I had my wedding dress altered by Marina, and she did a terrific job! I went in four weeks before my wedding (although I absolutely recommend getting in earlier to save yourself some stress) and she accommodated my timeline even though there was much to be done. I needed my dress let out at the hips and taken in at the waist, and both tasks required the removal and re-application of a lace applique. I also had it hemmed and bustled. She made all the necessary adjustments to get the absolutely perfect fit. The price I paid was exactly what was estimated before any work was done, and the price seemed very reasonable for the amount of work that went into my dress. I'm glad I went to Eltsa! read more

I was nervous about my wedding dress alterations because the bust area needed to be completely taken apart and re-done, something I did not anticipate when I bought my dress .... but they were amazing! Margo took her time each appointment to make sure that we got it done right and the results were great. I would absolutely trust them to be honest, charge a fair price, and work on anything delicate. Margo and her team understand and value the importance of caring for garments. I am looking forward to wearing my wedding dress and am so appreciative!! read more

I initially came here to get my wedding dress altered (take in shoulders and hemming) which was relatively quick and they did a great job. Along the way I decided I wanted more volume and shape to the dress so reached back out to them to see if they could make me an overskirt. It was getting closer to the wedding day so I was a bit crunched for time but fortunately they had some rental options which were not only cheaper than buying a whole skirt but perfect for the occasion since I only planned to wear it for the ceremony. They were able to get the fabric and color to match my dress and get it fitted to my measurements all way ahead of schedule. I couldn't be happier with the final dress! Eltsas will definitely my go to for future alterations but it great to know they have affordable rental pieces too for special occasions. Highly recommended! read more

I went to see Margo because of all the good reviews online I read. When I made my appointment, I specified to see Margo but they informed me upon arrival that Margo doesn't physically do the alterations anymore. Regardless, Margo has a great eye on how to make the dress work when another seamstress at Eltsa said "it's impossible." I had my dress taken in, boning added to keep the fabric from bending at the top of my strapless dress (which required ribbon to be added), and bra pads added. It was a bit more expensive than I had anticipated but they were good at keeping me informed of all additional costs. Overall I'm very happy with the dress; hope I can breathe and sit in it the day of! Definitely would go back again! read more

Eltsa Sewing was excellent for my bridal alterations. They are just great tailors, with a simple space and friendly, knowledgable approach. Highly recommend for your most important dresses (bridal especially)! read more

Thanks for the reply, guys at Eltsa, but no thanks. The loops were indeed coming off and I got them fixed. No, unfortunately, not making that up. No m'am. read more

Super fun to talk to Margo every time, and she's always good with my dress pants. Parking can be a challenge in that Greenlake area. Her quote for my bridal gown alteration was the highest so far, which means I'll probably have to take it else where. However, her opinion on it was very helpful. read more

Woohoo! As good as it gets! I worked with Margo at Eltsa and she was nothing short of amazing. The dress consultants at the wedding shop I purchased my dress from talked me into getting a dress that was much larger than the sample (thinking it was easy to tailor). When it finally came in many months later, I tried it on and cried. It was so large and sloppy looking. The dress was heavily beaded and had much detail to it. I didn't think it could be tailored to fit me and thought I would have to purchase another dress. Margo worked wonders. After several dress fittings with her, the dress was a dream. It fit so well and was everything I wanted for my wedding day. Margo - Thank you so, so much for everything!! read more

Eltsa Custom Sewing - Thank you, Margo! - Sewing & Alterations Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Margo is funny and attentive. She did a great job making my used wedding gown look way better than it was before (but I also bought a way too big kind of dress). You cannot go wrong with wedding gown alteration at this place. Margo knows her stuff really well. She is so attentive that she would make you bring the right shoes to all fittings and she would make you come a few times to try on the gown in different phases before finalizing it. The alteration cost is pretty pricey though (but they are also in Greenlake where the rent must be high) so you might want to look around for other quotes before committing. read more

I had my wedding dress altered. They were very professional and did an exceptional job. Highly highly recommend

