I took three long sleeve shirts in, 2 to make into short sleeve and one just needed a button sewed on. She shortened the sleeves on ALL the shirts, so my $80 shirt that needed a button was cut to make it shirt sleeve. She was in a hurry and paid no attention to her written instructions on the receipt. So I have a ruined shirt and she did not want to offer any compensation saying she could not afford it. Eventually I got her to write a check for $20. Do not trust this shop with anything you value. read more

Long story short, save yourself a lot of frustration and go somewhere else. In summary: forgot about my items, when I showed up rushed the job to where I had to get it redone elsewhere, incorrectly performed work on a second item twice, slow turn arounds. Detailed explanation below: I dropped off two items, a fabric briefcase that needed a patch sewn onto it and a jacket liner that needed a zipper replacement. There was another reviewer who took issue with pre-paying for services. I don't necessarily agree with that, as it is fairly normal for small businesses to require payment up front. This does, however, become an issue later on in this saga. Owner stated services should take two weeks. Two and a half weeks later, I return to the shop only to have the owner state she does not remember me (I presented her my receipt). Eventually she finds my items only to realize that she had completely forgotten about them and had not even started the work. Asks me to come back. This is the first indication I had that I should probably take my business elsewhere, but again I had pre-paid so this was not an easy option. Upon returning to the shop, she had completed my briefcase work, but again needed me to return for the jacket liner. It was obvious she had rushed the job just to get it done, and within a week the stiches started falling apart. She had rushed it to the point that there were significantly less sitches in the patch than were needed and I ended up having to take the briefcase elsewhere to have the work redone. In regards to the jacket liner, I returned a week later (now 3.5 weeks after initial drop-off) only to find that she had installed the incorrect zipper type. Being a jacket liner, it required a reversible zipper. She installed a traditional zipper which was both incorrect and made the jacket liner unusable as an actual jacket liner. I returned the liner to her at which point she stated "oh you want a reversible zipper? I will need to special order that. It will take one week to arrive and then two weeks to sew it on." I asked for a new receipt because I had a suspicion she would not remember me otherwise. Three weeks later (6.5 weeks after dropoff) I return for the jacket liner a third time. She, as predicted, did not remember me and told me I had already picked up my items even though I had handed her my reciept. She eventually found my jacket liner and once again the wrong type of zipper was installed. She then proceeded to argue with me despite me reminding her that she specifically said that she needed a week to order the correct reversible zipper. At that point, I just took my items and left. Save yourself the trouble. Go elsewhere. Norfolk Tailor at the MacArthur Center has worked out extremely well for me in the time since my debacle with Mina's Sewing Shop. read more

Positive experience. Needed a same-day alteration, and it was done an hour later (at a small premium). I've never seen that before and believe me, I have a problem with waiting until the last minute. Now my business trip will go a little better, having some better fitting pants. Though a quick job, the hemming of some jeans length, I had no problems. Same color stitching was used. Though I cannot speak to those complaining of her social skills...who cares...you came for a service, not barbershop talk. read more

I wanted to be a regular at Mina's because 1) at 5'2" almost everything I wear needs alterations and 2) I am a regular at the yoga studio next door several times a week. How convenient! I brought in a new dress for a basic hem. I needed the dress for an event on my upcoming vacation. I arrived Saturday morning at 9:30. I asked if I could pick up the dress the following Saturday as I was leaving the following week. Mina at first said she was also going on vacation and didn't want to promise me a 7 day turnaround. No problem! I said I purchased the dress for an event and needed it in a week. I would happily come back again. Then she said "Wait! It is simple I can do it and have it for you next Saturday"! Next Saturday arrives and I pull up to the shop and see a sign "CLOSED FOR VACATION!" Hmmmmmmm..... no call. No warning. NOTHING. Except me having to scramble to buy a dress - that fits - that day on top of everything else I needed to do to prepare to leave town for several weeks. Thanks Mina. OK, a month out and I return to pick up the dress and I am not angry anymore. Life happens. And who really knows the obstacles another person faces. So I went in and was gracious. Hoping for an apology and maybe an explanation, I mentioned I had shown up to get the dress and found the shop closed after she promised to have the dress. ...........Crickets....... No apology........Nothing. Full price too. A sincere apology goes a very long way. This is not a way to run a business and create a solid customer base. I found a new tailor who is bit far out, but professional and dependable. Shout out to Kiki's Alterations off Independence on Pleasure House. read more

I have had two big irritations with Mina's. I asked her to add material to a sweater b/c I did not like the length and the material she added looked like old t-shirt material. Then, I took a $1,000 Burberry jacket to have the arms taken up and I specifically said to call me if she was going to move the buckles on the sleeves. She did not call and did it anyway. THEN, she had the nerve to charge me more than she originally quote. I will NEVER use her again and warn anyone about going there. She does not take the time to think about what you are asking her to do and does not listen to instructions. ~Alex read more

