Advice from the workroom

20 articles

• Alterations

  When to alter a favourite dress rather than replace it

  A dress you love but rarely wear is often only one or two small changes away from being a favourite again.

  4 minute read

• Alterations

  Trouser alterations: what a proper fit looks like

  Good trousers are comfortable without being baggy, and the right hem length depends more on your shoes than on fashion.

  4 minute read

• Occasion wear

  How to prepare for a wedding dress fitting

  A little preparation makes your wedding dress fitting calmer, quicker and more accurate.

  4 minute read

• Occasion wear

  A guide to bridesmaid dress alterations

  Bridesmaids come in every shape and height, so even matching dresses almost always need individual attention.

  4 minute read

• Occasion wear

  Prom dress alterations: how early to arrange a fitting

  The best time to plan a prom dress fitting is as soon as the dress and shoes are both at home.

  4 minute read

• Occasion wear

  Common prom dress fit problems and how they are solved

  Most prom dress problems fall into a handful of familiar patterns, and nearly all have a sensible solution.

  4 minute read

• Tailoring

  Suit jacket alterations: what can be adjusted

  Some parts of a jacket are simple to adjust; others are best got right in the shop.

  4 minute read

• Tailoring

  Shortening jacket sleeves: what to know first

  Sleeve length is one of the quickest ways to make a jacket look as though it was made for you.

  3 minute read

• Alterations

  Replacing broken zips on treasured garments

  A broken zip is one of the most common reasons good clothes stop being worn, and one of the most fixable.

  4 minute read

• Leather & motorcycle

  How to care for a leather jacket before repairs

  The way a damaged leather jacket is treated before repair can make a real difference to the result.

  4 minute read

• Leather & motorcycle

  Can leather jackets be resized?

  Leather can be altered, but less freely than cloth, and every stitch hole is permanent.

  4 minute read

• Leather & motorcycle

  Motorcycle jacket and trouser repairs: what to consider

  Many problems with riding kit are simple wear and tear; crash damage is a different matter.

  4 minute read

• Home & marine

  Curtain length: how to measure correctly

  Most curtain problems come down to where the tape measure started.

  4 minute read

• Home & marine

  Cushion covers for treasured chairs

  A favourite chair often needs nothing more than fresh covers to feel loved again.

  4 minute read

• Home & marine

  Boat cover care in Dorset's coastal conditions

  Salt, sun and wind are hard on canvas; a few habits make a real difference.

  4 minute read

• Home & marine

  Marine cushion repairs: things to consider

  Boat cushions take more punishment than any sofa, and the right materials matter.

  4 minute read

• Advice

  Altering clothes after a change in weight or shape

  Bodies change for all kinds of reasons; your clothes can change with you.

  4 minute read

• Alterations

  Coat relining: when is it worth it?

  A worn lining is often the only thing standing between a good coat and many more winters.

  4 minute read

• Advice

  Choosing a local dressmaker in Christchurch

  The right dressmaker listens first, explains clearly and is honest about what is possible.

  4 minute read

• Occasion wear

  Packing and looking after a special occasion dress before the event

  Once your dress fits beautifully, a little care keeps it that way until the moment you put it on.

  4 minute read