Virginia’s Custom Bridal Designs & Alterations

Horrible on the phone. Was trying to make an appointment for bridal dress alterations and she was dismissive– already hinting I couldn’t afford her even though we have never met and she has not seen the dress. Encouraged me to look at other places. Thanks Virginia, for showing your nature at the start– would hate to have realized how impatient she is after I committed to my alterations.

Virginia is great & the sweetest.
She is a perfectionist & so personable; which is why I was suprised when my hem came down around my dress and frayed. Didnt remove the spot which not sure how it got there since it has with her for a few months.
She did a lovely job on my wedding gown train by, making it into a shawl & still had a train, custom made veil (one of a kind), & also did the straps to my daughters gown from my wedding dress strap. She is creative and not pricey at all. I was surprised by the price for her gown straps since it was told no cost and charged!!!

AMAZING! I cannot say enough great things about Virginia! I am from NY and bought my gown in CT and moved up to Mass and was really nervous about finding a good seamstress. Not having many recommendations, I trusted the internet and found shady dry cleaners or bridal stores that charged upwards of $ 800 for simple alterations with reviews that ranged from ok to horrible. My search ended with Virginia and I am so happy I made the RIGHT choice.
Virginia did not let me down!
I have a very simple, raw silk, very delicate gown… unbeknownst to me… finding the undergarments for this gown would be a nightmare. I brought it to Virginia and expressed my concerns and she let me come back 3 times to try on undergarments with my dress until I found the right one (bless her!)
Let’s talk about her work… nothing short of amazing! She has over 20 years experience in the business and it shows. Exquisite stitching that only someone with all of her experience can bring to the table. She took great care of my gown, she did great work — her prices are SO REASONABLE and she is so patient and really knows what she’s talking about. She is the type of seamstress who will tell you what you need to do and honestly… I am pretty stubborn and think I know what I want… just listen to her. She knows what she’s talking about and she will do you right.
There’s a reason she is so insanely busy and actually turns brides away if they are too last minute… people know she’s good and she’s booked SOLID… so, if your wedding is 1 to 2 months away and it’s a busy wedding season — you may not get in! Call ahead of time!
You seriously cannot find her level of service, professionalism, workmanship at her prices anywhere anymore…
And at the end of the day… I feel like I made a friend! As Virginia always says: «I love my girls brides» and in this jaded bridal industry — it’s nice to have someone on your side who makes you feel good about your special day!
She is truly the best!

When you need you big day to be PERFECT, and the gown to be exactly what you want, call Virginia. She may be a big, bold personality, but don’t let that scare you. She knows what she’s doing and will make your special day PERFECT.
I had two bridesmaids coming from out of town, so Virginia worked with both of them, sending them dresses, made from just their measurements! They came out fitting like a GLOVE.
My two gowns were also altered by Ginny, and frankly, what sets her apart, is she doesn’t just do what you want– she has an eye for detail. I didn’t even notice my short gown had a removable panel in the back which would be replaced with a lace-​up back. She noticed it right away and we had it removed. I wanted pockets on my bridesmaids dresses, and she put them in. There is nothing this woman can’t do.

I went to Virginia after my mother’s co-​worker used her for her daughter’s wedding. I was anxious because I am having my mother’s 30 year old dress rebuilt into something I will fit perfectly in, and I didn’t want the dress mangled in the process. After our first meeting, I felt comfy that Virginia clearly knew her stuff! She was so welcoming to me and my mother and instantly put me at ease. She also sent me to a cleaner that I will continue to use for more delicate and expensive items.
I had my second fitting yesterday, and I can’t believe what she is making happen with my dress. I’m bringing my rehearsal dinner dress there, a cashmere/​wool Barbour coat, and my bridesmaids are having their dresses altered by Virginia. My mom just made an appointment to have her wedding day gown altered too. If you need an experienced seamstress, I wouldn’t go anywhere but to Virginia!

