Cancel

Search

Shirley's Designs & Alterations

4.3 (206 reviews)
Closed Closed

Request pricing & availability

You can now request a quote from this business directly from Yelp

Services - Shirley's Designs & Alterations

Clothing alterations

Clothing mending and repair

Clothing reproduction

1 More Service

Custom tailoring

Shirley's Designs & Alterations Photos

You might also consider

More like Shirley's Designs & Alterations

Recommended Reviews - Shirley's Designs & Alterations

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Inspired by a vintage dress I saw online, Veda helped bring my retro wedding dress dreams to life! She made this dress from scratch y'all!

Post-hemmed jumpsuit :D
Allyson U.

I was so excited when Big Bud Press had a sale so I could snatch a jumpsuit. Given my short legs, I knew I would be swimming in fabric; however, despite knowing this I was still disappointed because I was swimming in it. Lol. In hindsight, I wish I had before photos... next time! The other tailor I went to closed during the pandemic, and figured I'd give Shirley's a try. Given its location, I figured it would be significantly more. However, given gas prices, I figured I'd give it a shot since it is within walking distance. I called for an appointment for a fitting and was able to get one the following week on a Friday afternoon. At the date/time of my appointment, I walked in, but no one was out front, so I took a seat and waited. Shortly after I arrived, someone on the phone came in and sat at the computer. They looked busy, so I just waited till they were ready to let them know I was here for an appointment. After a few minutes, they were ready to help me and showed me to the back dressing room. I got dressed and Veda helped me. I was asked to put on shoes and Veda pinned the hem at the desired length. Very quick and efficient. Veda was also kind and gentle. Once pinned, I changed out of the jumpsuit and paid out front. It cost $20. I also left a $10 tip because I was so pleased at how reasonable the cost was. They said they would have it ready in a week. Fast forward a couple weeks later, and I picked up the jumpsuit. I called because I lost my receipt, but it was easy. I arrived and was quickly helped and on my way for other errands. Once I got home, I tried it on and it was PERFECT. My initial disappointment dissipated. It's amazing how hemming/tailoring really transforms a garment! I will definitely be a returning customer.

Shirley's Design and Alterations gown.

I first found Veda Ambeau of Shirley's Design and Alterations years ago when I wanted a special occasion cocktail dress and I could not find what I was looking for. Fast forward to trying to find a dress off the rack for my son's wedding. Veda helped me create the perfect gown. I could not have been happier! I received so many compliments!

Moms dress from 1992 on her wedding day
Haleigh F.

Veda completely reconstructed my moms wedding dress into the dress of my dreams. With a short timeline and a limited budget she worked her magic. I wouldn't have wanted to take my dress anywhere else, it was a true work of art that exceeded my expectations. This is a very "old school" shop, in the sense that she books appointments on a handwritten calendar, doesn't have a receptionist, etc. If you are wanting alterations that are quick and cheap this is not the place for you. If you understand that design and sewing take time, patience, and skill, you'll be satisfied. I visited her shop in Oakland 4-5 times over a 2 months period to have various fittings. However, this was essential in making sure the dress was perfect. This level of attention to detail is what makes Veda different from other seamstresses. She is not looking to just churn out clients, instead she takes her time making sure every measurement, seam, stitch, bead, and zipper are just right. Photos attached of the before (moms dress from 1992), the inspiration photo brought her (an anthropology wedding dress), and the final result on my wedding day!

Before!
Nae M.

They saw our vision. And my family is forever grateful. If nothing else, understand the level of creativity and talent that this business embodies to not turn us away. We went to EIGHT seamstresses. Each told us our vision was too grand and turned us away. EIGHT! My six-year-old son wanted to be Jim Carrey's "The Mask" for Halloween. Unfortunately, not ONE online or brick or mortar seller had the kid sizing in stock. Our goal? To turn a men's small into a children's size 7-8. That is transitioning a 32-inch waist into 22 inches, removing at least 11 inches or more of fabric from everything, and reconstructing an entire zoot suit for a child. Listen - no, I need you to silence everything and listen to me - read these words aloud. Shirley's reconstructed this entire zoot suit, along with complementary collar stitching on the shirt - in less than five days. My son's costume is EPIC. Entirely and utterly epic. He was Jim Carrey's The Mask because of Shirley's. There is nothing else. No one else could have completed what she did in the time allotted. Again, They saw our vision - and turned it into an amazing reality. My son told everyone at school, "My mommy and Shirley made me this costume..." Thank you!

