Larry Washington Tailor and Alterations: Custom Fitting and Repairs in South Carolina

What Larry Washington Tailor and Alterations Offers

Larry Washington Tailor and Alterations is a full-service alteration shop that handles everything from hemming and taking in seams to complete garment reconstruction. The shop works on everyday clothing, formal wear, and specialty pieces—wedding dresses, suits, vintage finds, and items with delicate fabrics. Larry Washington and his team take measurements on-site, discuss what you need, and give you a timeline and price before work begins.

The shop operates as a walk-in business, so you can bring a garment in, see samples of past work, and talk through options the same day. They handle rush jobs when possible, though standard turnaround is typically one to two weeks depending on the complexity of the work and current volume.

Key Takeaways

• Larry Washington Tailor and Alterations handles hemming, seam adjustments, zipper replacement, and major reconstruction on all garment types.
• You bring the garment in person, get measured and quoted on the spot, and receive a completion date before leaving.
• The shop works on formal wear, everyday clothing, wedding dresses, and specialty fabrics that require experienced handling.
• Turnaround time is typically one to two weeks, though rush work may be possible if you ask when you drop off your item.

Types of Alterations They Perform

Hemming is the most common service—pants, skirts, dresses, and jackets all come through for length adjustments. Larry Washington's team takes the hem by hand or machine depending on the fabric and your preference, and they can match thread color to keep the work invisible.

Seam work includes taking in or letting out the sides, shoulders, or waist of a garment. This is useful when a piece fits almost right but needs to be slightly smaller or larger. They also repair split seams, reinforce weak stitching, and adjust sleeve length and width.

Zipper and fastener replacement is another core service—broken zippers on jackets, coats, and bags get replaced with new hardware that matches the original. Button replacement, snap installation, and hook-and-eye work are handled the same way.

Specialty work includes wedding dress alterations (hemming, taking in the bodice, adjusting straps), suit tailoring (jacket length, sleeve pitch, trouser break), and work on delicate or vintage fabrics that need careful handling. If you have a piece that requires something outside the routine, ask—they can often figure out a solution.

How to Bring in a Garment

Walk in during business hours with the item you need altered. Wear or bring the shoes you plan to wear with the garment if it's a hem job—this ensures the length is right for your actual footwear. If the piece needs to fit a specific way or you have photos of how you want it to look, bring those too.

The tailor will examine the garment, discuss what needs to happen, take any necessary measurements, and give you a price and timeline. Payment is usually due when you drop off the work, though you can confirm their policy when you arrive. You'll receive a ticket or receipt with your name and the completion date.

Pick up your garment on or after the date given. If you need it sooner, ask about rush options when you drop it off—they may be able to move your job up depending on their schedule.

Pricing and What to Expect

Alteration costs vary by the type and complexity of work. A basic hem typically costs less than a full suit tailoring or a wedding dress reconstruction. The tailor quotes each job individually after seeing the garment and understanding what you need, so there is no set price list—they look at the actual work involved.

Bring cash or ask what payment methods they accept when you arrive. Some alteration shops take card, some prefer cash, and some do both. Confirming this upfront saves a trip back to an ATM.

If a garment is damaged during alteration, most shops stand behind their work and will fix it at no charge. Ask about their policy on rework if you're concerned about a particular piece.

When to Use a Tailor Versus Buying New

A tailor makes sense when a garment fits well in most places but needs adjustment in one or two areas, when the piece is expensive or has sentimental value, or when you have a specialty item like a wedding dress or formal coat. A good alteration can extend the life of a favorite piece by years.

Tailoring is less practical for very cheap garments where the cost of alteration approaches or exceeds the original price, or for pieces with structural damage like large tears or stains that won't come out. A tailor can advise you on whether a repair is worth doing when you bring the item in.

Finding Larry Washington Tailor and Alterations

The shop operates as a walk-in business in South Carolina. Search online for their current address and hours, as these can change. Call ahead if you want to confirm they're open or if you have questions about a specific type of alteration before you visit.

If you're new to using a tailor, bring one garment first to see how you like their work and their process. Many people develop a relationship with a tailor they trust and return for years.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a basic hem take?

Most shops complete a simple hem in one to two weeks. If you need it faster, ask about rush service when you drop it off. Some tailors can turn around a hem in a few days if they have availability.

Can they fix a broken zipper on a winter coat?

Yes. Zipper replacement is a standard service. Bring the coat in, and they'll remove the old zipper and install a new one that matches the original. This usually takes one to two weeks.

What should I do if I'm not happy with the alteration?

Talk to the tailor right away. Most shops will rework a piece at no charge if the alteration didn't meet what was discussed. Bring your receipt and the garment back as soon as you notice the issue.

Do they work on vintage or delicate fabrics?

Yes. Mention when you drop off the garment if it's vintage, silk, lace, or another delicate material. The tailor will take extra care and may adjust their approach or timeline to protect the fabric.

Can they let out a seam if I need a garment larger?

It depends on how much fabric is hidden in the seam. Bring the garment in and the tailor can tell you whether there's enough seam allowance to let out. If there isn't, they may suggest other options like adding panels or adjusting a different seam.