Ellen's Dressmaking and Alterations

Prices estimated at initial fitting.

Dressmaking is prices at £20.00 Per hour and cost is discussed at the initial meeting. 

Wedding and Bridesmaids dresses

Bridal Alterations……………………………..…………….....From £30 per hour.

Bridesmaids dresses shortened ……………………......From £20

Bridesmaids dresses taken in/ let out ………….….…From £20

Removing zip and new laced back insert…..............From £80

Waistcoat replace lining back fabric ……………….....£30 plus lining cost

Take in / let out side seams and / or CB seam .....From £20.00

Take in / let out suit jacket ………………………….....…From £20.00

Shorten suit jacket sleeves with buttons ..……..…From £20.00

Shorten suit jacket sleeves without buttons ….…From £18.00

Jeans and casual trousers

Jeans shortened……………………………………….............£10.00 pair

New zip in jeans…………………………………............……£15.00 plus zip cost

Patch on jeans knee or seat……………………..........…£10.00

Button replacement jeans……………………..........……£5.00

Workwear overalls shorten …………………..........……£8.00

Repair pockets ………………………………………...........….From £10.00

Patch knees …………………………………………......…........£10.00

Suit trousers

Shorten suit trousers with tapes……………........….£13.50

Shorten suit trousers without tapes……….......….£10.00

Lengthen or shorten trousers with turn ups ..…From £15.00

Taper legs on 2 seams …………………………….......…£15.00

Taper legs on 4 seams…………………………….......….£20.00

Take in or let out waist at CB………………….......…..£15.00

New pocket bags …………………………………........…£20.00

Skirts and dresses

Shorten / lengthen hem (machine sewn) ……..................£10.00

Shorten / lengthen hem with lining (machine sewn)......£15.00

Shorten / lengthen hem (handsewn) …………………......…....£14.00 + £6.00 for extra layers

Shorten hem machine sewn pleated hem ………....………...£15.00

Let out / take in waist or hips ………………………….......…...…..From £15.00

Let out / take in waist and hips ……………………............…....From £20.00

Let out / take in hips with side pockets ……….............……From £25.00

Replace lining …………………………………………................………..From £25.00 plus lining cost

New zip skirt concealed ……………………………..……....…………From £18.00 plus zip cost

New zip dress concealed ………………………………..…...……….From £20.00 Plus zip cost

Reinforce split ………………………………………………..............…..From £7.00

Re sew hem (handsewn) ………………………………….............From £15.00

Shorten dress straps ……………………………............……..……From £15.00

Lift shoulders …………………………………………….........……....…From £20.00

Lift shoulders with sleeves ……………………….........…..…….From £35.00

Blouses and shirts

Shorten hem (machine sewn) …………………........…………From £10.00

Narrow shoulders ……………………………………….......…..……From £18.00

Shorten sleeves ………………………………………….......…..……From £10.00

Shorten sleeves with cuffs ………………………….......……..From £20.00

Take in side seams ………………………………………........……From £10.00

Shorten t shirts or polo shirts ……………………….......……£10.00

Buttons sewn on …………………………………………….........….From £1.00 per button

Schoolwear

Blazer shorten sleeves ……………………........…………..…….£18.00

Blazer shorten hem ……………………………........……...………£25.00

Shorten pleated skirt …………………………….......…...……….£18.00

Shorten trousers ………………………………………..........………£9.00

Take in / let out at CB seam ………………………........…….£15.00

Coats and jackets 

Shorten hem ……………………………………………….............… £20.00

New zip (open ended metal or plastic teeth) ..........From £30.00 plus zip cost

Shorten sleeves with buttons …………………........……...From £20.00

Shorten sleeves without buttons …………….......……...From £18.00

Take in / let out with lining …………………………........….From £18.00

Fully re-line jacket …………………………………….........…….From £65 plus lining cost

Re-line jacket body no sleeves ……………………….......From £50 plus lining cost

Re-line jacket sleeves…………………………………….......…From £25 plus lining cost

Replace pocket bags ……………………………………......….£20 (1 pocket) £30 (2 pockets)

Curtains

Curtains made....................................................................From £80.00 pair

All made curtain costs depend on size and style. Please call for advice.

