Fittings and alterations

Sewing magic for a custom fit tailored to you.

Sally Scarlett stands behind a dress form with a red garment making adjustments, in front of a background of see-through curtains.

Garment alterations

Are you looking for a way to make sure your outfit fits perfectly for that upcoming special occasion? Or maybe your everyday wardrobe needs some love and repair? Our alterations service is here to help!

There are so many benefits to mending and adjusting your clothes but making those alterations can often be complex and time-consuming. Don't worry, we're here to help with our custom alterations! All you need to do is book a fitting appointment and bring in the garment you want to be adjusted and Sally will work her sewing magic.

Your alterations guide.

1. Book your fitting first

Every alteration starts with a fitting. We don’t give estimates before fittings because the cost depends entirely on the work involved and how your garment sits on you.

At your appointment, we’ll assess your garment, chat through what you’d like changed, and give you the most accurate price possible so there are no surprises, just honest advice and expert care.

2. Timing and turnaround

Turnaround times depend on your timeline. Bridal, formal and special event garments are always prioritised so they’re ready when you need them. Everyday alterations are worked around those dates, unless you request a specific completion date when booking. If timing is important, just let us know, we’re always happy to chat it through.

3. While we’re sewing…

Once your garment is with us, we usually won’t send updates while we’re sewing. Most days we’re buried under fabric, thread and pins, with a lot of love stitched into every piece.

If another fitting is needed, we’ll let you know (usually for bridal clients). Otherwise, the next time you hear from us will be when your garment is ready for collection.

We work on over 400 garments each year (alongside teaching sewing lessons too!), so if you don’t hear from us straight away, please don’t worry, your garment is being carefully looked after.

4. Ready for collection

As soon as your item is finished, we’ll send you a message. From there, it’s simply a matter of booking a quick collection time and taking your beautifully altered garment home.

Book your fitting

Types of alterations

  • Your special day deserves the perfect fit, and we’re here to help! Our alterations service provides custom tailoring for whatever customisations your garment requires so you feel comfortable and confident. We can also provide garment alterations for your bridal party.

  • We know that every body is different which is why we offer custom alterations to make sure your outfit is tailored to your unique body-type and style. From adjusting the straps, customising the bodice or hemming the skirts, we can ensure you garment fits like a glove for your event.

  • We understand that sometimes our favourite pieces of clothing need a little bit of love and care. That's why we offer a wide range of alteration and repair services to fit your needs so that your clothes fit you! Whether its hemming, repairs, zip replacement, mending and patching, Sally can work her magic on your threads.

  • Our uniform service provides a variety of alterations for all your school uniform needs. From hemming school pants, skirts and dresses, customising the fit, replacing zips, mending holes or repairing panama hats we have you covered so that your kids can navigate the school years in comfort and confidence.

A woman sewing on a sewing machine in a crafting or sewing room.
A bride in a white wedding dress walking on a grassy field, holding a bouquet of flowers, with a countryside landscape in the background.
Bride trying on a white wedding dress with lace details, veil, and long train in a fitting room with a mirror, mannequin, and staff nearby.
Close-up of seamstress's hands guiding pink satin fabric under a sewing machine on a white worktable.
Back view of a woman in a white strapless wedding dress, standing in front of a mirror in a fitting room.
A woman with red hair sitting at a white desk, working with a machine in a well-lit room with white painted brick walls and wood flooring.
Two digital illustrations of a woman in a white gown with sheer, puffy long sleeves, shown from the front and back. The front view shows her smiling with one hand on her hip. The back view features a keyhole cutout with a large bow at the waist.
A bride and groom share a kiss outdoors by a river at sunset, with trees and cloudy sky in the background.
A bride and groom walking hand in hand across an open field under a cloudy sky, the groom holding a bouquet of white flowers.
A woman is adjusting a long, sparkling red gown on a mannequin, using a measuring tape.
A woman sewing on a pink sewing machine in a well-lit room.
A cream-colored dress with puffy sleeves and a flowy skirt hanging on a closet door.
Two young girls in white dresses walking down the aisle of a church, holding hands, while adults watch. The older girl holds a flower stick. The church interior features wooden pews and a chandelier, with an arched window showing a garden outside.
Close-up of a person adjusting an orange satin dress on a mannequin at a clothing store or atelier.
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Book a fitting appointment.

