Tatyana's Wedding Alterations

The store I got the dress from recommended a seamstress so I figured she'd be good. Unfortunately, it was not so.

When I picked up the dress from the seamstress, I noticed that it was pretty tight around my chest, but I thought it was due to my excitement and that I was simply breathing too hard. I put it on, saw it, didn't notice anything weird in the 5 minutes I had it on so I left.

I took the dress home and a couple of days later decided to put it on again just to see how it looked - I couldn't pull the zipper all the way up and I noticed some weird lumps around my waist (on the sides) and a pouch on the front of the dress (it is draped) that made me look like a mama kangaroo!

Since I am very scared of turning into the stereotypical bridezilla, I thought I was just being crazy. Finally I called one of my bridesmaids to see if she wouldn't mind helping me put on the dress and giving me her opinion. The minute I took a breath with the dress zipped all the way up, the top-most button went flying into the air like a bullet!
Before you think that I bought a dress 2 sizes too small and then starved myself to try and get in, let me clarify a couple of things:
1. I am pretty thin. I eat extremely healthy and exercise 5-6 times per week.
2. I am Latin, so even if I gain weight, it goes to my thighs, not my chest. Actually, my waist and thighs had to be taken in and I still have room in there.
3. I have a very small chest.

I called her on a Wednesday or Thursday and she was ready to see me on Friday. When I arrived she asked me to put on the dress and immediately after she saw me wearing it she pointed out at my waist and saw the lumps. She started looking at every part of me and the dress, she measured me and showed me that the bust had to be taken out by 4cm so I could breathe and 2 more cm in the waist (after fixing the ridiculous lumps). She told me that the length I had was still too long, even though I'm wearing flat ballet shoes. She showed me how she'd take the bustle (because even with the bustle, my train still dragged about 3 feet behind me) so that the entire skirt would come out and I would be able to dance.

She told me she'd consider my dress high priority since she knew I'd be traveling very shortly and I left feeling a bit reassured. I went home and Sunday night, I get a voice mail from Tatyana telling me that the dress is ready! Can you believe that? TWO DAYS!! She fixed hem, bust, waist, crazy kangaroo pouch and the train/bustle in TWO DAYS!
I went there today and picked it up. I couldn't believe it when I was able to zip it all the way up without any help - and I didn't have to stop breathing either! I have no idea how she did it but she took out 4cms in the top and took the waist in. There are no crazy lumps around my waist and hips and the length is absolutely perfect. The bustle is great too! I will be able to dance the night away after we pick up that train. OH! And I am no longer a mama kangaroo!

Tatyana told me how (negatively) surprised she'd been when she started working on my dress. She couldn't believe what the other seamstress had done - it was as if she'd sewn the dress drunk! I am so grateful to have found someone that knows her skill so well and is willing to help out someone in need. She was very understanding and pleasant to work with.

I agree with all the other reviewers, that when you want something done right, you should definitely come to Tatyana. If you live in the west side (I live in Beaverton) it can be a drive, but it is 100% worth it. I am just very sorry that I found her in the end, after I'd already paid almost $300 in alterations to someone who doesn't know how to sew properly.
Tatyana is the Goddess of Sewing. PERIOD.

I have had 3 different dresses worked on by Tatyana. All came out PERFECT! The first dress I took to Tatyana was a fancy-schmancy silk bridesmaid dress that she took in. The other 2 dresses were made of soft T-shirt type material. Tatyana worked her magic & every one of my dresses was the perfect length for a shorty like me. Since Tatyana grew up in Russia and attended specialty seamstress schools, she has an accent. In my opinion, her accent only demonstrates how hard she has worked to learn English & establish her seamstress business since she has been in the United States. TATYANA'S WEDDING ALTERATIONS was just recognized by the Better Bus. Bureau in 2009! Congratulations Tatyana!

A Miracle Worker: I did not lose as much weight as anticipated when I ordered my gown months in advance. When it arrived, it was a full size too small. Even if it had been the correct size, the bustline would still have been too revealing for the occasion. It was absolutely hideous. I also wanted a chiffon bolero (I had fabric) to go with the gown to cover my flabby arms, but only had vague style ideas on that. Enter, Tatyana. When I came back a week later, the dress fit, it flattered, it was gorgeous. The bolero was perfection and the style blended perfectly with the gown. I would have gotten married myself in that dress. I can not speak too highly of Tatyana's skill and sheer magnificence as a stylist and miracle worker. It is now months after my friend's beautiful wedding. I was just cleaning my desk at work, came across her business card and searched for some kind of forum to rave about her.

:: wild applause ::