6 minute read
One stitch at a time
Addy Moua, of Emporia Suits and Alterations in Willmar, helps brides get just the right fit to their wedding gowns. Shelby Lindrud / West Central Tribune
Willmar alterations shop is in the business of creating the perfect look for every wedding
BY SHELBY LINDRUD | WEST CENTRAL TRIBUNE
WILLMAR — When it comes to the wedding dress, finding the perfect one might only be half the battle. Because once a bride lands on the dress of her dreams, it then needs to fit like one.
That is where alterations come in.
If the dress is purchased at a bridal salon, going through the alterations process is part of the experience. However, more and more brides are choosing to buy their dresses online or from vintage and thrift shops, or taking a family heirloom down the aisle one more time. This usually means having to find a tailor or alterations shop to help out.
"It is all over the chart," said Addy Moua of the kind of dresses she sees at Emporia Suits and Alterations in Willmar. "We have those that are really simple, and those that are all about sequins and floral."
Emporia Suits started out as SewnEdge Alterations in Uptown Willmar, but owners Moua and Sean Yang decided to expand the business to offer suits, shirts and ties for formal occasions. The new store opened in 2022 in the Plaza One strip mall on First Street South in Willmar.
Wedding dresses, no matter how simple they may look, can be very complex. As such, it can take a delicate and dedicated touch when making alterations.
"You have to be extra careful working on a wedding dress," Moua said. "It's a lot of work."
The first step in any alteration is a phone call.
Like so much in regards to wedding planning, Moua recommends planning months in advance. Brides should call about dress alterations at least three to four months prior to the wedding, and perhaps even closer to six months prior if the wedding is being held in late spring. That is prime prom season as well, and alteration shops can get very busy around then.
"Call us ahead of time to get fitted," Moua said.
Some brides call about an alteration and hope to get a price estimate. Moua is hesitant to give any sort of price without actually having seen the garment. At Emporia, they don't charge by the hour but more by how in-depth the job is. Moua said she feels that is a fairer way to charge for both the business and the bride.
"It is not simple to give a quote over the phone," Moua said.
During the actual fitting, Moua will work with the bride to create the perfect fit. This may mean hemming, or letting the dress in or out. If a dress will require additional embellishments or fabric, Moua will also help the bride choose the right notions, though she usually has the bride purchase those themselves, so Moua knows the choices are what the bride wants.
"We can give her suggestions, recommendations too," Moua said.
With many brides now deciding to buy their dresses online, or even at vintage or thrift stores where there are no size options, alterations become even more necessary.
One piece of advice Moua has is to pay attention to the hem. While that may seem like an easy thing to fix, it can actually be a challenge, especially if there are multiple layers or a lot of embellishment. When buying a dress, try to find one that is already the right length. For shorter women, perhaps just wearing a heeled shoe will be enough if a dress is just a bit too long.
"Usually the hem is the most difficult part of the dress," Moua said. "Ninety percent of the dresses that come through the door usually have to do with hemming."
Another challenge for Moua is altering a family dress, one that has been worn by multiple brides. The dress itself could be decades old and, with that, have its own special needs.
"The fabric is very delicate," Moua said. The dress itself might also require extra care after the big day, to make sure it stays in good enough condition for the next bride.
With family dresses, Moua will sometimes need to alter the dress in such a way that it can be undone after the wedding. That way the dress can be returned to the original owner in the same condition in which it left.
Emporia Suits and Alteration can also help the other members of the wedding party get the right fit on their wedding day outfits.
The groom and groomsmen can
purchase their suits from Emporium and have them altered there. Bridesmaids, mothers of the bride and others can also get their dresses and suits altered. Moua said brides will sometimes bring in their bridesmaids and the dresses to all be fitted together.
No matter how complex, challenging and time consuming the job may be, Moua wants to do the very best for her clients. For many women, their wedding dress may be the most important dress they ever wear. The brides are trusting Moua with something very special, and she wants to do her part in making the wedding the best it can be.
"You have to be very patient with what you do," Moua said, and loving the job is very important. "Be very passionate." ■
