I have never written a review of anything in my life but I really wanted to shout out this shop that just finished altering my wedding dress. My dress was a way too big in some places and snug in others but also had a lot of detailing that makes it difficult to hem or alter. I was very stressed about getting it altered. On my first appointment, Niki walked me through everything she was going to do step by step and explained in detail what it was going to look like and answered all of my 1 million questions on what she was going to cut, what she wasn't going to cut where she was going to buttons, etc. Throughout the process, she happily addressed all my concerns at every appointment. You can tell Niki takes great pride in her work and I love that. It fits me like a glove now and I'm thrilled with how it came out! The people at this shop are so warm and friendly and make you feel right at home. I would absolutely recommend them to anyone who needs a dress altered. Mine felt like it was going to be impossible to get right because of the details and construction of the dress but Niki really came through. Just make sure you bring in your clothes with plenty of time to alter because Niki cares deeply about the quality of her work and she won't want to do a sloppy rush job on your garments! And really, isn't that exactly the kind of care you want from your tailor? 10/10 would recommend! read more

160 dollars for a dress that's too short and no accountability. I went in to try my dress in and the back no longer had the usually drapped point (something that was not communicated with me, but I'm usually not that picky so not a big deal). Then the inner layer of the dress was longer than the putter chiffon layer. So they said they can fix it in time for the wedding in attending. During the initial try on I also note that the hemm is uneven the back is hovering just above the floor like we had discussed but the front chiffon layer was way shorter. They discuss playment of the dress and that I was wearing it wrong creating the distortion. They also said they can make it a smidge longer when they fix the outer layer the forgot to hem. I come back 30 min later to the inner layer of the dress was hemmed even short and in an uneven you shape on the side. I dont know if that was done so I would think the dress was longer or due to rushed work. She attempts to say that all hemming is shorter on the sides then in the middle and that they should have told me that and discussed it when I came in. They offered to do a last minute hanger but after minutes of round and round and no accountability and everything back on me on how I was wearing the dresses I left the store completely devastated feeling like my dress is ruined. Truly, the last few times I have been here the request you try it on and you must because there are always a last minute thing that needs to be changed. I am sure the talent is there, but maybe if your not a bride... the work feels rushed. Minimally there is a lack of communication and accountability. read more

Can do alterations pretty fast, but quality definitely suffered. Not sure if quality is better with more time, but I would not come back as they left beading loose on my dress that I had to fix myself and they sewed the center very sloppily, as seen in the pictures. read more

Alva Graciano Tailors - Sewing & Alterations Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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They do a good job but are very expensive. It cost me $225 for alterations but the work was good

Made an appointment over the phone, showed up and they were closed. Left a voicemail with no call back or apology for the missed appointment. The phone call to make the appointment was a bit bizarre, seemed confused that I was looking to make an appointment in the first place. Unsure of the quality of their work, but the business doesn't seem to be properly managed. read more

This was my first experience at the tailor's and it was wonderful! Alva is super friendly and accommodating. My bridesmaid dress needed to be fixed in a pinch and it was ready in less than a week. I will say it feels pricey but I assume that's for quick and efficient service. read more

Fantastic work and so kind! Never disappointed! Highly recommend!!! I trust them with any clothing! read more

This is the only place one should consider for alterations. My wife and I both got our dresses tailored here, Niki and the team are the best in the biz. They kept our dresses a secret while juggling our appointments back to back and there was no idea that they couldn't entertain, even altering many pairs of shape wear. We love you all! Thank you!! read more

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I am new to the Chicago area and found Alva Graciano on Yelp and am so glad I did! Quick turnaround for alternations and friendly service. Highly recommend! read more

I tore my beautiful NEW All Saints leather jacket and these ladies SAVED it!! Do not bring your high-end leather elsewhere - these folks are legit! read more

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This review is FAR overdue. I cannot say enough good things about Miss Niki and her amazing work. As with every bride, finding someone to do my dress alterations was a huge source of anxiety. Two friends of mine went to Miss Niki so I decided to check her out. Best. Decision. Ever. She listened to my concerns and made recommendations for adjustments to be made as well as what kind of bustle would complement the dress itself. I also appreciated that she charged based on the alterations being done and not the number of visits we needed. I was able to come in multiple times to fine tune everything with my final visit being just days before the wedding so that we knew it would fit perfectly in the big day. Going to anyone else for alterations on your wedding dress would be a huge mistake. I'll be recommending her to everyone I know. read more

