Tailor Shop

I do not agree with any of the reviews saying Elena is rude. My friend and I went to Astoria looking for a reasonably priced place to get our bridesmaid dresses altered. My friend’s dress needed complicated work (taken in a ton of sizes). Elena did a great job and had us hysterically laughing the whole time. I can see where people could think she’s blunt, but we loved her! She also works super fast and will be honest about what can realistically be done. By the end of our second appointment, she was giving us advice about all types of non-​tailoring issues. She’s funny, she’s skilled and the prices are cheap. What more could you want?

Decent work for the price. I think Elena is good at what she does, but does not necessarily want to work on anything overly complex. Great if you need a simple hem or alteration, but do not bring her anything that needs «extra» work.

First time here and I’m liking what I’m seeing. I had a simple patch job done on my jacket that had a small hole in it. The tailor was very competent and gave a good solution to the fix. The job was done in the timeframe promised and I picked it up without drama.

I’ve had a number of pieces altered here and overall have been very happy. I love supporting small local businesses and also admire the fact that Elena is obviously of a ‘certain age’ and yet she’s still going strong and running her own shop!
I totally get what some people say about her sometimes coming off as abrupt or ‘rude’ but keep in mind what Latvia was like when she grew up and the certain demeanor that people had to take on in order to get by. It all depends on your perspective… some people from certain other cultures have a tougher exterior that you have to peel away to see the person underneath. ;-)
I happen to like her very much. She’s direct, opinionated, and a bit quirky imho. I find her to be a very warm person… you just have to recognize how to spot her warmth coming through. ;-)
However, as for some of the outlandish stories here of Elena being blatantly rude, perhaps in some instances Elena was indeed having a bad day and you, not yet having a relationship with her, naturally reacted negatively, and so the situation spiraled. Perhaps on a second meeting at the shop, things would have gone differently/​better. (Though I get that many such people would not want to give her a second chance.) It’s possible there were other instances however where Elena wasn’t in a bad mood per se, but didn’t like the way the customer came off, and instead of acquiescing like most customer service reps might have done, Elena simply pushed back?
As for her stated hours, and her shop sometimes being suddenly ‘closed’, I understand the frustration, but you could also look at it as ‘charming’. Again, she’s of a certain age, and running her own shop, and she grew up in Europe. Ever been outside the U.S. Many small family-​run shops have random hours, or the person running the shop steps out for coffee or whatever. Things in life aren’t always going to perfectly go our way… ;-) Heck, I too have had instances where I went out of my way to carry to stuff to Elena’s for tailoring, only to find a ‘back in 45 minutes’ sign on the door. And not being able to wait that long, I had to forego my tailoring for another time when I’d be in the area. I was of course disappointed, but not upset with her. It’s a one-​woman shop. Just breathhhhhe. ;-)

I’d give her a one-​star rating, but I don’t want to torpedo this poor woman’s business.
I’m sure she’s wonderful at her job. But I went in to have a floor-​length gown altered; not sure what shoes I’m wearing yet (still have to buy them) so she sent me away, after I’d put the darn thing on. Didn’t have a pair of heels to use (it would be «unhygienic» and I’d «sue her,» she claimed), and then told me I’d «need» to buy a strapless bra to wear with it. Absurd. Really, just trying to pick and continue the argument the second I walked in.
Went up the street instead to San Remo Tailor Shop around the corner. Another old-​world joint with folks who’ve been doing this their whole lives — MINUS the bad attitude. They had heels on hand, took me right away, and were lovely to deal with.
Long story short, she might be an awesome seamstress, but you’re in the customer service business, too. The attitude just isn’t necessary.

Showed up at about 12:15, and the gate was still locked and no sign of life anywhere. Hours specifically stated 12−6pm. Luckily, I found another place a few blocks over that was very helpful.