Kurta

Professional and timely! I brought in a Birdy Grey dress, lehenga and kurta set I needed altered for a wedding. The Birdy Grey dress was an easy job - just needed to shorten the bottom of the dress. However, the lehenga and kurta set needed major alterations since I bought from House of Indya and the sizing was totally off! Ms. Veda helped customize these outfits for my body, which I desperately needed as I had just had a baby two months ago and was not feeling great about my new body. I had a fitting scheduled two weeks after my initial appointment and I was not disappointed - everything fit perfectly on this new body and I'm so grateful for the work Ms. Veda and her team did to make this new mom feel good in her postpartum body. I will say that the price of all the work done was much more than I expected, so be ready to pay up for quality work!

Photo credit: Nuva Photography, Orlando FL
Elizabeth K.

Veda and her staff were amazing! They were able to completely tailor my wedding dress in 4 weeks, which was helpful as due to the pandemic I only had 6 weeks to my wedding date from my first consultation. My dress was quite complicated being both beaded and lace. I never felt like she was taking advantage of me as a bride and felt as though her prices were fair. Also, the bustle was a work of art. She tightened the straps and took up the train making it more proportional to my height. I have and would recommend going here for any of your alternation needs. Photo credit: Nuva Photography, Orlando FL

Bustling the dress was simple and quick
Rose F.

Veda and her team were recommended to me by the bridal shop I purchased my dress from. With COVID, I did not receive my dress from the company I ordered from until 6 weeks before my wedding date. I was so worried there wouldn't be enough time for proper alterations, however Veda assured me she could do it all within that timeline. Making an appointment was easy, and although their hours are limited due to the pandemic, I was able to find times that worked with my schedule. The initial visit was the longest, and then I had three fittings after. My dress was ready the week before my wedding, and the work Veda and her team did was beautiful. The dress really accentuated my body shape, and the way everything was altered made it so comfortable to wear. Each time I visited, COVID protocols were being followed, and Veda was so kind, understanding, and respectful. The pricing is fair and comparable to other alteration shops, and I highly recommend her services.

Heather D.

It seems as if this business is the type that gets rave reviews from most customers but for every ten compliments there is a warning about extraordinarily bad service. Buyer beware that you are not customer eleven! The attached screenshot of a review by Anne A over a decade ago is STILL true, and says it all.

Bust area altered well, so it fits my torso.
Stephanie R.

I am just thankful for them. Yes, they were surprised when I told them that I have a budget and a week left for my wedding. But they accomodated my not-only-one-but-two-dress-alterations well. So thank you SO much Veda and team, they really did a good job (I needed a bustle and a fit bust area). If not because of them, I would not have a wedding dress on my wedding day. Thankful for my fiance who's my husband now who found this beautiful place (I really love the feminine interior and neat studio that they have). God bless!

See all

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Lauren M.
141
19
14

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

10 months ago

They're amazing! Always timely service and great alterations. Veda is super professional and experienced.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Rachel S.
0
69
119

10 months ago

Love Shirley's! Friendly, fast and was up for my crazy ideas. Will definitely be back!

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Haleigh F.
473
26
20

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 5
Thanks 0
Love this 5
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 4
Oh no 0
Photo of Monica V.
69
21
17

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 1
Photo of Rose F.
4
31
116

5 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Expensive for everyday minor repairs and maintenance. Also they do not accept walk-ins.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Heather B.
543
39
10

6 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Tresca B.
232
51
102

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

5 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Lolita D.
12
133
55

4 years ago

Spectacular alterations! Sake is a brilliant tailor. Great communication, great work, great location.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of M A.
0
6
5

6 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Gretta S.
170
21
22

6 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 6

Ask the Community - Shirley's Designs & Alterations

Do they accept Apple pay?

'Yes Shirleys accepts App

View All 3 Questions

Review Highlights - Shirley's Designs & Alterations

The shop is closed until Tuesday but Veda went above an beyond and managed to help me get my dress in time.

