Bridal
Wedding gowns taken in, taken up, bustled and pressed. Bridesmaids and mothers of the bride too. Please call ahead so I can set aside the time.
From $400
Sewing Atelier · Naperville, Illinois
Clothes that fit the way they should.
Monica Gawalek — in the shop
I’m Monica. I trained as a master seamstress and worked fifteen years in Europe before opening my own shop here. A hem, a wedding gown, a jacket that never sat right — bring it in, put it on, and we’ll pin it together.
- 28 years at the machine
- 15 shops refer their customers
- No appointment needed
Naperville shops that send their customers to me
Talbots•
Chico’s•
J.Crew•
Ann Taylor•
Lululemon•
Athleta•
Eddie Bauer•
Loft•
J.Jill•
Soft Surroundings•
Evereve•
Enchantments•
Dean’s Clothing•
What I do
From a quick hem to a gown
you will keep forever
Prom & evening
Straps shortened, backs taken in, hems set to your heels. Bring the shoes you plan to wear — it is the difference between a good fit and a perfect one.
Shortening from $30
Suits & coats
Sleeves shortened or lengthened, shoulders and sides taken in, collars adjusted, linings replaced, new zippers. Leather welcome.
Sleeves from $42
Everyday clothes
Jeans, trousers, skirts, blouses and shirts. Original hems kept where you want them kept, waists let out or taken in, pockets closed, patches made invisible.
Plain hem from $18
Repairs
New zippers, replaced linings, mended seams, reinforced crotches and knees. The things that make a favourite garment worth another five years.
Zippers from $28
Custom & design
Uniforms, costumes, competition and performance wear, embroidery, and one-off pieces made from an idea. My background is fashion design — bring me a sketch.
Quoted in person
The full price list
Unusual fabrics and linings are quoted in person.
The work itself
Drag the handle.
That’s the whole pitch.
Worn hems, blown-out seams and waists that no longer fit. Repaired so the mend disappears into the garment.
From the atelier
Recent fittings
How it works
Three visits, usually two
-
1
Walk in
No appointment needed. Bring the garment, the shoes you will wear with it, and the bra or underlayer if it changes the fit. We pin it together and I quote you on the spot.
-
2
The fitting
Simple work is often done in a few days. Gowns and heavily reworked pieces get a second fitting so nothing is guessed at. You will know the date before you leave.
-
3
Take it home
Try it on once more before you pay. If something is a millimetre off, it goes back on the machine. That is how it has worked here for thirteen years.
Bring your shoes. For any dress or trouser hem, the shoes decide the length.
Wash cotton and linen first. Anything over 40% cotton or linen should be washed before altering, or it shrinks after.
Call ahead for wedding dresses. Bridal fittings take time and I would rather give you all of it.
Sewing Atelier
Bring it in and
let’s have a look
7 East 7th Avenue, downtown Naperville. Monday to Friday 8:30am–6:00pm, Saturday 8:30am–3:00pm. Walk in — no appointment needed.