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Still, the best! Countless treasured pieces have been perfected by the magnificent team here (Nikki, Laura, and Abraham). Some of my pieces, with very unique structure/tailoring, have given the team plenty to creatively work on, yet the jobs are always completed beyond expectations (and my expectations are high). I trust this team so much that I have left behind pieces to be worked on with the only instruction of, 'do as you deem best.' And, they do. Granted, I come in regularly, so they have a solid understanding of my style/preferences. They are timely, professional, and have a keen eye for detail. You will pay a bit more for their services, but you will not be the slightest bit disappointed. I have had long dresses, short dresses, gowns, skirts, countless pants, jeans, blazers, and tops all worked on here, and each piece was crafted artfully. Unfortunately, I've become a biweekly regular; fortunately, this is the team to want on your tailoring side. *I've sent a few girlfriends this way for services, and they, too, are loyalists... some even driving up from Hyde Park. Many thanks to Nikki, Laura, and Abraham! read more

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Niki, Lashaka, and Angie are the BEST! They tailored my wedding dress and I had the BEST experience! Their customer service, kindness, and flexibility made it such an easy and fun expereince. I was a bride who didn't know exactly what I wanted and they walked me through the entire process and helped me figure it out! So patient and knowledgeable! The alterations on my dress is perfect!! They are expert tailors and wonderful people!! 100% would recommend to all brides and will definitely be going back for all my future alterations! Thank you Team!!! Best bridal experience!! read more

3 things to consider before visiting: 1. Prices are way above market. 2. They require you to pay in full before any services are performed. 3. Cash only. I obviously did not trust leaving my clothing with these people (as they have literally no incentive, given they require you pay in full, or proof, since it's cash only). Therefore, I can't comment on the services, but you can do the math. read more

My go-to place anytime I need something tailored. The work is always impeccable and it's so nice to have my clothes fit perfectly. And many blessings to the tailor who graciously said the skirt I had tailored recently was "cut big in the back" instead of pointing out that I have no butt I am grateful. read more

Niki and team are the absolute BEST. Absolutely went above and beyond through the alterations process - my dress fit like a glove! Niki has the technical expertise and understands fit so well. Loved getting to know the team & going to miss going in for fittings! read more

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Had to get my tux hemmed in like 6 hours. Called all around and Alva was the only place that went out of their way to help me out! Awesome fast work and quality. Also really friendly! read more

Overpriced and sloppy work. I've had to come 4x to "pick up" my bridesmaid dress. Every time something they said they would do was not complete. They seem confused and don't remember past conversations, even though most of it was printed on my receipt. This last time I came in they just needed to fix the straps and instead they took the dress in. I can barely get it on and it won't zip, not even close. It's a complete disaster, 1 week before the wedding. They are trying to fix it as I type this but I'm losing hope and have no confidence in them. The worst part is, they aren't even apologizing. For the price I paid in alterations I could have bought a new dress! I would never come here if I were you!! read more

They were able to take in the waist of my lamb skin leather pants in 48 hours for $55 a couple days before NYE. They fit perfectly and they kept me in the loop the whole time to make sure they were ready before I left town. I returned recently to have a dress arm hole dropped and another dress let out. They were honest in telling me the work they could and could not do based on the fabric. I will keep coming here, they know their stuff. *They only accept cash for smaller amounts so make sure you hit up an ATM* read more

I've gotten two dresses altered here and am always thrilled with the result. Very professional team and always very helpful with how to approach an issue with the clothing item. read more

Ordered a bridesmaid's dress that was probably at least 4 sizes too big. I was swimming in it and needed to have major alternations done. After some researching on yelp, I stumbled upon Alva Graciano. I came in about 4 weeks prior to the wedding and had a fitting in less than 20 minutes. I had to pay 50% upfront for the alterations, the total being a little steep ~$200. I know that my dress needed a ton of work, but I don't know if I'll return due to the price. The dress was available for pick up in a timely manner and came in for a fitting where I still needed some minor adjustments which they performed on the spot. The dress was still a bit big, but overall the seamstress did the best she could. Also their credit card machine was broken when I went to pick it up, so I had to go get cash to pay the remaining balance. read more

Alva Graciano Tailors - Sewing & Alterations Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Dennis & I (Christine) got married the Month of October 2016. Being on a strict budget I purchased an amazing dress on Poshmark for $90! I was able to get it tailored with the length and bust at Alva's Tailors. She was not only helpful with recommendations but very prompt & attentive to detail! My dress had tough hand sewing detail work which required extra time & dedication. Alva worked very hard on my dress with the team help. Everyone was very kind and courteous. Thank you for making me feel beautiful on my wedding day! read more