Mentioned in 140 reviews

Read more highlights

You might also consider

Bespoke Coworking - Bespoke - Coworking / Events / Demos

Bespoke Coworking

(40 reviews)

Union Square, SoMa

Who designed this?…read more "Milkers" and the two O's in room are made to look like breasts. What were you thinking? This is offensive and probably makes new mother's who need this room uncomfortable. Way to go. EDIT: This room name has since been changed. Thank you.

Just a wonderful--BEAUTIFUL, actually--space, if you can afford it. This is one of the more…read morecreative coworking spaces I've seen as I shopped around. And they are pet-friendly! They get a star just for that feature alone. They have everything you'd expect from a coworking space, with the added benefit of being located in Westfield Center. So there's no shortage of dining options. I can walk here, but if you take public transit, you're in luck: BART and underground MUNI are a few floors downstairs, and you have all of the Market Street surface lines as well. They have a dedicated, flexible event space down the hall from the coworking space. There's a climbing wall (!), phone booths, a nap room, and the usual kitchen and conference rooms. I don't know whether she is still there, but I toured pre-pandemic with Kimberly Monárrez. I was only there for a tour, on a day when I was visiting other coworking spaces as well, so I can't attest to how well the wifi did or didn't work. I'd say the way the space is set up and curated makes it attractive if you're a creative type who likes something different. This isn't a tech bro run-of-the-mill spot like Regus, NextSpace, or the now-defunct Sandbox Suites. Bespoke bills itself as a "Tech Retail Centered " space, but I felt the ambience and energy there would be just right for me; I'm an author and cultural producer. There's a broad range of seating assignments from which to choose, and the general feel of the space is light, expansive, inviting, and airy. And for me personally, an incandescent bulb always lights up inside me where there are dogs. I know how nutty it sounds, but I work far better when I have my little Rat Terrier with me. I teach professional development workshops and craft seminars for writers, and Bespoke has several classrooms here that would be perfect for renting. Alas, after all this, I can only dream about working here. At over $400/month for the Shared Desk access, it's not commensurate with my budget. One star off for that :-( Too bad they don't offer "COVID rates" or something, LOL. I've applied for some literary grants because I now have a book deal. If I get any grant funding, I'm hoping I can manage at least a few months here. The atmosphere alone would help push me to my manuscript's finish line! In the interim, SPACES on Third & Mission is offering some terrific deals right now because they've been so empty during the past 16 months. That is a nice place, too, and worth a look, but it's a more austere space. No dogs and no climbing wall! :-P Not really geared for creatives, IMO. I never got to do a Bespoke trial day, so if you give this place a look, ask about that and try to take advantage of it...before SF goes into a new (Delta-variant) lockdown.

Bespoke Events - Entrepinays Summit 2019 www.entrepinays.com

Bespoke Events

(16 reviews)

SoMa

Bespoke has a terrific space for events. The 2019 Catalyst Conference organized by Girls in Tech is…read morewonderful. Alot of the wonder is due the location, being in Westfield Shopping Center. Easy access to those traveling via BART or the Muni Metro. The food provide at the conference was delicious and after the day ends there are a ton of food options here at Westfield. MY China, an upscale Chinese restaurant is excellent. The food court in the lower level has so much variety. The sponsors had tables under the Dome and the space was really open and comfortable. Great for networking. The setting was spectacular. This old Emporium building has a second life as part of Westfield Center. And Bespoke is situated perfectly. Looking forward to my next attendance at Bespoke event space! P.S. the shopping is awesome! The cinema upstairs is super nice. So many things to do after going to an event here!

Very convenient space as it's close to work. I came here on Wednesday, November 18th at 6:30pm for…read morea Macallan Tasting. The tasting itself was fun. You get a small pour of 10 to start of the night while you wait for the main event. They have displays of years I can only dream of having, a photo area, bar, etc. Once you get into the tasting room, you get a small sample of Macallan 10, 12, 15 and rare cask. I guess they normally have 18 as the last taste, but we were lucky enough to try the rare cask. I've been to paid tastings before, so I found the pours small, but this was free, so I can't complain. The space itself is fairly nice. Macallan used the front reception area well and spaced out the different exhibits, etc. The tasting room was was a good size with an array of tables for 6. Every table seemed to have a good view of the stage. I know they do other free tastings here, so I look forward to the next time I get to go to Bespoke Events.

