Custom Sewing
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Need someone to shorten/hem our curtains
May 2011
We just moved to a new house and I would like to shorten our
old, inexpensive curtains to fit our new, smaller windows.
This seems like an easy enough request for this non-sewer
(just need to cut, then hem a straight line, right?) but our
local alterations shop said it would cost $22 per curtain
and suggested buying new instead!
So-- can someone recommend a seamstress who would be willing
to take on a small job (10 single panel curtains-- nothing
fancy or complicated) and not charge an arm and a leg?
amy
Try Teal Major, her website is
http://www.customslipcovers.net/about.htm
I haven't used them yet, but Snow White Cleaners on Piedmont
Ave. said they would shorten simple curtain panels for $12 a
panel. anon
Custom sewing of drapes and seat cushions
May 2011
Hi, I'd love some updated recommendations for someone who
can sew drapes with blackout lining and durable seat
cushions for us. We're willing to pay a bit more for good
quality workmanship. Thanks so much! anon
Teal Major from Slips Upholstery did some great cushion
covers and cafe drapes for us.
http://www.customslipcovers.net/about.htm Teal Major fan
Where to get custom drapes and roman shades made
April 2009
Can anyone recommend a reliable place to get drapes and roman
shades made? The reviews in the archive are really old and there
aren't very many.
I approached Blinds and Designs in SF but they have flaked on
getting back in touch and the Yelp reviews of Calico Corners
scared me off. Has anyone used the place on Alcatraz in Berkeley?
Anywhere else? I need a store with fabrics to chose from rather
than a seamstress because I'm starting from scratch.
Thanks so much!
anon
Hi,
I'd like to recommend the group that i work with most-
Leong Interiors. They do all types of window coverings as well
as custom bedding, pillows, etc.
Call Doreen Leong at (510) 841-0886
Thanks!
Mary Jo
YES, I *highly* recommend Jennifer (her last name may be new since she just got
married last Sept) at Alcatraz Shades (at Alcatraz and Telegraph in Berkeley).
She
absolutely saved our skins when we got ripped off by Smith & Noble (cataloger)
whose own measurer mis-measured our windows and then didn't want to refund
our money (under their 100% perfect fit guarantee) when the custom blinds could
not be installed in our window frames. Jennifer gave us great advice on some
very
tricky window covering situations, she has impeccable design instincts, she is
prompt, reliable, courteous and automatically delivered ideas to stretch a
budget.
She is a good communicator, swift to follow-up and completely trustworthy.
- A Happy Alcatraz Shades customer
We had both drapes and roman shades made by Draperies by Susan,
in Emeryville. They were very professional, came to our house
to measure and make color suggestions, and did the complete
installation. They had an incredible selection of fabrics to
choose from. We also bought new hardware from them for the
drapes. Everything looks fantastic, although it was expensive.
http://www.drapesbysusan.com/
We also bought pleated ''honeycomb'' shades for one bathroom
from
Draperies by Susan, which are still in perfect condition a few
years later. We had bought a few sets for other rooms from
Smith & Noble online at the same time. The Smith & Noble pieces
were noticeably lower quality, and most of the pulls were
broken or out of alignment within the first 30 days. But they
were cheap! The only type I would recommend from Smith & Noble
is the ''cordless'' variety of shade, where there is no pull.
Good luck!
Elizabeth
I highly recommend Draperies by Susan in Emeryville. They will
come to your house and measure, but going to their showroom is
highly inspirational also. Great service, have been in business
for many years.
fan of Draperies by Susan
Slipcover for leather couch
May 2007
Hi - I am looking for someone who can make a slipcover for my
monster of a leather sofa. Recommendations in the Albany/El
Cerrito/Berkeley area especially welcome. Thanks! Christine
Teal Major, tealmajor@netscape.net, makes quality slipcovers,
window coverings and more. She made fabulous Roman shades for my
living room and dining room and I'm very happy with the quality
of her work.
Tricia
I second the recommendation for Teal Major-she has made
slipcovers for many people in Berkeley, and she is great.