Alva Graciano Tailors - Dennis & Christine Wedding October 2016 - Sewing & Alterations Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I got my wedding dress altered here and I can't say enough good things about my experience. I was decently last minute to do this and they accommodated right away and were able to squeeze me in. The seamstress made me feel comfortable throughout the whole process and provided her expertise as needed to do what worked for my dress. I will absolutely be going back for all of my alteration needs! read more

Wow, I took my completely oversized military uniform to Alva Graciano Tailor's based on Yelp reviews. They managed to make it look professional without making me look manly; a difficult feat. I uploaded a before and after picture in the photo section if. Military uniform specifications are very specific; the seamstress I worked with went out of her way to make sure she had every detail down and the result s were perfect. They even had my order done a full week before I needed it just in case something had to be altered. The location is a basement storefront, but easy to find. Inside it was cheerful, clean, and the dressing room was warm. I also really liked the floor to ceiling mirrors. Beyond the physical setting, the customer service was top notch. To top things off, the sweet woman who rang me up was able to answer a sizing question regarding a bridesmaid dress I had just ordered. Thanks to her advice I was able to avoid ordering another garment that wouldn't fit me; although if the dress isn't just right I know where I'll be going for alterations. read more

Alva Graciano Tailors - They worked some magic, as evident from my "before" face - Sewing & Alterations Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place is fabulous!! If you're like me, you wait til the last minute before a big event to realize you need a dress tailored. I've normally tailored dresses in NJ where I grew up, and go to the tailor my family's been seeing for years. So when I realized I'd finally have to find my own in Chicago... I was nervous. I found Alva through a Yelp Ad and thoroughly red the reviews, but I was ss till hesistant as I brought in a $400 dress that needed major altering. They did an incredible job. The whole process - making an appointment and them starting on time, 2 female tailors who know their shit calming me down, the quick turnaround, and the fair price brought me back a month later. I've now had two PERFECTLY tailored designer dresses from Alva. I will be back!!! read more

If you need any item tailored - from a pocket repair to taking in leather pants, Alva Graciano is the place to go. Nothing but great things to say about the quality and durability of the work, will absolutely return for all my tailoring needs! read more

I'm sure these are nice people who work here, but I had a terrible experience the only time I chose to do business with them. I needed a new suit adjusted in the pant legs and jacket sleeves. It was a rush job, as I needed it in just over 24 hours from the time I first arrived, but they not only assured me that they would have it done in time, they even took my payment in advance (per their policy on rush jobs), which gave me more confidence that they had this contingency in effect. The next day (the day I needed the suit back) I called them mid afternoon about 4 hours before they closed, at which point they re-confirmed that the suit would be done, so I was pretty pleased that they were going to be able to pull through in time. Then, less than an hour before they were closing, as I'm getting ready to head out to pick up the suit, I get a call from them, telling me that they weren't going to be able to finish my suit in time because "the person who normally does jackets isn't in again until tomorrow," (WTF?) and wanted my permission to finish it tomorrow despite the fact that a) I was getting on a plane at 8AM the next day, b) the ticket said I needed it by today, and c) they told me TWICE that it would be done in time, including earlier that day. Extremely frustrated, I told them not to touch the jacket and headed over there to get my suit and a partial refund for an incomplete job. But then when I got there, the person who greeted me said the jacket WAS completed and that "they were able to get it done" (WTF? x2), which told me that they either lied about no one having touched the jacket during the phone call, since it was only 40 minutes from the phone call about it not being touched, or they didn't confer with each other about how long it would take to finish the job. I tried it on, it fit (though the pant leg was higher than she originally measured it, but it was too late to do anything about it), but I didn't even get so much as a "sorry" for that awkward, incompetent phone call I got when I was literally on my way to go pick up. Also, let's not forget that they REQUIRED ME to pay in advance when I first dropped it off, so they clearly have contingencies in place for rush requests. Either way, never going back. read more