I had a great experience here. She’s like the no nonsense Eastern European grandmother you never had. She will tell you what you need to get done, be direct about it, but also be totally 100% right. She was helping someone when I walked in and asked me to wait while she finished up with him which was fine. Then when she was helping me, another girl walked in being a little pushy and Elena just said «just like I told this young lady earlier, I will help you once I’m finished with her». So it can come off as rude, but you’ll get the same attention to detail as the person before you, just be patient. I was getting a gown tailored for a wedding, it was only a size too big but she tailored it to me perfectly. I even got to pick it up early! She’s great, highly recommended.

These one star reviews really crack me up and sound like they come from really bitter folks.
Elena did a wonderful job tailoring by bridesmaid dress back in June. I’ve had the dress for a couple months, but was too lazy to drop it off. So I literally dropped it off 2 weeks before the wedding. It was ready for me just in time before I had to travel for the wedding.
My friend also came with me when I got measured for my alterations. Elena was pleasant and funny. She answered any question I had and told me how much she enjoyed doing this because it was her passion and not just a job.
I think prices are good because you really are paying for what you did. She does a fantastic job. Will definitely be bringing all my alterations to her.

I would give this review 0 stars if I could. I have never had someone in the service industry be so rude, condescending and unaccommodating. Not to mention, her shop is ridiculously overpriced. I know some of the Unilocal reviews say she is a great tailor but honestly, there are a lot of great tailors in Astoria who will do just as good of a job, for ½ the price and without a horrible and unaccomodating attitude.
I needed a bridesmaids dressing taken in for a wedding in a month. When I changed into the dress, she made me take OFF my shape wear (that I will be wearing at the event) and put on my bra (that I will not be wearing at the event). She refused to fit the fit the dress to how I would be wearing it on the day of my friend’s wedding. This is completely crazy because most places won’t even fit you unless you have your shape wear and undergarments you plan to wear the day on the event. I tried to explain to her that the dress has a built in bra and I would not be wearing one on the day of but she told me: «you’re not a child, you’re a adult women and you should be wearing a bra. If you don’t like that, then you can take your service elsewhere.»
At this point I should have just left but I was already there and dressed and didn’t feel like wasting another day getting my dress altered.
The entire time she was fitting me, she was lecturing me and talking down to me. She told me that I move too much and she can’t see where to hem. When I showed her where I wanted it taken in, she told me no and told me what SHE thought she should do. It was completely backwards customer service. And if I didn’t like it «I could take me service elsewhere.»
About 45 minutes later after my dress was completely marked and pinned and I was back into my clothes, she brought up the whole bra argument again. I tried to reason with her and tell her that the fitting she did might be big on the day of the event since she fitted me with a bra but I would not be wearing on at that time. She was completely rude and defensive and unreasonable. Then, she told me I was causing HER stress and she KICKED ME OUT. She told me to take my dress and leave.
I have never, in my life, had an encounter like this. My jaw was practically on the ground. Horrible, horrible experience.

Elena is a nice little Latvian lady who knows what she’s doing and is very patient and helpful in answering your questions. I took a pair of pants to have shortened and I also asked her to take all my measurements (neck, sleeve, chest, etc.) for my future reference.
I’m always confused when I read such wildly differing reviews on here. She has no «attitude» whatsoever and most certainly is not rude. Did we all go to the same person? Or is it perhaps a bunch of entitled Manhattan transplant yuppies bleating over not having their posteriors properly kissed by the «workers»? Don’t get it.
I’m sticking with her.

