Work done on my dress was great, did everything that I asked for perfectly. Not too big on customer service, but does quality work.

Wasn't expecting much and was desperate to get my suit pants hemmed quickly. I checked many other places but the prices were really high. They exceeded my expectations and also got my pants done in two days! Would definitely return. read more

TAKE YOUR WEDDING DRESS SOMEWHERE ELSE! Went in and was surprised how he seemed annoyed and bothered that I was there even though I had called and made an appointment. He took one look at my dress and didn't even ask for me to put it on. He just said he couldn't hem it without cutting off the bottom of the dress which was very decoratively embroidered with lace and beads. I told him that sounded like a terrible idea, the bottom of the dress is one of the things that make it so beautiful and unique...and he proceeded to tell me he that he couldn't do it. That I should take it to "someone who does dresses". The low review is NOT because he wasn't capable of hemming the dress but because of his unfriendly manner and how I feel like he could have very easily told me over the phone that my lace dress might not be something he could do. Instead I drove through Santa Cruz traffic to be told this so coldly in person. He didn't seem to care at all. I'd highly recommend finding someone else if you're looking for friendly service and someone that cares about how the garment is going to look after. read more

Took my jeans in for a repair of a broken zipper. After over 2 weeks and $30... for a zipper replacement, it broke again two wears later. Maybe I need a bigger size lol but not worth the price, the wait time, or the lackluster service. Wont be back read more

great place for cleaning and alterations . I've been going there for 15 years plus. Quality services and professional kindness

I have gone to Sew Sew Maria multiple times over the years having patches put on bags, jeans that I ripped repaired and a favorite old leather jacket getting all the zippers replaced. All came back exactly or better than expected and at a reasonable price. The guy behind the counter seems to know his business as I have asked him questions about several things and he always has an idea about how to fix or repair the item.... read more

Acted like I was disturbing him. New customer going elsewhere. Maybe you would catch him in a better mood.

HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE: We're leaving for our daughter's wedding out-of-state tomorrow. My husband dropped off his suit pants for a minor alteration 8 days ago, and was told he could pick them up yesterday. He went in today and was told, "I didn't get to them. I was busy." Not a word of apology. No phone call to give us time to find someone else to help. We fly in less than 24 hours, and he'll be wearing too-tight pants to our daughter's wedding. Avoid this care-less business. read more

I dropped off 2 items for a hem. They could not give me a price at the time, but said they would call. I received a call later in day that the total was $54 and did I agree. I said that is was high for only 2 hems, one skirt and the other a dress, both black. The skirt was an existing hem that has partially come undone. The dress required 6 inches be taken off. The day I picked up, I took the dress immediately to Vapor cleaners to be dry cleaned (didn't look at hem). I went to put on dress today for work and hem was never completed! It's still at my ankles. I'm livid! I have tried to call but the number is not valid. There is no excuse......my items were there for 2 weeks, it's not like this was a rush job gone wrong. read more

there were two pins left in my shirt, first one poked me. shirt was crumpled looking/ needs a good steam. going back to my regular spot on the westside. better service, better price. read more

Great for alterations, or fixing/re-sewing the shoddy quality clothing of today. I bought a Volcom jacket (looks very nice) for $50 half off, and within 6 months had developed holes in the armpits. Took it to sew sew maria about 2 years ago, since the resewed the jacket there has been no more damage (even while throwing small children around or getting climbed on) ! Now I bought a replacement jacket and I plan on getting the same work done on this jacket. Turned a $50 jacket with a 6 month lifespan into a $75 jacket with a 2+ year lifespan. Definitely a great investment! read more

Service was quick (ahead of time), a good and fair price, and was well done. Only removed a star because service with a smile doesn't appear to be present here, but if you don't mind that then this is the place to go! I'd still recommend. read more

Always do a great job for really cheap, I've had 3 pairs of pants that ripped fixed my them, never more than $10. Although once I showed up on the date they said they'd be done & they weren't ready yet, but overall still a great place read more

