Welcome to Laurie's Gifts! ?
I've put together answers to some of the questions I'm most frequently asked about my handmade aprons, purses, ordering, customization, shipping, and returns.
If you don't find the answer you're looking for, please don't hesitate to contact me. I'm always happy to help!
ORDERING & PAYMENTS
WHAT PAYMENT METHODS DO YOU ACCEPT?
All payments on my website are securely processed through PayPal.
You do NOT need a PayPal account to place an order! You can use an eligible credit or debit card, or Venmo when available, through PayPal's checkout process.
If you experience any problems completing your purchase, please contact me.
WILL I BE CHARGED SALES TAX?
Indiana residents are charged the applicable 7% sales tax, which is automatically calculated at checkout.
Any other taxes required by applicable law will also be calculated during checkout.
CAN I CHANGE OR CANCEL MY ORDER?
If you need to make a change to your order, please contact me as soon as possible!
Most of the products in my shop are made AFTER an order is placed. Depending on how far along I am in the sewing process, changes may or may not be possible.
Once fabrics have been cut or personalized embroidery has been completed, some changes or cancellations may no longer be possible.
If you've made a mistake or need to change something, please ask! I'll do my best to help.
APRON SIZING & HANDMADE PRODUCTS
HOW DO I KNOW WHICH APRON SIZE TO ORDER?
Each apron style has different sizing and measurements, so please check the individual product description before ordering.
Not sure which size will work best? Please contact me BEFORE ordering. I'll be happy to help you choose! ?
ARE YOUR PRODUCTS REALLY HANDMADE? WHO MAKES THEM?
ME! Every single one! ?
Laurie's Gifts is a one-woman business operated from my home sewing studio in rural northeastern Indiana.
I design, cut, sew, photograph, package, and ship everything myself. I have no employees, no outsourcing, and no dropshipping.
Nothing in my shop is mass-produced.
I've been a professional seamstress since 1995, and I take a LOT of pride in my workmanship. I pay particular attention to construction, durability, and neat finishing. You won't find exposed seams or unfinished raw edges in my aprons!
Because each item is individually handmade, there may be slight variations in fabric placement or other small details from the original listing photographs.
That's simply part of the charm of something made by human hands!
Want to learn more? Read my Meet the Maker: The Story Behind Laurie's Gifts blog article.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MADE-TO-ORDER AND READY-TO-SHIP?
Most products in my shop are MADE TO ORDER, which means I cut and sew your item AFTER you've placed your order.
I don't have a warehouse full of finished products. It's just ME, my sewing machines, and a rather impressive collection of fabrics!
Made-to-order items generally require approximately 1–2 weeks for processing before shipping, depending on my current workload.
READY-TO-SHIP items are already sewn and waiting for a new home!
These often include my original samples, one-of-a-kind Scrapbuster Aprons, and other limited-edition creations.
If you're in a hurry, check out my READY TO SHIP NOW! collection.
HOW DO I CARE FOR MY HANDMADE APRON?
Most of my cotton aprons are easy to care for!
For my quilting-cotton Pinafore Aprons, I recommend machine washing in cold water with a mild detergent. Wash dark colors separately, avoid bleach, and tumble dry on low heat.
Remove your apron from the dryer while it's still slightly damp to minimize wrinkles. Press with an iron as needed.
Different fabrics may require different care, so please follow the care instructions in your individual product description.
A little extra care will help keep your handmade apron looking beautiful for years to come!
CUSTOMIZATION & PERSONALIZATION
CAN I CHOOSE MY OWN FABRICS OR COLORS?
YES! This is one of my favorite parts of the creative process!
I offer customization for several of my existing apron designs, including:
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Pinafore Aprons
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Retro 50s Smock Aprons
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Classic Chef Aprons
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Twirly Skirt Aprons
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Multi-Pocket Half Aprons
If you have a favorite color, print, theme, or combination of fabrics in mind, please contact me!
Whether you're looking for something to coordinate with your kitchen, a favorite floral print, school colors, or something completely different, I'll be happy to discuss the possibilities.
I love helping customers create something uniquely theirs!
You can also browse my Customized & Personalized Aprons collection.
CAN I HAVE A NAME OR MONOGRAM EMBROIDERED ON MY APRON?
Absolutely!
I offer personalized machine embroidery for an additional $10 per item.
You can request a name, monogram, number, or short phrase. I have many embroidery fonts available, and I'm happy to help you select a font and thread color that complements your apron.
To order, add the appropriate quantity of Custom Embroidery Upgrades to your cart along with the apron or other item you'd like personalized.
PLEASE NOTE: I only offer embroidery on items purchased from my shop. I don't embroider clothing or other products purchased elsewhere.
I complete the embroidery BEFORE assembling the item so the back of the stitching can be neatly enclosed inside the finished layers.
CAN YOU MAKE SMALL ALTERATIONS TO AN EXISTING DESIGN?
Sometimes, YES!
Although I no longer accept custom design-from-scratch projects, I can often make minor adjustments to my existing apron designs.
Want to shorten an apron? Add or remove a pocket? Make a small adjustment to an armhole?
Those are things we can discuss!
There is generally an additional charge for alterations because they require extra planning, pattern adjustments, and sewing time.
Please contact me BEFORE placing your order so we can discuss what you need and determine whether it's possible.
CAN YOU DESIGN SOMETHING COMPLETELY NEW JUST FOR ME?
I'm sorry, but I no longer take on custom design-from-scratch projects.
Designing an entirely new product or pattern involves considerable time for planning, drafting, testing, and making adjustments.
With the demands of my made-to-order business, I simply don't have the time to take on those projects anymore.
I CAN help customize my existing designs with fabrics, colors, trims, and certain minor alterations!