Have been using her tailoring services for years and she is excellent.
Anytime I’ve used another tailor I’ve always come to regret it – she’s the best. She knows exactly what she’s doing and what’s going to look good on you. Glad she’s in Astoria.

i called her to schedule time to tailor a sweet 16 gown. she said no problem. i showed up, she said she doesnt tailor sweet 16 gowns. thanks for lying to me

My sister-​in-​law is a textile and clothing designer, so I know quality when I see it. I’ve lived in Manhattan and the surrounding boroughs of NYC for over a decade and have yet to find a more talented tailor in the city. Elena’s alterations are simply gorgeous (sweaters, suits and pants that seemed ruined or worn down with time, have been given new life once again) and her demeanor has always been impeccably professional. She’s lovely, down-​to-​earth and the type of individual, I’d pop by and visit with, regardless of whether or not I had business to bring her.
When I lived in Astoria eight years ago, I frequented her shop often with clothing I needed tailored, but moved to the UWS, the Heights and Harlem in the years that followed. In the interim, I took my clothing to other tailors in the city on the West Side and continually found myself disappointed with their handiwork. I recently moved back to Queens and brought winter clothing for her to work her magic on. Eight years later, she’s still an artist with a needle, thread and sewing machine.
Not only is Elena immensely pleasant to be around, she’s funny, a delight to interact with, her word is always her bond, and her turn around time is unfailingly reasonable. Elena is one of the best tailors in this or any city I’ve ever lived. I couldn’t be happier that I returned.

If I could give 0 stars I would! The owner of this shop is by far the rudest person I have encountered.
I brought a bridesmaids dress in for alterations (knowing I would need to since I’ve been in 6 other weddings in the past 4 years and have always provided my measurements and the dresses always would come back too large). Being new to Astoria, I turned to Unilocal for help. I decided to try this place out for the high recommendations and convenience to my house. When I walked in, the owner was straight to business asking me to put the dress on, after cutting me off mid-​explanation on what I needed done and after assessing the dress on me told me that she wouldn’t be able to fix the dress because «I must have gained weight in the time I ordered the dress to now.» I responded that she was a terrible human being and that I would be taking my business elsewhere.
So I did, right to Ligia’s down the block. And she is amazing and clearly knows how to run a business.

I have brought several items to her: shirts, suits, jackets, etc and every time she has done a fantastic job. Yes, she is a bit expensive, but you do get what you pay for and I will continue to trust all my clothing with her.

I wanted to write an update to add that when my husband and I were getting ready to move out of NYC, we took one last batch of clothing to Elena for alterations (yeah, she’s that good and I am worried about finding a good tailor in our new city). My husband mentioned we were moving soon and also that my mom had recently gifted me a sewing machine. She offered to email him some links to basic sewing tutorials. I was actually stunned by the sweetness of this gesture. (See? She may seem gruff but can be sweet, too!) So far I have altered the straps on one dress (and it came out so-​so) but I will be consulting Elena’s links in the future FOR SURE.

