Alterations by mail

How it works

How to measure

All measurements in inches. Four measurements cover most alterations. Take A, B and C from a garment that already fits you the way you like. Take D from the garment you are sending us. It is an inspection of that garment, not a target. Write them all on your alteration form.

Two jobs need an answer as well as a number: whether you want cuffs or no cuff on trousers, and whether your jacket has working cuff buttonholes. Both are below, and both are on the alteration form. If anything here is unclear, call us on (315) 736-1452 before you send the garment. It is much cheaper than a wrong cut.

1. 

   Measurement A

   Waist measurement

   Have a tape measure or yard stick. Take this from a pair of pants that fits you okay. Fasten the waistband first (hook, button and fly done up), then lay the pants flat on the table and smooth the pleats out. Then apply the tape straight across the waistband, from side seam to side seam.

   That is one half of the waist: a 34 waist measures 17 inches across.

   Write down the across-the-waistband number (17 in this example), not your waist size. On the form, label it half waist, across the waistband. If you are not sure which number to write, call us on (315) 736-1452 and we will take it down for you.

2. 

   Measurement B

   Inseam measurement

   Have a tape measure or yard stick. Lay the pants flat on the table. Apply the tape at the crotch seam junction, where the two inside leg seams meet, and run it straight down the inside leg seam to the bottom of the hem, to a length of pants to your liking. On a cuffed trouser, measure to the bottom of the cuff.

   That is the inseam: say 30 or 32 inches. Put that on the alteration form.

   Also tell us: cuffs or no cuff?

   These are two different jobs at two prices: $18.00 with no cuff, $28.00 with cuffs (see the price list). The inseam number alone does not tell us which one you want, so please write it on the form. If you want cuffs, tell us the cuff depth you like; if you are not sure, say so and we will call you.

3. 

   Measurement C

   Sleeve measurement, top to wrist

   Have a tape measure. Put the jacket on a hanger, one whose sleeve length you like. Apply the tape at the top of the sleeve, at the shoulder seam where the sleeve is set into the shoulder, and measure down the outside of the sleeve to the cuff at the wrist.

   That is the length of the outside sleeve. It could be about 24.5 or 25 inches, less or more. Put that measurement on the alteration form. We alter the sleeve like the original. Your cuff buttons and vents are kept as they are.

   Also tell us: do the cuff buttons have real, cut buttonholes?

   If they do, please say so on the form. Keeping a working cuff means the sleeve has to be shortened from the shoulder rather than at the cuff, which is a different job at a different price: the $65.00 sleeve price is for shortening at the cuff. Tell us and we will quote before we start, rather than calling you once the parcel is open.

4. 

   Measurement D

   Fabric at the waist to let out

   Take this one from the pants you are sending us, not from a pair that already fits. It is an inspection of the garment we will be working on.

   Turn the waistband out and look at the back seam outlet. See if there is fabric to let it out: maybe one inch on each side of the center back seam, or more. One inch on each side gives you about two inches in the finished waist.

   Then tell us the finished waist you want, in inches, or how many inches to add, and put it on the form. We do the rest; as soon as the alteration is complete we send it via USPS at once.

   Also, if pants need to be made smaller in the waist (see measurement A, waist measurement) tell us how much smaller is needed. We do the rest.

   Before we let a waist out, please read this

   Letting out a trouser that has been worn and pressed usually leaves a visible old stitch line, and often a difference in shade or nap where the cloth was folded under. On a dark worsted it is barely noticeable; on a pale or plain-weave summer cloth it shows. We cannot remove it, and an altered garment cannot be returned. See our returns policy. If you are unsure whether your cloth will show it, call us on (315) 736-1452 first.

Alteration form

Please download, print and send us the form below. The men’s and ladies’ alteration forms are the same document (PDF, about 68 kb).

Price list

Shipping is $15. For anything not listed here, please ask for a price on (315) 736-1452 or at jpippopa@gmail.com.

Men’s

† On the shop’s own list the sew-buttons surcharge is marked against the leather pants bottom row. Whether it also applies to other pants alterations is not stated. Please ask when you call.

* The shop’s own price list marks shorten jacket, shorten sleeve and shorten coat with an asterisk. We have kept the mark but not guessed at what it means. Please call (315) 736-1452 to confirm these three prices before you send the garment.

Ladies’

General

* As above: these prices carry an asterisk on the shop’s own list. Please call (315) 736-1452 to confirm before sending.

Drapes are altered the same as they are. We do our work top shelf.

Thigh or leg in or out is one seam at the thigh; taper legs re-cuts both seams the full length of the leg. If you are not sure which one your trousers need, call us and describe the fit. We will tell you before we charge you.