Understanding Petite Proportions

Q: What's different about petite alterations versus standard alterations?
A: Petite alterations require proportional thinking. It's not just about making things shorter, but about maintaining the correct visual proportions for petite frames. Sleeve lengths, waist placement, and hemlines all need to work together harmoniously.

Q: I'm 5'2" - do I need petite alterations for everything?
A: Not necessarily. Height is just one factor. Some petite women have longer torsos or arms that work well with regular proportions. During consultation, we assess your specific proportions to determine the best approach.

Q: Can you make regular-size dresses work for petite frames?
A: Often yes, but it depends on the dress construction and how much adjustment is needed. Some dresses translate beautifully to petite proportions with expert alterations, others are better replaced with petite-specific designs.

Common Petite Challenges

Q: Why do sleeves always look wrong on me?
A: Sleeve proportions are crucial for petite frames. Often, it's not just length but the relationship between sleeve width and arm length that needs adjustment. Professional petite alterations address these proportional relationships.

Q: Can you fix dresses where the waistline hits wrong?
A: Usually yes. Moving waistlines is a specialty technique that requires understanding of garment construction. It's one of the most transformative alterations for petite figures.

Q: What about shoulder seams that fall too far down?
A: Shoulder adjustments are possible but complex. During consultation, we assess whether the adjustment needed falls within practical alteration limits for your specific garment.

Petite-Specific Services

Q: Do you understand current petite fashion trends?
A: Fashion training includes understanding how trends translate across different body types. I stay current with petite-specific styling while applying classic proportion principles.

Q: Can you help with inherited or vintage pieces?
A: Absolutely. Vintage pieces often need significant proportion adjustments for contemporary petite wear. This combines vintage restoration expertise with petite specialisation.