well it fit. I felt like a celebrity in it! I cannot remember exactly how much I spent (around $450), but it was extremely reasonable in my opinion. I wholeheartedly recommend The Gilded Thimble - for their value, their quality of work, and getting to work with someone as friendly and warm as Carissa (and Yael, although I only spoke with her for a short time, I mainly worked with Carissa).

User2747679 Sent on 08/30/2016

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I was referred to The Gilded Thimble by a friend. I have a really long train and I wanted it bustled without looking like one of Cinderella's step sisters. I didn't know what to expect when we went there but as soon as we walked in, it was so calming and relaxing. Everyone was so friendly. I did a sew while you wait and it was so unique and personal. My dress now looks like it was made for me and I am so excited to wear it on our wedding day! I will highly recommend them to any bride needing alterations.

Sheri Sent on 07/28/2016

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Carissa and Yael operate like a finely tuned machine! They are awesome at what they do and the service they provide. I live in Greensboro so they made it very easy to set up an initial appointment and then schedule a sewing day so I didn't have to make multiple trips. Everything was done while I waited and every stitch was perfect! I even had them add a little bling and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. They do awesome work at a very reasonable price! My dress was stunning - thanks so much!

Megan Sent on 06/30/2016

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The ladies at the Gilded Thimble were amazing!! They took my size 10 lacy dress and made it a size 4! They helped make my wedding day go so much smoother by being so friendly and helpful!

Brad Sent on 06/15/2016

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I searched everywhere to find someone who could bring bring my pleats back to life. My friend had told me about the Gilded Thimble and said they were absolutely amazing. Well She was completely right! they were able to bring my pleats back to life!

User2634958 Sent on 06/05/2016

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I consider myself to be somewhat of a "perfectionist" when it comes to details and doing something the right way if doing it at all. That said, I am not easy to please. The Gilded Thimble took the time, care, and attention to know what it was that I really wanted and offered their skills to make it happen within my budget (which was not the kind of budget that a perfectionist would typically prefer). Carissa and Yael turned A dress into MY dress. They thoroughly explained the potential complications associated with making certain thoughts a reality and offered professional suggestions and solutions that can only come from both experience and genuine care.

Catie Sent on 05/18/2016

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I cannot even begin to tell you how worth your experience will be if you choose these wonderful women to care for your wedding dress. I chose to do a "Sew While You Wait" appointment where they would work on my dress from start to finish in one appointment. It was such an incredible experience. My dress is tailor made to my body and I absolutely LOVE it. The attention to detail, the professionalism, the love for what these women do is incomparable to anyone else you could look for. My dress ended up needing to have the lace cut--which is a nerve-wracking experience, but it came out beautifully and you absolutely cannot tell it was cut. I love my dress, I loved my experience here, and I would do it all over again and travel from anywhere in the world to have these girls on my team for a day like my wedding day.

Carly Sent on 04/19/2016

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Carissa and all her wonderful employees made my wedding dress look stunning on me! Carissa also worked my wedding and I have to say I wouldn't have made it without her there! She was very professional and honestly made my wedding experience 10 times better than what I was expecting! She is the absolute BEST and I can't imagine using anyone else!

Ashley Sent on 04/19/2016

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Carissa is AMAZING! I can't say enough great things about her. My dream dress was a little snug when it came in so she completely redesigned the waist and hip to form to my body! It fit me perfectly. The atmosphere of the shop is adorable. So relaxing and accommodating. I chose the sew while you wait option, which made for a fun night with Carissa and Yael and my stepmom. We worked on one aspect of the dress at a time. She took my dream dress and turned it into ABSOLUTE PERFECTION! I also hired Carissa for my wedding day to assist in helping me get dressed and being there to help the bridesmaids and mothers with any assistance they might need. During the day while we were taking pictures in the heat she carried an umbrella to help keep me cool and she stayed til after our first dance. Having her there made me feel so reassured on such a big day that if anything happened with my dress i was good to go. Trust this woman she won't let you down!

Laura Sent on 02/01/2016

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I highly recommend the Gilded Thimble! They were wonderful ladies and very talented. The price of the work that they did on my dress was more than reasonable.

User2499063 Sent on 01/08/2016

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AMAZING!!!!!! AWESOME!!!! Look no further for your wedding dress alterations or redesign. I am from Washington DC and it was COMPLETELY worth driving four hours to come and get my dress done. They were able to take two dresses and make it into my dream dress! They went above and beyond to accommodate all my needs. They are super sweet and fun to work with! You will not find a more talented or reasonably priced seamstress!!!!

User2441011 Sent on 11/24/2015

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Carrisa is exceptional. She truly makes you feel special and she is a miracle worker.

Ashley Sent on 11/17/2015

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I am still in awe over the fabulous experience I had with The Gilded Thimble! The quality of their work is outstanding, and quite possibly the best value for a wedding dress alteration in this area. I loved the fact that I could text them and that they always responded to me personally. They only schedule one appointment at a time, so it was all about me while I was there - I felt so valued as a customer and as a bride! Their space is stunning - totally shabby chic/vintage glam atmosphere, which I loved! They helped me add some personal/unique touches to my dress, and they altered it to perfection. I felt so comfortable and beautiful in my dress, all thanks to them!

