Judy altered my wedding dress in record time! Her rates are incredibly reasonable and I was really happy with how my dress came out. Judy has been doing this for a long time and is very no nonsense, but she does great work. I initially reached out to schedule with her by text and she was able to see me quickly. She keeps a tight schedule, so don't just show up at the shop! read more

Judy was so pleasant. She hemmed a pair of white lined trouser pants & widened the waist band and hemmed a pair of jeans Both items were to perfection! I really enjoyed her caring manner & sesnse of humor. I highly recommend her! read more

Great care and technique went into my dress alteration. I truly appreciated Judy and would highly recommend her business. I know I'm going back! :) read more

Judy did alteration work for me, gave me a bargain basement price for her work. That was the only positive aspect to giving her business. At every visit she was abrasive and took every opportunity to unload personal drama on me. She canceled and/or rescheduled 4+ times last minute. I dreaded seeing her, felt emotionally drained after each encounter. When I FINALLY picked up my piece, I found a flaw immediately (sloppy seam, see photo), and she didn't line the sleeves like she said she would. Poorly done, unfinished work. She told me "There it is, you're all paid up." Because she had been so unprofessional and awful to deal with at every turn, I just took my item and went out the door. She yelled after me "Hey, you get back in here!" Me: "Excuse me?" Her: "You're not even going to say thank you?!" I'm summary: don't bother. She might have experience but she is toxic. I am sure there are more deserving and pleasant folks to work with. Steer clear of Judy at Shirley's Tape and Shears. read more

Shirley's Tape And Shears - Sloppy seam, did not line the sleeves to make it reversible like she had agreed to do and said she had bought fabric for. - Sewing & Alterations Near Me - Vancouver, Washington

Done right and on time. Wonderful experience. She is a fountain of knowledge and experience.

Zero stars. Seemed very responsive via email and text. But seriously bad vibes. Abrasive, rude, and demeaning. When I walked in, she was berating her current client. My turn came quickly after... I'm all about supporting small businesses, but I wouldn't let this woman near me. After our few minutes of speaking, I realized rather quickly this wasn't going to work out. Maybe you'll catch her on a good day. But today was definitely not the day read more

Extremely unprofessional. We dropped of a vest with her and not only is it weeks and weeks late. Upon picking up the product the quality was awful. Buttons had fabric sewn over it so we had to cut our own holes to make the vest functional. Stitches are crooked. We really wanted to support local business but will not be recommending or returning. read more

What a great find for sewing and alteration in Downtown Vancouver. Judy does a awesome job and is relatively inexpensive. She can work with all materials including leather. Stop by and give her a try. read more

After a not so great experience at another alteration shop, I came to Shirley's. I am so glad I did! I paid $20 to have a two layer dress shortened and hemmed. Very reasonable to work with and had my dress done within a week! I'll be coming back for my future wedding alterations! read more

Amazing!!! Sweetest lady and she offers some of the best work in Vancouver/Portland area !

Went in with Judy to have a last minute bridesmaids dress hemmed right before the New Year. She was absolutely amazing, gave me great ideas on what I can do with the dress after the wedding so I can wear it more than once, lots of wise words from her, did a great job fixing my dress in a timely manner and gave me detailed instructions on how to care for the dress properly. I will definitely go back to her with more work in the future. read more

I have never in my life been more disrespected by a business than i was by Judy at Shirley's Tape and Shears. My wedding is approaching on October 1, 2022. I have purchased suits for each of my groomsmen and needed to get them tailored. I googled local tailors in my area and Shirley's Tape and Shears was close and had great reviews. I reached out and was responded to right away. Everything seemed fine. Judy requested that i come in Saturday afternoon. Not a problem. I got my groomsmen together and had everything ready. I reached out just before noon on Saturday and was told that I've been replaced for my time slot. again not a problem. So we ended up waiting around until 4, like she wanted. Even arrived 20 mins early to make sure we weren't late. Made the decision not to go in until 4 because it was by appointment only. Wanted to give the other customers the respect of their time slot. We all walked directly across the street and sat the benches outside of a bar and had a beer. I messaged Judy letting her know we are across the street and to let us know when she is available. The only replies i got back was "I saw you come to the door" so i said "yep, just waiting for the 4pm slot to be ready" Last message i got back was "Nope. I'm Done'. This interaction makes me sick to my stomach. read more

I had a unit and rank patches sewn on to my service uniform, placement is spot on and turn around was just a couple of days. Great pricing too. read more

Top-notch alterations and ultra-friendly staff, but it all comes at a price. If you have a nice suit or dress you want altered, don't ask questions, this is the tailor you need. If you have a simple hem that needs to be adjusted, you may want to choose a cheaper shop. read more

