The Gold Thread

Love them! They have altered, seamed, replaced zippers with nary a problem and they are really good and very friendly.

Very slow for alterations! I gave them over two weeks to hem two dresses and by the the date I was told to come back nothing had even been started. I had to cancel my alterations as i needed the dresses immediately for a wedding two days afterwards. DO NOT GO HERE! Terrible service! I brought my dresses to another alterations spot and they saved me and finished within 24 hours.

The Ladies are excellent! I am short and curvy, so nearly everything I buy needs to be altered. The mother and daughter do excellent work and offer good suggestions. Yes, the prices are high as is the quality of their work. If you want cheap prices, have your alterations done at a dry cleaners where the core business is NOT alterations. You get what you pay for.

Writing bad reviews are not something I enjoy. Especially when it’s about small businesses since I like to support the «little guys.» However I feel strongly about what I’m about to write in hopes that NO ONE else will have to go through what I did. Unfortunately I am STILL dealing with this horrible business even though my wedding dress was picked up on August 15, 2015.
I was referred to the Gold thread by my maid of honor’s (MOH) sister who currently is a designer. Apparently many people have used Kwangsook (KS) and her daughter for their services so I had no worries going in since I trusted my MOH and her sister.
My MOH and I first went in on June 19^th after picking up my wedding dress. It was special ordered to ensure that the dress closest to my size would come in. After trying on the dress, we agreed that the length needed to be hemmed and the body would need to come in a little more since it was a trumpet style dress. We informed KS that I now live in San Francisco and will need to fly back and forth for the fittings. We also told her that the wedding was August 28^th, 2015, in Waikiki. For that reason the dress needed to be finished NO LATER than Aug 22^nd if necessary since my parents could pick up the dress and fly out the next day. KS stated she would have plenty of time since there wasn’t any dramatic changes and that the job would be done. She assured us that two fittings were sufficient and that the cost would be approximately $ 250 – 500. I told her that was fine. We then agreed that the first fitting would be July 25^th, and the second fitting was scheduled for Aug 15^th. My MOH and I made it very clear that I planned on picking up the dress at the 2^nd fitting and that the 1 week buffer was ONLY to be used for minor changes if necessary. KS told us we had enough fittings scheduled and that it could be done.
When I returned in July, the dress fit better but still needed to be brought in around the hips and bottom. KS only hemmed some layers since she wanted to make sure it was correct before working on the rest of the tulle. At this meeting she then informed me the dress would cost around the $ 500 range due to the amount of work. I said that was fine and waited till Aug to return which she STILL said would be fine. When I came back I was shocked to see that it didn’t look different from the first fitting a month prior. KS had the audacity to blame me. Stating she «did bring in the dress» and that I «probably lost weight». I told her that wasn’t the case but didn’t bother arguing back since that wouldn’t change the current situation. I reminded her AGAIN that I had flown back and was willing to cancel my return flight and extend my stay if she needed me to try on the dress again. KS stated it wasn’t necessary and reassured me that the dress would be finished by Aug 22^nd for my parents to pick up. My MOH also called on my behalf since we were upset that I had flown back for nothing and to make sure it was finished.
When my mom went to get the dress, KS charged 823.50 INSTEAD! My MOH tried to call to see why all of a sudden the price had gone up so much. KS became flustered and HUNG UP THE PHONE, refusing to speak to her or my mom. I told my mom to just give her my credit card since we needed the dress. When the dress arrived, I broke into tears. The lace was not sewn down properly so it looked wrinkly all around my body, the bust area was literally FOLDED down and sewn, she didn’t remove the back protective piece from the lace on top, the bustle was crooked and didn’t bring all layers up, the back seam was crooked, the list goes on. After the wedding, I tried to call back to see if we could come to some type of compromise since the dress was NOT done properly. I explained very calmly what happened and even offered to pay ONLY for the hem and bringing the body in. But NOT for the bustle, the top of the dress, or for poor job done on the lace and back seam. KS told me I could bring the dress back EVEN when I told her the wedding was OVER. She said that’s all she could offer and hung up on me as well. When my MOH’s sister called to tell her how mortified she was that KS did such a horrible job on a bride’s wedding dress, she refused to compromise as well stating I wouldn’t even get a dollar back. Even though my MOH’s sister asked if it was really worth 823.50 to be sued. KS stated she stood by her work and made it clear she was not going to give even a DOLLAR back. EVERYONE PLEASE LOOK AT MY PHOTOS AND SEE IF THIS IS QUALITY WORK. Currently Chase credit card services are working on the case on my behalf and will give an update once the results are in.