I purchased a very cute maternity dress online. In doing so, I operated under the brand's (standard) advice to purchase items in your pre-pregnancy size. Unfortunately, when the dress came, I put it on and the bust portion ripped immediately. Apparently, the brand does not make accommodations for a pregnant woman's growing bust (I am petite on top, and this is the first time in my life I have had this problem). I was afraid that the damage was beyond repair, because the fabric is rather delicate and the part that ripped was just adjacent to a more heavily textured appliqué. I took the dress to Eltsa. Staff provided constructive, honest suggestions as to how to improve upon the original design and make it more flattering for my body type. We ended up taking off the sleeves, using the fabric to insert panels into the bust and create a more structured shape in the shoulders. What is more, I believe that the improvements will enable me to wear the dress beyond pregnancy, which is wonderful! I cannot recommend Eltsa highly enough. If I could give 6 stars, I would. read more

I went to Eltsa's on a recommendation from my sister, who had had a good experience there getting dresses tailored to petite. I brought them two very different projects: a floor-length evening gown that was too formal for the barn wedding I was attending, and my favorite black hoodie, which had a broken zipper. I loved working with the ladies at Eltsa! They replaced the zipper no problem, and they absolutely would NOT let me cut the length off of what is admittedly a gorgeous evening dress. They proposed many different solutions that would enable me to keep the dress long, but would "casual" it up or make it appear shorter. I took their advice to add "pull-ups" to the dress (which can be easily untied to release the dress to its full length) and the result was more than I could have dreamed. It is a beautiful piece craftsmanship, and I'm more excited than ever to attend this wedding now! The ladies I worked with knew their business very well, and I honestly looked forward to checking back in for my next fitting(s). They were charming, sincere, and professional, and I will definitely be returning! read more

Wow! These people are incredibly skilled and truly artists. I brought my wedding dress in for alterations, and after loosing quite a lot of weight, they had to essentially recreate the entire top half of the dress. Not only were the results phenomenal, they were were done incredibly quickly and with care. They were also thoughtful with how they did the alterations to save me some money and time. I highly recommend them and plan to bring all my future alterations here. read more

It took me a long time to write this review because I had such a horrible experience with my wedding dress at Eltsa's. Though I chose this place for the incredible rating, I didn't work with Margo, who is the one with great feedback here. The dress was taken in too much and the sweetheart neckline was botched. The work was poor quality and the $2000 dress was ruined. I had to buy a new dress right before my wedding. read more

I was very disappointed with my experience with Eltsa Custom Sewing. My dress only needed a hem and a bustle added in and my first appointment was at the end of April for a late August wedding. At this initial appointment, I had talked to the seamstress about putting in a French bustle. When I came back for my second appointment at the end of June, I was disappointed to see not only that the hem was not completed, but that the seamstress put in an American bustle. I spoke with my friend who came with me my first appointment and made sure I was not remembering wrong and she also remembered that we all decided on doing the French bustle. After speaking with the woman at my 2nd appointment (a different woman than I met with originally), we scheduled a time for me to come in one last time at the end of July. We discussed that between the 2nd and last appointment, the bustle would be changed to be the French bustle and the hem would be finished. I called about 2 weeks before my last appointment to make sure that we were all on the same page with what I wanted done. The woman I spoke with stated that we did not agree on the French bustle, and the french bustle would need an additional appointment to mark the spots for the loops underneath the dress so I came in a week before my last appointment. I came in for my last appointment on July 29th and the seamstress did not even say anything about the bustle but rather finished the hem by cutting the outer tulle layer. Finally, I brought up that I originally came in to change the bustle, but at this point I did not believe it would be completed in time so I would be fine with the American bustle that was already in place. Again, the seamstress stated that we agreed on the American bustle from the beginning. I finally was able to take the dress home. I looked at the dress when I got home, and saw a distinct stripe on the dress. I looked under the layers and found an extremely unprofessional hem completed on the bottom petticoat. I chose to go with a different seamstress to fix this issue because my wedding is less than a month away and from my interactions with the shop's staff up to that point, I did not believe that I would have received what I ask for in a timely matter. After I had the dress completed by another seamstress, I talked to the shop staff one last time to explain the situation. They stated that it was a simple fix with the hem that they would fix free of charge. I asked, if it was a simple fix, why it wasn't completed in the first place. They then stated that I should have said something before taking it home. I am extremely disappointed with my experience, especially since I read very good reviews from previous customers. I talked to the shop staff one last time to ask for a refund on part of the hem and they were only able to offer me $20 for my troubles. I highly discourage people to go here because of their customer service and their unprofessional work. read more

