Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with sewing and tailor

Who in San Francisco can fix my coat for me?

gingerbeer — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 22:52:49 -0800

Can you recommend a seamstress or tailor in San Francisco? I need to replace the lining in my favorite vintage winter coat. I had a great seamstress who made my wedding dress, but she is no longer around, and I need to find someone new. Replacing the lining's a pretty simple job, I would think, although I have a few other things that could use some alteration.

Someone in the Mission or Marina would be ideal, but I'm happy to go anywhere in the city for a good person. Competent, quick, friendly, and not wildly expensive are other criteria.

They make sound so easy on What Not to Wear!

waywardgirl — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 18:58:25 -0800

I think I need a seamstress or seamster, but I am not sure how to find one. I am looking for a talented sewer to seriously alter a jacket that I own, and also to re-create a skirt out of fabric that I will provide. I think these jobs will require more than what the tailors at the dry-cleaners and local men's stores are willing to do.

I tried searching for seamstresses and seamsters in my area (Oakland County, Michigan) on ReferenceUSA and also on Google, but I am not getting very promising results.

Does anyone have any advice on how I might locate a seamstress or seamster? And how to find a talented one? Also, any idea about the cost of these projects? I looked over some previous Ask MeFi questions on seamstresses, and the answers all seem to say that the price will be something like twice the price of what you would pay for the item at the store, but I own $40 skirts, and I own $100 skirts... Does anyone have a dollar price that they have paid for similar work in the past?

How do I get my skirt replicated?

nursegracer — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 14:39:25 -0800

How does one go about getting a tailor to clone one's favorite item of clothing? I sew, but not very well. I have an absolutely amazing skirt made by Illig several years ago, and every time I wear it I get tons of compliments. I want another one, before this one wears out (although it is rather tough).

It is a thick, stretchy plaid material. It is extremely long (hits my toes and I'm 5'10"). It has interesting details like cargo pockets and weird cinching ties and grommets down the side.

Due to these details, I think it might be decently hard to have someone make an exact replica. I also have no clue where to find this kind of fabric (it doesn't need to be the same plaid) because I've never found something this thick and this stretchy. Also, grommets...do tailors do that?

So, on to the questions:
1. Can I just hand the skirt over to a tailor and say, "Make me one of these, please"? How much might it cost?
2. Do I have to provide the material, or can the tailor sort it out? I have no clue how many yards I would need, although I'll venture 4 or 5.
3. Are there good alternatives to tailors to do this? Like some clothing-copiers online that would do it for me?
4. Will my skirt be safe? I'm almost too worried about losing it to give it to someone for a while, especially if I have to send it. However, I'm not sure pictures would do it justice.

TIA, and if anyone has any Philadelphia-centric recommendations, I would appreciate them greatly. I will be following this post closely, so please feel free to ask for clarifications.

Fatlady Tailors Dummy

ninazer0 — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 16:36:46 -0800

I need to make myself a full-size tailors dummy - suggestions for material and construction please? I make a lot of my own clothes because I'm a big woman and rather oddly shaped. However, I'm a bit tired of having to put projects on hold until I can take them to my mother so that she can help me measure and pin things on. (Have you ever tried to make an even hem when you've got a huge butt?? It's not as easy as you think!)

A tailors dummy would solve the problem BUT I can't find one in my size (about a 24) NOR can I afford the $150-and-very-much-upwards price tag that comes with even the most basic affair.

Ideally, I'd like to mock up a manniquin with my measurements in something that can be pinned to without bursting, is firm enough to hang things off and which is soft enough to be wrestled in and out of fitted items.

I was thinking of using some sort of high-density foam on a stand, but was trying to think of an alternative to whittling the foam into the right dimensions.

Any brilliant suggestions, Hive Mind?

Recommend a Tailor in Seattle

matildaben — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 10:25:04 -0800

Can anyone recommend a tailor in Seattle or the Eastside? I need alterations done on several pieces of women's clothing, somewhat more complicated than just doing hems, so I would like a real tailor, not a dry cleaning shop that does alterations. I've already Googled, but would much prefer a referral to someone whose services you have actually used.

Do you love your L.A. tailor?

zharptitsa — Fri, 10 Feb 2006 13:55:43 -0800

Can anyone recommend a skilled, reasonably-priced tailor in Los Angeles (preferably on the westside)? Mostly I'm looking for someone who can do some significant suit alterations and occasionally make an outfit from scratch if I provide the material and pattern. I really like the seamstress at my dry cleaners and am happy to have her hem skirts and pants when needed, but I'm looking for someone to do some more advanced work. Any ideas? Thanks!

How can I find a good tailor besides trial and error?

SpecialK — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 15:57:29 -0800

ClothingFilter: I need to find a tailor to make some alterations to an expensive sportcoat. The retailer I bought it from only does alterations to new items, and their tailor works for them... I've always had good experiences with that tailor, but the other things I've gotten done (through the place that dry cleans my clothes) really sucked. How can I find a good tailor besides trial and error? Also, does anyone know what the standard turnaround for getting some shirts laundered is? I just started having to wear all this professional stuff regularly, and while I know how to dress and how to select clothes, I'm finding I'm really clueless on the maintenance part. The cleaner in my neighbourhood wants 3 days to wash, starch, and press shirts...

Any other dry cleaning tips would be appreciated. I already know little things like not to leave the plastic tabs in your shirt collar when you send them out to get them cleaned... but like I said, other than that, I'm clueless.