18 | Lee Enterprises - Western Region Bridal Guide 2025 Kearney seamstress has advice on how to sew up savings for a perfect fit. So Much To Do, SewLittle Time
complicate the alteration process. “At first I was struggling because of the language,” Ingry said, “but I was confident I could alter the dresses.” In her role as a seamstress, Ingry has had a front-row seat as hundreds of brides selected their gowns. She can say with credibility that selecting and purchasing a gown is only the beginning of a process that could require quite a bit more attention before the gown is ready for the wedding day. Ingry said some of her most memorable experiences as a seamstress unfolded in surprising and unexpected ways. As an example, she said one bride had selected a sleeveless gown, but the gown that arrived had long sleeves. It was a serious mistake, but the bride’s mother and friends suggested that the bride try on the dress. What happened was almost magical. The sleeves were a hit! “Everyone loved the sleeves. They added an element of sophistication,” Ingry said. What’s a good way to save money and time? With the cost of alterations often ranging from $200 to $800, the best way to limit or reduce alteration expenses is to order the size gown that’s closest to the bride’s size, Ingry said. A gown that fits well from the beginning will reduce the time spent by the seamstress and will limit the number of fittings. Some brides may have their dress custom made, or for a touch of sentimentality, they might want to wear their mother’s dress. Either of those options could require a good deal of alterations and multiple fittings, so don’t be shocked if the gown gets to be more expensive than anticipated. One additional consideration brides might encounter is how delicate the gown is. Beads, sequins, lace and other adornments increase the complexity of alterations. For example, with more lace or detail, there may be additional charges for the bridal gown alterations. For brides trying to stick with a budget, plowing lots of additional cost into their gown will mean tightening the belt on other expenses, or deciding it’s worth it to wear a gown that is guaranteed to make lifetime memories for both bride and groom.
MIKE KONZ Kearney Hub
time in selecting the dress, but depending upon the initial fit of the dress, other complexities will come into play in purchasing and preparing the gown for the special day. That’s the advice of Ingry Barroso, a seamstress who, during the past four years, altered 600 dresses for brides in the Kearney area. Ingry has been around needles, thread and fabric for most of her life. In her native Venezuela, Barroso made traditional custom outfits for children. She comes from a long line of tailors and seamstresses, or “sastres” and “modistas.” Her uncle’s skills were well known. He tailored tuxedos for Colombian dignitaries. When Ingry began altering wedding dresses in the United States, she noticed there was a difference in the style and construction of wedding gowns. Venezuelan dresses are simpler. U.S. dresses are festooned with beads, sequins and other adornments that can
One of the most common questions that comes up when shopping for the perfect bridal gown is, “How much does a dress cost?” It’s logical that cost is a common question because the gown is one of the most expensive items on the wedding day list, and that’s because the gown plays an important role in the wedding itself. So when brides select their dress, you can’t blame them for being so careful to pick out the perfect gown. It’s important for brides and the people who help them prepare for the big day to give gown selection the attention that it’s due. But be careful. Although it’s natural for wedding gown price considerations to rise to the top when selecting what to wear, there is a related matter. Brides also must be careful about how much time they spend selecting and preparing their dress. Remember that it’s normal to invest
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