Clothing repairs - why such a struggle?
Discussion
Not sure where to post this so I'll try in here!
I have a jacket which I bought in 2009. I've had my money's worth out of it several times over, so it really doesn't owe me anything. However, I love it, I can't find anything I like as much and would happily pay to give it a new lease of life.
The collar, cuffs and waistband are a black, stretchy ribbed cotton. These have faded and the cuffs in particular look a little shabby. I want to replace the collar, cuffs and waistband to make the jacket look like new.
Local clothing repairer 1:
"I can do it but you'll have to source the material"
Seriously? The repairer is more likely to have the supplier contacts and know what the correct terminology to use to make sure they order the right material, but they expect me to do it!
Local clothing repairer 2:
"It's doable but I don't want to take on a job that complex"
I asked if it were simply that they'd have to charge a sum of money that they thought I wouldn't be willing to pay, but no, she simply didn't want the work.
Went home and Googled clothing repairs and found that Timpson do them. Anything too complex to do in store goes to their professional tailors.
Timpson:
"We're not on the dry cleaning run"
So, because my local Timpson isn't on the dry cleaning run, they can't take clothing for repairs as they've no means of transporting it to their tailors.
Give me strength!
My mum suggested contacting the textiles/fashion department of the local college/university. Does anyone here have any better suggestions?
For reference, this is the jacket...
Close up of cuff showing wear...
I have a jacket which I bought in 2009. I've had my money's worth out of it several times over, so it really doesn't owe me anything. However, I love it, I can't find anything I like as much and would happily pay to give it a new lease of life.
The collar, cuffs and waistband are a black, stretchy ribbed cotton. These have faded and the cuffs in particular look a little shabby. I want to replace the collar, cuffs and waistband to make the jacket look like new.
Local clothing repairer 1:
"I can do it but you'll have to source the material"
Seriously? The repairer is more likely to have the supplier contacts and know what the correct terminology to use to make sure they order the right material, but they expect me to do it!
Local clothing repairer 2:
"It's doable but I don't want to take on a job that complex"
I asked if it were simply that they'd have to charge a sum of money that they thought I wouldn't be willing to pay, but no, she simply didn't want the work.
Went home and Googled clothing repairs and found that Timpson do them. Anything too complex to do in store goes to their professional tailors.
Timpson:
"We're not on the dry cleaning run"
So, because my local Timpson isn't on the dry cleaning run, they can't take clothing for repairs as they've no means of transporting it to their tailors.
Give me strength!
My mum suggested contacting the textiles/fashion department of the local college/university. Does anyone here have any better suggestions?
For reference, this is the jacket...
Close up of cuff showing wear...
https://www.airtasker.com/uk/services/seamstress/
Perhaps put the job out for quote on here?
I think you just need to keep trying to find someone to take it on. There are folks about, and it's clearly doable, you just need to persist.
Perhaps put the job out for quote on here?
I think you just need to keep trying to find someone to take it on. There are folks about, and it's clearly doable, you just need to persist.
MitchT said:
Not sure where to post this so I'll try in here!
I have a jacket which I bought in 2009. I've had my money's worth out of it several times over, so it really doesn't owe me anything. However, I love it, I can't find anything I like as much and would happily pay to give it a new lease of life.
The collar, cuffs and waistband are a black, stretchy ribbed cotton. These have faded and the cuffs in particular look a little shabby. I want to replace the collar, cuffs and waistband to make the jacket look like new.
Local clothing repairer 1:
"I can do it but you'll have to source the material"
Seriously? The repairer is more likely to have the supplier contacts and know what the correct terminology to use to make sure they order the right material, but they expect me to do it!
Local clothing repairer 2:
"It's doable but I don't want to take on a job that complex"
I asked if it were simply that they'd have to charge a sum of money that they thought I wouldn't be willing to pay, but no, she simply didn't want the work.
Went home and Googled clothing repairs and found that Timpson do them. Anything too complex to do in store goes to their professional tailors.
Timpson:
"We're not on the dry cleaning run"
So, because my local Timpson isn't on the dry cleaning run, they can't take clothing for repairs as they've no means of transporting it to their tailors.
Give me strength!
My mum suggested contacting the textiles/fashion department of the local college/university. Does anyone here have any better suggestions?
For reference, this is the jacket...
Close up of cuff showing wear...
Give Iraj a call. He will be able to do it.I have a jacket which I bought in 2009. I've had my money's worth out of it several times over, so it really doesn't owe me anything. However, I love it, I can't find anything I like as much and would happily pay to give it a new lease of life.
