Updated review: Flash forward to 2025...the zipper she installed broke! The metal tab that stops the zipper pull from dislodging fell off so Ms. Chen said the whole zipper had to be replaced. Gave her the benefit of the doubt, but after 2 delays for pickup, received my jacket back over a month later. She had originally said she had to go to the store to buy a suitable replacement zipper, but when I showed up on the date she said my item would be ready, instead, she just pulled out a bag of old zippers she had in her shop and had not even started the job yet. Not quite happy with the results, but was trying to "shop local". Was the 3rd piece I had tailored but am now unfortunately very hesistant to go back. Am reading some of the other Yelp reviews and it seems like Ms. Chen may not be able to handle her workload and seems to be unreliable now. read more

Ms Chen Expert Tailoring - Chaos ensues... - Sewing & Alterations Near Me - New York, New York

Ms. Chen only speaks Mandarin, Fujianese and a small bit of English. If you can get past the language barrier, she gets the job done for a reasonable price. She is incredibly detailed oriented and gets the job done. An amazing woman, protect her at all costs. read more

Hard to find and it's really not that cheap compared to other nyc places. Language barrier as well

I needed to get my pants hemmed quickly so after doing some research, I was recommended to come here. When I dropped it off, she told me it was $15. There was definitely a language barrier but that was not a problem during drop off. During pick up is when there was a problem. When I went to pick up my pants, I asked her to confirm if $15 was right and she kept telling me to text her. I wasn't sure what she meant and she showed me texts from other customers with texts saying how much and when they'll pick up. I was not told to do this when I first dropped it off, so I was very confused. After some back and forth using the translate tool on iMessage we agreed to $15. I only had $20 so I needed $5 in change. She didn't have $5 so she asked the business next door and they didn't have it either. She then proceeded to call that business owner crazy and stupid which was very uncomfortable for me. She also texted me in Chinese continuing to rant about that business owner. I don't know if I will be coming back even though the tailoring job is affordable read more

I dropped off my jacket at the end of May 2024. The tailor seemed uninterested in speaking with me or accepting my jacket, even though she was taking in clothes from numerous other customers who were all Asian, much like her. I felt discriminated against and mistreated because I couldn't communicate in her language. Initially, she told me it would take 1-2 months to fix my jacket. After waiting patiently for 5 months, I checked in with her, and she still hadn't completed it. I had a trip planned to Banff, Canada, and Alaska, where I needed the jacket. Her response was, "I'll get it to you when the weather is cold outside." It was evident she was disorganized, as she hadn't given me a receipt for my item when I dropped it off. I mentioned that my friend had dropped off a jacket with a similar issue and was charged $75 for her repair. When I dropped off my jacket, she assured me, "Don't worry, I won't charge you much." After 7 months, she finally informed me that my jacket was ready for pickup. I had been sick and then out of the country for a few months. When I asked if I could pick it up, she quoted me $250. I would NEVER have agreed to that price, especially since I paid less for the jacket originally. I tried to explain this to her when I came to pick it up. I ended up giving her $100 and left, feeling ashamed that she attempted to profile and overcharge me simply because I am white. I would not recommend her services to anyone. read more

Beware! I tried her out given some of the previous good reviews and a TikTok that I saw. I thought I would get reasonable pricing going somewhere like this. I brought a suit for her to alter in September. She quoted me $300 to alter it! I think if you bring her nice things she'll charge whatever she feels like? But I was already down there in Chinatown and she promised she would go a great job so I took her word for it. But then she said she would need three months! I hadn't heard of something like that before but again, since some of the reviews were good historically, I thought I'd give her a shot but that should been the first red flag. I showed up three months later and she hadn't started on it whatsoever! She then proceeded to yell at me in Chinese for not calling her ahead of time! The weirdest thing was it seemed like she had been displaying the suit (to show off to other clients that someone had brought in a nice suit to alter? I have no idea...) as it was wrinkled and had weird stains on it. Now I have to get it dry cleaned. And four months later it still isn't altered! Save your money and go elsewhere! read more

I didn't end up using Ms. Chen because she doesn't speak any English and relies on someone to translate who wasn't there when I dropped in and couldn't be contacted by phone. She also asked for $25 to take in the waist of a men's dress pant, which is significantly more than the (remarkably cheap) tailor in Woodside, Queens I've been using--who only asks $12. I'm also writing to help people find her: she's in the basement level of the Mall next to the shops with the 88 E Broadway address. Walk down, make a left and you will see her at her table. She's there 9:30 am-6:30 pm. read more

Be sure to call ms chen ahead of time. There is another tailor so be sure to make sure you have the right one! You can also call her to make sure you are at the right tailor. Make a left after you go downstairs read more

Ms Chen Expert Tailoring - Sewing & Alterations Near Me - New York, New York

Recommend for hemming suit pants. Stitching looks good and professional and experienced. Cost is 10$; pickup next day. She speaks mandarin and fujianese fluently and broken English; no cantonese. Prepare to whip out your Google Translate on this one. Directions: In dilapidated scary looking building under the Manhattan Bridge, take escalator to basement level, make a sharp left and you should see her in the open working on alterations for other customers. After dropoff you will need to message her number 917-330-1538 with your name, your item(s), and your requested alterations. She will message back a picture of your item(s) and the quote agreed upon for the work. read more

Ms Chen Expert Tailoring - Pants hem - Sewing & Alterations Near Me - New York, New York

See all

This woman was terrible. She kept my daughters prom dress for a month. She cut off the security tag so I couldn't return it. The dress was $330 . I am pretty unhappy with the service. Don't go here unless you wanted to have bad service. She said she was very profressional. But she was not. read more

