The Exeter Tailor — Local services in Exeter

Irene is the best! I enjoyed every visit to her shop for both my dress alterations and my husband's suit alterations. When I told the lady at the dress store that I wanted to add 3D flowers all over my dress, chop off the train, and wear white hiking boots (my husband and I are thru hikers) she looked at me like I was crazy and tried to talk me out of it. It's a good thing I hadn't thought of the green train yet or she probably would have kicked me out... So when I went to Irene for the first time I expected to be met with similar skepticism. I was very wrong! Irene not only listened to all of my ideas without any judgement, but encouraged them and was very enthusiastic about helping me! While she altered my dress to fit me perfectly, something I was not comfortable doing myself as an amateur sewist, she never once insisted she be the one to sew the flowers on when I had told her I wanted to do that. Instead she told me to bring in the flowers and helped me pin some on, discussed placement, and showed me how to cut them a bit so they popped out more instead of laying too flat. She also helped me with my second look jumpsuit that had a plunge neckline I felt uncomfortable in but didn't know how to fix properly. She wasn't even altering anything about the jumpsuit herself but she still gave me a piece of mesh material that matched it perfectly that I could sew in myself. She very well could have asked me to pay her for some of this but she didn't and I really appreciate all of her advice that I wouldn't have thought of myself! I was so happy with how they both looked on my wedding day. Irene was also able to sneak my husband's suit in there kind of last minute and it came out great and on time. He has broad shoulders and a small waist as someone who lifts weights but she was able to tailor the jacket perfectly to fit his unique proportions. Irene is kind, funny, easygoing, and professional and I highly recommend taking your dress to her, especially if you have any out of the box ideas for it!

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I have been a loyal customer of Exeter Tailor under the former owner for many years. She helped us and was gracious and NEVER turned us away. For 25 years she was professional and ALWAYS courteous and welcoming. The new owner is now pompous and attitude driven and NOT welcoming now that her business is running. She turned me away THREE times including today because she focuses on weddings and gowns which was not the case pre covid. She is apparently too good to tailor 3 pairs of pants for my husband. I will NOT bother her anymore and I hope others will follow. I had to give one star because of the site requirements but she should receive 0 stars. I wish I knew how to reach the former owner and let her know what has happened to her wonderful business. I am not sure who is responding to negative comments but what is being said is false. The negative comments on this site are from a year ago and the new owner is the one that the negative comments are being aimed at. Again the new unresponsive pompous owner who will only do gowns is who these accurate criticisms are...

Irene did such a lovely job on such a complex wedding dress. I was so nervous going into the fitting because I had lost a lot of weight since I ordered the dress. I thought I was going to have to get a new dress but she immediately calmed my nerves and told me it was possible! She took it in many inches, removed boning, and worked though many layers of fabric and beautiful lace work to ensure the gown fit and looked EXACTLY how I wanted it. At each appointment she made sure to teach me about the wedding dress and how each layer functioned (which I loved), and taught me how to fluff it and bustle it properly. She was so patient with all my questions and was so quick to respond when I emailed her. She also took in two more of my dresses to tailor! She tailored my bridal shower dress as well as my rehearsal dinner dress. I would recommended Irene to all brides, she can take on any challenge! Photo credit: @ Shanoah...