The collar, cuffs and waistband are a black, stretchy ribbed cotton. These have faded and the cuffs in particular look a little shabby. I want to replace the collar, cuffs and waistband to make the jacket look like new.
Local clothing repairer 1:
"I can do it but you'll have to source the material"
Seriously? The repairer is more likely to have the supplier contacts and know what the correct terminology to use to make sure they order the right material, but they expect me to do it!
Local clothing repairer 2:
"It's doable but I don't want to take on a job that complex"
I asked if it were simply that they'd have to charge a sum of money that they thought I wouldn't be willing to pay, but no, she simply didn't want the work.
Went home and Googled clothing repairs and found that Timpson do them. Anything too complex to do in store goes to their professional tailors.
Timpson:
"We're not on the dry cleaning run"
So, because my local Timpson isn't on the dry cleaning run, they can't take clothing for repairs as they've no means of transporting it to their tailors.
Give me strength!
My mum suggested contacting the textiles/fashion department of the local college/university. Does anyone here have any better suggestions?
For reference, this is the jacket...
Close up of cuff showing wear...
https://www.tailors-nottingham.co.uk/
Ebay is good for haberdashery items.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265463363288?_skw=black...
A few metres of that in navy should sort out the local clothing repairer easily.
Or black even
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265463363288?_skw=black...
A few metres of that in navy should sort out the local clothing repairer easily.
Or black even
Thanks all - some good info to go on. 
TT86 said:
For the likely cost of a repair is it not worth trying to source another and keeping this one as a spare?
You've done well to find that! I could never find one using the product code and I didn't know it was called "Mainline" as I don't have the original label. I might well buy that. Looks like the collar, cuffs and waitband need dyeing to restore them to full black but at least they look tidy.MitchT said:
You've done well to find that! I could never find one using the product code and I didn't know it was called "Mainline" as I don't have the original label. I might well buy that. Looks like the collar, cuffs and waitband need dyeing to restore them to full black but at least they look tidy.
I can't take any credit for it, I just screenshotted your image and ran it through Google lens. Cool jacket btw, id have one! TT86 said:
I can't take any credit for it, I just screenshotted your image and ran it through Google lens.
Should have thought and done the same! I hunted around on the somewhat deteriorated inner label where the washing instructions are for a product code and searched with that. Could only fine one already sold in Japan.TT86 said:
Cool jacket btw, id have one!
Cheers! Only thing I've ever gone to the first day of a sale for!Saw it in Harvey Nichols in Leeds for £320, which was a lot in 2009. More than I could reasonably afford at the time. Sale was announced so I took the day off and went early enough to be there when the doors opened. Got it for £160. Wore it non-stop ever since. The main shell is still in perfect condition. It's been all over the world with me. The inside pocket is deep enough for my passport, boarding card and any other essentials that I'd need if everything else was lost.
TT86 said:
Because I'm boring I checked and the same jacket is on eBay with a discount code. It's from the UK, it only showed in euros as I'm currently in Greece 
Yes, found that too after the name was revealed above in the thread. It's actually the same one as the other retailed flagged above. I'm sorely tempted to buy that though it has a couple of scuffs on the shell which would very impossible to fix. All the work that needs doing on mine is doable.There will be someone out there who can repair your original - but it’s just going to take some searching. You might be as well to start with a tailor and, if they can’t do it, then may be able to make a recommendation.
Most people who alter clothes are literally doing just that - a few adjustments to existing clothes, rather than sourcing replacement fabric.
My daughter is a dancer so often has costumes made by a dressmaker (at eye-watering cost), but if I wasn’t embroiled in that world I’d have no idea who to go to. These aren’t people who seek to advertise..!
Most people who alter clothes are literally doing just that - a few adjustments to existing clothes, rather than sourcing replacement fabric.
My daughter is a dancer so often has costumes made by a dressmaker (at eye-watering cost), but if I wasn’t embroiled in that world I’d have no idea who to go to. These aren’t people who seek to advertise..!
MitchT said:
Yes, found that too after the name was revealed above in the thread. It's actually the same one as the other retailed flagged above. I'm sorely tempted to buy that though it has a couple of scuffs on the shell which would very impossible to fix. All the work that needs doing on mine is doable.
I know I posted it ha. If your shell is mint it deffo sounds like it's worth the work to fix. Be a bit galling paying almost double the cost of the jacket for one which still isn't mint. Don’t know where you’re based…there a man in Bath who takes on anything so far as I can tell. Has a shop close to Kingsmead Square. He’s looked after several coats and jackets for us , including my 35 year old Barbour which had literally fallen to pieces.
There must be more of these people around now we’re all going green and not throwing stuff away….
There must be more of these people around now we’re all going green and not throwing stuff away….
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