Bespoke Cycles

Bespoke Cycles

(87 reviews)

$$$

Pacific Heights

I had such a fantastic experience with Bespoke Cycles in San Francisco for my fit and custom build…read morethat I felt compelled to write a long-term review. The Bike Fit Earlier this year, I decided to get back into cycling after a long hiatus. I had been commuting on a 20-year-old steel bike, but quickly realized it was agonizing on rides longer than an hour. I worked with Ari at Bespoke to fix this. He patiently interviewed me, measured me, and used Retül pressure mapping to revolutionize my position. He modified my old bike, set me up with new shoes, and dialed in a saddle that finally worked. While the tech is impressive, Ari's instincts are sharper; I get the sense he could nail a perfect bike fit with just a tape measure and his eyes. Once I felt the difference, I wanted a new bike immediately. Ari actually urged patience. He encouraged me to ride the new fit for a few months--on my old bike, my trainer and on rental bikes--to validate the changes before we committed to a build. When i experienced back pain after some longer rides Ari realized it might not be a bike fit issue and referred to me to a bike focused physical therapist (Action Sports Medicine in Sausalito) who was able to accurately diagnose my situation and suggest exercises to remediate it, which worked! As a team they really changed my relationship to the sport. The Dream Bike The eventual build process was a true collaboration. I knew generally what I wanted, but Ari guided the specifics. I wanted a flagship machine and was willing to pay for it, but Ari consistently focused on value. He even talked me down from some unnecessary upgrades. In hindsight, his advice was always spot-on, avoiding the usual industry marketing hype. The result is a mixed-material Titanium and Carbon All-Road bike from Seven Cycles. I have two separate wheelsets (which Ari hand-built using Reserve carbon rims) to swap between road and gravel. We also collaborated on a custom scheme with Black Magic Paint in Portland, who perfectly color-matched the bottle cages and a Silca frame pump to the frame's carbon elements. The bike fits like a glove. I was out on a 6-hour ride recently and felt fresh enough to do six more. As a tinkerer, I've inspected the bike closely; the tolerances and assembly quality are flawless. Build Specs Frame: Seven Axiom (Ti/Carbon Mix) Groupset: SRAM Red AXS 2024 Fork: Parlee Gravel/Cross Fork (Custom Painted) Finishing Kit: Enve Paint: Custom by Black Magic Paint (Portland) Road Wheels: Reserve 34|37 (Hand-built by Ari) Gravel Wheels: Reserve 25|GR (Hand-built by Ari) Pump: Silca Impero (Custom Painted) Final Thoughts I noticed his computer background was Picasso's Guernica, which made sense--Ari is as much an artist as a master builder. Building this bike felt like an act of curation. Here is my advice for getting the best experience at Bespoke, which might carry over other custom builders people might work with as well: Responsiveness: Ari is incredibly responsive. He answered countless small questions during the build within hours. Don't hesitate to reach out; he makes time for you. Documentation: Keep a log. There are a hundred details in a custom build. Keeping your own notes and proactively sharing them ensures redundancy and prevents miscommunication. Collaboration: Working with Ari can be a gateway to the kind of bike building experience very few others can realize, but you are well served to be an active participant. Ari is a master, but treating this as a partnership rather than just a transaction yields the best results. Your engagement will pay off in the final product. I give Bespoke Cycles SF my highest recommendation. Ari didn't just build me a bike; he ushered in a new era of adventure in my life.

After finally getting a bike plus a tune up, I let the bike sit untouched for months. With the nice…read moreweather out, I finally felt motivated to go for a ride, but when I went to put air in the tires, the front wouldn't hold. After countless online searches, Reddit threads, and YouTube videos, I looked up the closest shop and called ahead with a few questions. Ari patiently walked me through what to check over the phone, but I was still unsure of the issue and brought it in. He kindly took it in for the needed flat fix. I really appreciate how patient and helpful he was, both on the phone and in person, especially with someone who doesn't know much about bikes. Great service, very approachable, and made the whole process easy. I'll definitely be coming back next time I need anything. Hoping this is the start of getting out on my bike.