I gave them a week and a half to do one pair of jeans when I showed up they still didn't have I it ready. Very unprofessional and the man that runs it couldn't care less. I'm not coming back read more

WHAT A WASTE OF MONEY! Sadly I had just checked the reviews for vapor cleaners (which is attached) and didn't see how bad the reviews were for Sew Sew Maria. I brought a coat in to get the sleeves shortened- a simple task which I could have easily done, but I was lazy and decided to pay. And pay I did. A whopping $35 to get the sleeves done. My regular tailor only charges $24, but she's now an hour away. So I bit the bullet and went ahead. The guy helping me out was distracted and answered a few phone calls while writing my slip. I let it slide since I wasn't in a rush. I came back almost a week later (he originally tried to make to a week and a half, but I needed my jacket earlier) to pick it up. Since I normally do all my alterations myself and have a trained eye, I inspected the work before paying. To my surprise the lining on one of the sleeves wasn't even sewn back up! WTF?! How could they miss that? I pointed out gaping seam and they sewed it back up. And it was only after i got home that I fully realized that poor quality. My coat has a button that is sewn down, which should be sewn to just the outer layer. But it was sewn through the lining so the stitches are visible! I also asked for a receipt, but all I was presented with was a slip of paper handwritten with a summary of my bill. I could have written it myself. So now I get to go back and redo half the alterations. I should have only paid him half since the work was such poor quality. I will NEVER come back here. It's one star because Yelp won't let me give zero. read more

**The Sew Sew Maria I went to is on Water Street in Santa Cruz, not Capitola. Boy, am I glad I did not read these reviews or I would never have gone! I was in a pinch and needed a size 12 gown altered down to a size 6 in a few days for a big event. Not only did they get the job done perfectly, it was pretty cheap considering the time and attention needed, and was finished in less than 2 Days! Quite pleased! read more

This is for the Sew Sew Maria on Water Street inside Vapor in Santa Cruz. The other reviews scared me, but I hadn't seen them until after I had dropped off a formal evening gown which needed a complicated ruched side taken in on a rush (24-hour) job. I was SO CONCERNED and almost went back to get it. But I crossed my fingers and left it there overnight. The dress looks AMAZING. He did a perfect job and did it faster than he had estimated by several hours. I am SUPER HAPPY and beyond relieved. read more

While the patchwork I've had done here has been very good-quality, I can't in good conscience give this business more stars. The attitude I've gotten whenever I've been in there always leaves me scratching my head and wondering just who's doing whom a favor by patronizing the shop. I also spend a lot of time waiting for someone to help me. Other issues: One article went M.I.A. for a week before they found it again, and other items were not ready by the promise date OR the secondary date I was given. Prices seem a bit higher than average for patchwork. However, all that being said, I must end this review by re-stating that I have no issues with the quality. Great work. Just poor service. Sew Sew is just so-so. read more

DO NOT GO!!! This place is terrible. They ruined my motorcycle jacket and I got a bad attitude. I brought my leather motorcycle jacket in because it needed a new zipper and the sleeves shortened. The sleeves on a motorcycle jacked taper down and the leather is thinner at the bottom for a tight fit around the wrist for riding. They have to be taken in at the shoulder or else re-tapered to fit at the wrist. I told them this and they assured me they would take care of it. After I paid and brought it home, I realized that they just cut the sleeves to length and hemmed them. $90 later, I have a ruined jacket and need to buy a new one. Also, the guy was rude every time I talked to him. It took them 2 weeks to do the job, at which time they told me to pick it up on Sat. afternoon. I asked what time (afternoon spans many hours) because I had an appointment to keep. Had to ask 4 times before he finally told me 3-4 pm. read more

Poor quality. The man who supposedly is watching as he pins up your pant legs ... well, isn't. The first time I tried them my pants were too short. This time my pants have one leg 3/4" shorter than the other!!! I am returning them to have the one leg let down to match. Hopefully they won't give me grief! Time to find one of the many other places do to my alterations! read more

They helped me out in a pinch and hemmed some slacks super last minute! Really glad I found this place because nowhere else would have been able to accommodate such a tight deadline. I needed it done within a couple hours and they did it right away, and they turned out perfect. Thanks!! read more