Shorten curtains Machine sewn no lining ……….............….From £35 pair

Shorten curtains machine sewn with lining …...........………From £50.00 pair

Shorten curtains hand sewn (lining machine sewn) ...……From £50.00 pair

All curtain alteration costs depend on width or curtains. Please call for advice.

Cushions covers made ......................................................From £15 per cushion

All Cushion cover making costs depend on size and style. Please call for advice.

All unusual requests can be given an estimate, although this price isn't always guaranteed.


I am a Seamstress with over 25 years experience in professional theatre, TV, film and music events as well as bridal and general alterations. I'm based in Caerphilly, South Wales.

I make and alter bridal wear, prom dresses, and everyday wear for men, women and children.

I also make and alter soft furnishings, curtains, cushions etc. Including soft furnishings for caravans and camper vans.

Turn around is usually between one and two week for small alterations (apart from at busy times) although I do try and accommodate emergencies and last minute requests.

Larger scale projects will take longer and are negotiated at our initial meeting.

I work on an appointment basis, daytime, evening and weekend slots are available.

Call, message, or What's app to make an appointment.



About image

“A beautiful dress may look beautiful on a hanger, but that means nothing. It must be seen on the shoulders, with the movement of the arms, the legs, and the waist.” ― Coco Chanel

Call

Call me on 07769683286 to book a fitting.

Email

Email me at elliduncan@yahoo.co.uk with queries.

What's App

What's App for booking requests and to send me photos

What do I need to bring to my fitting?

If you are having a long dress fitting or trouser fitting you need to bring your shoes, or a similar heel height shoe to the ones you intend to wear.
Also bring any magic underwear you'd like to wear under your dress/outfit.

How long will my alteration take?

An alteration can take between one and two weeks but I will give priority to fast approaching events. Some times people leave their alterations until the last minute and when this happens I will try my best to squeeze you in.
During busy periods times are negotiated.

Where can I park?

Parking is free opposite 18 Bartlett Street for up to an hour without a permit. Please observe the parking restriction signs. There is also parking at the train station a couple of minutes walk away. 

How much will my alteration cost?

I have tried to put together a comprehensive list of alterations on the pricing page of this site. Please refer to this. However if your alteration is not listed I can try and quote a price on our initial meeting. This will be an estimate only.

How long will my fitting take?

When you book your fitting you will be given a 30 minute slot. Most alterations do not need this amount of time. 15 minutes will be ample. Wedding dress fittings do usually take longer due to the amount of layers that will need to be pinned and the time taken getting in and out of the dress. Multiple fitting (eg. bridesmaids) will sometimes require a double slot booking. I will advise on this when the booking is made. 

Do I need to wear a mask? Are you open during lockdown?

Yes, you must wear a mask for your fitting. I will not be open during lockdown times for fittings, although I can accept items on the doorstep. Please call me to confirm. 

Will my visit be Covid safe?

  • I will endeavor to make your visit as safe as possible. Fittings are allocated a time slot at booking. There will be no other customers here when you attend you appointment. 
  • I will wear a mask and expect my customers to do the same.
  • I will wipe down touch points (door handles, surfaces etc.) before your visit.
  • I keep a list of my customers names and contact details for 2 weeks, so you can be contacted quickly should I hear about a positive test from someone who has visited. or should I test positive.
  • My workroom will be aired between customers.
  • I have twice weekly lateral flow tests.
  • If a customer feels unwell before their visit  will cancel their appointment and reschedule when they are feeling better. At least 2 weeks.   

Am I able to use toilet facilities

Yes, We have a toilet right next door to the fitting room you are welcome to use. 
  • 18 Bartlett Street, Caerphilly CF83 1JS, UK
  • Parking opposite for 1 hour without a permit, depending on available spaces. Please observe parking permit restriction signs.