Hemmingway Tailors and Alterations

The woman I worked with here spoke almost no English. It took me quite a while to explain the alterations I wanted (getting the fit right on a shirt) and in the end, it turned out there wasn’t enough fabric to do it right; I paid $ 40 for a shirt I still couldn’t wear, and had no idea that would be happening until I picked it up.
That said, they may have other staff, and for something basic and really obvious, this person might have been fine!

Went in to get some pants altered today. She took my measurements and had it done in about twenty minutes. The lady – Hannah – was very nice and the pants fit great! Would definitely recommend to my friends!

My husband and I have brought a number of items over numerous occasions to Hemmingway based on the great reviews we read on Unilocal but have found the tailoring to be so-​so. The items I’ve had done — dress hems, sleeves shortened and taking in the sides of a jacket — have been fine. My husband on the other hand, has been quite displeased with the work he’s had done on his suits and pants. For the suits, he thinks all the jackets he’s had fixed (4) have puckering at the shoulder. When he complains the tailor (the korean woman whose english is ok. we’ve never encountered the other korean lady whose english is supposed to be good) keeps telling him he needs to press the jackets. Pressing the jackets doesn’t solve the problem. Overall, he thought the tailoring was sub-​par because the fit on the jackets weren’t great.
We usually go to Jerry’s Tailoring on Newbury Street but Jerry’s getting quite a bit older and we had some concerns about him still being able to do the tailoring well. My husband thought maybe Hemmingway is good for women’s tailoring (I think all the good reviews were female customers) but not for men.

I came in to get a dress taken in for a big party at work. The lady was very nice, and did a great job. The pricing seemed reasonable to me, although I don’t get alterations done very often so I can’t say for sure. There is a bit of a communication barrier, but the work speaks for itself. The only reason I mention it is because when I went in to pick up my dress, there was another customer in front of me that was quite rude to the owner. She didn’t think she was being understood, and she was rather mean. So, if you’re the type that needs to have a lengthy discussion with your tailor, maybe this is not the place, but otherwise, I would definitely recommend Hemmingway.

Awesome job! Turned around my pieces quickly and she was fantastic. I had three skirts and a button-​down shirt altered. Everything was perfect. The only downside was the price ($ 30 per piece), which is a bit steep. But it’s worth it to know you’re going to someone who won’t ruin your clothes.
Pro tip: CASH ONLY (maybe cash or check)

I have only brought dress pants here for tapers and adjustments, but they have done an excellent job each time. I do sometime have to be very clear how I want it done as I follow the slimmer, euro suit style. But the Korean woman who runs the place is nice.

3 pairs of pants to alter, a Saturday afternoon, 10 minutes. Prompt service and great hospitality. Highly recommended.

I am giving these ladies as many stars as I can. I have now had 2 interactions with them. Both were very rushed alterations — 1 for a bridesmaid dress and the other was my wedding dress.
They turned around both orders quickly, and did a great job.
For my wedding dress, the owner accidentally quoted me the wrong price — the correct price was $ 50 less! She informed me of a mistake that was in my benefit! Thanks for the honesty and good service. thumbs way up!

So I went to Hemmingway tailors for the first time last week and got my items back today. I brought a lot of items, some for dry cleaning too. I was always a bit in a hurry because of zipcar schedule so I wanted everything to be efficient and smooth. Today when I took back my items… I don’t know what to say. Though they did a good job, certain things really bothered me. I’m certain they lost the belt that came with 1 of my dresses, but when I very nicely raised my ‘concern’ about it, the head lady (who speaks English well) immediately shut me off, claiming no knowledge of it, basically not letting me speak at all. Then, when it came the pricing time… it was a whopping $ 425 total. I think it could have been the case because I did bring in quite a few items, but at the same time it was quite reasonable for me to inquire after a clear breakdown. Here was where it went very wrong. She did give me a $ 25 discount, saying their price was reasonable, but when I asked about 1 specific line item, she got mad… She repeatedly said «you don’t have to come back again», adding that why I kept asking about stuff like that when her price was reasonable. Sigh. I thought I asked in very nice manner. I left, she shut the door loudly, and I tried to call after her saying «see you next time!». I don’t know if that pacified her, but I left feeling very uneasy, not knowing why I was made to feel so bad. And that lost belt, I guess I’ll have to find an alternative. Doesn’t she want customers? I don’t feel welcome back at all. In fact, the person who recommended me to go there no longer goes there either.
The work: I think they know they stuff well, and they do things fast, I could tell about the speed because 2 things were fixed in front of me. That’s because when I came back it turned out they forgot to fix some items, claiming that I didn’t tell them about it. But what to do, I did, but I didn’t have time to stick around the first time long enough to make them write everything down due to zipcar returning. Though don’t expect every detail to be meticulous with that speed. Someone below was right: they turn rude when you complain, about anything.

i used to take my clothes for alterations and cleaning, and left because it was inconsistent and substandard when it comes to the alterations. My advice is try on finished alteration before you leave the store. People are nice until you complain, then they are really rude.

Did a great job altering a suit for me for a very reasonable price in just a few days.

I just joined a martial arts class, and of course, the uniform (called a gi) is not made for a woman’s proportions. And heaven help you if you’ve got hips. The top is made of crazy heavy cotton duck with rubber in the lapels. I can do a little sewing, but I didn’t dare give this fabric a go.
The ladies of Hemmingway took my measurements; I told them what I was looking for; and they did an awesome job with less than a day’s turnaround. I’ve spent about 20 hours since, in which my friends do their best to grab hold of my gi and turn me into a human pretzel. Those alterations are holding just fine.
I will definitely be back next time I need to fine-​tune my wardrobe, functionally or aesthetically.
UPDATE: Went back on Christmas Eve to get the waist on my gi pants taken in. (I think my explanation was «They don’t need to be pretty, they just need to stop falling off.») And the ladies fixed them while I waited.
Thank you, Hemmingway!