I was looking for a place to fix my motocross pants and silk shirt. I constantly drive by this establishment and figured I'd give it a try. I walked up to the gentleman behind the counter and he inspected my items and had a solution for both of them quickly. They got to both of my items in about a week and they did amazing work on both of them. All I received was great service at a great price. I will be talking about them for the next few months to my friends that tear their pants dirt biking. Highly recommended!!!! read more

Sew sew Maria is the best alterations store in Santa Cruz! The staff is extremely kind and very professional. I had brought them a pair of pants where the zipper wouldn't stay up so they custom sewn a latch clip at the top and it solved the issue! About a week ago I dropped off tank tops to be custom altered into crop tops and they all came out perfectly! Their timing is great and I think they're the best priced! Will definitely recommend to all my friends and continue business with them in the future! read more

I ripped 2 shirts in stupid ways, and they were able to fix em up right quick. Nice Job guys.

Terrible quality work, high price, unfriendly customer service. Avoid. Brought in a jacket to have sleeves shortened... the quality of the stitching was subpar at best. Uneven, coming up in places, not professional. Price was unreasonably high considering. read more

They helped me with hemming a couple pair of pants. Price was reasonable and work was good. The gentleman that helped me was not the most gregarious but professional. I'd definitely go back again, rather than paying high prices at dry cleaners. read more

Excellent service. Very professional. He helped me by altering a bridesmaid dress. I was thoroughly impressed with overall service and work. Everything was completed in the time frame I needed. Will definitely go back for any other alteration needs. Great job, happy customer!!!!!!! read more

From jeans to shirts to jackets, Mike has helped me tailor and repair clothing with great success! As long as you can communicate clearly how you want your clothes to fit, Mike will help tremendously to make you look your best! Highly recommend! read more

I could have done it myself, it was that easy, but being the week before my wedding I decided to pay someone to sew the wrap I wanted to wear over my shoulders after the ceremony. So, after receiving the silk material (silk velvet and silk dupioni) I had ordered, I contacted Sew Sew Maria and a guy answered - I think his name was Mike. I told him what I wanted and asked him how much it would cost, he said $40, a bit steap since I was supplying the material I thought but oh well, I need to get it done. So I went over to their shop and showed him the material and what I wanted. Though it was a simple process (cut two squares of material in two and sew them together ) it seemed to take a while for him to grasp it since he was very distracted the entire time helping others and answering the phone. Once he did, I was told to come back that Saturday (4 days from then and the day before my wedding) and pick it up. I had my then fiance pick it up and once he got it home, I soon realised that I didn't get any of my leftover material back from them. And what was worst, they had charged me $60 for the work. And the work? Just so-so (I think that's where they get their name!) When I called to ask about this and the material, Mike said that when he had given me the amount over the phone he didn't realise how difficult it was going to be ( again, it was not, I am not a seamstress, but have made a few items and know that I could have made this thing in 15 minutes if I had had a sewing machine). And what about the material? He said he would have it for me if I wanted to pick it up. But when I got there, he only had 1/4 of the leftover material and was clueless as to what happened to the rest - his answer...a very nonchalant "sorry". No offer to reimburse (the material was over $20/yard so 1/4 of it was not a little thing) or even let me go look for it in their scrap bin. I had intended to make pillow covers out of the remaining fabric and instead, I'm pretty sure someone associated with Sew Sew Maria has something made from it. I will never trust this place with my business again and will never recommend them. Definately a buyer beware! read more