Bad reviews are my least favorite thing to write, but I felt that I needed to inform others so that they don’t have to go through the same grueling process.
Being a bridesmaid I visited this place on a few different occasions with the bride for her wedding dress fittings. She was quoted roughly around 300+ for the alterations on her wedding dress, a bit steep but reasonable and for great work it would be worth the price.
The second before the last fitting we had asked her to make sure the dress was done by the next time we got in, and asked her if it was possible. She agreed yes yes and that it would be about 100 dollars more for the bustle, that’s fine we said and told her how important it was to have it done since my friend flies in from San Fran and this is the last time she can come up before the wedding. That last time came and she was NOT finished, not even close. That’s fine we said, somebody else would pick it up but raised concerns as the bride wanted it with her when she arrived in Hawaii for her wedding.
When the dress was picked up it was the worst work we have ever seen. The top was FOLDED in instead of cut and resewn, the back was crooked and not in line with the rest of the dress, and the bustle looked weak and unfinished. On top of that, she was charged $ 823!!! WHO CHARGES THAT MUCH for any kind of alteration? And a lousy one at that, we tried to reason with her and ask where the charges came from. She brushed us off and walked away because she didn’t want to deal with it. We tried a few more times to speak with her and try to figure out what the charges were for and if there were any negotiations for the horrible job she had done, and she was not helpful at all. Hanging up on us and telling us that she does not care and will not refund us anything.
We have tried to be extremely patient, reasonable, and given her many chances to apologize or talk us through it. She could not provide any of that for us, and we are upset and feel ripped off. Luckily, the bride was able to find a last minute seamstress in Hawaii days before her wedding who did a beautiful job and basically re-​altered the entire dress. Also, he only charged $ 120… lifesaver.
Please, be aware of this place.

Literally the worst place ever. I walked in with a bridesmaid dress to be taken out. I was standing in the three way mirror w/​the two ladies measuring me when the older lady informed me I was «too fat for the dress» and if it needed to be taken out I would have to go purchase fabric. In what world does an alteration shop have their customers purchase fabric? Additionally how dare you tell someone they are too fat for a dress. I immediately left and took my dress elsewhere where it was fixed and I was shamed standing in it. I will never go there ever.

I brought my mother-​of-​the-​bride dress in to be altered. They told me it would be completed in a week. It was. When I tried on the dress, it fit perfect. Also, Kwangsook showed me how she altered it without tearing it apart (silk dress). She charged me less money than anticipated and it looked great. I will definitely take future alterations here. Thank so much!

Wonderful work and very friendly!

Kwangsook and her daughter are terrific! I’ve been bringing her most of my alterations for 7 years and been very pleased. She has altered my suits, given new life to thrift store jackets, hemmed and adjusted seats of pants, put darts in dress shirts… Always perfect. The few times I’ve gone anywhere else I’ve been so disappointed, I eventually learned my lesson. Gold Thread or bust.

I live in Queen Anne and still always drive to West Seattle for these talented women. They do such amazing work and have transformed things that I thought I was going to have to throw away into beautiful garments again.

I adore this place! These two ladies are so sweet and do really good work. I took a very delicate bridesmaids dress to be hemmed and they did it perfectly! I felt like the price was good for the service and the job they did. I would recommend The Gold Thread to anyone!

I had three pair of pants to hem and take in, in the waist. They did it in just a couple days, and for a reasonable price. The staff were pleasant and took their time to measure and fit me correctly. The prices were very good and the work was excellent.

