Hi! I’m glad you are preparing to come to The Gilded Thimble. :)
Please take 10 minutes or so to read through this page. This page should give you all the information you need to orient you to the whole process. Yay! Jitters be-gone! You’ll find that I delve into all sorts of scenarios on this page. Just know that all the crazy policies are born out of actual events that have occurred here. (either lol or sob for me :) I really need to write a book after I retire! After you read this, text me if you have any questions that come up.
What type of clients do you serve?
We exclusively serve brides.
What are your hours?
Our hours are by appointment only. We are closed on Sundays & Mondays.
What should I bring to my initial fitting?
Bring your dress and the shoes that you plan to wear to the event. If you don't have the shoes yet then bring a pair that has the same heel height. Bring yoga pants or leggings if you are uncomfortable with me seeing your backside when I zip or unzip you. (Some adjustments require that I open the back of your gown.)
We will assess what type of undergarments you will need at the time of the fitting.
You typically do not need to bring any money to your first fitting. The usual 20 minute long initial consultations are free. You may want to bring a check, debit or credit card if you want dry cleaning or need to purchase a $12.00 acid-free fabric gown bag.
Who should I bring to my appointments?
We welcome you to invite **A** singular guest to share this experience with you. We request that you limit yourself to being accompanied by only one, (1) other person. We have seen the "entourage" situation many times. Although it seems like a great idea and seems like it will make your 3 sisters, 12 best friends, and MOB & MOG happy, it almost always backfires into a very stressful situation! For a more exhaustive explanation of why we have this policy, click here.
Let your dress altering decisions be up to you. The dress is a reflection of you! Your guest is there to enjoy the day and make memories with you. They are there to cheer you on, help you into your shoes, and maybe be an extra set of hands for carrying your bags. Please make sure you choose wisely and make sure your guest is comfortable in this role. I will be entirely focused on you and answer the questions that you have. If your guest is the curious type, please invite her to read this page before coming so that she understands what you and I discuss. You and I have a lot of ground to cover in the 20 minute appointment, and unfortunately, we won’t be able to back up and get your guest on the same page with us if they didn’t prepare.
Please keep in mind that this policy is not just to keep you sane. It is also for me. I don’t work well with several opinions being pressed upon me. I get overwhelmed with that easily.
Although I look like I’m just sitting there while you request changes, I’m actually technically assessing your gown and thinking many steps ahead. I’m memorizing measurements and shapes. We don’t need another person asking questions or giving input at that time. We don’t. Unfortunately, if you choose to disregard this policy and it becomes a distraction for me or another bride, we will have to end your appointment and reassess if we can continue the alterations process with your guest being involved.
We love kids!!! But, children under the age of 13 are not permitted.
Again:
Bring only 1 guest.
Children under the age of 13 are not permitted.
What are your payment policies?
As a rule, it's safe to say that we have a Cash Preferred Policy. We also offer credit and debit card acceptance.
A check is never accepted for final payment. You cannot take home a dress that has a balance due on it, and it is still considered "balance due" until the check clears from your bank. We cannot ship gowns that are balance due.
We will give you either an itemized quote at the initial consult, or we will at least give you price range for your project so that you may plan ahead for what amount to bring to each appointment.
The usual 20 minute-long initial consultations are free.
Gown cleaning fees are due when you leave your gown for dry cleaning— that is before we clean your gown.
If you have a series of 30 minute to 1-hour long fittings, you will need to pay at least 100$ per fitting until the total bill is paid. You are welcome to pay ahead as well.
If you have a long Sew While Wait session, then the total alterations fee will be due at the end of that long session.
How long in advance of my event should I make my appointment for?
That all depends... We usually discuss this over the phone because each case is different. I think the textbook answer to that is, 2-6 months before the event, you should be well on your way to having your dress completed. But there are variables. If your weight fluctuates for any reason, hormones, thyroid, pregnancy, etc. we will need to fit you closer to your event date. Sometimes, the week of your event! This can also be a decision based upon your emotions. If you are an avid planner and can't sleep until your checklist is done, then we can alter your dress as early as you wish. (We do recommend that you schedule a final adjustment fitting close to your event date if you go the early route.)
Regardless of when you want your alterations completed, you should always book early. You will find significantly fewer appointment openings if you initially reach out to us 6 months or closer to your wedding date. Some brides get on the books here before they even find their dress, or sometimes before they are even engaged. (Picture a bride who knows she has a short engagement coming up, and won't be able to go dress shopping until 4 months before her wedding.). Book appointment here.
