Alterations by Sue Abell

07/01/2023

A belated Happy New Year to you all!
Back to work on Monday and a whole new year ahead, with just a few minor changes to my working hours. (See opening hours at the top of my page).
In order to balance work and life, I've made the decision to reduce my hours slightly, and sadly, will no longer be taking on bridal gown alterations.
I will, however, be continuing to take on bridesmaid alterations and other special occasion items, as well as general work, so please don't hesitate to ask.
Looking forward to seeing you all soon, and a special 'Thank you' to all the lovely people who keep recommending my work to others. I'm truly grateful. 😊😊😊
🧵🪡👚👖👗🧥🪡🧵

22/12/2022

Time for a bit of a break now to get ready for Christmas. I'll be back at my sewing machine in the New Year.
Until then, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all my customers!
🎄🎅🦌🎁🎉🍾☃️🌲
— feeling festive.

07/03/2022

REVISED SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR COVID-19
FROM 1ST MAR 2022

For the time being I'm still keeping my covid precautions in place, but have made some slight amendments.

Please continue to drop off and collect items at front door wherever possible, i.e. simple shortenings or repairs etc. By appointment only please, to avoid overlaps.

Items still to be brought in a carrier bag with a note stating name, contact details and what needs doing – partially pin if possible.

Social distancing to be adhered to wherever possible, but happy to discuss what needs doing on the doorstep.

Collect in same way. Payment can be made in cash or by bank transfer prior to collection.

FOR GARMENTS REQUIRING FITTING

Appointments will be limited to 2 to 3 per day and spaced out, to give me time to sanitise the room between visits and do some sewing. Maximum of 2 people at each appointment, due to lack of space.

Please come to the patio doors at the rear of the property – ring the doorbell on the back door in passing (it does work),

You will be let directly into the fitting room, which will be closed off from the rest of the house.

I will still wear full face visor to do any close fittings.

Customers are encouraged to wear masks too.

Hand sanitiser is available to use on entering the room.

Sofas will be covered with sheets and garments are to be placed on these. Sheets will be changed after each vist and stored away for 3 days before using again.

Room will be sanitised after each visit and used only for fittings.

Garments will be placed in a new plastic dress bag and labelled ready to work on.

For collection – unless you need to try on the garment again, please come to the front door, for doorstep pick-up, as detailed above.

I hope eventually to be able to relax these precautions, but at the moment, with the virus still at large, I feel it is safer to still continue with caution.
Thank you,
STAY SAFE! 😷🙂😷

01/01/2022

20/12/2021

Time for a bit of a break now to get ready for Christmas. I'll be back at my sewing machine in the New Year.
Until then, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all my customers!
🎄🎅🦌🎁🎉🍾☃️🌲

21/11/2021

Ivory lace over blush, a beautiful combination.
It was just a bit too revealing at the front neckline and the open back gaped a little.
So, with a bit of careful stitchery and the addition of a little illusion modesty panel, the front was drawn together to a more decent level. A couple of small darts hidden under the lace sorted out the back too. Then a loop and ribbons were attached inside the train to create a bustle for easier movement later on in the day.
🎀💐🍸🍾💕🎀

03/10/2021

I recently helped this bridesmaid with a dress that wouldn't fasten, by adding in pieces at the sides, using offcuts from the hem that I'd shortened. Once the ties were fastened, nobody knew they were there. A quick steam over and it was ready to go.
🎀💐🎉🎀

27/09/2021

A bridal gown I shortened and repaired earlier this year. It'd had an accident which resulted in a rip in the top layer of tulle at the front and a small one at the back. There were 2 layers of tulle over the lace layer to give a softened effect, so 1st thoughts were to just take off the top layer and leave it at that. Once this was done, I put it on my dummy and had a good look at it, then sent photos to the bride. We both agreed that it could still do with another layer, to blend in with the bodice. Luckily there were 2 more layers of plain tulle beneath the lacey one, so I carefully removed one and attached it between the lace layer and the outer layer. This gave the desired effect we were looking for and saved the day. Then it was just a case of shortening all the layers including unpicking the lace applique and re-stitching it higher up. Finally, I put some ties in to bustle up the train if needed.
Nobody would ever know the trauma this dress had been through 😉
🎀💐🍾🍸🎀

23/08/2021

This pretty lace bridal gown was too wide across the front neckline and gaped at the armholes, so I carefully unpicked the lace, made darts in the tulle underneath and stitched the lace back over to hide them. Almost invisible now. It was also too long in the bodice at the back, causing it to wrinkle. The bodice was shortened and zip refitted, then I added some pretty covered buttons to disguise the zip at the top. Lovely fit now.
Her bridesmaid just needed the hem shortening and some cups adding into the bodice to give some shape and support.
Thanks Beth for sending in the lovely photos. Looks like you had a great day.
🎀💐🍾🎉🎀

19/07/2021

Hi all, just an update on covid precautions when coming for a fitting or dropping items off for alteration. Even though restrictions have now been lifted, with the virus still very active all around us, I feel it is wise to carry on with the same system I have implemented throughout lockdown, for the time being. Details will be sent when you book an appointment.
Thanks for your support 😊😷

24/05/2021

Loving looking out of the sewing room window at my beautiful laburnum tree, flowering it's heart out at the moment. Got to make the most of it as they don't last long
😊🌳🍃