Shirley's Tape And Shears - Sewing & Alterations Near Me - Vancouver, Washington

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I purchased a genuine leather jacket from Wilson's Leather 3 months ago and recently found a large tear where the cloth was separating from the leather. At 3pm on Friday (Valentine's Day), I walked into Shirley's Tape and Shears and was immediately greeted by the owner, Judy. At first she quoted a very fair price for the repair. She stated that she would call me the following Monday. Early Monday morning I received a call from Judy, as promised. When I returned to pick up my jacket, I was very impressed with the final price as it was less than the initial quote. Judy even offered to make a customized piece for my car seats to avoid future fabric tears. She is highly skilled and can do just about anything! I am very pleased with the quality of the finished product and professionalism. I would absolutely recommend Shirley's Tape and Shears to everyone and will return with my future hem/tailor/repair needs. read more

I am a short curvy gal, which means I've been to my fair share of tailors/seamstresses in my day. Judy offered one of the best experiences I've ever encountered. I called later in the evening and left a message. It was so late I didn't expect anyone to answer or to call back until sometime the next day. Judy called me back right away because she was at her mom's house and got the message and called me right back. She went above and beyond my best expectations of being flexible and working around my work schedule. We set up a time for me to come before hours so I could stop in before I left for work for her to measure my new trousers that needed hemmed. Judy was very friendly and engaged in conversation and seemed to truly enjoy getting to know me, and probably everyone that she sees. She had my pants ready to pick up in less than a week and charged a fair price close to the higher end that I've paid in the past, but I didn't mind because she did a great job and she was so flexible it was worth every penny! The shop itself is a very small space that was a little cluttered, but my pants didn't come back smelling like smoke or cats so a little clutter didn't bother me at all! I won't even consider another place in the area as long as I'm here. And I refer everyone I see to her because i ha such a great experience. read more

SHE IS PHENOMENAL! She is very passionate about what she does and caring about others. She puts her heart and soul into her business. Her work is the best! read more

Judy is a GEM! She has provided me years of alteration perfection and friendship. I highly recommend her.

Judy is a one of a kind gem. Not only does she care about the quality of work she provides, but she really does want to get to know her clients. I had a last minute dress emergency for a wedding and she responded via text right away. We had several small/short appointments to ensure that we were on the same page and I'm happy with the result. She was more than fair with pricing, putting in work that could have been nearly double what she charged. She has a penchant for thinking forward in terms of your body and what she can do for you in the long run. I'm going to another wedding in August and am going to work with her on a custom dress. Totally looking forward to it! read more

I had called and made an appointment with the store owner for 10am to have a dress altered. I showed up and around 1015 called and then texted her with the number she had provided and the number that is also listed on her store front. She told me "sorry I can't make it in until after 12, could we reschedule for 530 this evening?" So inappropriate that she wouldn't let me know in advance that she couldn't make it, and then so casually respond without regard to the fact that I had made this appointment and set aside this time to meet with her. I would never leave any item of clothing with someone who is such a flake! read more

Shirley's Tape And Shears - Sewing & Alterations Near Me - Vancouver, Washington

I keep forgetting to write this review, but in my mind it's necessary to write one as Judy is one of a kind an amazing. I've never met anyone like Judy in business before. She has such an affinity for what she does and she deeply cares about her customers. She always delivers and has such a creative mind. I 100% recommend Judy. read more

Judy did great work and was very efficient too. She did 8 shirts for me and I will be back for many more. I would recommend her services to anyone in need. read more

I've asked Judy to hem a couple of dresses for me, and they look great! Quick and easy! Just reach out to her and make an appointment. She'll fit you in and get your alterations done as fast as she can. Very friendly also :) read more

This place made me feel right at home! Not only is she a talented seamstress but she also takes the time to get to know and understand you on a personal level to make sure she is giving you exactly what you want out of an outfit. Would recommend over and over again!!! read more

This place is amazing! Judy is very efficient, is an expert tailor, and communication on what I wanted done to the dress I had and when appointments were was spot on. I had a difficult dress that had to be taken up and she knew exactly what to do, not only that she gave some of her own ideas for the piece (like pinning the underskirt so it was more full) which was super helpful! The prices are very reasonable as well. read more

While the prices quoted to me here were very reasonable, I found the shop owners personality to be abrasive and not very professional. I had an appointment scheduled and she had double booked me, so I had to wait 45 minutes for the other individual to be done. She made several comments during the appointment that seemed kind of harsh/personal (e.g., asking me "how is your weight", but worded exactly like that, which could be pretty uncomfortable for a person who is struggling with body image). She also asked me at one point "who else I'd go to" if I didn't have her work with me, which again, just came across as unprofessional. From other reviews I don't doubt she does good work, however, how a customer feels when they are in your business is what matters first and foremost. Having a wedding dress tailored is a personal and intimate thing, and I didn't feel comfortable enough with this individual to pursue their services. read more