If I could give this horrible woman zero stars I would do it.
My daughter took her wedding gown to Virginia to be fitted, hemmed and have a bustle added. The first appointment should have turned us away, as she was very expensive, quoting us $ 480 for the work, which included a French bustle. When my daughter balked and considered taking it eslewhere to have it quoted first (only common sense to get several quotes) Virginia gave her the ultimatum to «make up your mind right now… I am going to pull the pins out. I’m gonna pull the pins… decide!» causing my daughter to end up in tears. As the mother of the bride, I ended up taking Ginny aside and letting her know my feelings that brides should be treated with kid gloves, and to give her a few moments to come to terms with the price.
Because she was recommneded by her bridal salon, and was rather late in scheduling a fitting, she went against her better judgement and left the gown.
The 2^nd fitting went fine — she took in the sides and pulled the top in tight. It looked good. She pinned up the hem at this point.
The 3^rd fitting, I could not attend as I was out of town, and my daughter went with just her 9 yr old son… neither noticed the gown was too long on the sides when hemmed, and Virginia used this appointment to bully my daughter into allowing her to do a 5 point bustle instead of a French bustle or one with more points (more points, better)
When my daughter went to her final appointment to pick up her dress, her maid of honor went with her as I was still away. This time, my daughter mentioned that the bustle seemed to bunch up in the back, and the train did not hang straight when loose. Again, Virginia bullied her, refused to show them how to do the bustle in person, saying «I’m a seamstress, I am not getting down on my hands and knees to do your bustle.» Instead, she told the MOH to do it. My daughter was so upset when she left with the dress, she called me crying, saying she hated her dress and the whole dress buying experience now.
This is NO WAY to treat a bride the week before her wedding, about the most important part of feeling beautiful on the biggest day of her life. Virginia took a magical experience and ruined it.
But worst of all, when my daughter tried on the gown for me, it was VERY apparent that Virginia had no idea how to handle that bustle. It is too long, and will be stepped on during dancing. On one side, the underlayer hangs about too inches past the lace, and one the other side, it hangs about two inches inside the lace. Worst of all, when bustled the pick-​up points cause a big bunching effect right under her bum. Three adults, one formerly a bridal shop owner, saw her try it on and commented on the same thing.
And the icing on the cake? When I called Virginia to talk to her about it today, she told me that the bustle was SUPPOSED to hang past the ground, would not listen to me when I told her it was uneven, and when I told her that it bunched under her bum, told me she had no idea what I was talking about, that it was my daughter’s fault for texting on the phone during one appointment, and that the gown wasn’t worth her time and effort and that ther was nothing more she was willing to do for us, after receiving full payment.
And then she hung up on me.
I am warning brides now, if you want to be treated with the respect you deserve on your big day, and want quality work at a reasonable price, do NOT go to Virginia, and warn all your bride friends as well.

Virginia is probably the most amazing, talented seamstress I have ever seen. I have been in many pagents and Virginia has altered many of my pageant gowns. One of my gowns was so big, she took a lot of time on it and it was so complicated with beads, etc. but it came out PERFECT.
She is very very busy during the summer and fall with wedding gowns and alterations, so if you know if you need a bridesmaid dress or wedding dress altered call way in advance. She can do anything. I can’t wait until the day I get married and Virginia can make my wedding gown.
I wouldn’t trust my gowns to anybody else. You know you can feel safe and confidence when you give your cherished gown to Virginia.

BEST SEWING CLASSES EVER! Virginia is an AMAZING sewing instructor!!! She is super patient, nice, extremely knowledgeable, and very entertaining. She is the person to go to if you are looking to learn how to PROFESSIONALLY construct all sorts of garments, bags, home décor, and more. From what I have seen of her work in class I am sure her wedding gowns are to die for.
What I like most about the class is that she has you bring in a pattern of your choice. She asks that the pattern be challenging enough that she will be able to go through it with you and teach you lots of techniques, how to make a custom fit, how to make alter the pattern and much much more. I couldn’t say enough good things about her and her classes.