For a more detailed explanation, please read my blog article, Custom, Customized, or Personalized? What's the Difference?.
IMPORTANT: Individually customized, personalized, or altered items are not eligible for ordinary returns. Please discuss your requests with me BEFORE ordering.
SHIPPING & GIFTS
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO RECEIVE MY ORDER?
Most items are individually made after an order is placed, so please allow approximately 1–2 weeks for processing before shipping, unless the individual product description specifies otherwise.
All orders ship through the United States Postal Service (USPS), with tracking.
USPS estimated domestic delivery times are generally:
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Ground Advantage: Approximately 2–5 business days.
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Priority Mail: Approximately 1–3 business days.
These are estimated transit times, NOT guaranteed delivery dates.
PLEASE remember that production time and shipping time are two separate things!
Holidays, severe weather, and other circumstances beyond my control may delay delivery.
You can read my complete Shipping & Returns Policy for additional details.
CAN I GET MY ORDER BY A PARTICULAR DATE?
Possibly! Just ASK!
Depending on my current workload, I may be able to rearrange my sewing schedule to accommodate a special deadline.
PLEASE contact me BEFORE ordering if you need your purchase by a particular date.
I can sometimes speed up the sewing process, but once USPS has your package, delivery speed is out of my control.
If you're on a tight deadline, you may want to consider upgrading to Priority Mail at checkout.
DO YOU OFFER FREE SHIPPING?
YES!
Through December 31, 2026, orders of $35 or more qualify for FREE USPS Ground Advantage shipping within the United States when you use coupon code FREEGROUNDSHIP at checkout.
Please remember to enter the coupon code BEFORE completing your purchase!
Free shipping promotions do not cover expedited shipping upgrades.
DO YOU SHIP INTERNATIONALLY?
I'm sorry, but I no longer accept international orders.
Between international taxes, customs duties, packaging regulations, and the different requirements imposed by individual countries, selling internationally has simply become too complicated for my small, one-woman business.
I apologize for the inconvenience!
CAN YOU SHIP AN ORDER DIRECTLY TO SOMEONE AS A GIFT?
Absolutely!
You can have your purchase shipped directly to the recipient by entering THEIR shipping address during checkout.
I include a packing slip with each order, but it only shows the delivery address and item ordered. No prices.
If you're sending a gift, please let me know in the checkout notes so I can add your name/message on your order slip.
HOW WILL MY ORDER BE PACKAGED?
Every order is carefully packaged to help protect it during shipment.
Aprons are neatly wrapped in a recyclable plastic bag to protect the fabric inside the mailing envelope.
Purses and totes are protected with decorative cellophane wrapping and padded with packing bubbles.
A packing slip is normally enclosed inside the protective wrapping. If the outer shipping materials or address label become damaged, the information inside gives USPS another way to identify the package.
I take care to package everything securely so your handmade purchase arrives safely!
WHAT IF MY PACKAGE IS LOST OR DAMAGED DURING SHIPPING?
Every package includes USPS tracking and shipping insurance.
If your package hasn't arrived when expected, please check the tracking information first.
If USPS tracking shows that your package was delivered but you haven't received it, check with other household members, neighbors, and your local post office. Your local post office may be able to use GPS delivery scan information to help locate it.
If your package arrives damaged, please keep the original packaging AND the damaged item. Take photographs of the damage before discarding anything.
PLEASE contact me if you have ANY delivery problems! I'm always happy to help.
Depending on the circumstances, USPS or the shipping insurer may require photographs, additional documentation, or a signed affidavit from the recipient before an insurance claim can be completed.
Also, please provide a secure location for packages to be delivered whenever possible.
RETURNS, EXCHANGES & CUSTOMER SERVICE
DO YOU ACCEPT RETURNS?
YES! Most standard, non-personalized items are eligible for return as long as they're in the same brand-new, unused, unaltered, and resellable condition in which they were received.
Please contact me within 14 days of receiving your order to request a return and obtain return instructions.
Eligible merchandise must be shipped back within 30 days of the original delivery date, as verified by carrier tracking.
The 30-day deadline applies to the date your return package is shipped, NOT the date it arrives back at my studio. You won't be penalized for shipping delays beyond your control.
Buyers are responsible for return postage, tracking, and insurance.
Original shipping expenses are nonrefundable, including the actual postage I paid for orders that qualified for free shipping. Those expenses will be deducted from the merchandise refund.
Personalized, individually customized, and altered items are not eligible for ordinary returns.
Please read my complete Shipping & Returns Policy for all requirements, exclusions, and refund details.
DO YOU OFFER EXCHANGES?
I'm sorry, but I can't process direct exchanges.
If you'd like a different size, color, or style, please return your eligible item according to my return policy and place a separate order for the replacement.
You can order the replacement right away if you're in a hurry, or wait until your original return has been received and your refund processed.
Whichever works best for you!
WHAT IF THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH MY ORDER?
Please contact me as soon as possible!
If your purchase arrives damaged, defective, or isn't what you ordered, I want to know about it so I can help make things right.
Even if your item was personalized or customized, please don't hesitate to contact me about a problem with your order.
Photographs are always helpful when explaining a problem.
I take a LOT of pride in my workmanship and want you to be happy with your purchase!
HOW CAN I CONTACT YOU?
You can reach me through my Contact Page.
My normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM Eastern Time.
I do try to keep in touch using my phone during off-hours, but please remember that I'm the only person handling customer service, cutting, sewing, packaging, shipping, and everything else that goes along with running Laurie's Gifts!
I'll respond as soon as I can.
And please don't hesitate to ask questions BEFORE ordering. I'd much rather help you choose the correct size, fabric, or design in advance than have you disappointed afterward!
Thank you for supporting my little handmade business! ?
Kindest regards,
Laurie