Very lucky I was able to work with Judy, she is an absolute expert in this industry. I had a difficult job and she was not afraid to try. Extremely reasonable pricing, timely, friendly, and even gave me some fishing recommendations. She has/currently works with some big name outdoor athletes on perfecting current and old outdoor clothing designs. Have a jacket you wish had a pocket or feature that didn't come from the factory? No problem, take it to Judy. Will be going to her from now on! read more

I purchased some 7 jeans and needed them hemmed before a trip. I found Shirley's T&S through Yelp. She was actually the 4th place I called but the first one to answer. Judy the owner got me in the same day and had my jeans ready before she'd quoted (2 day's later at 10am instead of late that afternoon). And the total cost was less then $13. I will definitely go back next time I need alterations! read more

I purchased a formal dress from a UK website back in November 2014. I took the dress in to Shirley's Tape and Shears and asked her if she was able to take in the sides and it finished in 3 days. She assured me it would not be a problem. The straps on the dress were slightly too tight and Judy suggested that we replace them. She looked around her shop and was not able to find tubing that matched the straps on the dress. She then asked me to go to the craft store to find the exact straps and bring it back to her shop. I agreed, drove to Michael's Craft to find what she had requested and dropped it off at her shop. She had me come for a fitting every day for three days straight, which was quite unnecessary. When I came in for my final fitting, I noticed that the front looked good but the back of the zipper was puffy and bubbly and did not lay flat against my back. She charged me $60.00 to replace two simple shoulder straps and to take in the sides. No other alterations were done. Through our conversation I found out that she had volunteered to make a quilt for someone in her church free of charge. She had me run to the craft store to pick up supplies, and come to her shop 4 times for a fitting to accommodate her quilting project. This clearly demonstrated her lack of time management and her ability to prioritize. Although I found her personable and friendly, I did not find her workmanship satisfactory. The simplicity of the alteration did not reflect the pricing. I had to take the same dress to a different Taylor in Portland to get it re-altered. I would not be recommending Shirley's Tape and Shears to family or friends. read more

I called Judy from Alaska telling her I needed my wedding dress altered quite a bit as I purchased a dress that was way too big off the shelf. She agreed to meet with me early in the morning on my way to work in Angola, Africa with the agreement that I would only be in Vancouver for 5 days when I arrived back from Angola. She was very good about returning my messages even when overseas. Judy got all the alterations I needed complete prior to flying to Montana for my wedding. There was quite a bit of work to get done and she was kind enough to suggest some other nice add on's to make the dress a one of a kind. Even the bustle stayed put the entire wedding day/night. I was surprised that she did not charge more for all the work she did. I will go back to her if needed. read more

Professional, timely and incredible work, not to mention the friendly environment and kind hearted owner. Not only will your clothes look fantastic but you will always leave with a smile on your face. I am a repeat customer for a reason and highly recommend you become a frequent flyer here as well. read more

Judy has altered several pairs of pants for me and she does excellent work! I have given up trying to find pants that fit off the rack, I just buy ones that fit at the widest point and have her alter them to fit my body. She does excellent work and has reasonable prices. The results are beautiful. I recommend her to everyone. read more

You have to ask yourself what do you really value. Certainly you can run down to any shop for a cheap hem or adjustment, but you will really miss out on an opportunity to build a relationship with a master of their craft. One with a wealth of knowledge, practiced hands, and wisdom. I am so grateful to have placed my suit under Judy's care. Thank you! read more

If you need alterations, LOOK NO FURTHER! Judy really makes you feel at home and is probably the sweetest lady I've met in Vancouver since moving here. I needed my blankie of almost 17 years to be stitched back together and she even let me stay there and watch since I was so paranoid about handing it over and leaving. She told me stories about the shop and her life, it really made me feel so at ease when she was working on it and it only costed us whatever we could afford, she initially was going to do it for free but needed gas money so had to charge. I wasn't even expecting it to be free and her just saying that blew my mind so we paid her 12 dollars and made sure she didn't need more since she was such a nice lady. Please don't go anywhere else for alterations, this is an old local business that really deserves more clients. read more

