Tailoring and clothing repair: hemming, alterations, made-to-measure
What you can order from a tailor
A tailor's services fall into two groups. The first is repair and alteration: shortening trousers, replacing a zip, taking in a jacket, stitching a tear, hemming jeans while keeping the original edge. The second is stitching from scratch: a dress, a suit, a blouse, a shirt, curtains, bed linen, furniture covers. Each group has its own prices and its own timings, so name the group in your request straight away.
On BlaBlaPrice you describe the order once, and tailors and boutiques reply in the chat with a price or what it depends on, and with the timing. They see where their offer stands, so terms often improve. It is free for buyers, and your phone is hidden.
Fabric and garment
The material sets the difficulty. Linen or cotton is easy to work with, while leather, suede, knits, silk or heavy wool are harder and need the right needles, machines and experience. Not every tailor will take a leather jacket, because an ordinary machine may not get through it. So be sure to say what the item is made of.
For stitching from scratch, decide whose fabric it is. If you bring your own, the tailor will charge for labour only, but you have to get the quantity right. Ask the tailor about the length needed, because different styles need different amounts of cloth. Lining, thread and trimmings should be discussed as well.
What to include in your request
- What to do — stitch, hem, take in, replace a zip, make curtains.
- The garment — trousers, coat, dress, leather jacket, curtains.
- Fabric — which, and whose: yours or the tailor's.
- Quantity — how many items.
- Size — size or measurements, for example size 38, height 5 ft 9 in.
- Deadline — the date you need it by.
- City and area — where it is convenient.
- Budget — if you want to name one.
Example: “Adelaide: I need 3 pairs of trousers (suiting wool) hemmed and shortened to wear with trainers, by Friday. Also a zip replaced on a leather jacket. Budget up to $11.”
How to compare offers
Ask whether there is a fitting: for stitching from scratch, one or two are essential. Check whether pressing, lining and finishing are included, and what happens if it does not fit well. For urgent repairs it matters whether the tailor charges extra for speed. Find out whether you need to come to the shop or whether the tailor visits you.
Reviews next to the offer help you judge neatness: straight seams, a good fit, keeping to deadlines. For expensive garments this matters more than a small difference in price.
Common mistakes
Coming to a fitting in different shoes, or without the underlayer you will wear with the garment. Not showing what you want: a sample photo settles dozens of questions. Handing over an expensive garment without checking that the tailor works with that material. Forgetting a time buffer: do not plan the stitching for the last day. Not inspecting the result at once.
For shoes and bags, see shoe and bag repair, and for cleaning and washing see dry cleaning and laundry. All household services are collected in “Household services”.
