Chicago sari stiching

chaudhrys

Hi,

I have a good friend who needs a sari blouse made.  She lives in Chicago, but bought the sari's while on vacation in india. She's a little scared, as she is white and has heard horror stories from other people. Does anyone have suggestions?

TIA!

vindaloo

Sorry I can't tell your friend exactly where to go, but I'm sure she can find a place on Devon Avenue. 
Maybe ask at Sahil--I don't think they'll do the stitching but they can probably recommend someone.  They're pricey, but all of their stuff is very good quality so I would trust the ladies at Sahil. 
She could also stop in at one of the bigger sari shops like Taj or India Sari Palace, and ask them--they probably have a seamstress there, or I'm sure they could tell her where to go. 
If she has time, she ought to get prices from a couple of different people.  One of my friends (not South Asian) was charged $40 to get a simple cotton blouse stitched, and the same store charged my mom $25 to stitch a much fancier, silk blouse!
Tell her NOT to go to Dulhan--they will do a bad job and try to rip her off.  You can see my previous post about the horrible experience I had.   

chaudhrys

Thanks Vindaloo, I will pass along the message.  I think that is what she is afraid of, getting ripped off that is. We have mutual friend (also white) that had a lengha altered up on Devon, not only did they charge her an arm and leg and actually made the fit worse. She went back up three times and each time it was worse.  Finally she took it to an american seamstress and they had to essentially redo the whole thing!

Thanks for the info though.