Mimi’s Custom Design & Alteration

I agreed to meet at the store today with Mimi at 8:40 am so that I could pick-​up my clothes. I work in SF, and usually get to work before her store opens and return after her store closes. I came a couple minutes late, but was sure to call in advance and let her know.
The phone kept going to voicemail. I left a voicemail and then waited around for a bit. Not to mention, it was cash-​only, so I had all of this cash on me.
I honestly needed those clothes that had been repaired for the week, and find it entirely inconvenient that a space manager can’t be responsible about the dates and times she agrees upon. Now, it looks like that I’ll have to wait to the weekend to pick them up.
After this, I may look for a location closer to work in SF.

Cash only yet quite expensive. I had several items altered – I had the sleeves taken in on two jackets, and had several athletic shirts hemmed because they were much too long. The stitching on the athletic shirts is slightly crooked, and the jacket sleeves had some sloppy areas where the stitching had been gone over twice. On top of that, only a few months later the threads on one jacket and one athletic shirt are already starting to unravel. Never again – go elsewhere!

This review is long overdue. I’ve been going to Mimi for several years. She’s made two birthday dresses for me and more recently made alterations to my super fancy wedding dress. Don’t be overwhelmed by the clutter in the store and the not so modern fitting room. Mimi gets the job done and I trust her. She can take a picture and put your vision to life, no pattern needed. Her prices are average, but the quality of her work is superb. Would definitely recommend.

I went to Mimi’s with an emergency project! I was frantic with finding someone who could MAKE a picnic blanket… as my MAN and I were heading out on a motorcycle trip in five days. Imagine when your guy wants to have a picnic with you (rare I know; stop the press).and he mentions a certain kind of «picnic blanket» that he’d love to have! Well I found Mimi’s after I called (not kidding here) about 15 different sewing places to see if anyone could sew me something in five days.
Mimi said YES! She gave me clear direction on my fabric choice, backing, etc. — I went to Joanne Fabrics in a panic that very night… found my material and dropped it with Mimi the next morning (Friday). She said to come back on Monday and it would be ready in the afternoon!!!
OH MY GAWD! Is all I have to say… It was PERFECT… just what I wanted… beautifully sewn — the detail was incredible — I had asked for a heart to be appliqued with our initials and the date of our picnic… and it was soooo CUTE! She did a fabulous job. I seriously will take anything/​everything that I have to be sewn/​altered to Mimi’s! She’s adorable too — knows her stuff that’s for sure!
I’m heading on my trip this Wednesday with my man and can’t WAIT to spread out my (our) blanket at Lake Alpine with wine/​cheese and US… Thanks Mimi! :o)

Excellent service!!! Mimi did an excellent job on an alteration for me. She added sleeves to a sleeveless jacket. It was done expertly and seamlessly! It was priced reasonably and done within 2 days. Mimi also specializes in plus sizes which is also a plus! (Pun intended). I would highly recommend using Mimi’s Custom Design for any alteration or Custom work. I most certainly will be using her again and again.

Mimi’s is great. I dropped off some tuxedo pants that where a little tight around the waist (obviously they must have shrunk quite a bit since I had worn them last). There wasn’t a lot of extra material left to let out but she worked her magic and now they fit perfectly. Really great spot to have alterations done and so friendly. Great shop for the locals needing some tailoring done.

I came to her last Wednesday for some alterations on a dress. This dress needed hemming and a few other things. The dress had three layers which were a bit difficult to deal with, however Mimi did it all. Actually, I came to her frantic because I needed same day service and sure enough she was able to pull through. I really appreciate her efficiency and would definitely recommend her for quality pieces. Mimi is the best of her kind and worth every penny.

Mimi is the best in the business! As stressful as prom can me on a mother daughter relationship, Mimi was able to make us laugh give great advice and showcase her dynamic skills in alterations! I advise everyone that needs prompt courtesy service to go here for all your sewing needs! Thanks so much to Mimi and her team!!!

I had a very large order with misc pieces to be altered. A friend referred me to Mimi, so I went, not thinking to try them out 1^st (BIG mistake).
1^st, their prices were no better than what my dry cleaners charge.
2^nd, the pieces weren’t ironed when delivered back to me
3^rd, had misc threads hanging all off of them (as if off the floor)
4^th, for some of the pants, the hems came out on the 1^st wearing!
5^th, have to pay cash, up front — so if you don’t like the job, you’re SOL
I don’t know who is posting good markings here, but my experience tells me never to go again. My clothes are worth more than the alterations. Reminds me that I need to treat them that way.

This place is great because it harkens back to the nostalgic days of old-​school seamstresses. It’s not the fanciest shop, as the narrow inside is worn and cluttered. But once you talk to Mimi, you immediately get the sense you’re in the right place. She’s confident, knowledgeable and a whiz at her craft.
We went here to have a suit jacket and pants altered before a funeral. With a pin cushion on her wrist and a measuring tape in hand, Mimi had us sized up in no time. Afterwards, she gave us a handwritten receipt, which required a 50 percent cash deposit (no credit cards or checks are accepted).
Since we needed the items rather quickly, we weren’t sure Mimi could pull it off, but she did. We returned two days later, amazed at the results. Everything fit perfectly and not a seam was out of place. So glad we found this place and we’ll definitely be back!