Not just for wedding dresses! When I was looking for somewhere to take a new suit for alterations, I was hesitant to contact Margo because all of her reviews were about wedding dresses, but I gave her a call because she was so close to my house. Am I glad I did! I took two suits in without really knowing what they needed, just knowing that they weren't their best. When I picked them up, I was stunned at the results, it made such a difference. Not only that, but I considered it a fair price considering the quality of the work done. I was so happy with her work that I took in several other pieces of my work wardrobe. One thing I really liked was that she was completely honest. She would look at each piece and tell me if it could really be improved or if it would be worth it. Anyone else could have said that it needed work and I would've believed them so her honesty meant a lot to me. If you want to take your business wardrobe to the next level, go see Margo. I know I look more professional and put together because of her work. read more

Don't expect to feel flattered walking in here. Both times I've been, the woman altering my dresses (older woman who's possibly the owner?) has been incredibly rude. Told me the dress I brought in was a horrible color and all wrong for my body. I'm a size 0 and had a size 2 that simply needed to be brought in. That's your job. I'm sorry I'm giving you business? While poking me through my dress, she was simultaneously insulting a bride whose dress she was working on and I nearly felt the need to apologize to the bride and say "don't listen. You look beautiful." Don't go here. read more

Margo made my wife's dress for our wedding in France, and I was thrilled to see the result. It was layered and intricate and yet still simple. She went to see her for the first time after trying lots of dresses she didn't like in stores, and was starting to freak out because the big day was coming up soon. Margo listened to what my then-fiancée liked in the dresses she had tried on, and by the end of the conversation had drawn two dresses with those attributes (and her personal touch) from which to choose. She asked my wife to go back several times over the next few weeks while she was sewing the dress to discuss further adjustments and make sure everything fitted exactly right. After lots of little changes (very nice additions, most of them on Margo's suggestion), the dress was ready for the wedding in spite of the short notice. Everybody said it was stunning. If you want an original dress, or just someone who will listen to what you really want, advise and encourage you, pick Eltsa as your seamstress. read more

A truly appalling experience. I had no sooner left the dressing room (if you can call it that) when I was met with diet tips and advice to lose weight as soon as possible. The woman advising on alterations never asked what I was hoping to have done to the dress before telling me the dress was too tight and that there was nothing she could do until I focused on losing weight. I'm 5'6" and weigh 125 pounds, just as a reference. The wedding dress I bought is intentionally tight and, honestly, how I want it to fit. It's not like I brought in a dress that didn't fit and asked them to magically make it larger. All I was hoping for was the length to be fixed, since it's a big too long. She didn't leave any room for me to speak before she launched into how I need to lose weight and her advice on how to do so. Rude, extremely unprofessional and very offensive. Someone altering women's clothing shouldn't be commenting on their customer's weight and give health tips. It didn't help that the place was difficult to find, there's only on-street parking, and it's incredibly small inside - as well as dingy and the staff unwelcoming/not helpful. read more

I first came to Eltsa with an expensive Kleinfeld gown for alterations but Margo sat me down and was honest with me and said it would be expensive to alter and was not very flattering for my plus sized figure. She was very kind and knowledgeable so I took her advice and due to time contraints could only find a cheap Chinese gown on one of those knock off sites. It was much nicer than I expected and they made it to my measurements so it fit well. Eltsa's was able to alter the neckline to make it more flattering, remove a belt and add a sash of my own purchase, and alter the train and bustle to make my dress perfect for my wedding day. Margo, Ivanna and the staff work so hard and they are worth their weight in gold. I will be using their business for all my alterations and sewing in the future. read more

