FAQS

Answers You Need

FAQs: FAQs

WHO WILL I WORK WITH:

Bridal Specialist & Co-Owner: Sarah Voke

RTW & Formalwear Specialist: & Co-Owner: Colby Backous

Both Sarah and Colby have formal educations in fashion design. They have worked in many different facets of the fashion industry in addition to their many years in alterations. You can choose KN Custom Sewing for your alterations knowing you're working with an experienced seamstress/seamster.

WHAT WE WORK ON:

Bridal gowns, formal event gowns/dresses, bridesmaids dresses, mother-of-the-groom/bride gowns, prom dresses, suits, business attire, ready-to-wear, childrenswear, military.

WHAT WE DO NOT WORK ON:

Swimwear, dancewear, intimates/shapewear, active/athleticwear(unless hemming only), outerwear zippers, beading from scratch, decorating veils, leather, repairs, shoes, accessories, animal toys/supplies, homewares.

WHAT IS CONSIDERED CUSTOM WORK:

- Sewing on sleeves/straps (pre-made)

- Creating sleeves/straps

- Lining bodice or skirt

- Sewing in additional skirt layers (Ex: glitter layer)

- Revising, redesigning, or reconstructing front or back neckline

- Sewing bodice to skirt

- Gussets

- Changing zipper to corset or vice versa

- Adding a slit (not suitable for all dresses)

- Complete resizing when dress is over 2 sizes too big in any area

- Any type of redesigning

*This is a non-exhaustive list. Custom work is described as anything that your dress didn't originally come with.

*Custom work is NOT a budget friendly option. If you are on a tight budget we recommend buying a dress you love fully that only needs standard alterations.

*Client is responsible for supplying ALL fabrics for custom work.

*The client is responsible for notifying KN Custom Sewing of custom work when booking the initial fitting.

*KN Custom Sewing has the right to reject any custom work if timeline and dress design does not allow proper execution.

HOW TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT:

Call us at (515) 233-0303. Please let us know what type of item(s) you plan on bringing, how many items, and your event date. If you plan on having custom work done please let us know in advance to make sure we can accommodate your requests. If you are on a weightloss journey we recommend not coming in for a fitting until you are at a stable weight since this will affect the final result of your fitting. Please also let us know if you are pregnant since this can also impact the final result of your fitting. We will create a timeline that works with your changing body. All item types require an appointment. If you bring additional guests with you and they have items for fitting as well they are also required to make their own separate appointment. No exceptions.

Please note, a confirmed appointment does not guarantee we will be able to work on your garment. This will be decided upon during the fitting. If you reschedule, cancel or are a no-show, KN Custom Sewing is not guaranteed to get you back in for an appointment.

GARMENT LEAD TIMES:

Ready-to-Wear: 10-14 days*

Formal: 1 Month Minimum*

Bridal: 3 Month Minimum*

Custom Work: 4 Month Minimum*

*Subject to change depending on workload. See Announcements and Updates for current lead times and cutoff dates. Quicker turnarounds will be subject to 25% rush fee.

*Any wedding not in Iowa needs to be scheduled based on the day you are planning on leaving the area. Please provide this date along with your wedding date when scheduling or else you will be subject to a rush charge.

*Appointments are required for ALL garments.

WHAT TO BRING TO A FITTING:

Your garment that needs to be altered on a hanger. Please make sure your garment is clean. If we see that the garment is stained or soiled we have the right to reject your garment until it is laundered or dry-cleaned. We are not responsible for removing existing stains from your garments. Client is responsible for bringing fabrics needed for any agreed upon custom work and must bring it at the initial fitting. Please bring any special undergarments needed for your garment. EX: Specialized bras, shapewear, crinoline, etc. We have bra cups available to be sewn into your garments at an additional fee if you do not wish to wear a bra. Layering pieces underneath jackets and coats. Shoes with an accurate heel height. If you are wearing flats then you do not need to bring shoes. Please take these items back home with you after your fitting. If you leave them at the shop we are not responsible for items getting lost.