I've had multiple dresses altered at Alva Graciano Tailors by Niki and Laura, and I've always been very happy with their work. While they do all type of clothes, I think the most spectacular work they do is on wedding dresses - Niki is extremely careful with her work, and goes above and beyond. I had a beaded dress that I had purchased at a sample sale, which meant it was several sizes too large for me. It was clear that there was a large amount of alterations that needed to be done. The two-layered dress was taken in (which meant sections of beading needed to be carefully undone), the torso restructured, the arm-holes reshaped, the train hemmed & bustled, and Niki even beaded the belt. I came in for several fittings over the ~5 months before my wedding, and at the very end Niki made a cape out of some chiffon I brought in as an alternative to a veil. I highly recommend coming here! They are so professional and really do care about their craft. read more

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Great spot for altering coats. Disappointed with how the alterations came out for my bridesmaid dress however (especially for the amount of money spent on the alteration). read more

Highly recommend. My wedding dress boutique botched the in-house tailoring job after multiple appointments. When I went to pick up my dress the week before the wedding, it didn't fit. I called Alva Graciano to see if they could squeeze me in and they went above and beyond to help me be ready for my wedding date. They turned the dress around, identified an uneven hem that I hadn't even noticed, and fixed everything beautifully and on time! Although it was a quick job, quality was not compromised. read more

I don't normally feel compelled to leave reviews, but just wanted to leave a review and tell everyone how lovely this shop is! I have a wedding in about a month, and needed to get my sequined bridesmaid dress hemmed. I was worried it'd be expensive and difficult to find someone with one month's notice, but AG accepted me with open arms during the busy holiday season! Got me in for a fitting immediately, gave me a time and price estimate, and everything was ready to go much earlier than expected. all staff is super friendly, and the price was way cheaper than expected. Will definitely return! read more

I was not impressed with the service. It was neither friendly nor very good quality. From reviews and the cost, I was expecting something completely different. I felt like I was bothering them and my request for letters to be sewn on my son's letterman jacket was an inconvenience and a waste of their time. read more

Great service, super knowledgeable, helped me figure out how best to alter my wedding dress and was able to get it done on a tight timeline. So very appreciative of their work! read more

This morning I was frantically looking for a tailor to do a same day alteration to the top of a dress I REALLY wanted to wear for my birthday (my original plans for the dress didn'tpan out). Well I was so lucky to have found Alva Graziano Tailors!!! They did a fenominal job on my dress,, it came out exactly how I wanted it, on such short notice (3 hours) to be exact, and a really great price!!! FYI it was a simple alteration. I am so pleased with the outcome!!! this will be my go to spot for now on read more

Alva Graciano Tailors - Before - Sewing & Alterations Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I came here on the recommendation of a friend to get a bridesmaid's dress hemmed. I didn't do too much price comparison with other tailors so can't really comment on the price, but they had a Groupon that definitely brought the price down to much cheaper than other prices I was quoted. I was able to get a same day appointment to drop the dress off. They noticed the zipper was a little sticky and offered to let it out a little bit. They also gave me great advice on the hem and seemed to really know what they were doing. I picked the dress up two weeks later - not bad for July, peak wedding season. The alterations were exactly as described and you can barely tell any changes were made. Overall impression: friendly and knowledgeable staff, quality work with a reasonably quick turn around, reasonable prices! read more

I came to Niki with a wedding dress that I loved but needed serious neckline alterations (to remove a deep plunge) and a corset addition on top of more standard alterations (hem, taking it in, creating bustle etc.). Over a series of appointments she helped me figure out what I was looking for and made me feel completely confident in my dress on my wedding day. I got a lot of compliments and am very happy with how it turned out. And all of this was for a completely reasonably price. Additionally, right now she is making masks and was able to make me a white bridal mask covered in lace. It was the perfect pandemic addition to my bridal attire. I would highly recommend Alva Graciano for any wedding dress alterations. read more

My bridesmaids dress came out perfect. Exactly what I wanted and done ahead of schedule. Thank you!

Going to keep this short - they did a seamless job (Ha get it) on my bridesmaid dress. I kind of dropped the ball and waited until last minute, they got the job done. I also was a MESS the day I dropped off my dress (I had lost my wallet the night prior) and they were super accommodating. I'd come back!!! read more

Brought my mom's old wedding dress here to be majorly modified to wear to my rehearsal dinner. Alva graciano's seamstress did an amazing job and helped me transform this dress from an outdated ill fitting gown into a beautiful modern dress! read more

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I had a bridesmaid dress tailored here, and I had such a great experience that I have brought in 2 additional items, one of which was a wool blazer I wanted to add custom leather patches on the sleeves. The work is flawless, and though the pricing is a bit higher than other tailors, the quality of work was 100% worth the cost. I plan to bring a few designer pieces in now that I know the level of work that's done. read more