Made to fit you.
Expert clothing alterations and bespoke dressmaking in Essex and East London. From a quick hem to a wedding dress, every piece is measured, fitted and finished by hand. I also teach one to one sewing lessons at any level.
What I do
Alterations and repairs
- Hemming, zips and repairs
- Taking in and letting out
- Suit and jacket alterations
- School uniform alterations
- Wedding dress and bridesmaid alterations
Dressmaking
- Bridal dressmaking
- Bridesmaid dresses
- Prom and occasionwear
- Fancy dress and costumes
Sewing lessons
- One to one lessons at any level
- Complete beginners welcome
- Build skills you already have
- By appointment
How it works
Alterations are usually done within days. Dressmaking and bridal commissions need more notice, so please enquire 4 to 12 weeks ahead.
- Get in touchBook a fitting online or send a message, with a photo if you can.
- FittingYour garment is measured and pinned. Dressmaking starts with a consultation.
- I make the changesAlterations, or your made-to-measure piece, with fittings along the way.
- CollectI'll text you when it's ready.
Recent work
Behind the scenes
Pinning, cutting and stitching: the careful work behind every finished piece.
Hello, I'm Marian
I've been altering and making clothes for 20 years. Every piece is measured, fitted and finished with care in my home studio, whether it's a quick hem or a wedding dress.
Bring your garment, send a photo, or tell me your idea, and we'll take it from there.
Prices
Dresses
- Jumpsuit shortened£25
- Zip replaced£30
- Zip replaced, evening dressesfrom £45
- Shorten day dresses£25–£35
- Take up shoulders (sleeves moved)£25–£35
- Taper sides or back seam, day dressesfrom £30
- Taper sides or back seam, long dresses£40
- Shorten evening dressfrom £40
- Shorten evening dress, long lined£54
- Taper evening or silk dresses£40–£60
- Take up straps or shoulders, gownsfrom £25
Trousers
- Lengthen with false hem, where possible£24
- Shorten or lengthen hem, plain£20
- Shorten or lengthen, with tape£24
- Hem turn-up£24
- Take in, let outfrom £36
- New zipfrom £30
- Taper legs£24
- Taper legs, with shortening crotch£36
- Drop waistline£40
- Taper waist, jeans£45
- Taper waist, leather trousers£65
- Jeans shortening, keeping the original hemDone with a special method that keeps the factory hem£36
Skirts
- Shorten or lengthen hemfrom £30
- Shorten hem, pleatedfrom £45
- Let out, take infrom £36
- Replace lining£80
- New zip£30
Blouses & shirts
- Shorten sleeves, with cuffs£25–£35
- Shorten or lengthen sleeves, plain£24
- Shorten sleeves from armhole£25–£45
- Take in sides£30–£40
- Narrow shoulders£30–£35
- Shorten hem£20
- Re-stitch buttons£5
Coats & jackets
- Coat hem£45–£69
- Jacket sleeves, plain£25–£35
- Jacket sleeves, with details or buttonhole£40–£50
- Jacket sleeves, from shoulder£90
- Jacket sleeves, from shoulder, leather£120
- Take in, let out£35–£60
- Narrow shoulders, women’s jackets£50–£60
- Narrow shoulders, men’s jackets and coatsfrom £90
- Replace liningfrom £120
- Replace lining, long coatsfrom £150
- Replace lining, leather jacketsfrom £200
Soft furnishings
- Curtains, shorten plainfrom £30
- Curtains, shorten linedfrom £50
- Cushion covers, plainfrom £30
- Cushion covers, with pipingfrom £40
Sewing lessons
One to one lessons at any level, by appointment. Priced according to your requirements, so get in touch and I will quote.
Bridal & dressmaking
Wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, prom and occasionwear, fancy dress and costumes are quoted after a consultation. A deposit secures your slot.
Prices vary with fabric and complexity. Send a photo for an exact quote.
Also offered: curtains, cushions and table linen
Made to measure from your own fabric, or I can source fabric for you (you pay the fabric cost). Home measuring visits are available within Essex and East London. Ask about home furnishings.
Questions
How long do alterations take?
Most jobs take 2 days. Fast turnaround is available on request.
Do I need an appointment?
Yes. Fittings and drop-offs are by appointment so I can give you my full attention.
Do you do wedding dresses?
Yes, both alterations and made-to-measure bridal dressmaking, with several fittings.
Can I use my own fabric?
Yes. I can also source fabric for you. You pay the fabric cost directly.
Can I post my item to you?
Yes. A nationwide courier service can be arranged. Get in touch first and I'll explain how.
How do I pay?
Card, bank transfer or cash on collection. Commissions need a deposit.
Do you teach sewing?
Yes. I offer one to one sewing lessons at any level, from complete beginners to people who want to build on what they know. Message me on WhatsApp to arrange a lesson.
Book a fitting
Message me with what you need and your date if you have one, and I'll reply with the next available appointment.
- 07961 103961
- hello@essexalterations.co.uk
- Area covered
- Essex and Greater and East London. A nationwide courier service can be arranged. Address given on booking.
- Hours
- Monday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm
By appointment - Follow
- Instagram @essex_clothes_alterations
Facebook: Essex Clothes Alterations and Dressmaking
Privacy policy
Essex Clothes Alterations and Dressmaking. Last updated 21 October 2026.
Who I am
This website and service are run by Essex Clothes Alterations and Dressmaking, in Essex and East London. I am the data controller for the information described here. Contact me at hello@essexalterations.co.uk or on WhatsApp at 07961 103961.
What I collect
- Contact details: your name, phone number, email and, where needed, your address for delivery, collection or home visits.
- Job details: descriptions and photos of garments or furnishings, measurements, appointment dates and notes on the work.
- Messages: conversations with me by WhatsApp, email or through this website.
- Payment records: what you paid and when. I do not see or store your full card details.
How I use it and why
- To quote, book and carry out your work, including collection and delivery (contract).
- To reply to your enquiries and send reminders about your job (contract and legitimate interests).
- To take payments and keep accounting records (legal obligation).
- To share before-and-after photos or reviews publicly (your consent, which you can withdraw at any time).
I do not sell your information, and I only send marketing messages if you have agreed to them.
Who I share it with
Only those who help me run the service: WhatsApp (Meta) and my email provider (GoDaddy) for communicating with you; SumUp for card payments; SimplyBook.me for appointments; couriers if I post or collect items for you; my website host; and my accountant or HMRC where the law requires it. Some of these providers may process data outside the UK, and they should use safeguards that UK law accepts.
How long I keep it
Job details, messages and photos are kept for 12 months after the job is complete, unless you ask me to delete them sooner. Payment and accounting records are kept for as long as tax law requires.
Your rights
You can ask me to show you what I hold about you, correct it, delete it, limit how I use it, send you a copy, or stop using it for certain purposes. You can withdraw consent at any time. Contact me using the details above. If you are unhappy with how I handle your data, you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk or on 0303 123 1113. I would appreciate the chance to put things right first.
This website
This website does not use analytics or advertising cookies. It loads fonts from Google Fonts, so Google may receive your IP address and device information when you visit. Links to WhatsApp and other sites take you away from this website, and their own privacy policies apply.
Photos of your items
I will only post photos of your garments or home furnishings on my website, social media or Google profile with your permission, and I will keep faces and identifying details out unless you say otherwise.
Changes to this policy
I may update this policy from time to time. The date at the top shows when it was last changed.