WHAT NOT TO BRING TO A FITTING:

More than 1 guest.
Small Children that are not being fitted. If you bring small children they need to have a babysitter/guardian watching them that isn't having a fitting. We have many sharp, heavy, and hot objects that may cause injury to children. KN Custom Sewing is not responsible for injury if this policy isn't followed.
Accessories that do not impact the fit of your garment. EX: jewelry, veils, etc.
Drinks and food.
We also strongly suggest that you do NOT have a spray tan, makeup trial, or generally wear heavy makeup before any fitting. We've seen this stain many dresses and we can't guarantee stain removal. Dry cleaning may be required at the expense of the client if they do not follow this policy.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT AN INITIAL FITTING:

Please arrive at your appointment on time. If you are more than 10 minutes late we will ask you to reschedule. No exceptions.

We do not allow more than one additional guest with you due to the size of our seating area and peak times for appointments. Bringing more than one guest also confuses and extends the fit sessions. This is especially important on Saturdays - our busiest day of the week.

At your fitting, we ask that you remove your shoes at the front entrance to minimize bringing in dirt and debris inside of the fitting area so we can keep garments as clean as possible. This is especially important for white gowns. If you need to keep your shoes on for stability and other medical reasons, please let us know, and also be cognizant of your shoes' condition when you come into the shop. We will set you up in a fitting room to allow you to change. At this time we may also measure you. Please put on any special undergarments, layering pieces, and/or shoes you plan on wearing with your garment. Please come out of the fitting room when you are changed. From there, your alterations specialist will conduct the fitting.

Clients and guests are required to stay in the fit areas. Please do not walk past the cutting table and into work areas. Failure to due so may lead to damages and injury. Before/Progress/Afters photos may be taken during fittings to be potentially used for marketing purposes. Client identity will be kept anonymous in photos. Once all fit questions and concerns are addressed we ask that you change. Please leave ALL pins in your garment and leave it in the dressing room. We will bag up and store your items for you after we finish your initial fitting. Once you are finished changing we will go over pricing with you and set up your following fittings. Please have your schedule readily available. Please note, pressing/steaming garments is not complimentary unless noted by your alteration specialist. Please bring this up with your alteration specialist if you are interested and we can add this to your bill.

Before I leave my initial fitting I will sign a contract stating I agree and understand all of KN Custom Sewing's procedures, expectations, and policies.

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER AN INITIAL FITTING:

At the end of your initial fitting, we will set up the date and time of your follow up fittings. Please save this date as we will NOT contact you for follow-up or confirmation of this upcoming appointment date. If you need to change your final fitting date please contact us at (515) 233-0303. Please be aware that if you move up the final fitting date that was established at the initial fitting you are pushing other clients out of the schedule for your garment. If this is the case you will be subject to a 25% rush fee. No exceptions.

If you change the heel height you are planning on wearing with your garment, please contact us as soon as possible. This will affect the length of your garment and the hem we have pinned. If the hem has already been cut you may need to revert to your original shoes. If we need to re-hem the dress you will be charged an additional hemming fee.

If you gain/lose weight or become pregnant after your initial fitting please contact us immediately to be refit. This can affect the fit of your garment immensely. You may incur additional alteration charges.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT A FINAL FITTING:

Please arrive at your appointment on time. If you are more than 10 minutes late we will ask you to reschedule. No exceptions.

At your fitting, we ask that you remove your shoes at the front entrance to minimize bringing in dirt and debris inside of the fitting area so we can keep garments as clean as possible. This is especially important for white gowns. If you need to keep your shoes on for stability and other medical reasons please let us know and also be cognizant of your shoes' condition when you come into the shop. We will set you up in a fitting room to allow you to change. Please put on any special undergarments, layering pieces, and/or shoes you plan on wearing with your garment that you had at your initial fitting. Once changed, please come out of the dressing room to review your final garment. We will go over any special features of your item at that time, EX: bustles.

Clients and guests are required to stay in the fit areas. Please do not walk past the cutting table and into work areas. Failure to due so may lead to damages and injury.

Before/Progress/Afters photos may be taken during fittings to be potentially used for marketing purposes. Client identity will be kept anonymous in photos. Please leave your garment in the fitting room once you are changed. Once you are finished changing we will bag up your garment. You will take your finished garment home today. Further storage options are available at special request. If additional work is needed on your garment we will address this right away and schedule another fitting immediately. If you are having your garment pressed/steamed after your final we will confirm a following pick-up date. You will NOT be trying on your garment again at your steam/press pickup date. Reminder, pressing and steaming is not complimentary unless noted by your alteration specialist.