Use our booking system to schedule your fitting appointment. Let us know in the notes the date you require the garment so we can get our sewing fairies onto it for you.

We'll let you know when your garment is ready, so you can book a time to pick it up.

What our clients say

  • Jess K

    Highly recommend the lovely Sally, my daughter and have had a wonderful experience with her, and are very happy with the end result with formal dress alterations. Sally provided us with great service from the first message right through to collection 😊

  • Amanda B

    Sally’s skills are first class. Her ability to be creative in how to achieve what it is we non sewing people are asking for, is a true talent. Sometimes the alteration we’re asking for seems like a simple request, when it’s in fact a labour intensive, time consuming, full scale reconstruction…

  • Mellissa D

    Sally was very generous with her time fitting us in at almost last minute for a formal dress alteration and then a bunch of wedding alterations. Thank you.

Alterations and fittings FAQs

  • Your dress doesn’t fit, your pants are too long or your shirt doesn’t sit right. Don’t worry you’ve come to the right place!

    First things first, book a fitting that suits your schedule. We’ll talk through what alterations you want to be made and provide you with an estimate of costs. If you’re happy to go ahead, we’ll send you an invoice for a 25% deposit so we can start sewing.

    Sally will work her magic and will be in touch to help you schedule follow-up fittings if needed (especially for our formal and bridal alterations clients).

    Once your garment is finished, we’ll let you know so you can book in to collect your garment. We offer instalment payments for your convenience if you prefer, alternatively, you’ll pay the balance of your invoice on collection.

    If you have any questions along the way, reach out to hello@sensationalsewing.com.au.

  • Sally is a magician with her sewing, so there’s not much she can’t do! She mainly works with clothing garments so for any fashion alterations you need, you’re in the right place.

    Furniture and homewares alterations (think curtains and couch covers) she doesn’t tend to do but can always refer you to the people who can help!

    If for any reason Sally doesn’t have the capacity for your specific alteration request, we can refer you to some of the other amazing local seamstresses in Toowoomba.

  • Make sure to bring the garment you want adjusted with you! For our lovely brides or ladies with formal occasion wear, it’s a good idea to wear the underwear you will be wearing with the garment for your fitting, and bring the shoes you’ll wear for the event so we can get the most accurate adjustment for you.

  • Unfortunately we don’t do custom orders or made-to-measures any more due to being time-consuming and intricate.

    For your custom project, we can refer you to some of the other amazing local seamstresses in Toowoomba.

  • Alteration timelines can vary depending on the type of garment, how much work is needed, and our current schedule. Here’s a rough guide:

    Everyday garments:
    Simple adjustments like hems or minor tweaks can often be completed usually within 1-3 weeks, depending on our workload.

    Event wear & school formals:
    For dresses and suits that need a few adjustments, plan for 4–7 weeks, especially during peak season. This allows us to work around your event date and ensure everything fits perfectly. Any garments that are due within 10 days of the first fitting may incur a rush fee.

    Bridesmaids & wedding dresses:
    These require more careful work and multiple fittings. We recommend booking a least 10–12 weeks before the big day, so we have enough time for 2–3 fittings and any unexpected adjustments. For wedding gowns that are due within 8 weeks of the first fitting may incur a rush fee.

    Important note:
    We schedule alterations around event dates, so the earlier you book, the more flexibility we have to prioritise your garment. Once your fitting is booked, we’ll send a message as soon as your items are ready so you can schedule a collection appointment.

  • We recommend scheduling your first fitting at least 10–12 weeks before your wedding day.

    This gives plenty of time for the usual 2–3 fittings your gown might need, and allows flexibility for any unexpected adjustments.

    For wedding gowns that are due within 8 weeks of the first fitting may incur a rush fee.

    Try to schedule your first fitting for when your wedding dress first arrives, especially during peak wedding season, as our bookings fill quickly!