Nov 2006
For all your craft and sewing project needs, I highly recommend
that you give Maureen Dixon a call. She provides very high
quality workmanship and attention to detail at reasonable
prices and truly loves her work! Curtains, pillows, custom
upholstery, she does it all. She recently made me a fabulous
reversible diaper bag, messenger style, and even used the extra
fabric to make a matching one for my toddler!! You can contact
her at (510)332-2194 or at mdixon856@aol.com
jmurphy
Window coverings and slipcovers
April 2006
I'd love some updated recommendations for seamstresses who can
sew a variety of different window treatments and also make some
slipcovers. Thanks!
Anon
Try Teal Major at Slips. She still does quality slipcover work and she might do curtains too.
She's the best.
lydia
Slipcovers
April 2006
We have a few great chairs that need new slipcovers, maybe even
re-upholstering. If you know a affordable, reliable, quality
conscious seamstress or other source for such work - PLEASE
share your knowledge! We also need to make cushions for a
kitchenette bench.
thanks a bunch
YaVette
Trumaine Biggers recently made new covers for my Dutalier glider and I love them. I
knew I'd be spending a lot of time in that chair and didn't like the covers that came
with the glider I'd bought on BPN. I wanted something more elegant and was really
happy that I could get something custom made. Trumaine works at Discount
Fabrics at Ashby and San Pablo. I can't find his number but you could call and see if
he's working and talk to him on the phone. We did all our transactions while he was
at work (e.g. I brought him the fabric I'd purchased and the cushions, etc). I got
some beautiful fabric at Poppy but there is, of course, lots of fabric where he works.
I thought he charged a very reasonable price and would definitely reccomend him.
Have fun picking out your fabric!
Need covers for kitchen chairs
Feb 2006
Is there someone who can help me make washable covers for my
upholstered kitchen chairs?
sewing challenged
I have gone to a few tailors in the area, and have finally
found someone who is both reasonably priced and talented.
Her name is Tuay (pronounced Twee) at Eclipse on Piedmont Ave.
She ownes the large shop where she also sells cloth, and
imported clothes, along with various things she sews.
Her business is: Eclipse Custom Embroidery; 4299 Piedmont Ave,
Oakland; 923-9639.
Andrea
I want to add Doan Tailors to your list of recommendations. They have made
small
and large repairs for me and their work is always excellent. Their prices are
reasonable and they are open on Saturday. They are located in downtown
Oakland
at 725 Washington Street, Oakland, phone 510 268-0666,
Lori
Jan 2006
I would like to recommend Annie O'Donnell Dillon Soft Furnishings!!!! She made custom slipcovers and curtins for us and was comparatively inexpensive. Plus, when I washed everything, it is sturdy and still fits! She is good with odd sheped furniture. She started making slipcovers as a young mother, and used safety pins to keep the work safe around my toddler, which I really appreciated! Her # is 510-841-6934 dillonanniema@att.net
A satisfied customer
Seamstress to embroider baby blanket
Nov 2005
I'd like to have my niece's name embroidered on a lovely baby
blanket I just purchased. Do most seamstresses do this...or does
anyone have a recommendation for one around North
Berkeley/Albany/El Cerrito?
anon
I checked and Quilt Mamas in Berkeley can machine embroider
names on quilts. Quilt Mamas are two crafty arty women who
work out of their homes in Berkeley. They offer all kinds of
quilting services. I've had the pleasure of seeing their work,
it is worth looking at their website: quiltmamas.com
Ruth
Want to have pillow cases made from silk
Aug 2004
Hello, I received some wonderful pillow cases for smaller
children's pillows. I don't know where to buy smaller than
standard size pillows. These pillow cases are from Europe. Any
suggestions? I also was given some beautiful silk material I
wanted to have made into pillow cases or coverings. Where or
Who could I take this type of project to? Thanks for your
thoughts and recommendations.
Lori
For a variety of pillow sizes, check out The Company Store at
http://www.thecompanystore.com/default.asp
They can even make you a custom pillow if their array of pillow
offerings don't work for you.
Regarding having pillow cases made from your silk, you could
try a dry cleaners or alterations shop, or even an
upholsterer/drapery shop.
Christina
Poppy's (and I am not the type to pay big bucks).
a do-it-yourselfer with no time
Someone to sew curtains
2001
Can anyone recommend someone relatively inexpensive that can sew curtains? I just need some basic sewing done on fabric I already have. Someone in the
North Berkeley, Kensington, El Cerrito area would be best.
