What we can do
Waist, bust and hips
Dresses, gowns, trousers and skirts often have spare fabric at certain seams. How much there is decides how much room we can add.
Jackets and sleeves
Tight through the body or upper arms? The lining and structure can limit a jacket even when there’s fabric to spare, and we’ll tell you what’s possible.
Fabric and old seam marks
Some fabrics show the old stitch line, fading or a crease once a seam moves. We’ll point this out before we start.
When extra fabric is needed
Not enough room in the seams? An added panel or another change might be the answer. Matching fabric isn’t always available, so we’ll look at options together.
Formal wear, suits and tops
We let out evening and cocktail dresses, including the skirt, as well as suit jackets and trousers and casual tops or activewear. The seam allowance decides how much room we can add.
How much does it cost?
How much spare fabric there is, its condition, the lining, fastenings and any added panels all affect the price.
Letting out depends on the seams, the spare fabric and any added material. We price it after checking what’s possible. A take-in price doesn’t apply to letting out.
Bring it in and we’ll take a look, talk you through the work and confirm your price before you leave it with us. If you have matching fabric, buttons or measurements, bring those too.
Can it be made bigger?
Look for spare seam allowance
Letting out uses the fabric already inside the seams. We check how much there is, its condition and where it sits before suggesting a change. The waistband, bodice, hips and jacket sleeves can each have different limits, and earlier alterations or trimming can reduce the room. That’s why the size label alone can’t tell us how much bigger a garment can go.
The finish, and adding fabric
When a seam is let out, the old stitch line, a fold or a difference in wear can show. If there isn’t enough spare fabric, an added panel or another change may work, but it changes the design and needs suitable material. Bring photos or matching fabric if you have them, and we’ll explain how it’s likely to look before you decide.
Your questions
Can every garment be let out?
Not every one. Some have very little fabric in the seams, or a material that won’t let out well. That’s why we always take a look first.
How much bigger can you make it?
We can’t say until we’ve checked the seams and seen it on you, but we’ll give you an honest answer at the fitting.
Can you let out jeans or suit trousers?
We’ll check the waistband, seat and side seams. Jeans and tailored trousers are made differently, and the spare fabric varies from pair to pair, so bring them in and we’ll show you where there’s room.
Can a tight dress be made more comfortable?
Often, by letting out the right seams or making another change. We look at the bodice, waist, hips, lining and zip together, because extra room in one place doesn’t always fix pulling somewhere else.
Should I unpick a seam to check?
Please don’t! Bring it in as it is, and we’ll check the seams before touching anything. Unpicking first makes it harder to judge the original fit.
How long will the work take, and is express available?
Most simple jobs are ready in 3–5 days, and more complex work in 1–2 weeks. In a rush? Express options are available for an extra fee. Just tell us your deadline. Express rates are 30% for same-day, 20% for next-day and 10% for two-day work, or 40% for same-day and 30% for next-day on Saturdays. Express depends on how busy we are, so we’ll confirm it and your pickup time before we start.