Frequently Asked Questions
We offer a premium service at ILKA. Our female lead team are highly trained designers, pattern makers, machinists and couture technicians. We are dedicated to only delivery high end services for our brides and aim to replicate the original finishes on your gown.
Our pricing structure is based off of an hourly rate across our alterations sewing and fittings.
An average spend for our brides is between $800.00 - $1,400.00 for a full bespoke tailoring service; take in/let out bodice & skirt, contouring, straps take up and hems. We offer different styles of bustles, which range in complexity and vary in price generally between $90-360.
We advise you at your fitting of an estimate quote for alterations and require a 50% deposit to be made at the 1st fitting. The final payment is based on the time required to sew and may be higher or lower than the estimate provided. If significantly more time is required to complete your alterations we inform inform you every step of the way.
Online Quotes
Looking for a rough estimate? Email us today at booking@weareilka.com.au, with what areas you would like tailored, as well as imagery of your dress. This quote is not firm, pricing may change once the dress has been viewed by our team.
Showroom Quote
Looking to come in to visit our space and have an in person quote?
Sure, we can help!
Fittings are included in the estimated price of your alterations. If you are seeking professional advice or an estimated quote for your bridal gown alterations this is charged at $165+GST ($181.50). This fee is redeemable for up to a 4 week period after your initial fitting, limited to your bridal alterations only. If you choose not to proceed with your alterations, that is not a problem, the fee would no longer be redeemable.
For price enquires, please email booking@weareilka.com.au or call 0404 414 635
Most clients attend 2-3 fittings for bridal gown alterations. Each fitting goes for the duration of 30 - 45mins. General alteration fittings are 15 minutes.
The bridal tailoring process generally takes 6-9 weeks. We recommend booking in roughly 2-3 months before wedding date. If you are having a destination wedding, please remember to take this into consideration when booking in. Shorter timeframes can be accommodated upon request. Please contact our team.
Yes, we can accommodate rush jobs for bridal alterations.
Rush fees apply for timeframes of under 5 weeks to the wedding/departure date).
The rush fee is tiered, between 20-50% depending on the time we have.
We can accommodate very short timeframes of 1-2 days or a week turnaround, with prior arrangement.
Many of our regional customers opt for a rush job and spend a few days in Perth to have their bridal gown alterations completed within 1-2 days, instead of multiple trips back and forth.
Yes, we work with many customers who live outside of Perth. We do require the person being fitted to physically be present to tailor the outfit perfectly. These customers most often choose to rush their alterations through in a few days, or if travelling back and forth we can work together to achieve the right schedule. Please be sure to mention if you live regionally in the notes of your booking.
Fittings are charged at the same hourly rate of $165+gst pr/hr, we include the price of fittings when we provide your price estimate.
If you would like to request additional fittings, please be mindful these will be charged as per our hourly rate.
To obtain a free quote email through some photos of your gown and the areas in need of alterations.
We work to an hourly rate of $165+gst. To fit in with a customer’s budget we can discuss reducing the scope of work. Please do not take offence we are unable to lower our hourly rate.
A 50% deposit of the estimated price is required on the date of your first fitting. The remaining balance is due on or before the final collection fitting.
We accept Eftpos, Visa, Mastercard, AMEX*, bank transfers and cash.
*surcharge applies
Studio ILKA is a fashion and alterations studio. Our team of seamstresses are experts in bridal alterations on new wedding dresses, preloved bridal dresses, sale or sample dresses and vintage pieces. We have a design background and can problem solve to achieve the look you require with your outfit.
We are dedicated to achieving that bespoke fit that you desire. Whether you want your wedding dress taken in or let out, the hems taken up or a split added, we will make sure your bridal alterations flatter your shape and fit you beautifully.
At Studio ILKA we specialise in Bridal alterations, and subject to availability can offer suit alterations and general alterations (please email or call ahead).
Bridal alterations can be completed on plain, satin, silk, lace, beaded embellishment, pleated or gathered fabric gowns.
Our standard bridal alterations service includes size adjusments (1-2 sizes), hem shortening, straps, adding bustles, adding boning, and more.
We also offer custom design elements such as neckline re-design, sleeves, over skirts, vintage bridal re-design and full custom designed outfits.
Yes, we make veils, belts, gloves, sleeves and bridal accessories to order. We have samples available in store to try on, or feel free to email us with your inspiration.
We can certainly alter you dress to fit for pregnancy. Depending on the style and alterations/design changes required as well as your individual circumstances, we recommend for you to contact our team via email, with as much information as possible about your dress and timeframe for us to best work with you.
Depending on the stage of pregnancy and timeframe, the best option may be a rushed time frame (under 5 weeks) to get the optimal fit for you and your bump. Contact our team to book you in for your 1st fitting.
We understand bodies change, and a wedding shred might be on the cards. To prepare for these changes, we request for you to notify our staff before or at your 1st fitting. Our team will work to alter the dress to the body present on the 1st fitting, however the wokr can be split into multiple fittings for the dress to fit you to the T.
I’ve already had my 1st fitting with ILKA, and my body is changing shape, what do I do?
Firstly, don’t panic and secondly call or email our team. If you have noticed significant changes to your body, please notify our team ASAP. We will book you in for an additional fitting. For this service additional charges will apply for the fitting and any additional alteration works required.