I've been to Mina's a few times and found the owner to be difficult to understand and somewhat argumentative. Regardless, I needed the sleeves on a new blazer shortened, 2 buttons added to that blazer and eight buttons sewn on another blazer. What could be simpler? What could go wrong? She said it would be 2 weeks and it would cost $36. I waited 2 weeks, returned and was told the cost was $50 and the 2 buttons I asked to be put on the one blazer she didn't do because she "didn't think it would look right." So I waited 2 weeks, didn't get the work I wanted done correctly and then was charged $50 (38% more than estimated) to shorten 2 sleeves and sew on 8 buttons. Nice. I'm a busy guy (I run my own business) and didn't want to bother and waste any more time. I paid the ransom, escaped, will never return and hope that my mistake and this review will help to serve as a warning to others. read more

Terrible experience and a shameful high fee ($28) which must be paid upfront because thats her policy. If i could give this sewing shop minus stars i would gladly give -5 instead of +1. How in the world does this type of business survive unless maybe its because people put up with this? The garment seems like it wasnt touched at all considering it was as tight as before it was altered. Please save your money and find someone else.....im sure theres got to be an app for this type of business. Just like uber cuts out the terrible taxis and their insulting customer service, theres got to be an app where you find an alterations service which could help cut out the bs. read more

Mina did an absolutely AMAZING job on my wedding dress. She altered it from a straight strapless neckline to a true sweetheart neckline. It looks perfect! She also brought the dress in where it was just a little too big and added a bustle. The train on my dress is very unique and it was difficult to bustle, but Mina did it! It looks fantastic and I couldn't be happier! Mina is very sweet and helpful and for all the work she did on my gown, she really didn't charge me an arm and a leg, as I expected she would. It was well priced and the work was perfect. I definitely recommend her!! read more

Helped hubby out on a last minute alteration on a day they were closed! The lady who helped him was super nice and made his heart happy with her ability to get him in and out in a hurry! Will definitely use again! read more

Mina altered a delicate, $2500 Armani suit that I was hesitant to have anyone alter due to drastic reductions. After getting recommendations from others, I am glad I went to her shop because she did a professional job that made the suit taper and fit perfectly. Highly recommend. read more

I am so thankful for Mina! She has been taking care of me for years and I have always been really happy with her work. I have taken everything from dress pants to jeans to nice dresses there and she always does a great job. I go in, try on, and she comes out with a smile to pin me up. Seems like she gets most things back to me within a week, but she has been faster for me when I'm in a crunch to get something back sooner. Trust me, I have needed Mina so many times--I am only 5'2", so pretty much every pair of pants I buy is too long until she makes it the right size. Thank you Mina for everything! read more

I would not recommend this shop. The staff is rude they are over priced. I tried my dress on and she marked where to take it in at and when I got it back the sleeves were too tight, and it took over 2 weeks to get my dress back. I will never go back to them. And suggest not to take your business there as well. read more

Two weeks ago, I had a long chiffon gown shortened by Mina. I was hesitant to bring it to her because of the bad rating from a disgruntled customer but I am new in Norfolk and it is the only shop I saw close to where I live in Ghent. I was surprised to see how many customers she had and I had to queue up for my turn. Mina is a very nice soft-spoken lady who carefully took my measurements and gave me a receipt with a pick-up date on it. It was ready on the date she gave and I was extremely satisfied with the care she took in altering a very delicate material in layered style. Again, she had a number of customers waiting and from their conversation I can tell they were not new customers. Contrary to the disgruntled customer's comment, I would recommend Mina's shop for alterations. She did her job very well, delivered on time and at a reasonable price. read more

I never write bad reviews! But this time I felt like I have to to warn people not to go to Mina's! She is a very rude person and has no social skills. read more

$17.00 to get a pair heem in a pair of pants fixed seems a little steep. Won't be back, don't recommend going there.

Mina did a terrific job on altering two dresses for me. Both were fairly expensive ($300+) and one, in particular, was a difficult fabric to work with. I was also nervous because I was in the first few weeks of a pregnancy, and was concerned with having the dresses fit for events a month or so later. Shouldn't have worried--both were taken in perfectly and were ready on time. read more

Just had a light weight coat shortened by a few inches and the sleeves slightly shortened for $50.00. That seemed excessively high for an alteration that was very straightforward. I guess I'm in the wrong profession. read more

My 7 year old son wants to be a Navy Chief for Halloween (that is what my husband, (his Daddy) is in the Navy. So cute, right?! Well, I found the smallest khaki uniform I could, and the shirt fits him okay (a little big, but no big deal). The pants, however, are way too big. I had never been into Mina's before because I sew and can do our own minor sewing alterations, etc., but fixing these pants seemed like too big of an undertaking for my skill level. I went in with my two boys, explained why I was there, and she told me to have him try them on. After he had them on, she took one look and said "that is going to be a lot of work for me." Not sure what that even meant, but she didn't give me a quote/price, or anything!! Basically just walked away and went back to what she was doing. After reading some of these other reviews, it seems as though she would have been ABLE to do the job - so, did she think I couldn't afford it?? Either way, shame on her, because I am willing to pay whatever it takes to get the pants fixed so my son can have the Halloween costume he wants. She didn't make me or my family feel welcome in her shop, and I will NEVER go back, and caution anyone who is considering going there. read more