I have the misfortune of needing major alterations on a hideous pastel green bridesmaid dress that has already cost me $200. Can anyone recommend a skilled tailor in the Center City West area who won't charge me an arm and a leg? Or should I just head to Fabric Row?

Most of the dry cleaners have good tailors on staff but I havn't found one that isn't expensive. You may have to head out of CC to the Northeast to save money. Or you could get out the old staple gun and do it yourself.

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Forget it Jake……It’s CHINATOWN!

I was just Maid of Honor in a friend's wedding and needed to get alterations for my dress (hem, shoulder, back, waist --- pretty much everywhere). A woman at work gave me the name of the woman who did all of the alterations for her daughter's wedding. This woman was great and reasonable (all of my alterations were $75). The only thing is...she's in South Philly (on Tasker, near Broad). If you're open to South Philly, let me know and I'll share the info.

On 20th Street, just north of Walnut (east side of the street) is "Joseph's Tailor Shop". I've gone there for several years, and he does very good work at a very reasonable price. The one time I got lazy and went to a place a block closer, she hemmed my pants _too short_ (floods! even though I said I like them long), and charged me more.

Not sure how much you need to have done, but tell him you don't want to spend much, and why. He'll quote you a price before he fits you, so you can decide without wasting much time.

Hope that helps!