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When people learn that I know how to sew, they often ask me to mend things or do alterations for them.
Can you relate?
I actually don’t mind doing clothing alterations and repairs for friends and family, on occasion. I even do it for FREE! I think it’s nice to help people out when I can.
HOWEVER, just because I sometimes provide tailoring services for free doesn’t mean that you must, or even that you should…
There’s nothing wrong with asking people to compensate you for your time and skill. A tailor business can be profitable. The tricky part is deciding how much to charge your clients.
How Much to Charge for Clothing Alterations and Repairs
According to Hero and Villain Style, the average cost of alterations is $20 to $50. If you are performing basic clothing alterations and repairs, you can feel confident charging within this amount. Of course, a lot depends on the type of mending or alterations that need to be performed and how long it will take you.
I’ve found that people grossly underestimate the amount of time it takes to do clothing alterations and repairs. Most tailoring jobs require more work than people think. For example, taking in a pair of pants is not as simple as sewing up the side seam. You also must undo the waistband and adjust the elastic or drawstring and then fix the hem at the bottom.
Here’s a list of the most common clothing alterations and repairs, and how long I estimate each would take:
- Replacing zippers: 45 minutes
- Replacing lost buttons: 10 minutes
- Repairing split seams: 10 minutes, 20 minutes if you need to add a patch
- Raising/lowering the hem on pants: 30 minutes
- Taking in clothes at the side seam: 45 minutes
- Adjusting necklines: 30-45 minutes, depending on the complexity
- Moving darts: 30 minutes, plus time for fitting.
- Altering cuffs: 10- 20 minutes, depending on the complexity.
If you want to start a tailor business, you’ll have to figure out pricing. Come up with a list of services and then decide on the amount to charge for each type of clothing alteration or repair. Alternatively, you could charge an hourly rate for your tailoring services.
To Mend or Not to Mend
I suggest that you always look at the garment or item that needs alterations before quoting a price. You need to assess if it can feasibly be fixed or not. Never make promises, and always be open and honest with your clients when you run into alteration problems.
Need more help? We’ve compiled a list of Resources for Running a Sewing Business.
I have been doing a lot of mending and alterations for friends lately. I fixed several dresses and other clothing items for a friend last month and this month I am taking in a few pairs of scrub pants for one friend and fixing the wide neck on a dress for another one of my friend’s daughters. I don’t have a clothing alterations and repairs business, but it’s something I think is in high demand. You could start a tailor business!
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I like when you said that most tailoring jobs require more work than people think. For example, taking in a pair of pants is not as simple as sewing up the side seam. We have so many altered clothes in the hows that need alteration. Maybe it’s time to bring them to a tailor to be fixed. Beneficial article. It gives me an idea of where to find tailoring.
Nice Blogs!
Thanks for sharing this informative blog.
Having a team of highly qualified, skilled, and professional alteration experts at each of our stores in Randwick, Northbridge, Narellan, and Nice Look Narellan, we can assure you that you will walk away with great pleasure. We know every client has different needs and requirements; hence, we customise our services according to the preferences of our customers. If you ever have a dress or a suit or any other clothes that do not fit you, come over to our shops in Narellan, Northbridge, and Randwick. We can also provide you with the same day service on your demand.
Thanks for pointing out that it’s also important to consider having a timeline set up when planning to get clothes sewing services. I’m interested in looking for such services soon because I have some dresses that I’d like to get altered. Giving them new life instead of throwing them out will be quite ideal.