Horrible customer service! I just got a dress last minute for my brothers wedding. I need it altered within a week so it is a pain. Nothing too big or crazy, just a hem. I asked in advance if that was okay. There was someone in the dressing room so I waited 5 minutes or so. Once the room is free I changed into my dress and waited to be seen by the tailor. Another gentlemen walked in wanting an alteration. The man working there looks at my dress, adjusts it a bit, and then asks if he can help the other guy first because he will only take 5 minutes. I say sure because 5 minutes isn't a big deal. 35 minutes later after the other guy gets his jacket and pants hemmed and he rings them up and another customer- mind you I heard no sorry thank you for waiting's at all the entire time I was awkwardly standing in my bright aqua dress - the guy quotes my dress hem at $250 dollars. what? The dress was only 180. By the time I had waited 45 minutes to get that obscene quote all the other tailors had closed. I will definitely never be coming back here. Now I will have to waste another day tomorrow searching for a fair and decent tailor. Message if you have recommendations. read more

I took two pairs of brand new, expensive pants in to get hemmed. The first time they hemmed them, they were too long. The second time around, they were too short. I found dealing with them to be a waste of my time and money. read more

I also went to the Sew Sew Maria on Water St. I have not been to this one in Capitola. On Water Street, I had a wonderful experience. I brought in three vintage coats. They assessed them on the spot, gave me reasonable rates to get new pockets in all of them and new sleeves put in one that had gotten quite ragged. They also tidied a few tears here and there. Coordinating the dry cleaning wasn't even an issue, Sew Sew Maria on Water is attached to a great cleaner and do all the orchestration. I was also shocked at how cheap it was to get three freshly mended coats cleaned for the first time. Much like another reviewer, I'm glad I didn't listen to those negative reviews and would recommend them to anyone. read more

Mike has never let me down. I have taken some pretty odd items in there for him to alter, modify, patch, etc. Leather, ballistics, nylon, canvas, silk and denim, doesn't matter. He has always done outstanding work and returned my product to me exactly how I wanted it or better. His prices have always been fair and nothing has ever taken longer than a week. Sure, he might seem a little eccentric, and he always furrows his brow and appears to be flummoxed by the projects I bring in--sort of like Columbo-- but he always takes on the challenge, and he always delivers with success. I have recommended him to many of my friends with similar, difficult items, and they too have reported that they were very pleased with his work. read more

I've been here twice, once to have a pair of jeans patched up and another time to get two pairs of pants hemmed. The work was fine, though over-priced, but the real downer was that the work was late both times. The man at the window (Mike?) tells you when your stuff will be ready by and then asks that you call ahead before coming to pick it up. Both times I called the day AFTER my pants were supposed to be finished (well over a week after I brought them in) and both times I was told that they weren't ready yet. It's as if deliberately wait for you to call in order to start doing whatever work you came to them for. Why should I need to remind them to do something that they already set aside way too much time to do? Also, my pants came back to me smelling of whatever cologne/after shave the guy at the window uses. Blech. read more

I have had Mike and his gals do alterations on my leather motor bike gear and am very impressed with their ingenuity and friendly service

This is for Sew Sew Maria on Water St inside Vapor. I just picked up a tank top I had shortened and taken in several inches. It looks great! I was worried--I've had bad experiences at other alternation shops. This guy also charges significantly less than other shops here in Santa Cruz. All the other shops I called told me this particular job would cost $40-- this dude charged me $25. read more

This is the best, most consistent alteration spot in Santa Cruz. They've never disappointed me and always do quality work, whether it be taking in the bodice of a dress, hemming pants or shortening sleeves. Mike is professional, helpful and kind. He doesn't smile all the time, it's true, but don't mistake that for arrogance-- My guess is that he's just introverted. So what? The bottom line is that the alterations are always well-done, well-priced and on-time. read more

I had a favorite leather jacket, whose zipper had become damaged. When I had inquired elsewhere in the Bay Area, I was told that many leather goods are sent, en masse, to the LA area for alterations -- and that the process would require two weeks at the very least. Sew Sew Maria, in Santa Cruz, took about a week and the work was perfect and reasonably priced. I would highly recommend them . . . read more

Nicest family owned business. I've been supporting them since they did my wedding dress over a decade ago. Fair prices, kind people, quality service. I like supporting family run businesses like Sew Sew Maria. read more

Excellent service in a very short timeframe! Mike was very kind and helped me have alterations completed on a bridesmaid gown within one days notice. He does beautiful work and I will recommend there business to anyone who needs them. read more