Irena's Studio

Irena's Studio

(117 reviews)

Montclair Village, Oakland Hills

Disaster. Waited 4 weeks for an appointment at this place. Told the tailor exactly what we needed…read moreover the phone - a dress needed to be tailored to fit. Gave her the brand, size, etc. she quoted us $160. Steep, but reasonable given the quality of the dress. She took measurements. After the fitting, she told us the cost would be $400. $400 to tailor a dress?!? That's more than most dresses cost. Why? She said, "wedding dresses cost more." We explained that it wasn't a wedding dress (I'm already married!). But she wouldn't change the price. It felt strange and uncomfortable and kind of awful to be called a liar. Walked out and found another tailor who did an epic job for $120. Went to the party (NOT A WEDDING) and felt fabulous. Skip this place. p.s. Apparently this owner gaslights customers. To clarify: 1. I definitely called in advance, 2. I was definitely overcharged, 3. It was definitely Lily from Irena's studio. Not confused, and not a mistake. Avoid avoid avoid.

Irena's Studio is a gem!!! I was initially hesitant to trust someone in general with something as…read moreimportant as my wedding dress, but Lily (the owner) did an amazing job and knew exactly what alterations would flatter my body. During our first meeting, Lily was thorough, clear, and explained each recommendation and steps of the alteration process. I loved how for each visit, Lily took a step by step approach to alter my dress so that she could confirm that I was happy before moving forward to other aspects. I also appreciated that if I had a recommendation or question, Lily really listened and did not make me feel rushed during my appointment. I received so many compliments on my dress during the wedding and my photos came out so good as well. I'm so grateful for Lilys expertise and would highly recommend her!

Tailor it!

Tailor it!

(91 reviews)

Temescal, North Oakland

A very reliable tailor near Berkeley, and the only one I'll be going to until I move!…read more I got my dresses hemmed and it was done perfectly. The stitching was on point! It looked as if that's exactly how the dress came in. At the appointment, the owner takes the time to understand how it's supposed look, and how you want it to fit. After the appointment, it was very easy to communicate with the owner. He responded promptly and was transparent. I had to schedule a last minute hemming request and it was done on time! If you're in a pickle, just call and see if he can do it. He will not schedule an appointment if he knows he cannot get it done on time, which I appreciate for being direct. I'll definitely come back but this time without any last minute requests!

Gabriel is truly the best there is. I've taken countless items to Gabriel from traditional vintage…read morePalestinian thobes, evening dresses, pants, etc and he always approaches each item with care & attention to detail. He's very kind, understanding, and is a master of the craft. Below is a recent before and after of a vintage thobe I thrifted that needed some love. It was originally way too large for me and I wanted to convert to short sleeves & lose the 70s shoulder poof without removing any of the handmade cross stitch embroidery. The after picture speaks for itself. The thobe fits perfect with all the right details I wanted Thank you as always for the excellent work!

Advanced European Tailoring - Motorcycle track suit

Advanced European Tailoring

(260 reviews)

South Berkeley

This is the best place for alterations! SUPER knowledgeable and always do amazing work. I have had…read moremany items altered here and the work is always amazing. Good prices and great service. I recommend this spot to all my friends. Only drawback is hours are tough for me to drop off and pickup since I work during the times they're open.

Awful, arrogant service. Don't waste your time. Seems from the other negative experiences that the…read morecommon thread is that they're both rude, with anger issues. All of his regulars were kissing his a** to get average service; it was unhealthily saccharine. They said they were so busy so busy so busy it would take 4 weeks, apparently a common excuse for them. Even still, they wanted me to do two separate appointments for a simple pair of pants, treating it overly carefully as if this was a wedding dress. All I asked for was a hem and for the waist to be taken out 1 inch which would've meant then that my pants would have been ready in eight weeks? So, I asked to take out the pants and do the hem together, but he acted like this was sacrilegious, getting upset. I had called first and the woman picked up without even saying hello, she was talking to other people, finally she said they had 8 people out the door but couldn't give me an estimate of how much time it would take if I showed up, and she wouldn't accept an appointment. Rude. Ok fine, she was not good with customers, sometimes that happens, people have bad days, but the reputation made me give it a try anyway. My mistake, I should have judged by the dismissive phone call. The reputation of this place is not deserved. But I guess they don't need the business, so they think they don't have to treat their customers with respect.

Shirley's Designs & Alterations - sewingalterations - Updated May 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...