Knit and Sewing Repairs

Was your favorite sweater attacked by moths? Is that boxy sweater a little too boxy? Do you have a newly knitted item that needs blocking?

I can repair holes and alter knit and woven items so you can wear them with pride.

Call 510.499.8358 or email jarvis.ilah@gmail.com to schedule a free estimate. Bring anything you would like fixed or altered, and I will share what I can do. If I can’t fix your item I will refer someone who can.

: The center of this knit hat had unraveled and was reknit.

: A tiny hole next to the sewing needle was repaired and is now invisible.

: This vintage designer suit has been altered for a more flattering fit.

: This shawl was blocked to show off the lace pattern.

: A zipper was sewn into this hand knit coat

: Large 2″ hole in the armpit of a sweater

: The edges are reinforced and reknit

: The repair is nearly invisible

: Elbows get lots of wear and are patched with wool jersey and running stitches.

: 1″-2″ holes are knit in similarly colored yarn.

: The pattern in this blanket is repeated in this knitted patch

: Missing shells were replaced and remaining shells were reinforced on this crocheted blanket.

: The shoulders and sleeves of this linen blouse were narrowed for a flattering fit.

: The cuffs and collar were finished and the zipper was installed.

: The worn diamonds on the left were patched with blue fabric.

: These jeans were reinforced with an interior patch and multiple rows of stitches.

All prices are for a single repaired item. Special rates apply for three or more items.

$10 to sew a button
$10 to sew a button hole
$15 per yard to sew a seam or finish and edge.
$10 to sew up to three yards of pre-pinned and pressed seams. $20 for additional pressing and pinning.
$25 to hem a skirt, sleeves or a single pair of pants by machine. The sewn line is visible.
$40 to hem a single pair of dress pants, shirt or a skirt by hand for formal wear. The hem is attached to seam tape and the sewn line is invisible.
$40 to reinforce a worn crotch in jeans or cotton pants.
$15 for a single vertical or small hole of that can be sewn shut.
$60 to repair five holes smaller than a centimeter that can be sewn shut. Each additional hole is $10 each.
$40-$60 for holes larger than a centimeter that must be reknit or patched, depending on size.
$40 and up to alter machine knit or woven items for a better fit.
$60 to baste and machine sew a zipper into a hand knit sweater.
$20 per pound to hand wash non-lace wool knit or crochet items.
$40 to soak and hard block lace shawls

I also dye clothes and fabric upon request. I charge $40 for a single item up to one pound. Special rates apply for multiple items up to two pounds.

Fabric before and after dyeing it dark green

chambray over-dyed to soften contrast

I can overdye colors to make them darker, more neutral, or mix primaries to create a secondary color- aka I can dye a blue shirt yellow to make it green. I cannot turn a red garment green or an orange garment blue, and I can’t match a preexisting color.

There is always an element of risk. There is a chance that the results will not be perfectly even, although this is mostly a problem when dyeing several yards of fabric at once.
Fiber content dramatically affects the results. Cellulose fibers like cotton, linen and rayon take dye well, protein fibers like silk and wool take dye exceptionally well, and while there are dyes for polyester and similar synthetics, the process is more complicated, so I prefer not to dye these types of material.
Fiber blends can be unpredictable. Dyeing does involve heating and agitating fabric in a hot bath, and can shrink or change the finish on delicate fibers. It would be best not to dye that can’t be washed hot or that must be dry cleaned. There is a risk of a fabric bleeding after it has been dyed. There are products that can reduce this problem, but I would wash dyed items with similar colors.

I will use my 30 years of experience as a knitter and seamstress to figure out a solution for your garment problems.