Find a custom accessory designer near you

Find a custom accessory designer near you

Find a custom accessory designer near you

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Q & A

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Thumbtack.

What do seamstresses do?

Seamstresses provide tailoring, alteration and custom sewing for clothing or costumes. Seamstresses can reshape clothing that is too big or too small so that it fits properly — for example, hemming pants that are too long or bringing in the waistband of pants or a skirt that is too large. Seamstresses can also provide more complex alterations such as adding tucks to shape a dress or bringing in the body of a shirt. More time and expertise will be required for challenging fabric such as silk or clothing with lining, like a blazer or lined slacks. Seamstresses are also skilled in altering wedding dresses and other formal wear. The time and skill required for these types of alterations is greater than for basic tasks like hemming, so be sure to find an experienced seamstress to handle your special items.

Many seamstresses can also custom-make clothing for you. To come up with the design, you can bring in a pattern you like or an item of clothing you want the seamstress to replicate, or ask the seamstress to create a pattern for you. You can bring your own unique design to life with the help of a seamstress. There is no formal job training required to be a seamstress; many learn to sew and design from practical experience. For larger projects, like tailoring a suit, always be sure to review portfolios of work and read about the seamstress’s experience before committing.

How much does jewelry repair cost?

Jewelry services cost anywhere from $30-$1,800. The cost to repair a piece of jewelry depends on the type of jewelry and the damage it sustained. Contact jewelry repair services near you to find out how much it will cost to repair your ring, necklace, bracelet, earrings, watch and other jewelry.

How much does custom jewelry cost?

Custom jewelry prices can vary dramatically depending on the type of jewelry you want, the material you choose (gold, silver, platinum, etc.), the design and much more. To find out how much your custom jewelry will cost, request free cost estimates from jewelry designers near you.

Where can I design my own jewelry?

Contact a jewelry designer near you to design your own pieces. They can help you bring your designs to life and create custom pieces for yourself or someone else. 

Who does jewelry repair?

Jewelers and repair professionals can fix your broken pieces. You can find pros near you on Thumbtack, where you can also read their customer reviews, learn more about their specialties and request free cost estimates.

How much do seamstresses charge?

The price for seamstress services will vary depending on the type of work you have done. The national average rate for a seamstress or tailor is $150-$280. Simple projects like repairing holes and hemming jeans usually have flat rates; larger projects, such as sewing custom creations, altering suits or altering wedding dresses, are typically priced based on the specifics of the fabric and pattern and the amount of work time needed. Here are a few examples of tailor and seamstress average costs:

  • Shorten sleeves of a dress shirt: $19.
  • Shorten jacket sleeves: $23 (without buttons) to $28 (with buttons).
  • Take in the body of a jacket: $40 (two seams) to $52 (three seams).
  • Take in a dress shirt: $20.
  • Adjust the shoulders of a jacket: $35.
  • Hem a skirt or dress: $10-$14.
  • Take in or let out a skirt or pair of pants: $15 (unlined) to $20 (lined) or $25 (with a zipper).
  • Shorten top-stitched pants: $10.
  • Shorten cuffed pants: $14.
  • Shorten lined pants: $14.
  • Shorten lined and cuffed pants: $18.
  • Take in a sheath dress: $45.
  • Restitch a fraying seam: $5.
  • Replace buttons: 50 cents each.
  • Move a button: $2.
  • Add a hook and eye: 50 cents per set.

Are you supposed to tip a seamstress?

Tipping seamstresses is not standard protocol. That said, anytime a talented seamstress goes above and beyond, offering a gratuity is a thoughtful gesture. A gratuity might be appropriate if the seamstress accepted a large project for you at the last minute — for example, hemming new suit pants the night before your work trip or taking in your party dress the day before your birthday. A gratuity may also be appropriate as recognition for the long hours of skilled stitching that your seamstress has put in altering your wedding dress, which often requires multiple fittings and precise fixes to make your dress perfect. If you do decide to offer a gratuity, first ask if the seamstress accepts gratuities; if they do, offer them an additional 15 percent to 20 percent of the total bill.  

How do you find a seamstress?

Look for seamstresses near you on Thumbtack. Here, you’ll see a list of the top-rated seamstresses in your area. You can narrow down the list of potential pros by viewing their profiles, reading their customer reviews and ratings, looking at photos of their past work and contacting them for price quotes.

What is the difference between a tailor and a seamstress?

A tailor is a person who makes or alters garments to fit a specific person. These garments can include suits, jackets, dresses and more. 

Meanwhile, a seamstress’s occupation is sewing. However, seamstresses can also tailor and alter clothing as well.

How long do clothing alterations take?

It can take less than a day or several days to complete your alterations. In some cases, an alteration may take an hour or even a week. It depends on the type of alterations you need and how many pieces of clothing that need to be altered. Ask tailors near you how long they estimate your clothing alterations will take.

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