Category: Terms & Policies

Custom sewing services will largely remain the same. Each project is taken on a case-by-case basis and will continue to be done this way.

I charge a flat rate of $25 per hour for custom sewing. You will be billed by the quarter hour. This fee does NOT include any materials or supplies required to make your item. These will also be invoiced directly to you. No custom sewing jobs will be done in with less than a 2 week turnaround time.

If you have a project you would like to have done, please contact me directly. I will talk to you about your needs and wants. Please be prepared to provide pictures and measurements as necessary. I reserve the right to refuse any project at any time due to availability and project complexity.

Additional details about this service can be found in the Sewing Links on this website.

Lessons are where many of the changes at Stacey Sansom Designs will take place. I am in the process of evaluating and adjusting lesson plans. This summer will largely be spent preparing for lessons in the fall. Sign-ups for fall sewing lessons will be available in late-July to early-August. Fall classes will begin in mid-September. If these rough dates change you will find another notice here at Stacey Sansom Designs or on Facebook.

Private versus group lessons

I will continue to teach private lessons, however, I want to increase group lessons. It is more fun to learn with friends, family, and even strangers. This is especially true with children.

If you are a current private lesson student, you will maintain your spot, however, I encourage you to sign up for a group lesson in the future.

Lesson types available at Stacey Sansom Designs:

• Private lessons – Intended for 1 student only
• Semi-private lessons – Intended for 2 students only
• Group lessons – Intended for 3-4 students (may vary)

Currently, classes are taught week-to-week and catered to each student. In the future, there will be a structured classroom schedule with projects to encourage continued growth and progress. Each class will have weekly homework for additional practice between lessons.

Age requirements

All students taking sewing lessons at Stacey Sansom Designs must be 8-years-old or older.

I do not teach students younger than 8-years-old here at Stacey Sansom Designs. That is a personal choice based on personal experiences teaching children in the past. This may change in the future, but is currently not an option. Please be respectful of this decision.

If your student is 8-11 years old, they must attend with a parent or other responsible adult. There are multiple reasons for this. The two main reasons that I instill this rule are (1) safety and (2) parental help at home. There are lots of hazards when sewing. Sewing machines can and do sew through fingers. Adult supervision helps classes go smoothly and prevents accidents. I have found that many students do not have support when they go home after lessons; their parents do not know how to sew and cannot help. With younger children (and even some teenagers) having help at home for practice between lessons is vital for their success. Help at home and during class also helps prevent frustrations. If your student is 11 years old and has previously taken lessons for at least 1 year, they may attend class without a parent.

Special accommodations

Stacey Sansom Designs tries to make accommodations where necessary. I have students of all ages. I have students that are visually impaired, hearing impaired, etc. If you require special accommodations, please contact Stacey Sansom Designs before registering for classes to see if I can accommodate these needs. It may require a private lesson.

Associated cost responsibilities

Sewing is not a cheap or free hobby.

The expenses for this hobby are yours regardless if it is for yourself or your child. I try to keep my classes affordable, but I also cover basic incidental materials and supplies with your class fees. Larger projects do incur additional costs above and beyond the incidental fees. In the future, I will continue to cover the cost of materials if only a very small amount of for any given project and it is easiest to purchase in larger quantities. The covered supplies will vary from lesson to lesson.

Your class fee will include the cost of the book (ie, textbook) that will be used throughout the class. This book will have instruction, projects, and often patterns for in-class or at-home use. This book must be brought to class each week!

Beginning this fall, you will be able to purchase all classroom projects in kits based on the class(es) of your choice. If you choose to not purchase the classroom project kits, you will receive a list of required supplies and materials to be brought to class each week. If no materials or supplies are brought to class, you will be invoiced for your student’s project kit.

Equipment purchase

Each student is expected to purchase their own supplies and equipment. This will not be required for the first couple of lessons. Practice will be expected at home and equipment is needed to complete adequate practice. Sewing is like any other new skill, you have to practice. I want to be able to celebrate your accomplishments as meager as you feel they are each week.

Personal equipment and supplies will no longer be required during class time. Stacey Sansom Designs will be set up with all required equipment and supplies for in-class use. This will save precious class time and also wear and tear on sewing machines being carried by younger children. My studio is upstairs and all the machines are banging up the walls in my stairwell. All personal equipment will be used for home practice and use.

Each student will receive a list of recommended supplies and equipment in their class welcome packet.

Classroom equipment

Classroom rules will be reviewed regularly. If you receive notice to remind your child of certain rules, please note that this is a universal reminder based on things witnessed each week. This is to help protect my investment in equipment and supplies provided by Stacey Sansom Designs. Damaged equipment means fewer students get to participate each week.