I went to Mimi’s based on Unilocal and a local business recommendation. The place looks pretty disorganized inside, but going beyond that, the quality of the work is great. I only had jeans altered so far, but will definitely be back. They are professional and do good work.

Mimi altered a grey wool jacket to fit– it’s a very irregular shaped jacket and initially, fit very poorly, but with her expert hand pinned a bit here and there and a week later, I have to say it’s 100% perfect.
I’d absolutely come back for her services, BUT– and this is the only reason it’s not 5 stars, the alterations totaled $ 125– more than 50% of the cost of the jacket. The designer on Etsy who made the jacket was baffled at how much I paid given the alterations (take in shoulders, sew up pocket, darts on waist). This may be a symptom of Bay Area inflation, or maybe mimi’s is relatively expensive– I can’t be sure. But do take care to budget. A perfectly fitting garment is NOT cheap!
Note– 50% deposit required on all alterations. Bring cash, no cards accepted (possibly no checks either).

I Love Mimi!
She created a turn of the century inspired Halloween costume for me and it was amazing… I printed photos from the internet and she was able to reproduce in record time… Mimi is a patternmaker and seamstress… she takes a ton of measurements to make certain the fit is exact.
When I went in for my first and only fitting (because it was so perfect I only altered it once) near the fitting room I saw a framed picture of her graduating from college complete with cap and gown. It was so cute!
I am so happy I found her after a few bumpy starts with other seamstresses… Mimi charges a bit more but you get what you pay for.
She does all of my alterations and is now making (2) raincoats for me.
I buy the fabric Mimi does the rest… she also has fabric on site.
I told her she should be on Project Runway and/​or attend Fashion Week in New York at least once.
Cash only… no credit cards accepted.
Thanks Mimi!

As a stressed out bride to be, I was at a loss as to whom to go to for my wedding dress alterations. Based on Unilocal reviews I chose Mimi and was almost discouraged by the storefront and a somewhat surly greeting. Don’t let the surroundings fool you, Mimi is an expert at her craft and was an excellent choice for my wedding dress. She warmed up over the fittings and created a custom french bussle and showed me how in detail to affix it. She also did a hem for the third underlayer and did it all for about $ 150. A bit steep but worth every penny once I put the dress back on, everything was perfect and on time.
Then I found a second dress to change into for the wedding and she was able to do the hem on both layers next day, she is an expert at her craft and I definitely recommend her for your wedding day alterations.

Really expert clothing repairs. I brought in a pair of ski pants that were all torn up by my boots. I was a little unsure that she would understand what I wanted– lots of lacy wedding dresses in the window and I wanted athletic gear repaired strong not pretty. She took what I was describing and figured out how to do it much much stronger and even a little bit uglier!
Neg: not cheap. Worth it though.
(pic up; it’s the gray spiral repair job)

I love Mimi’s! I take all of my alterations to her. Work to perfection! Prices are reasonable.

As usual any new pants I buy need hemming. In the past I’ve used the services at a lot of dry cleaners but have been disappointed at the quick and dirty approach to rolling up and stitching the hem. Mimi is a really good at her craft and her shop reveals her «world» of fabrics, designs-​in-​progress, finished ball gowns and sturdy machines. Not only did she do an expert job on my pants but she was very happy to give me sewing tips (since that is something I’m trying to learn). She also teaches sewing classes which I may someday do.

Mimi has altered several dresses to fit me, perfect fit, great work. One was a difficult repair on a long 50’s gown, excellent work.

I went here on a friend’s recommendation to alter a wedding dress and was very discouraged. Mimi tried 2 different pinnings to fit the top of the halter style dress and both outcomes produced wrinkles in the torso. When I asked why this was, Mimi said it was because the hip area was too tight and that there was nothing she could do except to try and let out the waist (which would show the original seams). When I asked her if she could take it in in any other locations, she said no.
I took the dress to another tailor (Margene’s on Grand) and in 10 minutes, she pinned the dress in 6 different locations (versus the 2 from Mimi’s) and had a perfect fitting dress.
Granted, Mimi’s was half the price of Margene’s, but I am convinced that had I gone with Mimi’s, she would have ruined my wedding dress.

I love Mimi. She reproduced my 1940’s inspired wedding dress from a picture I printed off the internet. She took my measurements and told me how much fabric to buy. She drew up a sketch of my dress with little notes for my specifications. She was so cute I feel like she’s a part of my family. When I went in for my first and only fitting (because it was so perfect I only altered it once) near the fitting room I saw a framed picture of her graduating from college complete with cap and gown. It was so cute! I just wanted to hug her. I’ve seen other dresses that Mimi and her team have made and they range from fashion forward prom dresses to elaborately beaded traditional wedding dresses. All of which are beautiful and amazingly done. Even if you don’t need a wedding dress or a prom dress Mimi does it all. She even made my friend a 1950’s style blouse that fit her perfectly!