My first review on yelp, but deserving for Ms. Chen! Her hard work and detailed oriented nature comes through in the outcome of all my alternations. Her pricing is very reasonable and she is such a joy to be around. She doesn't speak English and I don't speak Mandarin but it doesn't slow our communication thanks to google translate. Always happy to patronize her business and promote her excellent work. read more

Ms Chen Expert Tailoring - Contact info - Sewing & Alterations Near Me - New York, New York

Place near me in Dumbo wanted $60 to hem my jumper (hell na). Found this place on Yelp & was skeptical it only has 7 reviews, albeit good ones. Called in the morning and she picked up and had someone translate. Said she'd need to see it to give me a quote. Took a leap of faith and went. The strip mall is run down, mostly empty stalls, pretty gross tbh. however, Mrs Chen was there and got her neighboring jewelry vendor mate to translate. Got my jumper hemmed for $10 and was able to pick it up in under 30mins!!! This was speedy, efficient, and a great value. Don't let the sketchy basement of the strip mall scare you. How to get there: go down the stairs of the strip mall turn left and turn left again and you will see her stall on the left. I'd suggest calling first to see if she's open. read more

Ms Chen Expert Tailoring - Her stall - Sewing & Alterations Near Me - New York, New York

She is hardworking and have excellent skills, unfortunately she takes on too much job, my alternative took 4 weeks and still not ready yet and I have to keep on texting her constantly. read more

Ms. Chen is truly an expert at tailoring. Her stitches and adjustments always match the stitching of the original clothing piece (lines are aligned, no loose strings, etc.). Plus, she is very thoughtful about making the clothes fit your body type. I'be gotten several items adjusted by her, and every time they come out perfect! Her instagram is @chen_duan_zhen Hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 9:30am - 6:30pm Ms. Chen is located in the basement of East Broadway Mall. Take the stairs down and make two left turns before walking all the way down the hall. There are two tailors located in the basement, so make sure to walk all the way down if you're looking for Ms. Chen! Cash only! read more

HIGH-QUALITY STITCHING I can see she puts a lot of craft in hemming. I gave her 5 T-shirts to make them shorter. She strengthened the ends so the shirt's fabric wouldn't come apart. The stitching is very strong, I know these shirts will last for years. I thought she would just cut the fabric fold the shirt and just hem it, but she didn't. I can tell she has attention to detail. Her prices are extremely competitive; however, turnaround time was approximately 2 weeks for me. read more

Ms Chen is so good and such a kind soul! I rushed here after work not realizing she finished at 6:30- I arrived at 6:45 which was completely my bad. Not only did she agree to help me (after gauging the time of course, I had a quick stitch fix that needed to be done), but she finished in 5 minutes and it looks incredible (also VERY reasonable pricing). It was a dark piece so she could have used any dark thread, but she even took the time to match the thread to the fabric. THANK YOU! Definitely would come back, and highly recommend! I did hear that the East Broadway Mall was closing, but don't know when. So please have trust in her services while it's still here! It's right downstairs, first stall you see with all the clothes. read more

I stopped by here to fix a pair of pants that had ripped and she quoted me a nominal price. I was shocked at how quickly she was able to fix my pants. Not only was Ms Chen quick she also did a wonderful job! :-) I definitely will be back when I'm in the area read more

Note that she's really busy and only one person running the entire show! She's a super sweet lady but due to things being lost in translation may feel like it's chaotic but she has her system down. Turnaround time I would say is usually 1-2 weeks which is fine, text her and she'll let you know if your stuff is done then come pick up. Reasonable prices too! read more

Went to repair a seam on a leotard that was unraveling, work was completed in less than 5 minutes, was $3 and the color perfectly matched the existing thread! read more

Ms Chen did such a lovely job and in only a week turn around! I'm very pleased with how everything fits and very affordable. She was able to take in the waist and legs as well hem my vintage Levi's while keeping the original hem. She fitted a suit top to me quite well and I really think she could fix anything. I definitely recommend going to her. :) On google maps it will say that the mall is closed, but it's not. It's in the basement and to the left of the east Broadway mall under the overpass. read more

ms chen is the sweetest woman ever. she has tailored so many different items of my clothes and they have all came out amazing. she is consistent and very affordable. she is the best!!! i will go to her forever read more

Ms. Chen is sweet, fast and accommodating. Her prices are extremely reasonable. Mall sadly a bit run down but don't let that dissuade you from finding Ms. Chen! Go down the stairs and make a left and another left, under the stairs and she will be there on her sewing machine! Thank you Ms. Chen! read more

Ms Chen did a fantastic job on my dress! She worked quickly and her prices are affordable. She's also just a 10 minute walk from my apartment. I will be coming to Ms. Chen with more alteration needs in the future. read more

i dropped off 2 pairs of pants and she lost one of them, and asked me to pay in full. i asked for receipts. she said "no" " not responsible for any loss. omg.. she collected cash but no receipt.. and she made so much money in cash. did she even pay tax? read more

I came here to have my jeans tapered and hemmed. Ms Chen did an excellent job. She is very professional, quick and affordable. Highly recommend her! I will be taking more of my clothes to her in the future. read more

Ms Chen Expert Tailoring - Tapered and hemmed jeans - Sewing & Alterations Near Me - New York, New York

Ms chen is a very kind lady and her services were very reliable. She worked quickly and at a very affordable price.

this woman cannot get rid of me. every time i find something that doesn't fit well i'm like "yippee i can get this tailored," and i haul it from brooklyn, where i assure you there are *many* closer tailors. ms chen does a great job, but she's a one woman show so keep that in mind for turnaround time read more