I will be setting up the classroom with multiple sewing machines for use by all students. Each machine will have a supply and equipment kit that accompanies it. Please remind your children to be respectful of other’s belongings. Damaged or lost equipment and supplies means fewer students get to participate each week.

Please note that not all machines in the Stacey Sansom Designs sewing classroom will be identical. I want to expose each student to different machines. If you do not have your own equipment, this is the perfect time for students to see what they prefer in a machine. Machines will range in age and features.

Practice is expected

If you feel that your student is not making progress in sewing lessons, please emphasize to them the importance of practicing at home each week. Lack of progress is most common with children that do not practice what they have learned each week. Lack of progress can also result from machine problems at home. Students that have a lack of interest in sewing tend to progress the slowest. They just are not interested or they find it too hard and are not willing to put in the effort.

Sewing is like any other new skill, you have to practice. I want to be able to celebrate your accomplishments as meager as you feel they are each week. We will take a couple of minutes each week to share at-home projects as well as projects completed in class.

Class registration and payment

Currently, classes are done on a week-to-week basis and payment is done likewise. Beginning Fall 2019, registration and payment will change.

Class registration will be for class bundles. If you pick the “beginner hand-sewing class,” it is a class bundle of several weeks of lessons. Each class will vary in length and price based on the number of “lessons” in the associated book. The bundled price will cover all lessons in the selected class. Each class will be paid in full before the first week of lessons. For the longer and more expensive classes, there will be options to make payments.

Each class will have a non-refundable $25.00 deposit. This reserves your class spot. With the exception of private and semi-private lessons, a class will not be held without at least 3 students registered. Your deposit will be refunded ONLY IF class is canceled due to lack of registration.

Class absences and make ups

I teach lessons 2-3 days per week. Currently, I frequently have students not show up for their scheduled time without prior notice. I make time for these classes. It is rude and disrespectful to not show up. If you are going to miss, please let me know.

Fall 2019, there will be no refunds for missed classes. Taking lessons is a commitment. Please make sure your student attends all classes that they are registered for.

Each month, there will be 1-2 make-up classes held. All students who have missed a lesson can use this scheduled time for completing their missed lessons if they have not already completed them at home. Space is limited. Students with missed lessons will have priority, but other students can come for help on individual projects as space is available.

If your student is sick, please keep them at home. I have students with weakened immune systems. If I get sick, I cannot teach efficiently. Please be respectful and keep your bugs at home.

This service was intended to be a local service. It was inteded to fill a need for residents in the area immediately surrounding the Stacey Sansom Designs location. My location is publically posted and should not come as a surprise to anyone. I have been contacted by many individuals that are disappointed that I am not located near them. I am sorry. I am located in North Texas, north of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

I can receive items via mail, however, shipping of your item will be invoiced to you 100%. Your turn around time will be 1-2 weeks from the date of receipt plus shipping via USPS Flat Rate Box. Please plan ahead! No items will be received and started without prior communication with Stacey Sansom Designs.

I do not sew patches onto just anything!

Please note that I do not sew patches onto the following items:

• High School or College letter jackets
• Heavy jackets or coats
• Leather items
• Vinyl items

I reserve the right to refuse any item at any time. I do not have equipment needed to work with heavier or thicker items. If in doubt of an item is excluded from items done by Stacey Sansom Designs, please contact me directly.

Hand sewn patches

Some patches must be sewn on by hand. This is because I cannot adequately get the sewing machine into the area where the patch will be located. This is common on sleeves, especially on smaller (ie. children’s) clothing.

There is an additional $1 fee for any patch that must be sewn by hand. You will not be asked to authorize this added cost, you understand it may be applied to your invoice as needed.

Monday is patch sewing day!

All patches to be sewn on must be received before 9:00 AM on Monday. Your items will be ready for pick-up in 2-3 days unless otherwise stated. Some items will take longer.

All patches to be sewn on received after 9:00 AM on Monday will be set to be completed the following Monday. These items will be ready for pick-up on Tuesday or Wednesday that week.

Any items requiring less than a 48-hour turnaround time will incur an additional $10.00 rush fee per item. Please plan ahead.

Payment for completed alterations

Payment is due for all patches before or at the time of pick-up. No exceptions! You will not receive your item(s) if you have not paid.

Upon completion of your patches, you will receive a digital/electronic invoice via email. Stacey Sansom Designs prefers all payments be made through the invoicing system. You may pay through a variety of options and the service is safe and secure. You do not have to worry about your credit card or banking information, I only see that your payment has been deposited from the payment processing service.

If you absolutely have to pay via cash payment, please notify me before pick-up. Please note that NO CASH is kept on the premises. Exact change is required. If you do not have exact change, any payment over your invoice will be kept as a credit on future services rendered.

Please do not be shocked by your invoice when you receive it. I have posted my pricing on the website. I do not work for free. I am not running a sweatshop. Please shop around if you are on a budget.