Brought in a simple, black A-​line dress (with no adornments or pattern) for a very easy alteration, shoulder straps needed tightening and dress brought in an inch in side. I’m in town travelling for work an could have done the alteration myself if I had some basic tools. I didn’t ask for rush, as I have 5 days before I need the dress, though they were fast with the job (woman said 2 hours). I thought the price when I dropped it off was a reasonable $ 15 (I should have said «one-​five or five-​zero»), because I was charged $ 50!!! Good work but I was absolutely ripped off. Recommend for work and speed, but confirm your price up front.

I’ve used them twice and am already looking for more clothes to take to them.
The first time I needed the broken zipper replaced in my favorite and indispensable (as in I wear these a LOT) black pants. I brought them in on a Friday on my way to work and not only did they have a zipper there to put in, but incredibly were able to complete the job by the next day!
I recently went back with my senior citizen dad to have two suits taken in as he has lost some weight over the last few years. We were worried that it would cost more to alter than to replace the suits but we got a very reasonable price and again, amazingly, were able to pick the suits up the next day.
The two women who waited on us (I think one is the owner) were very pleasant, professional, and skilled. They didn’t hesitate to tell me that the pants of one suit really didn’t need to be taken in. They were very courteous to and patient with my dad.
I can’t recommend this shop highly enough. This place is a find. Convenient (on the Waverly bus line out of Harvard Square) and with on-​street parking. The establishment is clean and pleasant with room to maneuver (sometimes tailor shops can be cramped and overfull).

This is a wonderful place with helpful staff, quick service and fair prices!
I recently did a search on Unilocal for an alterations place that was open on Saturdays, I found Hemmingway and had 2 dresses to be taken up within 2 days (before a vacation), the ladies were very friendly — they acknowledge you when you walk in the door, they have a large dressing room to try on clothes and listen to exactly what you want. Both the dresses were altered perfectly within the time they had committed to and were very well priced.
I recently went back to have 2 pairs of pants taken up, I was able to wait (in their waiting area) whilst the pants were completed — $ 10 a pair and left a very happy customer!
I’ve been to a number of alterations places in Boston, Cambridge and Brighton and these ladies are by far the best I’ve been to, after having been to Hemmingway I won’t go anywhere else and make the trip from Waltham to Belmont anytime I need alterations :)

2 VERY skilled tailors whom I trust my most beloved garments with! Pricing is fair, with the basic hem starting at $ 10, but they do much, much more.
I used to frequent the tailor shops at Coolidge Corner, which is still ok for a quick hem, but after having some nice stuff ruined I will never go back. Now that Hemmingway offers dry cleaning, I’m happy I can go to a good tailor and get dry cleaning done in one stop. Prices are reasonable for dry cleaning as well …$ 5 for pants and $ 10 for a suit. Most dry cleaners do offer simple alterations, but since that is not their primary line of business I would not trust them to cut and sew my precious clothes!

The first time I went, I brought in a coat that’s 2 sizes too large for me (mom bought it on sale), and it came out perfectly. After that I’ve taken in suit jacket, pants, skirt, wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses and they all came out great. They even added beads on the wedding dress to make it prettier. I use their dry-​cleaning too, and they could always take off all the stains.
Never had a problem with them.

This is a small tailor shop run by two really nice women I know from church. I wanted to wait until I actually used them before I posted this review, though (to be fair as a reviewer).
I’ve had a suit altered there as well as some patching of pants, and they do great work in minimal time. If you’re in the area, give them a try!

For the first time in my life, I actually had to get pants hemmed, rather than let out (I have long legs). But all of a sudden size «tall» pants are coming with 36″ inseams, undoubtedly to accommodate the giant high heels that are sweeping the fashion industrial complex. Well, I don’t wear heels, hence the need for hemming. (Hey! I just realized why they’re called «Hemmingway» — I’m a little slow).
Anyway, I brought in three pairs of lined dress pants, two of which were cuffed, and one of which was a nice wool flannel material that also needed to be taken in at the hips and waist. The women that run the place were so quick and professional — I tried each pair on, a few quick measurements were taken, they told me it would be $ 50 (including drycleaning for one pair) and off I went. They could have finished the alterations the same day, but with the drycleaning it took 3 days; no matter since I didn’t make it back there until a week later (today). I walked in, they recognized me right away and brought the pants out without even looking at my claim slip (and who doesn’t love being treated like a «regular»?). The work was flawless, just the right length for the type of shoes I wear. And, they told me that when you bring in your drycleaning they will do simple mending free of charge. Apparently lots of «young people» live around there and don’t know how to sew buttons, so they figured they would throw that in gratis. How nice!
And on a final note, when I picked up my pants today it was sunny and 20 degrees. The woman who took care of me commented that she liked winter — especially because of the nice winter clothes you get to wear. I totally agree, and it was so refreshing to hear someone not complain about the weather for once. I love this place.

I just took three pairs of pants there to be hemmed. I have never had anything tailored int he past-​but based upon Jason’s review, I went to Hemmingway and I am SO glad I did. They finished three pairs of pants in an hour! Very reasonably prices and on top of that-​they are offering 20% off until March! Give these women a call-​they do great work and are SUPER fast!