Pricing, in plain English.

Because alteration work is sized to the garment in front of the seamstress. Fabric, lining, beading, structure, and the actual work needed all change the labor. A flat menu would either underquote some clients or overcharge others.

Instead, we publish starting prices. Some seamstresses send an initial estimate with your appointment confirmation; the final quote is typically written at the first fitting. The final price reflects the work as completed, including any additions you approve along the way.

Request an appointment with a Thimble seamstress in your zip code. Depending on the seamstress, you may receive an initial estimate with your appointment confirmation. At the first fitting, your garment is pinned, the work is walked through, and you receive a final written quote. Sewing begins only after you approve the quote.

The quote is your starting point. If the scope of work expands during the alterations (a hidden seam shows up, a fabric issue appears, you ask for an addition), your seamstress pauses for your approval before continuing.

The estimate is your starting point, not a guaranteed final price. It covers the work agreed at the first fitting, written up by your seamstress.

If something new is discovered partway through (a hidden seam, a fabric issue, an addition you decide to make) or the scope grows for any honest reason, your seamstress pauses, updates the estimate, and waits for your approval before continuing. The final invoice reflects the work as actually completed.

A 5% booking fee is added to the seamstress's quote and shown on your invoice. Rush and travel fees, when applicable, are set by the individual seamstress and shown on the estimate or invoice.

Four things, in order of how often they show up: fabric (silk, chiffon, lace, beading, and lining all take longer than cotton or jersey); complexity (multi-layer skirts, structured jackets, working buttonholes, hidden zippers); deadline (a rush inside seven days may add a small line, shown clearly); and specialty (the seamstress you choose and the kind of work they specialize in).

Two garments that look identical on the rack can land at different quotes for these honest, predictable reasons.

One credit or debit card kept securely on file, set up before your first fitting but not charged. Your card is charged only when the job is marked complete. The invoice reflects the approved quote plus any additions you approved along the way, a 5% booking fee on the quoted work, and (when applicable) rush or travel fees set by the seamstress.

No cash collected at the studio, no checks, no Venmo to the seamstress on the side.

Tips are not required, expected, or part of how Thimble works. Your seamstress is paid fairly for the work they complete, so there's no need to tip.

You are free to decline part of the work, scale the scope back, or walk away after the first fitting at no cost. Sewing begins only after you approve the quote.

If the scope grows during the work, your seamstress asks for your approval before continuing, and you can decline the addition.

Booking fee: 5% is added to the seamstress's quote, shown on the invoice.

Rush: if you need a turnaround inside a week, your seamstress may add a rush charge to reflect the schedule shift. Rush rates are set by the individual seamstress and shown on the estimate.

Travel: if your seamstress travels to you (rather than you visiting the studio), a travel fee may apply. Travel rates are also set by the individual seamstress.

Fees appear on the estimate or invoice.