My fingers are just itching with excitement to type this review. I have lost a good amount of weight in the past year and bought a couple nice suits a year ago. They were becoming baggy and unkempt so I decided to get them tailored. I have a lot of weddings coming up and I would like to look as fresh as possible. I Unilocaled up Tailor in Astoria and the «Tailor Shop» ranked #1 so I went here on April 5^th to have my suit tailored.
The store looked pretty nice from the outside but it was extremely small; so small that when there were two people inside waiting I had to wait outside until they were done. After waiting for about 20 minutes I changed into my suit and met Elena. She made her recommendations and marks. She told me the suit would be ready next Saturday the 12^th. I told her no I am going on vacation and I need it on Wednesday. She responded no problem Wednesday the 9^th.
I then asked if she could size me up and she did not seem like she really wanted to do this but she did anyway. The sizes she was spitting out did not seem correct. I said oh well that suit I gave you is smaller than the size your telling me but it is to large on me. Then she got extremely confrontational, annoyed and upset. I just asked a simple question. She gave me an attitude and start blabbing about how the sizing systems in America are extremely flawed. I did not realize how passionate she was about clothing sizes. I should have realized then that this was a bad decision.
I left and told her I will pick this up on the 9^th. I showed up on the 9^th at 4:30PM. The gates were closed, the door was locked and there was a sign on the door stating «I HAVE HAD A EMERGENCY AND WE ARE CLOSED». I called the number and no one answered. Someone with a hard accent had called me explaining some accident that had happened and the store would be closed indefinitely.
They also said they would call me and let me know when I can pick the suit up.
I was going on vacation that Saturday until the 21^st so I figured I would pick up the suit then. At this point Elena had been texting me in regards to the status of the suit. She thought she would be back to work at that time. I texted her and she still was not back to work. She told me to pick up the suit on Sunday the 27^th between 11am-​12pm. That was the only time I could pick anything up when the store was open. I texted her back yea I guess that works. Sunday I ended up sleeping in and totally forgot about it.
I texted her the next day explaining that I did not pick it up. She said fine the following Sunday, which would have been over one month to get this suit that was initially supposed to be 4 days. I told her no I need the suit now I am not waiting any longer. She then gave me this ridiculous attitude about how I am not compassionate about her and blabbing about being a victim. How she injured her back and cannot move. I am sorry I am paying for this and I am not concerned about your issues.
I understand she got into an accident and things happen but I am a paying customer that is paying for a service. She owns and runs a business and has certain responsibilities to fill. She has had more than enough time to figure out a solution. She was treating me like I was a piece of crap and wasting her time. I had to remind her, you own a business and I am a paying customer.
I told her how unacceptable this was and how much nerve she had. I also told her I will «RIP YOU APART ON Unilocal» and she replied with, «GOOD LUCK»…WOW, Jaw Dropping terrible customer service!
She eventually figured out a way to have someone at the store yesterday for me to pick up the suit. I finally picked up the suit yesterday from a random guy. He pulled the suit out and it was all wrinkled and looked like crap. He then tried to put it in a brown Trader Joe’s paper bag. He then said sorry and I just walked out.
This whole thing has been a disaster. I do not even care how the suit came out now or how it looks. This has to be the worst experience I have ever had with a tailor. Elena’s indifferent and confrontational attitude is absurd. YOU OWN A BUSINESS! TREAT YOUR PAYING CUSTOMERS WITH RESPECT AND DIGNITY.
DO NOT COME HERE!

Amazing tailor shop!!! I have had pants hemmed, dresses altered, coat sleeves shortened, skirt’s lined, skirt waists expanded, etc. Elena takes her time measuring and adjusting to make sure the alteration is just right. Her work on expanding skirt waist was nothing short of artistry, finding fabric that blended perfectly then sewn with expert craftsmanship. We both together looked at variations for shortening jacket sleeves and I am nothing but pleased with her love of craft, professionalism and honesty. Her business is boon to the neighborhood.
Excellent service, quality work, reasonable prices, honest and personable.

Just getting around to reviewing Elena, but she was great!
I needed my Maid of Honor dress hemmed quite a bit and she did a lovely job. Took less than a week, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. I can’t remember how much it was, either $ 40 or $ 60, but either way I was happy with the price.
I’d actually never been to a tailor before but I picked her based on Unilocal reviews and very glad I did.

Elena definitely know what she’s doing! I altered my own wedding dress and do some sewing here and there. but when my mom’s silk chiffon dress need to be shorten, I waived my white flag since I’ve never worked on that particular fabric before. off i went to Unilocal looking for a professional tailor.
my biggest concern with this type of fabric was to have a wavy rolled hem result. but I was pleasantly surprised with Elena’s work! the dress was beautifully hemmed and the length is perfectly cut as we wanted it — all in four days! I agree with some reviewers on her being pricey. she charged us $ 45 and I let her use my thread since she doesn’t have one that matches the dress. I didn’t mind much about all this so long she does a good job.
I personally disagree on reviews about her being rude. she greeted us and answered all my questions. she let us come back with shoes so she can have a perfect idea how much we wanted her to cut. she even lend my mom her belt to visually have a better look at the end result. Elena clearly has the patience to accommodate her clients and that’s all I need. not looking for someone to discuss politics and all anyway :)