Between weight loss, never *quite* fitting the clothes as they are purchased, and my tendency to be hard on the linings of various items, I've used a lot of seamstresses and tailors over the years. Dragonfly Styles is worth the trip to Mississauga from downtown Toronto, for me. Niki at Dragonfly is incredibly thorough, honest, realistic and professional.
To wit: I brought in a coat with a ripped lining. I thought that there was a rip down the back and one pocket (dang those keys and what they do to pockets...). Niki sat down over the coat with me, and checked every corner of the lining, showing me what was in fact torn and discussing what my options were. It was clear some of the tears were simply because the lining was too tight and ripped when I moved - those, she suggested putting in a flap rather than just repairing, to give me moving room and to AVOID ripping it again and needing another repair in the future. In the end, her thorough examination found seven tears, not just the two I knew about.
The repair was done efficiently and inexpensively, was ready very quickly, and danged, wouldn't you know the coat is so much more comfortable now that I know I can move my arms without that tearing sensation...
I brought in a blazer that needed the sleeves shortened. We looked over the fit, she made suggestions of a few small additional alterations that made the jacket fit in a much more flattering way, and for a small fee over the price of buying the jacket, I have something that looks way better than it did at the store.
But she doesn't just do repair and alterations. She also does clothing and costume design; bring her a pattern and she'll create it for you. Have a favourite outfit that you've worn out? She'll take it apart, create a pattern for it, and reproduce it for you. (That's next on my project list...) She's done dresses that required sewing on thousands of Swarovski crystals, she's worked in costuming at the Stratford Festival, and made everything from costumes to shoulder bags. (If you're lucky, she'll show you some of her creations. They're amazing.) read more