How soon can you get my dress finished?
Our pace of work is generally set by how well my schedule lines up with yours. We can usually schedule your follow-up fittings about a week or two apart once we initially get you in the books. If you only have Saturday morning availability, it may be months before we can book you -they fill up fast. But if you can make yourself available at less popular times; for example, a Tuesday morning, then you may be able to get on the books within a week or two. This all depends on the season as well.
Can I store my dress at The Gilded Thimble?
Yes, you may. If you have your alterations done with us, we'll be happy to store that dress during the process. Dress storage is limited to a total of 2 years. The dress is insured while it is with us. If you need to see your dress for any reason, you may call or text ahead to make sure we're open and you may come by during our open business hours. If you require assistance with getting into your dress or need any work performed on your dress, then you must schedule a fitting.
Do you offer steaming and pressing services?
Yes we do. The fees for this vary based upon the garment. We'll be happy to look at it and give you a quote.
Do you have gown cleaning services?
Yes we do. We offer cleaning before alterations for gowns that are used or shop worn. Prices vary. We even offer gown cleaning and box preservation after your wedding.
What is the first appointment like?
We greet you and show you to the dressing room and help you to get into your dress if needed. This takes place in the main mirror room where we discuss your goals for the dress. We look at your dress in a very detailed manner, evaluating its construction and the method of alterations that we will need to perform. We discuss with you the various choices that you have for our altering of the gown and how the different methods affect our time-tables and pricing. We discuss what kinds of undergarments you need. We help you out of your gown. We write up a work order for you and compare our bookings availability with your own scheduling needs. If there is ample time in our schedule for the work to be performed, then we make an appointment for your alterations to be done. You read over the work order, contract, and appointment time and sign the contract. We keep one copy with your dress and store your dress in our back room. You get a carbon copy of the work order and contract. We meet again at the appointed time. (That's the technical version. I didn't mention how much fun we have!! ;)
You typically do not need to bring any money to your first fitting. Initial consultations are free. You may want to bring a check if you want dry cleaning. Having an initial consultation does not guarantee that we can alter your dress. Many factors go into whether or not we can schedule your work to be done.
The initial consultation takes only 15-20 mins. It's mainly for us to get acquainted with your dress and get your appointments planned out and scheduled. It can also help put you at ease by allowing you to meet us in person and ask any questions that you may have about your dress. The initial consult may be swapped out for an email or text/ phone consult if you are an out of town bride who needs to save a trip.
What are your Alcohol Policies?
We do not give away alcohol, bottles of champagne, etc. Also, due to ABC regulations, alcohol is not permitted in our shop. Please do not secretly plan an event at my studio, bring alcohol, catering, several guests, and trash the store... Am I typing this? Oh yes I am. Sad thing is, I'm typing this because it has happened multiple times. The entourage leaves and the next bride is scheduled at that moment, but all my trash cans are full, there are spills to mop, etc. Yes, this is a problem, and it makes me want to cry. Please respect my work and my shop. Please respect the bride after you. She deserves a timely appointment in a clean space.
How do I find your shop?
The Gilded Thimble
852 Burks Hill Rd
Bedford, VA 24523
This is a new location! Please park in front.
Look out for our bold blue building. It is immediately off of 460 -literally the first driveway.
There is handicapped and overflow parking available in back if needed. Please pardon our dust while we settle in. As always, magical things are in store!
Is photography allowed? & What does The Gilded Thimble do with pictures that they take?
Yes! You are welcome to take pictures to document the joy and beauty of your day, but as usual, we have to puts some limits on things. You or a family member cannot schedule a shoot to take place at our studio with a professional photographer, or even a bridal portrait session with an amateur photographer without our prior permission. We have to plan for these sorts of things. Depending on the amount of time that you require there will be a fee for using the studio for portraits. The pictures that you and I take are photos that are snagged at opportune times before, during, and after your alterations times. A portrait photography session takes time away from our sewing and consulting and therefore is considered inappropriate and inadmissible.
On another very important note, I am happy to pose with you for a picture if you want one, but please do not photograph or video me candidly while I am working. The internet has plenty of unflattering pictures of me double-chinning it with my butt in the air while I work. I am very uncomfortable with this, and you would be too. EEk!! :}
We also take pictures for documentation purposes, the fun of before/afters, teaching purposes, promotion, and commercial gain for ourselves and our affiliates. If we have made one, we are happy to share a photo grid with you of your dress at the end of your project, should you request it. Photographs are always anonymous. The bride's face, tattoos, or other identifying features will be edited out of any photos we use on instagram. If you do not wish to have your gown documented, please let us know at the initial consultation. We are happy to oblige.
