ABOUT THE LIVING LIFE IN COSTA RICA BLOG

I (Vicki Skinner - aka "THE Sarong Goddess") created this blog in 2007 to share DETAILED Finds•Lists•Info•Events•Experiences to help bring more EASE to people living in, visiting or thinking of moving to Costa Rica since DETAILS are NOT easy to find!
I’m NOT an expert (an "expert" 2 ME knows 101%-NOT me). I believe in sharin info•helping where I can! And with over 2,200 entries, so some things might be out of date, so if you find old info PLEASE help each other by getting the updated info & sharing it with me to revise. At least you have some basic info to get you started.
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Better yet - do you have extra time on your hands & looking for a volunteer project? Since this blog is a labor of love & RARELY does anyone share a donation (even though MANY have said how much it's helped them), I could REALLY use help updating info. Spanish speakers ESPECIALLY welcome since my VicLish can be somewhat limited at times!!

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(see below other ways to show your appreciation)
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Saturday, January 17, 2015

SEAMSTRESSES•COSTURERA to make you clothes or mend things in Costa Rica

One of the REALLY COOL things about living in Costa Rica is you can have things mended•fixed as well as clothes made for you fairly cheaply!!  Sometimes you'll get lucky where a gal (sometimes a guy) can look at a pattern and figure it out!

HINTS ON HIRING•WORKING WITH A SEAMSTRESS

Since many haven't hired a seamstress, here are some hints that might help you have ease (to help you avoid some of the challenges I've had and/or others have shared):
YOU need to provide the thread, buttons, zippers, etc. - or risk accepting what they have which may cut back on the chances of you liking it (hence not their fault).


 Be as CLEAR as you can as the people I've found that had problems - often created it for themselves by not being clear!!  I find having CLOSE UP pictures of EXACTLY what you want (if it is more than a straight basic sewing job) - like types of stitches, etc. REALLY helps you have a more successful finished product.   


HEADS UP:  If you have someone going to your house to sew - most do NOT speak English so if that's an issue with you, you might want to have someone there to help translate.  If they're there for 4+ hours - it's "proper" to provide them with some sort of snack/fruit and drink.  If their there 6+ hours, either you provide their lunch (note that many Tico's aren't keen on gringo fancy foods) - or give them an extra 2,000-colones or so to cover it.  But make sure to let her know BEFORE so she can be prepared (avoid setting yourself/them up for problems).

Also, it is PROPER to PAY THEM EACH TIME they come or do work for you & YOU get the payment to them - don't expect them to come running back to you for it!!!!!!!!!!!  Most of these gals do not have lots of money.

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SEAMSTRESSES I'VE USED BEFORE WHERE YOU TAKE YOUR THINGS TO THEM AND PAY BY THE PIECE:

CREACIONES DORITA
(2-228-4044)
They've been miracle workers for me numerous times on dresses I REALLY LOVE but got torn from dogs jumping up on me when I'm Pet Sitting them!!
HOURS:
Monday-Friday - 8-11am & 3-6pm.  Saturday - 8-11am & 1-4pm
LOCATION:
Escazu-Centro  - Del Colegio el Pilar 25 mts Oeste - It WAS a Pink building on South side of street but it's more white now.

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DO YOU HAVE ANY LEADS FOR SEAMSTRESSES AROUND COSTA RICA TO SHARE?


Do you (or any of your FB Buds) have any contacts of seamstresses that can come to your house & you pay by the day/hour to sew for you (for when people need a bunch of jobs &/or don't have the $$ to pay per item)?  Can you help with getting these questions answered - to help others - so I can add them to LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com site:

•   SEAMSTRESS NAME:
•   DO THEY COME TO YOU:  
•   DO THEY BRING THEIR OWN SEWING MACHINE:
•   If yes, will they provide their own ride or do you pay the taxi? 
•   DO YOU NEED TO PROVIDE THE SEWING MACHINE: 
•   DO THEY HAVE A SPECIAL MACHINE?  IF SO, WHAT ALL DOES IT DO?
•   WHERE DO THEY LIVE?
•   HOW FAR ARE THEY WILLING TO TRAVEL TO: 
•   DO YOU NEED BRING ITEMS TO THEM:
•   IF YOU BRING THINGS TO THEM - WHAT IS THEIR ADDRESS AND DIRECTIONS: 
•   DO THEY SPEAK ANY ENGLISH?
•   DO THEY SPEAK SPANISH ONLY?
•   IF THEY ONLY SPEAK SPANISH - DO THEY HAVE SOMEONE THAT CAN HELP TRANSLATE?: 
•   DO THEY BRING THEIR OWN LUNCH:
•   ARE YOU EXPECTED TO PROVIDE THEIR LUNCH?
•   DO YOU PROVIDE MORNING, MID-DAY SNACK, COFFEE/TEA & LUNCH:
•   DO THEY HAVE AN HOUR MINIMUM?
•   WHAT IS THEIR RATE?
•   DO THEY HAVE SPECIFIC HOURS?
•   CAN THEY LOOK AT A CLOTHING ITEM & REPLICATE IT?

I'd LOVE ANYONE ANYWHERE in/around CR as this is a resource list ultimately in time for beyond Escazu.

I'd REALLY APPRECIATE ANY help you can help with!!!  THANX!!

