Sheryl Peterson

I used Sheryl Peterson, an independent dressmaker, on the recommendation of my brother's fiancee; her mother knows Sheryl. Sheryl was also at the Oregon Wedding Showcase in Eugene in January 2011. I called her shortly therafter and booked an appointment for May 14, nine weeks before my July 16 wedding. On the morning of the first appointment, I showed up at her house on time with two of my friends, who were in town for my bridal shower. I was first put off by the condition of Sheryl's home, with dirty, stained carpets. But her studio space in the basement seemed just fine, and the fitting proceeded well. She said she would be able to hem my dress, let it out (don't buy a dress 15 months before your wedding and gain weight. Trouble!), add bra cups, tack down the sash, and add hooks to the jacket so it would stay shut. I wasn't in a huge hurry, with so much time before the wedding.

But.

Six weeks later, I still hadn't heard from her. I was now three weeks from my wedding and hadn't had a second fitting. I called her on T-minus 19 days and left a message. No answer. No return call on T-minus 18 days. I was starting to get stressed. Called her on the morning of T-minus 17 days. Left a message with her husband. Waited all day--nothing. Finally, that evening at 6, I called her again and finally talked to her. I scheduled my second fitting for the following Wednesday (T-minus 10 days)--but as of the time of the call, the dress was not done. I found out later that a new coworker of mine had used Sheryl for her wedding several years ago, and had the same issues with lack of responsiveness.

Despite my frustration, the alterations were done well before the wedding, were expertly done, and the dress looked beautiful on my wedding day. I would probably use Sheryl again, but would lower my expectations about her responsiveness.