Tipping the seamstress?

I tipped my seamstress very well, because she went above and beyond, and produced an amazing dress for me! I just wanted to make sure I showed her my appreciation. However, I don’t think there is any “rule” that you have to tip your seamstress.

I tipped my seamstres $10, she replaced the zipper, and hemmed the bottem, and charged $450. Afterwards, it was too big in the chest. I She worked for a place that sells wedding dresses.

It is not customary to tip the seamstress, especially one who owns her own shop. That said, it's always your prerogative as a customer to give extra thanks if the work is beyond your expectations, you needed to move up the date of completion, and she went above and beyond to make it happen etc.

That said, tip culture is IMO out of control and I would resent the tip line being included in this situation. Plenty of hard workers in any given industry get paid by the hour or a salary and no tip, despite the fact that we should all be grateful for their work. I'd much rather the owner of a shop set her prices where she wants them.

Wait until after the service has been completed to your satisfaction and that they have gone above and beyond the call of duty only before you decide to tip. The tipping culture in the US pressures that you tip before the service is completed and you tip them just for existing, whether they earned it or not. That is not why or how tips work, nor the intention behind their creation. Whether they own their business or not is irrelevant, despite what the internet says because etiquette is largely ignored post-Covid.


Many modern machines have a tip option that should always be ignored. They have the option to not include it but they are hoping that people are gullible enough to not question anything. Don’t tip in this situation or anything similar. Most make a very decent living with commission on top of minimum wage and tips are not appropriate.

🙋‍♀️ seamstress here. I don't have a "tip line" on my invoices. That being said, I almost always receive a tip and it feels really nice! My prices are reasonable (way below bridal shops) and I try to give lots of 1 on 1 attention. That tip makes me feel like the person acknowledges all my efforts (not necessarily a bride, btw) I say go with your gut - if you loved what she did and felt she gave above and beyond service expected, then tip.