Ellie's Atelier

Lewes, East Sussex

Book a consultation

Every fitting is a private appointment.

Most people start by telling me about the garment. It costs nothing, and it means I can tell you whether I can take it on, how long it will need and roughly what it will cost before anyone spends anything.

Start by telling me about the garment

You should not have to pay to ask a question. If you want to know whether I can take something on, how long it will need, or roughly what it will cost, send it here and I will tell you — including if the answer is no, or not in time.

Getting married next year and not sure when to start? Send me the date. Lead times are the thing people most often get wrong, and it costs nothing to get it right.

Only if you would rather talk than type.

What are we working on?

If you know yet. Lead times are the thing I am most often asked about, and the date is what decides the answer.

Photographs the week before, travelling early, a rehearsal dinner — the last day it truly has to be finished.

Which pieces are we working on? (optional)

The garment, a close-up of the part you mean, and anything you want changed. They go to me by email and are not stored on this website. Location information is removed before they are sent.

Silk, lace, satin, wool, jersey — or “no idea”, which is a perfectly good answer. A photograph tells me more than a guess does.

Who wore it, where it came from, what you would like it to be for now. It genuinely changes how I approach a repair.

Even roughly. “It needs taking in” is enough to start with.

This goes straight to my inbox and nowhere else. Photographs are emailed to me and not kept on this website. It is not added to any mailing list. How I handle your details.

Or book a consultation now

If you already know what you need, book straight in. Consultations are £10 for everyday alterations, £20 for textile restoration and £30 for bridal and evening work, deducted in full from your final bill.

Choosing a time sends me a request rather than booking it outright. I confirm every appointment myself, usually the same day and always within two working days, and the studio address and parking instructions come with that confirmation. Your slot is held for you in the meantime. Appointments are made at least 48 hours ahead, so the calendar will not offer you anything sooner than that — if you need something urgently, send a message above and ask.

You must bring the exact shoes and undergarments you intend to wear. This is the one thing I cannot work around: heel height changes your posture as well as the hem, and posture changes the way the whole garment hangs. A fitting done in the wrong shoes has to be done twice.

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Bridal boutiques and trade enquiries

Complex structural alterations — corsetry, bustling, multi-layer and crin hems — are exactly the work boutiques most often need a specialist for. There is no consultation fee for trade, and photographs get you a straight answer faster than anything else. What I take on for boutiques →