Yes! Just like pregnancy, breastfeed and postpartum bodies can change in size and shape rapidly.
Breastfeeding: We would recommend fittings to be booked in at the same time or at the same fullness from previous visits, for each appointment. E.g If you have come in after you have feed, and your bust is smaller the dress will fit differently, to if you came in with full breast. If you need any assistance in this, please contact our staff.
Postpartum: It is important to have as much information as possible in regards to how your body may change. If you wedding is shortly after you give birth, please call our team to organise your fitting dates.
Yes, we welcome everyone to ILKA. If you have any question or concerns about your visit, please get in touch with us.
Our fitting rooms are upstairs, however with prior notice (5 days) we can facilitate a fitting in our downstairs studio. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss more.
It can be overwhelming and stressful planning a wedding, as well as being in a wedding dress. Some clients have found it beneficial to give our team prior knowledge of any conditions or concerns they have. This information will be held with the utmost privacy and professionalism. If you wish to speak with one of our team members, feel free to contact them before your fitting or speak privately at the time of your 1st fitting.
We don't expect our customers to know the in's and out's of garment construction, that's why we're here. Below are some terms you might find useful;
Bodice Reconstruction
This is where our team of experts reconstruct the bodice of your wedding gown to create a bespoke fit for you. This may include, but is not limited to: taking in or letting out the bust and/or waist, contouring the neckline, re-shaping armholes, adjusting or altering bra cup inserts, and shaping the bust area.
Skirt Reconstruction
This is where our team of experts tailor the skirt of your wedding gown. This may include, but is not limited to: taking in the waist, both the high hip measurement and the hip measurement, tailoring the back of the dress to accentuate the bottom, or adding darts into the skirt waistline to create shape.
Wedding Dress Hem adjustments
Our team will adjust straight hems, scalloped lace hems, hand rolled hems, beaded hems and tulle hems, to name a few. All adjusted hems are completed in the desired length and to the original design, so that the hem looks untouched.
Neckline modifications
This can include neckline reshaping, contouring to your bust, and neckline redesign, eg. lowering the back to the waist.
Bustles
A bustle is a functional alteration which keeps the train off the floor for you to dance the night away, free from having guests accidentally step on your wedding gown. We can create multiple types of bustles or a hand loop. Please note: depending on the style of dress, a bustle might not be achievable, but we are happy to discuss this at your fitting.
Converting back bodice into a lace-up
Is your dress too tight? Or do you love the look of a lace-up? Either way, our tailors can convert the back of your wedding dress into a lace-up.
Straps and Sleeves
We lengthen, shorten and offer custom straps or sleeves that can be created upon request. We also can create detachable sleeves to suit your dress.
Customisations
If you wish to change an element of your bridal gown, or you have a customisation in mind, we invite you to contact us via email with imagery of your gown and additional information about the customisation request. One of our team members will get in touch with you.
Redesign
We offer full gown redesign services. For this service, please email us at booking@weareilka.com.au with imagery for your gown and what areas you want to be redesigned. For this process more time is ideal for your wedding dress redesign, however short time frames can be accommodated.
A complex or comprehensive bridal alteration is one that will require significantly more sewing hours to complete.
For example, major size change. A dress requiring adjustment 3 or more dress sizes could require altering multiple seams to ensure the correct proportions are achieved, this process requires more sewing time.
Some brides purchase their dress with the intention of changing many aspects, such as necklines, straps/strapless, silhouette, linings and much more.
Booking a complex alteration fitting lets us know we need to account for more sewing time in our schedule.
We charge by the hour, so a more complex job is likely to also be more expensive due to the sewing time required. Extra fittings my be required subject to the scope of work.
Design changes are charged at a higher rate as they involve a higher skill and experience level.
We understand that not everyone purchases their gown expecting to do major and complex alterations to it. If you are concerned please speak with us and we can discuss options.
Yes, to obtain a quote, please email our team with current photos of the gown and the repairs/alterations needed.
All preloved and sample gowns must be cleaned prior to your first fitting and any sewing taking place, not only for hygiene reasons but also as the gown sizing may change slightly during the cleaning process.
Many different sleeves are available, from draped off the shoulder sleeves, gathered tulle sleeves, long lace sleeves, puff sleeves and more.
Depending on the design chosen and the construction of your gown, will determine how we create the sleeves and the pricing.
Please email us with reference imagery and photos of your gown for a quote.
We have redesigned many vintage wedding gowns, from Mothers, Grandmothers and other beautiful vintage pieces.
These dresses can be converted into a new wedding dress, a mini dress for the reception or use small elements to incorporate into your other wedding looks.
There are many variable when redesigning a vintage wedding gown, including the original design and the new design chosen, the fabrication, the condition of the fabric and the original fit vs the new fit desired.
Vintage redesigns start from $3000, which in general accounts for size adjustments, design changes, additional materials or hardware, zip replacements etc. To talk through what's possible please get in touch.
When working with vintage gowns we must take care with the fabric, it may be more delicate due to age.
As we are working with a gown that already exists, not a continuous piece of fabric, redesigns can take longer than creating a new gown from scratch. We usually have to fully deconstruct the gown, and then sew it back together again, or create new designs from small pieces of fabric.
We are working with very limited supply of fabric, so we create a draft to test the new design before cutting into the vintage gown.