Try checking with some of the staff at Poppy Fabric on Broadway, across from the Safeway complex at Broadway and Pleasant Valley. They have a custom sewing department of their own, which may be pricey--but I get the impression that many of the people who work there simply love to sew, and perhaps you could find someone interested in picking up a bit of
work. Also, some of the younger staff at Popply are students at CCAC. You could probably put up a notice in the textiles dept. of CCAC and get a student with lots of stitching experience.
Darcy
Carrie Bishop has made me curtains, recovered chairs and she also makes
slipcovers. She's reasonable and has great taste.
6529224 --Lisa
I am looking for someone to sew some basic draperies for me. I have the
material but not the time. I live in North Oakland. Does anyone have any
recommendations?
Thanks, Donna
Stone Mountain and Daughter have a book in which local seamstresses post
listings.
Toby
Bonnie Carpenter on Piedmont Avenue helped me make drapes out of bedsheets
for a really reasonable price. 510-652-6936
Ilana
August 2001
I have searched the UC website but have come up with nothing current for a recommendation for someone who can make me a professional looking slipcover. I have the fabric and am ready to go..just need a suggestion.
Barbara
Try Cushion works in SF 415-552-6220.
They don't do slip covers but they
have a long list of people that do.
Liz
try: www.surefit.com
They are a professional slipcover manufacturer. May not be custom made, but
they have lots of choices.
Nancy
Carrie Bishop has made me curtains, recovered chairs and she also makes
slipcovers. She's reasonable and has great taste.
652-9224
Lisa
2001
I am looking for someone to make slipcovers for several chairs that have been
attacted by our cats. Since we still have the cats, this will be an ongoing need so
make that an inexpensive slipcover maker.Any recommendations would be
greatly appreciated. Thanks -Jeannine
You are not going to find an inexpensive slipcover maker. I highly
recommend Teal Major of Slips (in Berkeley). She is very reasonable,
but not cheap. Her work is very high quality, and, in my opinion, you
get great value because what she produces is so great looking, is
washable, and lasts. If you want cheap slipcovers, try Ikea.
Lisa
I saw some cute slipcovers for sofas and chairs in the BryLane catalog . . . $60 - $100, depending
upon the size. Try the web site and you can select "slipcovers" at
http://www.brylanehome.com/index.asp. Becky
I recommend Nae (510 848-4444), who is in Berkeley. She did a great job
making curtains for our nursery and has very reasonable rates.
Nomi
I also used Teal Major to make a slip cover for our brand new leather love sofa. It was
mainly to protect it from our son, who was just about to walk around when we asked her.
She makes a pattern from your couch, so it fits very well. You pay her a fee, plus a cost of
fabric. It turned out to be a bit expensive (around $550 with a fee and fabric. We spent
about $200 for fabric.) But it looks absolutely beautiful. We love it. If you would like to
see her work before deciding, you can go to her house to see some of the cover she made
to her own couches.
One thing I should mention is that I felt she is sometimes not so careful. When she
makes a pattern from your couch, she uses small pins to test its fitting. When she did it
at our house, we found lots of small pins around a sofa after she left, which was not so
safe for our son who was still crawling at that time.
We also found very small short line drawn on a sofa cushion. The line is hidden
underneath the arm rest area. When she makes a pattern, she used a pen to draw lines
to while fabric laid on to my couch. While I cannot say for sure if she did it (to our brand
new sofa), it was also probably hard for my son to draw a line to such a hidden corner. I
felt that It was most likely by her.
Although she did not say that that was her fault, she said it could be something she did.
She referred me to a professional dry cleaner to get a consultation on how to remove it.
Although I was unhappy to see that permanent line on a sofa which we wanted to
protect, at least I felt comfortable about the way she handled the situation.
Mika
A friend of mine, Dawn Atkins, does custom sewing. She said she'd be glad
to speak to you about your job. She is happy to sew for either money or
barter. She doesn't have a set rate, and prefers that you contact her
directly about your job. At that point, you can both agree on whether she
will be the right person, and what the rate will be for your particular
situation (usually by job, rather than hourly). While it is not her main
profession (she is a writer), she has sewn professionally for many years,
and is certainly up to the task of slipcovers. You can reach her by e-mail
at: Dawn Atkins
Hope this is helpful to you.
Dawn
this page was last updated: Feb 13, 2013
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