Is The Gilded Thimble handicapped accessible?
YESSSS!!! After many years, we can now say yes! We just moved into our new location and invested heavily into ADA compliant remodeling. Yay!
What is a "Sew While Wait"?
"Sew While Waits" ( or sometimes abbreviated, “SWW” ) are a little different than our most common type of appointment, (the kind where you come for short fittings throughout the alterations process.) "Sew While Waits" are extended appointments during which we perform your alterations while you wait. Appointment lengths vary based upon the scope of the project. These sessions are only held during the hours of 10AM-5PM on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
Some reasons for which we will schedule an extended fitting are as follows:
A bride who lives far away or must stay at a hotel while her alterations are performed benefits from saving travel time and lodging expenses
An alteration which requires the bride to be wearing her dress while we custom sew it to her form.
An alteration which requires that a bride take the dress off and on many times.
Re-designs in which the bride's feedback and direction are needed throughout the process.
We have a lot of fun at this type of session. We have continuity of thought and the project is completed much faster! Carissa sews while the bride shops around town, tries our local restaurants out, naps, labels her invites, etc. Typically, you will be trying your dress on several times throughout the day, so bring a robe or wear something that's very easy to change into.
The full sewing charge is due at the end of the SWW session.
We regret that we cannot offer you wifi. :(
If you wish to watch Netflix, pick out music for your event, or anything else audio related, please bring earbuds.
**Please note that we cannot guarantee a session free of interruptions. This is a business, and there's all sorts of things going on here!
There is almost always one simple fitting scheduled at some point during the session as well.
Just "share the love" and we'll get back with you as soon as possible. :)
Do you have a written price list?
No, we don't. We really don't know how to even begin writing one! Every dress is different. The construction of the gowns vary widely. Alterations vary in complexity. There's just no way for us to know what it will cost without consulting with the bride in person while she is wearing the dress. We do generate a work order that is specific to your dress at the first fitting, though. That is a general list of things that you feel need to be done. Alterations, however, are an open-ended process. Sometimes alterations have a "domino effect" so it is impossible to fully predict everything that needs to be done and how much it will cost. For this reason, our work order states that the pick up time is an estimate. Pricing is also very fluid and basically reflects how long it takes us to complete your project.
Do I need to arrive early for my appointment?
No, please do not arrive early. Our appointments are just a general framework to guide our day and to keep it running as smoothly as possible. We often run behind, actually! Sometimes fittings take longer than we expect and we don't want to "shoo" a bride out of the door just because she has taken a little longer than most. If we are running more than 20 minutes behind, we try to text you the estimated time that we will see you. That way, you can choose to take your time getting to our shop, browse local stores, enjoy a coffee in our lounge area, or reschedule if needed. (If you happen to run behind, we would love for you to return the favor and let us know that you will be late ;). Obviously, appointments are more likely to run behind as the day progresses. And, Saturdays are usually the worst because of the volume of customers.
Do you offer wifi?
No, Unfortunately, we do not. We have a metered connection that is used by our security system. We have a welcome center 2 blocks away if you need to get online.
Do you sell undergarments?
We sell are crinolines, also called petticoats, or commonly referred to as a poufy slip. : ) We also sell and sew in bust pads and push-up pads.
We will assess your undergarment needs as we work. You will sometimes need a bustier, slip, “sticky boobs,” or even a pair of Spanx. We try to let you know at the first appointment if you will need these, but sometimes we don’t know until closer to the end of the fitting process.
**Please please please, do not take a suggestion of undergarments as an insult to your figure. I would never stop you on the street and point out that you need Spanx! But, it is my job to help outfit you 100% according to the needs of your gown. I absolutely consider undergarment assessment as part of my job. If this is offensive to you due to past serious body image issues such as body dysmorphic disorder, eating disorders, or even just personal feelings you have, (you do not need to tell me the details) then please let me know up-front that you don’t want any undergarment suggestions.**
Last but not least… Do I live at my shop???
I get asked this all the time. Although it feels like it during bridal season, I do not live at my shop. No need to worry about food odors clinging to your gown. We don’t even have a kitchen.
I'm having trouble getting you on the phone. What is the best way to contact you?
Our phone rings a lot, but we try to keep phone conversations to a minimum while we are with a bride. If you have a quick question or need an immediate response, please text us at our number. We'll get back with you as soon as we can. If you text and we don’t respond, hit us up again. We are trying our best, but sometimes lose a message.