
MENDING DIRECTORY
Find a growing list of community recommendations for cobblers and tailors. If you have a favourite place, please get in touch to add it to the directory.
crowd sourced recommendations (not affiliated with HB Archive)
Cobblers, Tailors and Alterations
Melbourne
Alterations
Adelaide Manufacturer – 566 Sydney Road, Brunswick
The Social Studio – 6/30 Perry Street, Collingwood Yards, Collingwood
Chop Shoppe – 274 High St, Northcote
Second Stitch – Level 1/377 Sydney Rd, Coburg
Cobblers
Post Sole Studio (for PSS shoes only) – 340-342 Johnston St, Abbotsford
On the Mend – 328 Nicholson St, Fitzroy
Sydney
Alterations
M&R Tailoring – Philippine Airlines, Building, 1/49-51 York St, Sydney
Cobblers
Cobbler Caballero – 29 Darlinghurst Rd, Potts Point
Brisbane
Alterations
Practice Studio – 58 Vulture St, West End
Adelaide
Bahrami Custom Tailor – 16 Ebenezer Pl, Adelaide
Arcade Cobblers & Locksmiths – 41/118 Grenfell St, Adelaide
Resources for mending and learning
-
Websites
www.modernmending.com
www.instagram.com/oh.charlotte.rose -
Books
Mending Life by Nina Montenegro and Sonya Montenegro
Sundressed: Natural Fabrics and the Future of Clothing by Lucianne Tonti -
Across HB
when altering hb archive garments
Suggestions for the tailor
Daise Dress
Width
To increase or decrease the width of this garment try moving the button placement. Take note of where the centre front facings are and make sure to have two layers of fabric when sewing buttons, especially at stress points.
Length
When making shorter, unpicking the original hem facing and then reattaching is advised.
The front facing and hem facing meet and are stitched together before restitching down the entire internal facings. Take photos of this to follow the process as it creates a clean and finished end result.
Daise Vest
Width
To increase or decrease the width of this garment try moving the button placement. Take note of where the centre front facings are and make sure to have two layers of fabric when sewing buttons, especially at stress points.
Length
As the hem facing for this vest is grown on, when lengthening or shortening a separate internal facing may need to be attached to create a neat finish. This could also be done with bias binding. Please take note of construction of side seam splits and adjust as necessary.
Poet Shirt
Width
To increase or decrease the width of this garment try moving the button placement. Take note of where the centre front facings are and make sure to have two layers of fabric when sewing buttons, especially at stress points.
Length
When making shorter, unpicking the original hem facing and then reattaching is advised.
The front facing and hem facing meet and are sewn together before restitching down the entire internal facings. Take photos of this to follow the same process. This will create a clean and finished end result.
Cross Back Skirt
Width
To make the size larger or smaller on the waist, it is recommended to unpick the waistband at each back edge to adjust the grown-on facing.
Please note how the waistband is finished, take photos to make sure when finished, seams are neatly folded back inside the waistband where the tie begins. If making larger, there may be a separate new piece of fabric needed to finish where the hem facing and vertical facings meet.
Length
When making shorter unpicking the original hem facing and then reattaching is advised.
The front facing and hem facing are sewn together before re-stitching down the entire internal facings. Take photos of this to follow the same process. This will create a clean and finished end result.
Harvey Pant
Width at waist
The Harvey’s have 5cm of value in each front pleat.
To make it larger on the waist, it is recommended to unpick the waistband at each side up to the pleat and bring the pleat in or out depending on the amount needed.
Value can also be taken / given from the back darts.
Take notice of how the waistband is finished, take photos if needed to make sure seams are neatly folded back inside the waistband where the tie begins. If making larger, there may be a separate new piece of fabric needed to finish the inside waistband.
Length
There is 5cm of length in the hem at the bottom of the Harvey’s. This can be let down if needed.
If taking up, think about keeping the length and making it a deeper hem in case there’s a change of mind later on. Please fold 1cm seam allowance under for a neat finish.
Sal Short
Width
The Sal’s have 5cm of value in each front pleat.
To make it larger on the waist, it is recommended to unpick the waistband at each side up to the pleat and bring the pleat in or out depending on the amount needed. Value can also be taken / given from the back darts.
Take notice of how the waistband is finished, take photos if needed to make sure seams are neatly folded back inside the waistband where the tie begins. If making larger, there may be a separate new piece of fabric needed to finish the inside waistband.
Length
As the hem facing for this short is grown on, when lengthening or shortening a separate internal facing may need to be attached to create a neat finish. This could also be done with bias binding. Please take note of construction prior to unpicking to ensure a neat final finish.
Jimmy Pant
Width
To make this pant larger or smaller on the waist, it is recommended to unpick 5-10cm at the back line of stitching that holds the waistband in. Pull out a section of elastic and bring in or out as needed. There will be an overlap of 2-4cm elastic to increase. Attaching an extra piece of elastic may be required if loosening more. Before unpicking, take notice of how the waistband is finished, take photos if needed to make sure it is neatly stitched back down.
Length
There is 5cm of length in the hem at the bottom of the Harvey’s. This can be let down if needed.
If taking up, think about keeping the length and making it a deeper hem in case there’s a change of mind later on. Please fold 1cm seam allowance under for a neat finish.
Para Short
Width
To make this pant larger or smaller on the waist, it is recommended to unpick 5-10cm at the back line of stitching that holds the waistband in. Pull out a section of elastic and bring in or out as needed. There will be an overlap of 2-4cm elastic to increase. Attaching an extra piece of elastic may be required if loosening more. Before unpicking, take notice of how the waistband is finished, take photos if needed to make sure it is neatly stitched back down.
Length
As the hem facing for this short is grown on, when lengthening or shortening a separate internal facing may need to be attached to create a neat finish. This could also be done with bias binding. Please take note of construction prior to unpicking to ensure a neat final finish.
After adjusting your garment please make a stitch line underneath the “U” on the tag. If you ever choose to pass it on, adding this will ensure potential future owners understand the size has been altered.