CUSTOM WORK:

Custom work is described as anything that isn’t outside of standard alterations. See list of examples above. Custom work requests need to be discussed at the time of booking your initial fitting. Due to high workload seasons, we are not always able to fulfill custom work requests. If you are having custom work done please plan for at least 3-5 fittings. If you do not have the time to dedicate to these fitting we do not recommend moving forward with custom work. The client is expected to bring fabrics needed for custom work. We are not responsible for sourcing fabrics. If you need KN Custom Sewing to source fabrics, this needs to be discussed at the time of booking your initial fitting. Fabric cost will be covered by the client and isn’t included in the original agreed-upon cost of the custom work. Custom work is NOT a budget friendly option. If you are on a tight budget we recommend buying a dress you love fully that only needs standard alterations.

PREVIOUSLY WORKED ON GARMENTS

We understand that sometimes garments are brought to us after they've been damaged by a previous seamstress. We can definitely help in these situations but please understand that sometimes we are not able to get your garment back to 100% since we have no way of knowing what exactly was done by the previous seamstress. We encourage you to always do your research on your service provider and to make sure you are going to someone experienced and reputable.

PAYMENT AND FEES:

Full payment is due at your initial fitting. Payment plans are available at special request. We accept ApplePay, cards, and cash. NO checks.

A 25% rush fee will be added to garments that don’t meet our minimum turnaround times or if you move up the date of your final fitting that was agreed upon at the date of your initial fitting.

Any additional procedures needed at my next fitting can incur additional fees,

EX: Your dress originally didn’t need a hem but you changed your shoes and now it needs a hem. You will be charged for a hem and depending on the timeline potentially a 25% rush fee if you do not allow us adequate work time based on the minimums noted above.

EX: If you gain/lose weight and need to have a procedure redone, such as taking in the sides, you will be charged again and depending on the timeline potentially a 25% rush fee if you do not allow us adequate work time based on the minimums noted above.

Storage options are available at special request.

Pricing quotes made over the phone/email or by any wedding gown shop are not guaranteed. Garment must be inspected in person by KN Custom Sewing to make an accurate quote.

Our pricing is competitively set based on industry standards. There are times when our pricing will fall outside of your budget and/or you may find a more affordable option with another provider. We don't aim to be the "cheapest" alterations in the area, but we do aim to provide the best value for your money. Don't hesitate to reach out to discuss where your budget sits in relations to the alterations outlined during your fitting, and we will be happy to provide ideas or options where we may able to suit your budget better.

GARMENT OWNERSHIP:

For Bridal/Formalwear - if a garment is left at the shop for 1 year after the scheduled final fitting date, the client forfeits the garment to KN Custom Sewing’s ownership where we have the right to donate and/or discard as we see appropriate.

For RTW - if a garment is left at the shop for 90 days after the scheduled pickup date, the client forfeits the garment to KN Custom Sewing’s ownership where we have the right to donate and/or discard as we see appropriate.

ALTERATION POLICIES

Garments MUST be new and/or clean. We have the right to reject your item if it is soiled and may require it to be wet and dry cleaned before worked on.

Sample dresses purchased off the rack from wedding shops need to be both wet and dry cleaned before alterations.

Wedding gowns should be from reputable bridal shops.

KN Custom Sewing is not responsible for weight gain or loss under any circumstance. If you gain/lose weight and your garment requires additional work you will incur additional charges.

KN Custom Sewing is not responsible for damages on garments caused by client during a fitting. Client will be responsible for paying for repairs. EX: breaking a zipper, moving too much during a fitting with pins and causing tears, etc.

Before/Progress/After photos may be taken during fittings to be potentially used for marketing purposes. Client identity will be kept anonymous in photos.

At your final fitting, you will approve and sign off on your alterations. If you bring your garment back for further alterations after taking it home you will incur additional charges and potentially rush charges depending on timing.

Poor behavior will not be tolerated under any circumstance. This includes but isn’t limited to speaking or behaving rudely, aggressively, or degrading our team members or other clients. We will also not tolerate destruction of garments, slamming doors in our faces, throwing things at us, or hitting us. You will be asked to leave immediately in any of these circumstances.

If you can't abide by our policies and processes KN Custom Sewing has the right to cancel your order at any time and reject your business moving forward.