Special Discounts

There are no special discounts for select groups for this service unlike with some other services. Please do not ask!

The only discounts will be for individuals that bring me many patches to be sewn on at one time as is common with Boy Scout and Girl Scout patches.

If your patches can be sewn together to make one patch before attaching to the item, you will be charged based on the size “patch unit.” This is common among Boy Scout and Girl Scout troop number patches.

Stacey Sansom Designs is NOT a laundromat!

ALL ITEMS MUST BE CLEAN! I am not running a laundromat.

I reserve the right to refuse any item due to strong smells. These are migraine triggers. If I get a migraine, I cannot work efficiently (if at all). This is unfair to me and my business. It is also unfair to other customers that now have items delayed. Strong smells include any infused essential oils. Wash your items and immediately bag upon removal from the dryer.

I reserve the right to return any item brought to Stacey Sansom Designs with any pet hair on it. This is an allergy trigger. If I have an allergic reaction, I cannot work efficiently (if at all). This is unfair to me and my business. It is also unfair to other customers that now have items delayed. Wash your items and immediately bag upon removal from the dryer.

Please don’t be gross or tacky. I touch many parts of the items brought to me when sewing on patches. I don’t want to smell your sweat and funk. Your dirt, grime, and animal hairs gunk up the machines. If your item must be dry cleaned, your item will be returned for you get the item cleaned. You must present proof that you’ve completed the cleaning. If your item cannot be washed or drycleaned, you will be charged a $5.00 cleaning and maintenance fee per item. If your item is dirty and can be washed, you will be charged a $5.00 washing fee per item so that I can complete your patches as scheduled.

Alterations performed by Stacey Sansom at Stacey Sansom Designs will largely remain untouched by any Fall 2019 changes. I am truly grateful to be able to service so many individuals. Thank you for your referrals and business!

This section includes all clothing repair services.

Monday is alterations day!

Monday will remain the drop-off day for alterations.

If your item(s) is received before 9:00 AM on Monday, your project will be completed that week. Your return day may be longer than 1 week based on the repairs and magnitude of any alteration required.

If your item is received after 9:00 AM on Monday, your item will be completed the following week unless otherwise stated.

All alterations dropped off with less than a 72-hour turn around time will receive a $25.00 rush-fee per item.

Alteration returns and prioritization

Same-day return on items will no longer be guaranteed. This does not matter if you drop your item off on Monday or otherwise. Due to the increase in business, I can no longer make this guarantee.

Upon drop-off of your item(s), you will be asked what the “hard deadline” for the return of your item. A hard deadline is that date you absolutely must have the item back in your possession. Typically your return deadline will be marked 2-3 days prior to this deadline that you provide to Stacey Sansom Designs at the time of drop-off. This deadline will be used to prioritize all received alterations.

Typically items will be worked in the order they are received, however, the deadline is important because sometimes alterations can take longer based on fittings, etc. I will move onto the next item(s) while waiting for your response to or scheduling of any additional visits/fittings.

Alteration status checks

You are welcome to email, text, or private message Stacey Sansom Designs to see what the current status of your alteration(s). Please do not be offended by your status.

Please keep in mind that I only work on alterations on Monday and other select days as available. I provide services other than alterations, such as teaching sewing/quilting and thus cannot work on your item(s) around the clock. Your item will be returned by the date promised.

I often post pictures on the Stacey Sansom Designs Facebook Page throughout the alteration process. Make sure you like and follow Stacey Sansom Designs on Facebook to receive this updates.

Payment for completed alterations

Payment is due for all alterations before or at the time of pick-up. No exceptions! You will not receive your item(s) if you have not paid.

Upon completion of your alterations, you will receive a digital/electronic invoice via email. Stacey Sansom Designs prefers all payments be made through the invoicing system. You may pay through a variety of options and the service is safe and secure. You do not have to worry about your credit card or banking information, I only see that your payment has been deposited from the payment processing service.

If you absolutely have to pay via cash payment, please notify me before pick-up. Please note that NO CASH is kept on the premises. Exact change is required. If you do not have exact change, any payment over your invoice will be kept as a credit on future services rendered.

Please do not be shocked by your invoice when you receive it. I charge $25.00 per hour for most alteration services outside of hems. I do not work for free. I am not running a sweatshop. Please shop around if you are on a budget. I will do the least work possible for your alterations or repairs. If I have to take your item apart and reassemble, this takes time. Please be respectful.

Special Discounts

Until further notice, all residents of Paloma Creek and students at Talon Martial Arts 380 will receive an automatic 10% discount off their total invoice. You are the reason that I have been so busy! You have made the above changes necessary. This discount is a “thank you” for your continued business and referrals. Don’t forget to LIKE Stacey Sansom Designs on Facebook.