Kwangsook is AMAZING! I last posted in 2009, and my husband and I still ONLY use The Gold Thread for our alterations. From our everyday clothes, to our Red Carpet attire for our film screenings and special events. I’m posting today because this week I had a HUGE event, the SIFF Opening Gala, and I couldn’t find a dress! Last minute, I found the perefct one but it was TWO sizes too big… I bought it anyway. Tuesday, I rushed to The Gold Thread and to my one and only, Kwangsook. I needed my dress taken in 2 sizes and done by Thursday before 2pm. I knew this was a lot to ask and I normally would never want to rush anyone’s craft… but Kwangsook said she would get it done… and she did! I cherish Kwangsook and her daughter’s opinion and admire their work ethic and skill. The price is right, the job is done with care and I always leave happy. Thank you ladies for being a part of my and my hubby’s (David H.) life for over 6 years! Here’s to another 6 and many more!

AWFUL — this woman is shady. I took my (Monique Lhuillier) wedding dress there for a slight alteration to the length. I picked it up a few days later and it was 4 inches shorter than it was supposed to be! When I asked her for the extra material she said she didn’t have it. What seamstress throws away the extra material? A SHADY ONE. I would NEVER recommend that anyone patronizes this business.

I have been there many times for a variety of alterations on different applications. I have been nothing but 100% satisfied always. I love their warm helpful assistance and strongly recommend their services! Price = the value of their services!
Thank –you ladies, you’re worth every bit!!!

I love this place, some reviews consider them high but I am willing to pay for quality work. I am addicted to seamstress shops and have probably been to everyone in the city. They are very sweet, comparatively affordable and excellent craftsmen. Highly recommended!

I used The Gold Thread to repair a handbag my wife had purchased off of Etsy. They normally don’t source materials for people as they explained to me but were willing to do so in order to repair the handstrap on the bag that had worn out. The newly repaired bag is much better than the original strap and I’m thrilled. Considering the time involved to do the repair I felt the price was pretty reasonable. Reading over the complaints from other reviewers it seems that they aren’t really taking into consideration the cost for somebody’s time. Personally I couldn’t be happier with the work they did for me.

I have family that lives in West Seattle and recommended Gold Thread. I had stitching come out at the zipper of a pair of jeans. I took it to the ladies at Gold Thread and it was $ 20 to fix it. I figured it was reasonable since it was a tricky area to work in.
This past fall I took a pair of jeans to be hemmed and ended up paying $ 30 for them. I thought this price was extremely high, especially considering I didn’t have them put them back to original hem, — just a normal cut and hem job on jeans. For goodness sake I bought them at the Goodwill for $ 8. The only reason I was willing to pay for the hemming was because they were Hudson jeans.
Up until this past weekend, I would have recommended this place to anyone. Unfortunately, I took in a bridesmaid dress that needed to be hemmed. Just taken up a few inches. I got into the dress and she pinned it up. After, I go to fill out the contact info, she gives me an «estimate» on the dress. She quoted it as possibly being anywhere from $ 100-​$ 180! I couldn’t believe it, I mean for goodness sake the dress only cost $ 125! And I didn’t need the dress in a rush, so you know they weren’t charging me for «expedited services». I ended up calling them and picking up my dress before they did any work to it. I just couldn’t justify spending that much money on a hem — that no one will see.
Again, they do good work and are very nice. But beware of the overly high prices.

This place is great for alterations! They were a life saver for me with my Maid of Honor dress and it fit like a gem after they fixed it…
The Gold Thread is family run, and the mother and daughter who run it are amazingly warm and welcoming! Though the outside doesn’t look like much, the inside is littered with beautiful plants and has a spacious fitting room to try on things. I formerly have gotten annoyed when alterations places don’t have fitting rooms, but The Gold Thread has everything nailed.
I highly recommend The Gold Thread and feel lucky that it is in such close proximity to me… Since my dress I have brought in pants to get a zipper fixed, a shirt to get sized down, and pants that needed a new button. They all turned out fab and were reasonable priced… Plus, as an added bonus, they have candy!
I am a huge fan!

Im going to keep this short.
My normal alteration lady couldn’t fit me in for a last minute bridesmaid dress. I went here after reading Unilocal reviews. Sizing went well. She was friendly. Dropped the dress off to pick up 6 days later. Husband went to pick up dress. Dress was MIA and unfinished, stuck between two bridal gowns? Was told to come back to pick up at 7 (3hours later) Dress was done. Price $ 62. RIDICULOUS for a simple hem change and shortened strap, I should have just done myself. Best off all, my dress stunk like smoke.
Thanks lady!