Clothing alterations in Gravesend.
Hems, waists, sleeves, zips and linings — and the harder work most shops send away. Twenty-plus years of industrial tailoring on Burch Rd, Northfleet, with free parking outside.
A garment that nearly fits is a garment you never wear. Most of what hangs unworn in a wardrobe needs an hour of work, not replacing — a shoulder lifted, a waist suppressed, two inches off a sleeve.
Everyday alterations
Trousers and jeans shortened with the original hem kept where it matters. Waistbands taken in or let out. Sleeves shortened from the cuff or, on a tailored jacket, properly from the shoulder. Dresses and skirts re-hemmed, taken in at the side seams or re-shaped through the bodice. Zips replaced in anything — coats, boots, luggage, leather.
Tailoring and reconstruction
This is where a pattern studio earns its keep. We can take a jacket apart at the shoulder and rebuild it, re-cut a dress two sizes down and keep the proportions right, replace a lining completely, or re-shape a garment that was badly made in the first place. If another alterations shop has told you it cannot be done, it is worth asking us before you give up on it.
Suits and workwear
We alter suits for fit rather than just length — trouser taper, jacket waist, sleeve pitch and back seam. We also handle uniform and workwear alterations for local employers, in batches, with names or logos added at the same time if you need them.
What it costs
Trouser, jean and skirt hems
Plain or blind-stitched. Keeping a jean's original hem costs a little more.
Waist adjustments
Taken in or let out, trousers and skirts.
Sleeve shortening
From the cuff. From the shoulder on a tailored jacket is from £60.
Zip replacement
Trousers, dresses and jackets. Coats, boots and leather are more.
Dress taken in or let out
Side seams, bodice or full re-shaping.
Re-lining a jacket or coat
Full replacement lining, cut to pattern.
Starting prices. What you pay depends on the cloth and how the garment is built — a lined wool coat takes longer than a cotton skirt. We look at the garment and give you a firm price before any work starts, and we will tell you if a job is not worth doing.
Things people ask
How long will my alteration take?
Most everyday alterations are ready within a week. Re-lining, reconstruction and bridal work take longer. Tell us your deadline when you drop the garment in.
Do I need to bring shoes?
For anything that involves length — trousers, skirts, dresses, coats — yes. Bring the shoes you will actually wear with it, or the hem will be wrong.
Can you shorten jeans and keep the original hem?
Yes. We can remove the original hem, shorten the leg and reattach it so the garment keeps its finished edge and fading.
Do you alter leather and suede?
Yes, including zip replacement. Bring it in so we can look at the skin and the existing stitching first.
Can you take in a dress by more than one size?
Usually, though beyond two sizes the proportions start to move — pockets, darts and seam positions end up in the wrong place. We will tell you honestly whether it will still look right.
Do you do alterations for local businesses?
Yes. We handle uniform and workwear in batches, and can add embroidered names or logos at the same time.
Other things we make and mend
Bring it in and we will pin it
Free parking on Burch Rd. No appointment needed for a quote.