(have you created a FB Group or Fan Page for the biz yet???  Work it friend-boy [a word my niece came up with at 8 years old to help differentiate between a romantic "boyfriend" & a boy that is a friend!!])


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TAILOR • CLOTHING ALTERATIONS
MANUEL CHINO AMADOR

2-228-8615
Someone shared that they were of great help to them since they needed some alterations since they gained some pounds, and that he was great, fast and perfect.
LOCATION:
Escazu Centro in Centro Comercial Plaza Escazu, next to Ferretera del Sol hardware store that is located just in front of Banco de Costa Rica

PANT MAKER:
Luis Alfonso
(8-872-0046)
(speaks English - from Bocas del Toro)


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Retoucherie de Manuela2-289-7686Alters and transforms your clothing.  NOT cheap - but fast rapid.  They also work with leather and suede.
LOCATION:
Escazu (San Rafael) - Plaza Los Laureles #19
 ALSO - Rohrmoser (2-232-6545) and Mall San Pedro (2-281-1653)
(Daniel shared)



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MISC•CURTAINS

Milton’s mom  (2-203-5081) - Pozos de Santa Ana

Alexis Leiva -  2-289-6990 / 3-979290 (per daniel)

Marisol  2-215-1220 • 8-860-9060-cell  

 (Giovanni’s sister - operator at pirata - Pozos de Santa Ana

Nora’s daughter - 2-282-1109

(Diana in Villa Verde’s domestica’s daughter) - Pozos de Santa Ana

Estilita says she has one in Carirari but she is obviously very professional and has her own label, she tells me she charges C8000 for a blouse, and stands by her work. So if you contact Estilita she can give you details.


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Duvets, Slipcovers, Drapes, Cushions, Alterations 

2-239-0872
 (in tico times ad)


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John Bisceglio shared:
Haydee Guzman Quiros
(8-833-9214)She makes clothing for women. She has been doing it for 20 years.  Spanish only.LOCATION:
Heredia


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 I know nothing more on this but maybe you can find it and share their details with us??

There is a small fabric shop in Escazu with pretty pure linens and cottons, I saw Indian gauze and other quality fabrics in nice colors.  
Upstairs, the owner has a small seamstress' shop, so that when you buy the fabric, she can measure you up and make you whatever you want.  This person is said to be a good professional tailor type person.
LOCATION:
Escazu Centro

Boutique Yoli 
LOCATION:
San Jose - in Tiendas Las Americas - 2nd Floor. 
They custom make fancy clothes for women.  You pick out what you want from their bridal magazines, they measure you and tell you what material they can make it in, then you go back for a fitting, then once more to pick it up.  I was happy with the dresses they made for me, but when I asked for, and made a deposit on, a second top for the two-piece maroon gown, I was unhappy with them.  When I arrived (by bus from Santa Ana) for the fitting, the top was not ready.  Then they said to come in on a Sunday for the fitting.  I did, but the place was closed.  When I finally tried it on during my third trip into the city, I found that they had used the wrong material.  I said forget it, they kept the deposit, and I haven't been back.  They speak only Spanish.  They're nice people, but they don't entirely have their act together.

Emillio

8-825-8978 or (h) 2-417-0380  for about 8 houses and he has been great--reliably on time, price is competetive, delivery is rapid, he cares about his installations, and cleans up after himself.


Gerado Amador

2-288-2759
SPANISH only
LOCATION:Escazu - Centro


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Where to find 

NOTIONS • PASAMANERIAS
(zippers, threads+.  Make sure you have ALL your supplies BEFORE they come if you're having )
Where to find Sewing Notions like zippers, threads, needles, ribbons, buttons & more in Costa R In Costa Rica - NOTIONS shops - where you can find zippers, threads, needles, ribbons, buttons and sometimes Arts and Crafts supplies and LOTS MORE are called "PASAMANERIAS".  

WARNING - I have not found many Fabric Stores in Costa Rica ("Tiendas de Telas") carrying Notions like we're used to in the U.S. and they're not so easy to find. In Costa Rica - NOTIONS shops - where you can find zippers, threads, needles, ribbons, buttons and sometimes Arts and Crafts supplies and LOTS MORE are called "PASAMANERIAS".  WARNING - I have not found many Fabric Stores in Costa Rica ("Tiendas de Telas") carrying Notions like we're used to in the U.S. and they're not so easy to find.ica


PASAMANERIA LUISA 
(facebook.com/Pasamaneria.Luisa  •  2-228-4186 / 8-355-6504-Daniel [in case you don't speak Spanish])
MY FAV place to go for things like thread, zippers, elastic, etc. SOOOO CHEAP!!! 
And the owner Luisa is a sweetie & her son Daniel is a real cute sweetie AND he speaks GOOD English (making life easier!!)
HOURS:

Monday-Friday - 8am-noon & 1-6pm.  Saturdays - 8:30am-noon.
LOCATION:

Escazu (Centro)
On the road going UP/South the hill from the Scotia Split, go to the stop light - where you HAVE to turn Right (Fresh Market is on the left - where Toyco’s Factory USED to be), then LEFT at the 2nd street (at Casona de Laly), go up/South 1-1/2 blocks & they’re on the right (50 meters before the light/catholic church).



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Check out my entry on 

FABRIC STORES
LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2014/04/FabricStoresInCR.html
 

LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2012/09/fabric-store-orotex.html


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LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2008/03/find-seamstress-in-costa-rica.html
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