Stacey Sansom Designs is NOT a laundromat!

ALL ITEMS MUST BE CLEAN! I am not running a laundromat.

I reserve the right to refuse any item due to strong smells. These are migraine triggers. If I get a migraine, I cannot work efficiently (if at all). This is unfair to me and my business. It is also unfair to other customers that now have items delayed. Strong smells include any infused essential oils. Wash your items and immediately bag upon removal from the dryer.

I reserve the right to return any item brought to Stacey Sansom Designs with any pet hair on it. This is an allergy trigger. If I have an allergic reaction, I cannot work efficiently (if at all). This is unfair to me and my business. It is also unfair to other customers that now have items delayed. Wash your items and immediately bag upon removal from the dryer.

Please don’t be gross or tacky. I touch every part of the items brought to me when doing repairs or alterations. I don’t want to smell your sweat and funk. Your dirt, grime, and animal hairs gunk up the machines. If your item must be dry cleaned, your item will be returned for you get the item cleaned. You must present proof that you’ve completed the cleaning. If your item cannot be washed or drycleaned, you will be charged a $5.00 cleaning and maintenance fee per item. If your item is dirty and can be washed, you will be charged a $5.00 washing fee per item so that I can complete your alterations as scheduled.

Small run manufacturing is a service that has been provided by Stacey Sansom Designs to other small shops and boutiques since March 2018. Unfortunately, this is a service that I can no longer provide with the same frequency. As a result of this, I have been slowly cutting back on small run manufacturing for the past 6 months. This is a personal business decision and has nothing to do with any of the lovely shops/boutiques that I worked with.

Decreased frequency

Effective immediately, I will no longer be doing continuous or frequent runs of manufacturing products for local and not-so-local boutiques.

As mentioned above, this is a business decision. My business has taken a turn in a different direction and I am choosing to follow it instead. This decision is being driven to several things, but I will confess that it is largely profit driven. There has been a much greater demand for other services provided by Stacey Sansom Designs.

After watching this demand shift over the past 6 months, I felt it was no longer a sound or wise business decision to continue the higher stress and lower paying venture. I have been cutting back availability for small run manufacturing over this time period.

No business is being cut off

It is not my intention to cut off any of the shops or boutiques that I have been providing this service to. The decision is coming at a time where most shops and boutiques were not sending frequent jobs for completion. I will be keeping availability for a few select contacts, but changes will take place how each job is handled.

I have reached out directly to the shops and boutiques that I will maintain. These are selected due to their infrequent and smaller manufacturing demands. If you have not received direct contact from me and are uncertain if you have made the “keep list,” please contact me directly.

Make arrangements for your return of property

If I have any products/supplies that belong to your shop or boutique and arrangements have not already been made to return these items, please contact me directly to make those arrangements. All returned items will be shipped via USPS Flat Rate Boxes as sizing permits. I must receive shipping labels directly from you for said items. No items will be shipped without prepaid shipping labels.

All items have not had arrangments made for their return within 30-days of this notice (May 20, 2019) will become the property of Stacey Sansom Designs. I am not running a storage facility. Many of these items I have had in my possession for multiple months. If they are of value to you, please make arrangements to have your items returned, including shipping address and shipping labels.

Future small run manufacturing projects

All future small run manufacturing jobs will be accepted and/or rejected on a case-by-case basis.

All decisions to take on any SRM job in the future will be made base on availability. Scheduling will be done around my availability, not around your need to have it done ASAP. Your lack of planning does not merit an emergency on my part. SRM jobs will be done as available, with no modifications to my existing scheduling for other services.

If you need a SRM project completed, please plan ahead to get the project approved in a timely manner. No turnaround time will be less than 2 weeks from date of receipt at Stacey Sansom Designs (not including return shipping time). Please plan accordingly.

All future jobs will be completed at my going rate of $25.00 per hour for all SRM runs of 10 or more identical items. Identical items need not be identical in size, but no changes should be made in relation to color or construction methods. Anything less than 10 items will be considered Custom Sewing and will be charged at a rate of $35.00 per hour. If you have fewer than 10 items but they are identical, please contact me directly for pricing.

Referral to other small manufacturers

I do not have an extensive list of small run manufacturers. I am sorry, but I just do not. You will have to search online for this information. There are 2-3 different SRM related Facebook Groups that you should investigate if you are looking for an ongoing relationship.

If you need an amazing seamstress and small run manufacturer, you are welcome to contact Ann at Elegant Annswers.

Elegant Annswers is located south of the Houston, Texas metro area. She is a pretty busy SRM provider so please be aware that her turnaround time is longer than some. She has incredible attention to detail. She is also equipped to larger runs.

If you are looking for couture work, Ann is the person you want to call. High-end custom sewing is also one of her provided services.