Some of us are born with the talent to make things a little bit better. They know that the difference between something looking “nice” and looking “expensive” lies in the finishing details. Jody Murphey, owner of Julie’s Ever After on Main Street in Bradford, has just such an eye for improvement. For the last 23 years, she has been using her talent as a seamstress to ensure that locals are dressed impeccably for some of their biggest moments.
“My favorite part of the business is that each gown is unique and offers its own challenges to get that perfect fit for each person,” Murphey said.
“There is an art to finding a way to make a bustle curve in a certain way or a sleeve to drape just right,” she added.
Her dress shop offers formalwear for every event from christenings to proms and weddings. She offers full tailoring options, and can even create a garment from a customer sketch or idea.
“Sometimes a bride will like one kind of top and another kind of skirt. I can take those and combine them into one dress,” Murphey said.
“Sometimes girls have really far-out or unique ideas, and that is always a fun challenge to bring to life,” she added.
Murphey was born in Smethport, although her family moved around a lot in her youth. From a young age, she showed a natural talent for sewing and garment construction.
“I probably learned to sew when I was three or four years old. I remember my mom saying, ‘If you run your finger over with the needle, come and get me,’” Murphey recalled.
She pursued an education in bridal design and eventually opened a shop out of her home. Over the years, her business has bloomed into a freestanding brick-and-mortar storefront. The key to that success is in her impeccable customer service and gregarious personality.
“I take it very seriously that my customers allow me to be a part of their big day. It is a kind of honor,” Murphey said.
“I just love looking at Facebook on Friday nights to try and catch glimpses of the girls in their prom dresses or brides on their special day,” she added.
In addition to off-the-rack retail and full alterations, Murphey offers garment steaming and delivery services.
“Lots of people like the delivery service because they don’t know how to transport their dress and keep it safe and wrinkle-free,” Murphey said.
Her bread and butter, however, is alterations and custom design work.
“Sewing is a dying art,” Murphey said.
“We have had brides who have bought in say, Buffalo, who have had to come here because those shops didn’t have a seamstress,” she added.
Murphey has been in the business long enough to see dresses that she altered or created be passed on to the next generation.
“There are a lot of things you can do to preserve a dress. I have had brides take their dress and ask me to make a Christening gown for their babies,” she recalled.
“You can make something beautiful with that because you have so much lace, beadwork and good material to start with,” she explained.
This year, she will offer 20 percent off in February for prom season. She is already being booked for the upcoming wedding season.
“If brides want me for their wedding, I ask that they book early so they will know I am still available,” she said.
