Sew What, Alterations by Debra Aldrich — Local services in Michigan City

I am absolutely DISGUSTED by this woman's attitude and lack of professionalism. I don't understand why people pursue a job in customer service when they can't even be decent to their paying customers. I dropped my dress in for alterations on a Tuesday (July 2). She told me it'd be ready by Monday (July 8) the following week. I told her that was fine since my maternity photoshoot wasn't scheduled until July 14th which would be that weekend after the Monday. The following Monday I couldn't make it in to pick it up due to something that came up (I tried calling her once). I told myself it's okay and that I'll just pick it up the following day. I show up to her house on Tuesday and the open sign is off. I try calling but no answer. I go back on Wednesday and again the sign is off (tried calling again). After me showing up on Thursday with her being closed again, I started to panic because my photoshoot was that Sunday. I call her on Thursday and this time she answered. I told her that I need to pick up my dress and that she's been closed all week almost and her response was that she's been out of town all week and won't return until the following Monday. I was appalled by this response since she NEVER mentioned this to me that day I went to drop off my dress on the 2nd. I told her that it would've been nice if she had told me that the only day I could've possibly picked up my dress was that Monday the 7th and I would've tried to make it in somehow. Her response? "Well it would've been nice if you had showed up when you said you would"...excuse me??? I told her that her response was rude and that's not how you talk to paying customers. Her response was "well it's rude to not show up when you say you will since I sit around waiting for people". First of all, you work from your house! Are you really going out of your way to "wait around" for people? NO, you're not! After that I just hung up and told her she lost a customer (I've been to her many times before). I had to postpone my maternity photoshoot to August as that was the only next availability. One thing I'd like to mention is that while she was out that entire week, her Google page still said open. As a business owner, you can't just pick up and leave whenever you feel like it without updating your hours. You're still a business, it doesn't matter whether you work from your home or not. I showed up on the 15th to pick up my dress and told her I'd be waiting outside (as I didn't feel comfortable going inside her house anymore after the confrontation). She came outside, she handed me the dress, I handed her the cash and that was it. No apology from this woman for anything. I don't care how well someone does something but if the professionalism isn't there, I'm not going back. This woman has too much pride and ego for being in customer service. Maybe she needs to shut down.

Response to Owner: When I called you that day to tell you that you've been closed and I need to pick up my dress, you said you were on vacation with your daughter in Indy. That doesn't seem to be an "outside work" thing which means you should've updated your Google hours to reflect that. And you WERE given a due date. I told you my maternity photoshoot was on the 14th. Anyways, you've lost a customer. I will not...

Terrible work. Had 14 Tshirts hemmed. All Tshirts REQUIRE a stretchable stitch. Even the cheapest sewing machines do a ZigZag and Stretch Stitch which would work fine. Shirt makers use a Hidden Hem or Cover Stitch. She did a non stretchable Straight Stitch. So when I put the shirt on over my shoulders u hear all the stitches breaking. TSHIRTS HAVE TO STRETCH TO PUT ON. This is basic stuff. She refuses to refund my $225 or to fix her mistake UNLESS i pay AGAIN then her machine that only does a straight stitch can magically do a stretchable stitch!? and now I have shirts with broken stitching that are useless. She keeps repeating "I've been doing this 40 years". She said her machine only does a straight stitch. YOU CANT USE A STRAIGHT STITCH FOR EVERYTHING, ESPECIALLY STRETCHABLE FABRICS. THIS is basic stuff look it up. YOU CANT PUT A SHIRT WITH A 30" WAIST ON OVER YOUR SHOULDERS WITHOUT STRETCHING IT. If you cant do the correct stitch, DON'T TAKE THE JOB. ITS THAT SIMPLE. JUST SAY YOU CANT DO IT. NBD. ALL THE STITCHES POP THE FIRST TIME I PUT THEM ON. YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME!!?? SMH. Pic is after putting it on one time. Stitching broke right away easily.I have 14 shirts like this now that she refuses to fix. The lady was extremely mean and rude, like she hates life. If it were a guy treating me that way.......it would've...

Debra at Sew What deserves a standing ovation! I brought her two pairs of pants in desperate need of some TLC: a new pair of denim jeans needing a significant hem and slight taper, and a pair of Athleta pants with a waist that felt like a circus tent. Debra worked her magic on both, and the results are nothing short of phenomenal!

Hemming and Tapering Masterclass: The denim jeans are now the perfect length, with a subtle taper that gives them a sleek, modern look. The stitching is flawless, and the fabric flows beautifully. Debra clearly has an eye for detail and a masterful touch when it comes to working with denim.

Waistline Whisperer: The Athleta pants are a whole new world now! Debra took the waist in expertly, maintaining the original design lines and ensuring a comfortable, flattering fit. I can finally move without worrying about my pants...