I hate trusting strangers with my clothes.

August 1, 2007 6:14 AM

Alterations/Tailor in Chicago. Anyone have a personal recommendation? The drycleaner in my building does it, but I want to know if anyone can recommend a tailor personally. It's a dress (made of a recycled polyester with a water repellent finish) which needs some refitting through the bodice. Doesn't have to be a commercial tailor, either. If you know a good seamstress who is willing to do piecework, that's great. I just want someone I trust picking apart & resewing my dress.
posted by crush-onastick to clothing, beauty, & fashion (5 comments total)

I can't speak for her bodice-repairing skills, but my tailor is a sweet old Italian woman who works in the Hyde Park Bank building. She does a phenomenal job on my suits, and really pays attention to detail. Maria: [phone]
posted by mjbraun at 6:43 AM on August 1, 2007

A little expensive, but worth it for the very important stuff - Tails on wells. We've had a wedding dress and and a heavy wool coat altered there and have no complaints. I've also had good experiences with US Cleaners, 2053 W North. They did a couple suits with 1 day turnaround when I was in a hurry.
posted by true at 6:51 AM on August 1, 2007

This is the standard one recommended by the wedding sites and whatnot, and therefore it's a bit expensive, but I've had good luck with La Modista on Clybourn. I haven't done anything particularly complicated there, but they seem to know what they're doing.
posted by craichead at 7:17 AM on August 1, 2007

I had a number of ripped work slacks that I needed repaired for everyday use. I took them to Hermes Tailoring in the Merchandise Mart. I liked what I got back. If you have any detailed questions, please feel free to shoot them to me; my e-mail address is in my profile.
posted by WCityMike at 8:00 AM on August 1, 2007

Thanks for the suggestions. I went to Tails because it was easy to get to on my bike. I'll post a review next Saturday when I pick the dress up. It's cash/checks only. He's drawing in both side seams, but not touching the darts through the bodice or adjusting the straps. It will be $35, which I don't think is expensive at all, since whoever does the work will be undoing and redoing twelve inches of seam down each side of the dress and restructuring two arm holes (with facings).
posted by crush-onastick at 12:24 PM on August 4, 2007