Rachel Sent on 11/16/2015

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Karissa is a magician. She put me at ease and made my dress beautiful! You can trust her with your dress. She is laid back, communicates well, is flexible, and fun to work with.

Cally Sent on 08/28/2015

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I had my gown alterations with the Gilded Thimble. They are AMAZING. I had my lace gown altered closer around my hips for more of silhouette. They altered the gown while I was in it, and the result as perfect. I was so impressed with how quickly they worked. My alterations, including the bustle, was completed in two hours. The made my dream dress! I even had them tea stain my moms veil to match. I highly recommend them!

Rice Sent on 08/17/2015

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Carissa is AMAZING! She is affordable for brides on a budget and does amazing work!! They continuously worked with me and my changing schedule, and even allowed me to split my appointment up into two different days so that I didn't have to schedule a late night appointment (which costs a little more). She was able to get everything but the bustle done in 2 hours, and then did the bustle for "homework" and I picked up my dress two days later! It is perfect! She is so knowledgeable in her field which was SUPER helpful to me since I don't know a whole lot about weddings or wedding dresses. Carissa and Yael are so nice and accommodating...my sister had her wedding dress altered there and it came out perfect so I came here a year later and had the same wonderful experience. The "Sew while wait" option is WONDERFUL because a.) it's actually a lot of fun and Carissa and Yael are great to hang out with, and b.) you KNOW that by the time you leave your dress will look and feel the way you want it to when you walk down the aisle...no guessing or having to keep your fingers crossed! I would HIGHLY recommend The Gilded Thimble to anyone needing wedding dress alterations!

Maryanne Sent on 08/16/2015

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The wonderful ladies at the Gilded Thimble were SO amazing when they worked on my dress- the fees may seem steep, but ladies- IT'S WORTH IT! Not to mention they're SUPER efficient! My dress was taken in, brought up higher, and bustled all in under an hour! They have so much attention to detail and really take time in explaining what would make it look best! I'm a bit busty, but also have a long torso, so strapless dresses always look REALLY low on me! They showed me how they could change the waistline to bring it up a few more inches to make it more comfortable to move in! It's the little things like that that kept me from freaking out on my wedding day! I knew I had nothing to worry about as far as my dress was concerned because they did such an amazing job! Thank you SO much!

Sadai Sent on 07/24/2015

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I purchased a beautiful Kleinfeld gown from Church Street Bridal in Lynchburg Virginia. However, it was too long and needed some repair to the beading and to the tulle. The Gilded Thimble was highly recommended by the lovely ladies at Church Street Bridal and also had great reviews online. When I arrived at The Gilded Thimble it was so pretty on the inside and Carissa and Yael were super friendly and helpful. They asked me about my expectations for my dress and made great suggestions as well. My dress was a beast in terms of how much tulle it had! and the transformation that occurred once some of the extra layers were cut out and Yael steamed it were breathtaking! The repair job to the beading was beautiful and Carissa did a great job reinforcing the loops to the corset back of the dress. The quality of work and the pricing here is more than reasonable. The ladies here were professional but still personable and fun. I even got a little sick during my fitting and they were so kind that they even fed me :) Everyone at my wedding absolutely loved my dress and commented on how it fit me like a glove. I would highly recommend The Gilded Thimble to anyone regardless of location in the US that is looking for quality Bridal Gown Alterations.

Betsy Sent on 07/13/2015

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Carrisa was amazing! She was punctual & her work was perfect. I wouldn't have wanted to not have her on my wedding day!

Donna Sent on 07/03/2015

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If I could give them 10 stars I would. This was one of the best experiences of the wedding. We actually bought my daughter's dress at Church Street Bridal in Lynchburg, Virginia and then had alterations done at the Gilded Thimble. We went for them to see the dress on Emileigh, they had dress cleaned and stored for us. One month before the wedding we went for the one and only fitting and alteration. We had their undivided attention from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Emileigh tried the dress on and they made minor alterations and then the magic started. We had taken my dress and Emileigh tried on and decided to have it cut into a fun little cocktail dress. When I saw the scissors get close to cutting the dress, emotions came over me. I started to cry and they stopped and wanted to know if I was sure about this. I was amazed that they didn't mark it they eyeballed everything and it turned out beautifully. We walked away at 3:00 with two beautiful dresses, one that they altered and one they recreated. The staff was awesome, wish they were closer as I would stop in just to visit. Great job ladies.

Donna Lambert and Emileigh Lambert Conley

Jessica Sent on 06/16/2015

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These ladies are amazing! I could not have asked for a better alterations experience. It was certainly worth the 4 hour drive on two separate occasions

User2179199 Sent on 06/14/2015

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Carissa is an amazing seamstress. From the smallest detail adjustment to a dramatic change, Carissa works her magic. She's an elegant visionary who truly knows how to use her talent to make you feel the best you for your special day. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a modern day fairy godmother:)

Maggie Sent on 06/12/2015

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The wonderful women at the Gilded Thimble made alterations a breeze! They came highly recommend by Church Street Bridal, and with good reason! The ladies were professional and warm, which is all you really want when you are getting in and out of a big, poofy dress! They were knowledgeable and helpful and gently pushed me in the right direction for alterations (that hemline needs to be 2 inches off the ground, TRUST THEM!) They are amazing at what they do.

