Alterations

I cannot say enough positive things about Debra! I purchased my Maggie Sottero wedding gown in Vermont and I was extremely nervous about finding a seamstress in Santa Fe to make the needed alterations. I even brought in another slightly too large dress as a test run before I let Debra touch my wedding gown! Looking back, she must have thought I was a total nut ball!
Needless to say, I had zero worries. Debra did a beautiful job on my dress! She was able to carefully pull in the bodice and remove some irritating beads. The bustle she put on for my train was so well hidden it took four of my bridesmaids to find! Once the bustle was hooked up, it stayed up!
Not only was the work done impeccably, Debra was so supportive and helpful through the process. When I showed her my veil, she voiced real concerns about it and was able to create a BEAUTIFUL alternative for a fraction of the cost of my original veil. I grateful that she was not afraid to give me her opinion. My final look was GORGEOUS!
My husband also had his pants for the wedding hemmed. Her prices are what they should be– she does quality work and should be compensated as such!

This review is partly in response to the previous one and partly (mostly) for the sake of sharing experience.
The owner of Alterations, Debra Belz, is not only the nicest and most understanding professional to work with, she is also a VERY skilled seamstress/​tailor. She listens to what your asking for and gives helpful advise and even maps out what she is planning to do so that you know EXACTLY what will be happening to your garments. Additionally, Debra always tells you the estimated (yes, estimated) cost. She gives you an estimate and makes it clear to the average person what you will be billed for and what could cause the price to inflate. When listening, it is very easy to know what you are getting yourself into.
When I was working with her, Debra not only talked to me and helped me see the reality of how my dress would fit best, she took the additional step to suggest raising the hem a couple of inches, which made all the difference in the world. The dress fit like a glove! And the entire time that the project was underway I was well aware of additional costs due to additional time. The result was a fabulous dress that shocked my best friend (who is an excellent seamstress). My friend’s response was «you can’t even tell that she did the work on the dress; this is remarkable.»
Debra always goes the extra mile. She finds creative and easy alternatives for any garment so that you can easily do what you want and even if you want to change your mind long after business with her, you are able to (on a dress of mine she made removable straps). She always creates some kind of clever trick so that you are able to switch up whatever it is you want switching.
As a well known Santa Fean professional, she is busy yet she works fast and effectively. She knows how to prioritize. I acknowledge that she may put other, more detailed and time consuming pieces before mine, however, if you talk to her about a deadline she will more than make sure it is done before then.
The comment written by the previous reviewer regarding a mark on his wife’s dress is so outrageous that I won’t even comment on that.
The entire staff at Alterations is an admirable crew and will definitely take care of your garments as if they were their own. Here, business is personal; and what more could you be asking for in a field like this?