How to Be the Best Seamstress/Tailor Client

I always come across the same questions from alterations clients. While I may be a little more “unconventional” in my practices, I still know that most of us have the same requests across the board. I wanted to make sure to share those tips with you so that you’ll have the best experience with your seamstress or tailor!

1. Please, please, please, please don’t come to us last second.
Look, we get it: things happen, shipments are delayed or take longer than expected, work gets in the way… But we also have jobs too! Some of us do alterations as a supplemental income but others of us do it as a full-time gig. Please don’t get angry with us if we’re unable to help you with your last-second alterations jobs because of other commitments we have. It’s not “so simple you could have it done in an hour” otherwise you could do it yourself. Also, I always tack on an additional charge for rush work (someone coming to me within a week of the project having to be completed - unless we’ve spoken beforehand) because that’s taking time away from my family, my friends, my relaxation, and even my other work.

2. Come to us with an idea of the work that has to be done.
We need to know a few things before agreeing to help:
• What is it you need done (hemming, bodice alterations, sleeve adjustments, etc.)
• How many layers there are to the garment (I.e. the typical bridesmaid dress has 2-3 layers in every skirt - this will impact your final price because it takes us longer)
• Your timeframe (When do you need it finished by?)
• For Yourself to consider: Do you have a certain budget you have to stay within? Take a look at other places you may be interested in if our prices don’t fall within your budget. I try to be as accomodating as possible but materials cost money and so do machines and knowledge/skill.
I also always ask as we’re fitting if there’s anything else my client can think of that might need fixing and use my expertise to pinch in certain places to check if that’s something they might want. However, not everyone follows this practice and will usually only alter what they are explicitly asked to alter.

3. Don’t come to us with your idea of how much something should cost.
If you don’t know how to sew, you have no opinion. We have had years of trial-and-error, paying for sewing lessons or formal education, have been doing this longer than you have. Sure, you could argue that you found another place that’ll do it for less but if that was the case, why are you in front of me? Each individual or company has different costs that they have to pay for using that money between employee rates, electricity, materials (I.e. thread, needles, zippers, buttons, etc.), machine upkeep, and more. Do not ask us to make a complicated dress or alterations for you for $10.

4. Wear the correct undergarments.
If you are wearing a garment for a special occasion, chances are that you’re going to be wearing specific undergarments (bras, underwear, shapewear, etc.) in order to achieve your desired look. WEAR THEM TO YOUR FITTINGS. Wearing the wrong undergarments can significantly change how your garment is going to look in the end results. For instance, breasts will fall differently. If you come in wearing a sports bra and claim your bodice needs to be taken in, once you throw on that every day or push-up bra your breasts will be fuller and higher and may not fit in your altered dress anymore. If you’re running errands and don’t have your bra on, throw it in the backseat and just change into it at your fitting. (The same concept applies to shapewear and waist-/hiplines).

5. Bring the correct shoes!
Your shoe choice could easily mean the difference between your pants or dress dragging on the ground, tripping over the hem, being level with the ground, or being too short. Shoes (even flat shoes) could add anywhere between .5” to 5” (or more) in height. If you’ll be wearing a bridesmaid or formal gown especially, ALWAYS make sure to bring either the exact shoes you’ll be wearing for the event, or a pair of a similar height. Put them on at your initial fitting while you’re being pinned for better accuracy and then bring them again for your final fitting to ensure everything is good to go! If you plan on wearing the garment with casual shoes (I.e. men’s trousers with a pair of loafers), bring a pair you regularly wear (that’s in good shape - not falling apart!) as we tend to measure based on the shoe.

6. Don’t be afraid to speak up!
If something feels off (bodice too tight or loose, length a bit too long still, etc.) don’t be afraid to let us politely know! I encourage my clients to ask questions if they’re unsure of something and we’ll occasionally find where the issues is a lot quicker than if I’m looking myself. We’re still human: Mistakes happen or it may fit you a bit differently than you had expected or hoped!