I spent $1300 to have my mother in law's vintage dress altered at Ruby's. It was in amazing condition (preserved 3 times), but was a high neck, long sleeve, full sleeve Priscilla of Boston dress that was 38 years old. It needed to be restyled.\r
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Under no circumstances would I advise you take to anything this valuable to Ruby. I was under the impression she considered herself a designer, but the ""couture"" in her name is quite misleading. She never once took on the position of a designer. She never sketched her vision for my dress. She never suggested alternatives to my more challenging ideas. She only had blunt ""no's"" or hesitant ""okays"" to the alterations I suggested.\r
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The only time she was cheerful and agreeable was the first fitting, before she had my money. I paid her $1000 to ""restyle"" my dress. She said I would leave happy. I was under the impression I would and that $1000 would definitely cover the alterations I wanted. \r
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Wrong again. Ruby charged me an additional $300 to restyle the skirt of the dress. At that point, I wanted nothing more than to leave her establishment with dress in hand and go somewhere, anywhere, that might value me as a customer...especially when I had spent the equivalent of 2 of dresses that she carries in her store. Nothing you see on the racks was designed by Ruby, by the way.\r
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Every fitting after the initial one was cold and unpleasant. Even my mom, mother in law, and maid of honor remarked that the she was distant and snobbish. The receptionist on the weekends is quite friendly. I'm so disappointed that what I thought would be my favorite and most enjoyable part of the wedding planning, was the most frustrating and dissatisfying.\r
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I'm taking my dress to the neighborhood seamstress to remove the Madonna cups Ruby put in (after I explicitly stated my dislike for their pointed look), remove the tacky speghetti straps, and sew in the bustier. I can't wait to be finished and finally happy with my dress after my experience with Ruby. \r
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I wouldn't spend another penny in her store, but the choice is yours. If she's your neighborhood seamstress and you just need pants hemmed, go for it. If you need something more extensive done, don't be fooled, shop around.
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