The Added Touch: Custom Alterations and Tailoring in South Carolina

What The Added Touch offers and where to find them

The Added Touch is a sewing and alterations business in South Carolina that handles custom tailoring, garment repairs, and clothing adjustments. They work with everyday wear—hemming pants, taking in seams, replacing zippers—as well as special occasion pieces like wedding dresses, formal wear, and structured jackets. The shop takes on projects that require precision fitting and hand finishing work.

The business operates as a local, independent alterations shop rather than a chain. If you are looking for their location, hours, or current services, contacting them directly by phone or visiting in person will give you the most current information about what they are working on and how long their turnaround time is at that moment.

Key Takeaways

• The Added Touch handles standard alterations like hemming and seam adjustments, as well as complex projects such as wedding dress alterations and formal wear tailoring.
• Custom tailoring work requires an in-person fitting or measurement consultation so the tailor can understand the fit you want and the garment's construction.
• Turnaround time varies depending on the complexity of the work and how busy the shop is, so calling ahead helps you plan around their schedule.
• Bringing your garment clean and in good condition, along with clear details about what you want changed, speeds up the consultation and estimate process.

Types of alterations The Added Touch handles

Standard alterations include hemming trousers, skirts, and dresses; taking in or letting out seams for fit; shortening or lengthening sleeves; and adjusting waistbands. These are the most common requests and typically have shorter turnaround times because the work is straightforward and repeatable.

Special occasion work is where custom tailoring becomes more involved. Wedding dresses, bridesmaid gowns, formal jackets, and structured pieces require careful handling because the fabrics are often delicate, the construction is complex, and the fit must be exact. A tailor working on a wedding dress, for example, may need to adjust the bodice, hem the train, take in the sides, and ensure the dress hangs properly with any undergarments you plan to wear.

Repair work—replacing broken zippers, mending seams, patching holes, or reinforcing stress points—keeps garments in use longer. The Added Touch can assess whether a piece is worth repairing or if the damage is too extensive to justify the cost.

How to prepare for your first visit

Bring the garment clean and ready to try on. If it is a piece you plan to wear with specific shoes, undergarments, or accessories, wear those items to your fitting so the tailor can see how everything works together. For example, if you are hemming pants to wear with particular shoes, the heel height matters; if you are altering a dress, the bra and any shapewear you plan to wear changes how the garment should fit.

Have a clear idea of what you want changed. Instead of saying "make it fit better," describe the specific issue: the sleeves are too long, the waist is loose, the hem is uneven. If you have a photo of how you want something to look, bring it. If the garment has a label with fiber content or care instructions, that information helps the tailor understand what they are working with.

Ask about the estimate and timeline during your consultation. The tailor will tell you what the work costs and when it will be ready. Complex projects like wedding dress alterations may take several weeks, while a simple hem might be ready in days.

Understanding tailoring costs and timelines

Alteration prices depend on the type of work, the fabric, and the complexity. A basic hem costs less than taking in multiple seams on a structured jacket or adding panels to a dress. Special occasion pieces typically cost more because they require more time, precision, and care. The tailor will give you a price quote during your consultation, usually after seeing the garment and understanding exactly what you want.

Turnaround time varies. Simple alterations might be ready in a few days to a week. More complex work—especially wedding dresses or formal wear with multiple adjustments—can take two to four weeks or longer, depending on how busy the shop is. Seasonal demand matters too; during wedding season or before major holidays, turnaround times may be longer. Calling ahead to ask about current wait times helps you plan.

When to choose tailoring over buying new

A well-fitting garment that you already own and love is often worth altering. If a jacket fits perfectly in the shoulders but the sleeves are too long, or pants fit in the waist but need hemming, tailoring can solve that problem for a fraction of the cost of replacing the piece. High-quality fabrics, special occasion wear, and garments with sentimental value are especially good candidates for alterations.

Tailoring also makes sense when you have a piece that is almost right but not quite. A dress that is the perfect color and style but a half-size too big in the waist, or a coat that fits everywhere except the length, can be transformed by a skilled tailor. The investment in alterations pays off if you will actually wear the garment regularly after it is adjusted.

What to know about different fabrics and garment types

Delicate fabrics like silk, satin, lace, and chiffon require more careful handling than cotton or wool. A tailor experienced with formal wear knows how to work with these materials without damaging them. If you are altering a wedding dress or evening gown, mention the fabric content and any beading, embroidery, or special details so the tailor can plan the work accordingly.

Structured garments like blazers and jackets are more complex to alter than simple pieces because they have interfacing, linings, and seams that must be taken apart and reconstructed. Changing the fit of a jacket usually takes longer than hemming a pair of pants. Knit fabrics like jersey or sweater material behave differently from woven fabrics and may require different techniques.

Garments with patterns—stripes, plaids, or prints—need special attention during alterations because seams must be matched so the pattern lines up. A tailor will account for this when planning the work and may charge more because it requires extra precision.

Communication tips for getting the fit you want

Be specific about the fit you are aiming for. "Fitted" means something different to everyone—do you want the garment to skim your body, or do you want it snug? Do you prefer a longer hem or a shorter one? Bring reference photos or describe the look you want in concrete terms. If you have worn a similar garment that fit perfectly, describe how that one felt and looked.

Ask the tailor questions during the fitting. If you are unsure whether a suggested change is the right one, say so. A good tailor will explain their reasoning and may offer alternatives. If you are nervous about a major alteration, ask if the tailor can do a test fitting or show you how it will look before completing the work.

Follow up after you pick up the garment. Wear it and see how it feels. If something is not quite right—the hem is not the length you wanted, or the fit is still off—contact the shop. Most tailors will make minor adjustments if the work did not meet your expectations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a basic hem take?

A simple hem on pants, a skirt, or a dress usually takes between three to seven days, depending on how busy the shop is. Call ahead to ask about current turnaround time, as it varies by season and workload.

Can The Added Touch alter wedding dresses?

Yes, wedding dress alterations are part of their services. These projects typically take longer—often four to six weeks or more—because they require careful fitting, precise work, and multiple fittings to ensure the dress is perfect for your day.

What should I do if I am unhappy with the alterations?

Contact the shop as soon as you notice an issue. Most tailors will address minor problems or make small adjustments if the work did not meet your expectations. Bring the garment back and explain what is not right so they can assess whether it can be corrected.

Do I need to make an appointment, or can I just walk in?

Policies vary by shop. Calling ahead to confirm hours and ask whether appointments are needed ensures you do not make a trip only to find the shop closed or too busy to take on new work at that moment.

What is the most expensive alteration you can do?

Complex projects like wedding dress alterations, major reconstructions, or work on delicate fabrics with beading or embroidery cost the most because they require significant time and skill. The tailor will give you a quote after seeing the garment and understanding the scope of work.