Iwona gave me absolutely the most incredible service and experienced work on my wedding dress for July 14th!!! I was very nervous prior to coming here to get anything done to the dress because it's a used Australian Leah da Gloria designer dress and I had been let down in the past with other garment alterations elsewhere (it was as close to my dream dress that I could find but needed some help). From the initial visit I knew I was in expert hands; I didn't even notice the lace was off angle on the back, and she went over all we could do- that I could get more boning, change the illusion lace on the front, a fresh hem and a choice between 3 different bustles I could do. She did it all! She never pushed me one way or another but informed me of what each option holds and what she recommends. I didn't know alot of terminology when it comes to dresses but I wanted a certain look - very cinched waist, change the top to sweetheart and flared towards the bottom. She always knew what I meant and confirmed. Before every change she showed me what it would look like. She's an absolute delight! And expert of experts on wedding dresses (she actually used to make them from scratch). Iwona made my dream dress a reality! I couldn't recommend her more highly she is a wedding dress goddess!!! Ps she did this all while 9 months pregnant so she is a real trooper and hero. read more

Eltsa is tucked away on the second floor above the Little Red Hen. I came in with a small project, unsure if a little sewing would be the fix. Eltsa did it perfectly & because it only took her a minute she refused to charge me! I'll be back with bigger projects for sure. read more

Getting a custom wedding dress made by Margo was the best decision I made for my wedding. I tend to have expensive taste so shopping for a wedding dress was insane. Nothing lived up to my extravagant standards and the ones I loved were more than my car. When I met Margo I expected her to quote me something I could never afford, but surprisingly she was super reasonable. And my dress had tons of beading and an unreasonable amount of fabric. The whole process was nerve racking at first but Margo's eye for style is perfection. There were decisions at first I fought her on and she would redo it and then I would realize she was right and would change it right back. Trust her!! The fit of the dress was amazing. I have big boobs and going strapless can always be a challenge. But margo managed to get me all tucked in but still lookin good. I didn't need any sort of undergarment contraption that promised to lift and help me suck it in, the dress' corset did everything a girl could want on her wedding day. Which also made my nearly 15 lb dress not hot at all. Bottom line.. Margo is the best you can find and i am so happy she made me the perfect dress for my wedding. read more

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Margo was a pleasure to work with and absolutely affordable. As someone had mentioned before, I was very comfortable and I love the fact that she was upfront and honest. It makes it easier to make decisions when you know what your options are. She was never pushy or abrupt about anything like I have experienced before. She always made sure that you were comfortable with your decisions and she truly understands the value of being completely happy and satisfied...after all, you only get married once. I know that a lot of people say that she is affordable and it may sound like you will get what you pay for. However in this case, Margo is the diamond in the rough. The level of her craft outweighs the amount she charges by far. I not only had her alter my wedding dress, which fit perfectly, I also brought it back to fix a rip from someone stepping on my dress. I was devastated, but her assistant Olga was able to fix it. Thank you Olga! If you want someone who is skilled, has many years of experience behind their craft and amazingly affordable...do not hesitate to call Margo. I called because of everyone's reviews and did not regret it all. read more

I came here recently to get my wedding dress all sorted out and they did a wonderful job! Margo is wonderful to work with and was able to keep the lines nice but alter the dress to accommodate my size perfectly. Plus she taught me tips and tricks of the fabric AND she had an idea of changing the embellishment to make me look thinner and it was brilliant! I'd trust Margo and her staff with anything! read more

My experience was just okay. Although I received swift and friendly service, plus what seemed like a good price, the actual end result was not as I had hoped. The quality for adding a simple sash was below expectation. (You could see the pin marks, and it was uneven on one side. In addition, the dress was taken in by too much and as a result I was quite uncomfortable the day of the wedding. At the point when this was discovered it was too late to change. I am pretty sure that the person who did my work was not as experienced as the rest of the staff, so this could have contributed to the issue. She was often going in the back to ask the other seamstress for her opinion and help during my fittings. Although I was disappointed, I would recommend them for a very simple thing like hemming. read more