My body type is such that clothes rarely fit me well. When I bought a suit for my son's wedding I knew at the outset that I would have it tailored to fit me. After checking on Yelp and reading a number of reviews I took my suit to Shirley's Tape and Shears. There I met Judy and I couldn't be happier with the results. I am a craftsman and an artist in my own right and I recognize those qualities in others. Judy knew what needed to be done and how to do it. As a result I now have what may be the first garments in my life that fit me. A few skilled adjustments and the suit looks like it was made for me. I'll be bringing in more of my clothes to make right. read more

I have Met Nicest Friendliest Person Her Name is Shirley! She Help Fix My Comforter. I Can't a Thank Her Enough! I Will tell All My Family&Friends about Her Shop! She is So Wonderful at what she Does! read more

A great job is always done. I had two items altered here and they came out great. She always asks lots of questions about what you want and takes the time to explain things. Definitely recommend! read more

Judy is the absolute best and most talented tailor I have ever worked with. She can make fine adjustments to expensive suits or make a pair of pants from scratch. I feel honored to have her shop in my life. read more

Shirley's Tape and Shears is a great, small business, in the heart of Downtown Vancouver. Judy, the lady that runs the shop, is a quite remarkable woman. While I was sitting in her shop she was telling another customer what she could do for them ( which in my opinion was really going out of her way) in order to save one of her clients pieces of clothing. She did a fantastic job saving a pair of slack and a vest for me. She pulls no punches if things won't work out, finds creative solutions to complex problems, and is a Master Tailor that deserves her title. Frankly, I can't wait to go back in again. Her skills made my outfit impeccable and she got the work done before the stated time period. The hours are a bit different, but she's worth getting into see. Want to look like a million bucks on a budget (or otherwise)? Judy is the lady that can get it done! read more

I brought a bridesmaid dress in to this shop on 8/18/14 to have it altered. The morning of my appointment I got a call from Judy saying she wouldn't be able to make it to the appointment for personal reasons but her apprentice "G" (as she called him) could meet me to take my measurements. She assured me he was very qualified and has years of experience so there would be no issue with him seeing me that day. Having a difficult work schedule I chose to keep my appointment and meet with G. At my appt G was very friendly and appeared to know what he was doing, but kept rechecking every measurement he made multiple times. Not thinking much of it I scheduled for my next fitting 8/28/14, over a week later. When I arrived for that fitting, I was greeted by Judy with disgust in her voice as she explained she had only started on my dress an hour ago and keeps getting interrupted so she's not ready for me. Again, she had had my dress for over a week! She explained that it's "very difficult to make alterations off of someone else's measurements" but she was doing the best she could. After a few minutes of waiting she finished with the alterations and had me put on the dress, which didn't fit much better than when I originally brought it in. As Judy rechecked my measurements she yelled at G about everything he did wrong which to me should have been handled in privacy, not in front of an already frustrated customer. She also then decided to tell me the truth that he didn't have much experience with dresses but is great with sports wear.... big difference if you ask me. When I originally called to make my first appt I let Judy know that I would need the dress by 9/1/14 and she assured me that would not be a problem at all but now that the time came for my dress to actually be finished she said she couldn't meet that deadline. We went back and forth for awhile and I demanded that the dress be done when we originally agreed, so she told me she would have G meet me on Monday the 1st to give me the dress. When choosing a time she told him right in front of me to not cater to me and pick whatever time I suggested and to just do what works for him. After going back and forth with him and finally choosing a time (my schedule was totally open that day but he still made it very difficult to choose a time), Judy chimed in again and said there was no way she would finish the dress by Monday. So after all that wasted time arguing about Monday we decided I would do my best to meet G after work on Tuesday (I'm a dental assistant in Longview and often don't know what time I'll be getting back to Vancouver in the evening). A couple hours after that appt I remembered a fellow bridesmaid was supposed to be picking the dress up from me on Tuesday in Longview so she could transport it to CA where the wedding was for me. So I called Judy and explained the situation. She agreed to work to have the dress done Monday for me. Just when I started to feel a bit better about my experience with this shop, the day to pick up my dress arrived and I was reminded once again how poor the service is. I get there and put on my dress, which fit great, only for Judy to tell me that it looked hideous on me and I needed to get some color before the wedding. I could not believe how rude and unprofessional she was. She also at one point told me I needed to start working out so my brain would function better since she was trying to talk to me and "nothing was going on in my head". What she didn't realize was that I was so fed up with her service I just wanted to get the heck out of her shop. After the insults finally stopped, I went to pay her and the fee was going to be double what she originally quoted me. She generously reduced the fee for me but then didn't have any cash in her register to give me change. So to summarize this lengthy review, I have never received such poor customer service anywhere in my life. I would not recommend this shop to anyone. I see it has received rave reviews in the past, so maybe I just had a rare experience but I definitely will not be returning for any reason. read more