Don’t ask a bridal shop – why would they send you to competition. They will recommend a good seamstress to make alternations, and this may be a good start, but they may not lead you to the best person to make the entire dress – especially if you are looking for more than just sewing a pattern that you find.

Ask ladies that work at the best fabric store in town for recommendations to start and use the old-fashioned Yellow Pages. Call and visit and ask to look at a portfolio of their work and recommendations.