I just got my dress back from Margo today and am so happy and grateful for her work. The best thing about Margo is that although she herself is a playful, laid-back woman, she takes her work very seriously. She's a perfectionist at heart and will not let you go until she is completely happy. Margo was very honest about what could and could not be done but was willing to get creative. I had originally just wanted the dress shortened but the zipper in the back kept "bulging" and Margo was able to do some incredible magic to get it fitting better and the added detail only enhanced the dress. All this work (I went maybe 3 different times for fittings) in addition to work on my rehearsal dinner dress was only $90! So reasonable. Plus if I need any last minute adjustments she has offered to do them for free, something she will do for any of her brides. I don't think you can go wrong. You will get good advice and her skilled work for an astonishing price. I also just want to reiterate how personally Margo takes her work. Over the course of my fittings Margo and I got to know each other well and we talked a lot about her work and how much it means to her. Margo is a very competent, experienced seamstress but there will always (no matter where you go) be things that can't be done, or times when things didn't work our perfectly. In the rare case that Margo (or you) are unhappy with the work she will do everything she can to make it better and would never charge you for it. You can't ask for more than that. read more

I have taken two bridesmaid dresses here and they do a great job. They are very quick with getting them done and know what they're doing. They make some suggestions and are very knowledgeable with how dresses fit and what they're supposed to look like. I will definitely be going back. read more

Margo is amazing! She recently altered my wedding dress and my fiance's suit jacket for our wedding. She added gorgeous bussels and refused to rest until she was completely satisfied with her work! If you are looking for a classically trained seamstress who is serious about her craft, look no further! Thank you, Margo! I received countless compliments on the wedding dress and it fit beautifully. read more

I brought a wedding dress to Margo a little over 3 months before my wedding date. I told her I would be 6 months pregnant at my wedding and needed to make sure this dress would fit me - not knowing how much or little I would be showing. Margo looked at the dress, looked at me, and said, "I can make this work." This did not turn out to be an easy task. She spent countless hours turning my dress into a masterpiece. And she did so with a smile, great stories, and a wonderful attitude. I always looked forward to my fittings (I needed quite a few since I grew much bigger than we were expecting). The dress turned out better than I even expected. On my wedding day, I felt beautiful and SO comfortable. She is absolutely, without a doubt, brilliant! read more

I bought a vintage wedding dress and made an appt with Elsta based on a friend's recommendation. I adored everything about this place. It's unassuming location (above a bar, hello!? Perfect!!), her unabashed honesty and the price. She is truly talented and knows her dresses! I would highly recommend going here, no matter what kind of dress and what you need...she'll hook you up. read more

When I bought my wedding dress, I was a size 14. After 6 stressful months of grad school and wedding planning, I dropped to a size 6. I was terrified my dress wouldn't fit anymore since it was so strutured and beaded in the middle. It was from a second-hand store too so I couldn't return it to get a smaller size. I searched for a long time, and Eltsa had such great reviews that I felt confident bringing her my dress to alter. Her and the other seamstresses did a fabulous job on my dress, and it fit me perfectly. It only took a few fittings, and they tried to keep the costs down as much as possible. The prices were very reasonable, and they were very professional and upfront about all the costs. They are also just fun to work with! Your outfit is in good hands here. Cash or check only, and you can save some money by using cash! They can take paypal payments as well. read more

Margo was wonderful and I highly recommend her! I went to a couple bridal stores and tried on a few dresses, and really wasn't thrilled with any of them. I had this idea that there might be someone affordable in the Seattle area who makes custom wedding dresses. Turns out Margo is that person! She did a consultation with me and sketched out my idea, and gave me an idea of price range, which seemed very reasonable. I figured - why not give it a shot? - and I am so glad I did. I love my wedding dress, and I got so many compliments on it! (I'm just sad I don't get to wear it again!) It was beautiful, classy, unique, it fit incredibly well, and it was so special to have a dress that was made for me and that I participated in creating. Margo is a pleasure to work with - I appreciated that she offered her opinions about design options, but the ultimate decisions were up to me. I'd recommend that you start working with her EARLY so that you and she aren't rushed. She is busy, and I think she is getting pretty popular (she's always been popular for alterations), so all the more reason to call her ASAP in your process. Bottom line - I highly recommend Margo for any dress-making project (wedding or otherwise)! read more