Most importantly for us-- we are are a same-sex couple and they were so accommodating to two brides who didn't want to see each other's dresses before the ceremony!

Lauren Sent on 06/05/2015

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100% the best money I have spent on the wedding thus far. I would not have had nearly as good of a day without Carissa. I used Carissa for both my wedding day of services and for alterations. Carissa is one heck of a seamstress and fit my dress to me perfectly. Also, she fixed my veil on several occasions (first to fix the tear in it and second to fix the unraveling around the comb for the day of). She helped my flower girl, my mom, my sister, and other wedding party guests who needed anything. She was with me the entire day for 6+ hours. Can't even thank her enough for everything she did.

User2129368 Sent on 05/12/2015

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The Gilded Thimble is by far the absolute BEST alterations business I have ever gone to. Being able to see your dress alterations happen while wearing your dress and being there to say what you like and don't like is phenomenal! The service is over 5 stars and I have already referred so many girls to them. You will not have a bad experience and can expect your dress to be exactly the way you want it on your special day!

User2103978 Sent on 04/21/2015

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Both of the ladies were awesome! They really knew what they were doing, and they make you feel like family. It was a very pleasurable experience for me.

User1963393 Sent on 04/03/2015

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When I purchased my wedding dress from Church Street Bridal they gave me The Gilded Thimble's business card and recommended I take my dress there when it came time for alterations. My dress needed a bit of work on top of the typical alterations and I am thrilled I chose to take my dress to the Gilded Thimble. I live 3 hours north and after finding no leads for wedding dress repairs close to me I decided to make the full day appointment and truly enjoyed my experience with Carissa she is kind and professional and made my dress look like a million bucks. While Carissa worked my mom and I were able to grab lunch and hit some of the nearby antique shops. I would highly recommend using The Gilded Thimble for your alterations or repairs especially if you purchased a Church Street dress that may need a little love, she works wonders!

Shoshana Sent on 02/21/2015

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I just had my wedding dress altered by Carissa at The Gilded Thimble and I could not be more thrilled with the service and with the results. I bought my dress at Church Street Bridal in Lynchburg and, while it was a worn down sample dress, I could see the potential. To my delight, Carissa understood how beautiful it could be and made it even better than what I hoped for. She attentively listened to my ideas and she and her assistants made great suggestions.

I had a "sew while you wait" appointment and I really enjoyed it. My maid of honor and I got to hang out while I worked on my veil and Carissa altered my dress. I had it hemmed, bustled, a crinoline added, pickups added, the buttons reinforced, and lovely little off the shoulder puff sleeves in just 4.5 hours. She also steamed and reformed the ribbon flowers that decorated the bodice and skirt. Those had been my biggest worry when I bought the dress because they just hung there like smushed seaweed. Not attractive. Now they're fluffy and beautiful in 3D.

The price I paid for such high quality work was very reasonable. I managed to buy my dress and get it altered to the perfect dress for me for less than I would have ordinarily paid at a bridal store.

Carissa and her assistants, Yael and Sue, were so lovely to work with. They're very warm and friendly while still being professional and incredibly efficient. I'm actually sad that I won't be going back to spend another day at The Gilded Thimble.

Stephanie Sent on 01/24/2015

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I can’t say enough good things about The Gilded Thimble. Carissa and Yael are the wedding dress dream team! I had a ‘sew while wait’ appointment yesterday and the amount of quality work that can be accomplished, in several hours, by these two, is astonishing. The comfortable feeling you get by stepping foot into this business extends into every aspect of their process. Any nerves you may have about the process quickly diminish after only several minutes with these talented ladies. My dress needed a literal overhaul and all the work was preformed efficiently with exceptional quality. After all the structural issues with my dress were completed, it was perfect! It is beautiful and amazes me how good something can look when it fits properly. I had also brought along an heirloom piece of lace that I wanted to incorporate. I had been brainstorming for some time and had several ideas about what I wanted, I just wasn’t sure what was possible. I learned that virtually anything with Carissa is possible. They heard my ideas and then to help me visualize, they created examples of how it could look. They were not pushy and did not try to sway me in any specific direction. They simply showed me what was doable and left the decision up to me. In the end, I decided to have the lace appliquéd to the neckline. Carissa hand stitched the lace to my dress while I wore it to make sure the fit was “gilded.” I had a vision in my mind of what I wanted and Carissa took the vision and made it into something more than I ever could have imagined. She is truly gifted and I feel so blessed to have been graced with her skill! If you have any alteration needs for your wedding dress please just go here! The experience is truly magical and so are the sweet souls behind it all!

The Gilded Thimble Reviews

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The Gilded Thimble