Getting the right alteration starts with a clear instruction.
Use this guide before booking your alteration or repair. You do not need to measure perfectly. If something is unclear, add a note at checkout or send us a photo before ordering.
Rethrd can help with jeans hemming, pants hemming, dress hemming, sleeve shortening, waist adjustments, zip replacement, seam repairs and garment repairs.
Before you measure
Lay the garment flat on a table, bed or clean floor.
Smooth the fabric without stretching it. Use a soft measuring tape if you have one, and measure in centimetres.
The easiest option is to pin or mark the garment where you want the alteration to finish.
If you have another garment that already fits well, you can also compare against that.
Jeans and pants hemming
Use this for jeans hemming, pants hemming and trouser shortening.
Put the pants on with the shoes you normally wear. Fold or pin one leg to the length you want, then measure how much needs to be removed from the bottom.
You can also measure the finished inseam by laying the pants flat and measuring from the crotch seam to the bottom hem.
Example note:
“Jeans hemming — shorten by 4cm.”
or
“Finished inseam should be 72cm.”
If one leg is pinned, tell us in your order note.
Dress hemming
Use this for dress shortening, casual dress hemming and formal dress hemming.
Put the dress on with the shoes you plan to wear. Stand naturally, then pin or mark the finished length.
Measure how much needs to be removed from the current hem.
Example note:
“Dress hemming — shorten by 6cm.”
For lined, layered, curved, delicate or formal dresses, we may need to review the garment before confirming the final work.
Sleeve shortening
Use this for shirts, jackets, coats and sleeves.
Put the garment on and let your arms rest naturally by your side. Mark where you want the sleeve to finish, then measure how much needs to be removed from the current sleeve length.
Example note:
“Sleeve shortening — shorten both sleeves by 3cm.”
Jackets and coats can require extra work if they have lining, cuffs, buttons, vents or decorative details.
Waist adjustments
Use this when the waist is too loose or too tight.
For a waist take-in, put the garment on and pin or hold the waistband until it feels comfortable. Measure how much needs to be taken in across the waist.
Example note:
“Waist take in — take in waist by 4cm total.”
For a waist let-out, tell us how tight the garment feels. Letting out depends on how much extra fabric is available inside the garment.
Example note:
“Waist feels about 3cm too tight.”
We may need to review the garment before confirming whether a let-out is possible.
Pants tapering
Use this when you want a slimmer leg shape.
The easiest method is to show us a pair of pants that already fits well.
If measuring manually, lay the pants flat and measure the width across the leg at the knee and hem.
Example note:
“Pants tapering — finished hem width should be 17cm flat.”
Measure across one side only while the pants are laid flat.
Zip replacement
Use this for broken or faulty zips.
Measure the zip from top to bottom along the zip teeth. Do not include the extra fabric tape beyond the zip teeth.
If you know the zip type, add it to your note.
Example note:
“Zip replacement — jacket zip, open-end, about 55cm.”
If you are unsure, choose the closest option and we will review it before starting.
Seam, tear and pocket repairs
For repairs, photos are often more useful than measurements.
Tell us where the damage is, roughly how large it is, and whether the fabric is delicate, stretchy, lined or heavy.
Example note:
“Small tear near pocket, about 3cm.”
If the damage is not obvious, mark it with tape, a safety pin or a note.
How to add your measurements
Add your measurements in the order notes at checkout.
Include the service you booked, the measurement or instruction, and whether the garment has been pinned or marked.
Example note:
“Jeans Hemming — shorten by 4cm. One leg is pinned.”
Not sure what to measure?
That is okay.
Choose the closest service and add a note at checkout. If something needs review, we will contact you before starting.
You can also send us a photo before booking if you are unsure which alteration or repair service to choose.