I had a terrible experience at Eltsa sewing. I went in for a quote, and came out in tears. I was told that my dress did not fit, and that I should buy a new one! I am not a tough body type, and did not buy a dress that was sizes too small. I had bought a sample dress with a broken zipper, and in her opinion, it was a lost cause. She said she would try to alter the dress, that it would take 4 months, and that she couldn't promise that it would fit in the end. She also quoted a very high price. I went to another alterations shop in Seattle, and had a wonderful experience. And the dress looked beautiful the day of the wedding. I would not recommend going to Eltsa sewing. read more

I might be a little picky, but I just hated all the wedding dresses I tried on in stores. So I thought, let's pick a seamstress at random and entrust her with the making of my dress. I was lucky I picked this one. As you can see just a little bit on my small profile picture, my dress was beautiful, original and well made. Margo (Eltsa) drew a couple of dresses for me to choose from after I told her what I liked (chiffon fabric, halter top, mermaid shape, romantic look, a not so big or heavy dress, simple with a few intricate details...). She worked so hard on that dress, and everytime I went to try it on she had added another cool detail, like the braiding around the decolletage and the little chiffon flowers here and there. She even designed a flower for my hair and helped me figure out how to do my hair on the wedding day. I feel extremely lucky to have found her. This dress was my dream dress, and I couldn't picture it in my head until she came up with it. Also the price is very reasonable. It would have cost me more or the same to buy a cheap wedding dress and get it altered to fit me. I couldn't recommend her more. read more

Margo is not only an amazing seamstress, she is honest and has a great sense of humor! I initially went to her for alterations to my wedding dress, which were executed timely and flawlessly. When I picked up the dress after the first round of alterations she told me she thought the dress "looked a bit unfinished". I completely agreed, but was uneasy with the idea of paying $100-$500 for a bedazzled belt. After telling her my concerns she told me to find a simple piece of ribbon and bring it back to her to make a sash... she also warned me to not purchase silk because it's difficult to work with. So naturally, I fell in love with a blush colored silk ribbon on Etsy and brought it to her to work her magic. She jokingly scolded me for not listening, but then proceeded to do what she does best. I'm absolutely in love with what she created. It took her eye to see that all the ribbon needed was to be doubled-up and offset to create an uber-romantic look. When I put my dress and sash on I never want to take them off. I love the way they look and cannot wait to wear them on my wedding day! read more

I came in for a wedding dress modification which she obviously has natural skills for. Not only is she awesome, but she is fast and affordable! I've recommended her to several friends already. You must see her! read more

There aren't words to express how talented these women are! I went there on a recommendation from someone who said they saved her life after her wedding dress was messed up by another seamstress and I needed a fair amount of work on my own wedding dress and they were nothing short of professional, friendly and their work is flawless. When I originally bought the dress I wasn't told about 'sitting room' so whilst it fit me I couldn't really sit in it. Margo is wonderfully honest which is exactly what I wanted as I wasn't sure if anything could be done. She asked whether I was intending on losing weight to which my answer was no but she asked so she knew what she was working with. They gave me three options I chose to have them cut the dress horizontally and simply bring it up to loosen the material around my hips as it was a trumpet style. They needed to rehem anyway and they suggested this as it would save me money - very rare that you find such caring honesty. Initially, I was told I may need a sash to cover the alteration hem but with the dress being lacey and the fact their work was so flawless I actually couldn't see the seam and didn't need one. I can't recommend Margo and her team enough, if I ever need any alterations done I will be sure to go here again and I would highly recommend them with wedding dresses, they're genius's at their craft. read more

One month before my wedding I had to find a new seamstress to alter my dress. As well as being conveniently located for where I live, Eltsa Custom Sewing was able to arrange an appointment for me the same evening I called, and didn't even blink an eyelash at the short turn around time. The seamstress I worked with was lovely, super funny, and very friendly. She gave me great advice about how to decide what length we should hem the dress to, and made recommendations about other alterations I might want. The dress turned out perfectly and the cost was extremely reasonable - they removed about 3 inches of lace from the bottom and made the sleeves smaller, all for under $200 and in about 3 weeks. Would recommend for anyone who needs alterations done, but especially for bridal alterations! read more

This place is just wonderful! It's adorable and they do a spectacular job. They are flexible, quick, and super easy to work with. I would not go anywhere else to alter my gown and will be coming back for other alterations in the future! read more