General Alterations

If you’ve never had your clothes altered or tailored, it might be difficult to justify the investment. Or maybe you know you need a garment altered but you don’t know where to start. Alterations and tailoring can completely transform your wardrobe and style with a well fitted garment. I’ve found that many of my customers invest in alterations during three scenarios: 

1. Buying New Clothes- not all clothing off-the-rack fits every body perfectly and you need a few adjustments, or you find a great deal on an expensive item but it’s a size too big. 
2. Favorite Garments- maybe your favorite pair of jeans need a rip mended or your zipper broke in your favorite coat. 
3. Special Occasion Clothing- weddings and proms are the perfect time to invest in alterations. You want the best fit to look and feel your best in an essential garment that you’ve already invested in. 

If you give it a chance, alterations and tailing can completely transform your wardrobe and elevate your style! 

This is by far the most common question asked about clothing alterations. And unfortunately, there isn’t a very straightforward answer to it. The truth is: every tailor prices differently, and every alteration project differs greatly in price, depending on a couple of factors: 

1. Type of Garment: For example, alterations for a wedding gown are usually going to differ greatly in price compared to alterations for a pair of jeans or a blouse. Additionally, the characteristics of a garment can also increase the price of alterations. For example, if a jacket or pair of pants has a lining or a dress with a zipper needs to be tapered or a vent (slit) in a dress needs to be changed. All of these elements of a garment will increase the cost of an alteration project. 
2. Intricacy of the Alteration Project: Alteration costs can increase if a garment has a lot of beading. Costs can also increase depending on the original fit of a garment. For example, say you walk with a suit that you bought off the rack that is way too big, but you got a great deal on it. Alterations for the suit, depending on how much work needs to be done to get both the jacket and pants to fit correctly, could potentially cost more than what you paid for the suit. Another example could be formal dress alterations. Let’s say that you bought a dress for a wedding and the dress is a bit too long so you need to get it hemmed. Depending on how many layers that dress has and what material the dress is made out of, each layer hemmed will count towards the final cost.  

Here is the general rule of thumb regarding alteration costs: the more changes to the original fit of the garment, the more expensive the alterations will be.  

An estimated list of alterations and prices is at the bottom of the page. Please be aware that this is just an estimated list and prices could change depending on the complexity. An accurate price estimate will be given once I've had the chance to evaluate your garment and the alteration project in person. However, some projects will be cost estimates based on the number of hours an alteration project takes to complete. 

My general rule of thumb is approximately 2 weeks from the time of drop off. However there are a few factors to consider:

1. How much work is being completed?
2. How busy is my workload?

It’s common to bring in multiple garments at once to get alterations done. Be aware that this might extend the turnaround time. Also it’s important to consider peak busy seasons around prom and bridal- if you need a garment completed by a certain date, plan ahead. Brides should expect a longer timeline for wedding dress alterations. Visit the page about Bridal Alterations.

Going to your first visit can be a little intimidating, especially if you’re new to alterations or have never gone to a tailor or seamstress before. During your first visit you’ll need to try on the clothing you want altered. I have a dedicated changing room to make the process as comfortable as possible. Once your garment is on I will pin it to fit you, take any necessary notes, and give you a price estimate. Be sure to bring the shoes you plan to wear with the garment and any undergarments or shapewear. These are extremely important as they can change the way a garment fits. During this visit be sure to ask any questions or get any clarifications about the process or the way a garment will fit upon completion. The goal is to have you feeling comfortable and confident about your visit and alterations. 

Be sure to bring the shoes you plan to wear with the garment and any undergarments or shapewear. These are extremely important as they can change the way a garment fits. If you don't have the shoes you plan to wear with your garment, bring a shoe with a similar height heel.

Due to the limited space please limit guests to 1 or 2 additional people. 

Brides will need the person who plans to help her dress to attend the final fitting so I can show where/how to hook up the bustle or explain any other little detail. 

Minors will need a legal adult to attend all fittings.

When you come in for pick-up, make sure to try on your garment again before you leave. This allows you to evaluate the finished alterations in person and raise any concerns about the work. If adjustments need to be made, we can address them and get the garment refitted. 

Payment is expected to be paid in full at pick up. Cash is preferred but all cards are also accepted with a 3% processing fee.

If your garment is not done to your satisfaction or needs further adjustments it will be redone free of charge. After a garment has been picked up and left the premises it won’t be re-accepted for any further redos. 

Although I can work magic on a lot of projects, there are certain limitations to what can and can’t be done. The biggest rule of thumb is that I can always reduce the amount of fabric on a garment but I can’t make something bigger, at least by much. Exactly how much can be sized up depends on how much seam allowance has been left inside a garment. Fast fashion and cheaper garments tend to have less seam allowance than higher-end garments due to the cost associated with their production. If you’re unsure, buy a garment a little larger or to fit the largest part of your body.

Also, consider the life expectancy of a garment. At some point, the garment will have reached the end of its life and I will no longer be able to mend it. I will let you know that there’s simply nothing I can do further and that it’s time to toss or recycle it.

If you are running late, call or text as soon as possible. (816) 986-9530

If you are more than 15 minutes late for your appointment, your appointment will be canceled and you will need to reschedule.

Missed appointments will be subject to a $25 no show fee or will be turned away for all future projects.