Bespoke clothing alterations for you – and soft furnishing make-overs for your boat, caravan or camper…

Peace of Mind and Body

Nothing radiates confidence like clothes that fit you perfectly.

My name is Heather Hillman and I am a European-trained haute couture seamstress who has dedicated her working lifetime to making women and men feel fabulous in the clothes that they choose to wear and comfortable in the places they call home.

My concierge seamstress service So Different means that those impulse, off-the-peg purchases, or clothes that have simply become too loose or too tight, too long or too short, can generally be adjusted to fit your shape beautifully.

Now that same passion and skill is also available to enable you to renew, refresh or refurbish the soft furnishings of your boat, caravan or camper with custom creations, in your choice of fabric.

Feel better in your clothes than ever before…

Relax as you sit on your boat, or sleep in your camper…

I offer a range of needlecraft services which are all personalized and specific to your needs.

Women’s alterations

Alterations to suit your lifestyle and schedule.

Men’s alterations

All part of helping to create a smarter you.

On land or sea

From bespoked boats to the coolest campers.

For Her

Shortening
Lengthening
Zip replacement
Waist adjustment

For Him

Jacket cuffs
Pocket repairs
Jeans turned up
Trousers shortened

For Kids

Labels
Badges
Party dresses
School uniforms

Boats and Campers

New cushion covers
New curtains
Custom bed sheets
Custom shaped berths

FABRIC is LIFE!

There seem to have been two constants in my life: a love for fabrics, and a love for boats. The sailing stems from a childhood where weekends were spent afloat. Mum and Dad had a cruiser, and my happiest memories are of being aboard that boat, finding new places to stop for the night and making our way in the world as a family, at a different pace. I’d live on a boat, if I could!

The sewing started when I made clothes for my dolls, as a little girl, from scraps of material my Mum would have left over from her dressmaking and this eventually lead to me making my own clothes as a teenager. When I left school I was trained by a German fashion house based in the UK and I became an expert machinist on women’s blouses, dresses, skirts and suits. I was literally surrounded by skill and excellence, and that kind of experience forever leaves its mark.

I subsequently went on to make men’s suede and leather coats, and nurses uniforms, before my passion for fashion changed tack, and I began making soft-furnishings for one of the UK’s leading interior design companies: bespoke cushions, curtains, blinds and bedcovers.

Today, peace in my precious workshop comes as much from ensuring a client’s dress fits her perfectly, a schoolboy’s blazer hangs smartly or a man’s suit cuffs are the right length, as it does from recovering boat cushions in a stylish material, or replacing the soft furnishings of a camper with fresh, funky fabric.

As I like to say, “Fabric is life!”

Your Life, your clothes Rejuvenated

“Heather is a magician! I dropped almost 2 sizes and had multiple pairs of pants I wanted adjusted and a couple of dresses (all designer labels - Camilla & Marc, Lee Matthews, Basslike). They were favourites and too expensive to get rid of. Heather did an amazing job taking them in, you wouldn't even know where the adjustments have been done. And she's a lovely lady too! Highly recommended!”
Amy, 4074

“Would suggest you jump at the chance to be at the front of the queue! Just used Heather Hillman and her service was impeccable, friendly, polite, professional and most importantly, committed to working with your timeframe as the goal! Highly recommended!”
Nick, 4069

a smarter life⚬

awaits you⚬

JEANS genius…

Sometimes it’s the things you don’t give much thought to that can make a stylish difference. Take jean hems for instance. When they’re too short, it spoils the line of your overall appearance; when they’re too long, it won’t take long for them to fray (and not in a desirable ‘designer’ way!) from dragging on the ground!

Whether it’s Women’s or Men’s jeans, a tailored leg-length, with perfect stitching to match the original hem, can make a huge difference to your overall appearance. It takes specially set-up machines, and experience, to achieve this; but it’s one of my most popular and cost-effective services for my clients…

The scope of work I undertake.

Although I have enjoyed making bespoke clothing for a significant time of my working life, including haute couture for a leading European fashion house, many one-off dresses for private customers, uniforms, children’s clothes and suede and leather jackets, these days I am selective about the commissions I accept.

However, my workroom is intentionally not set-up for bridal creations… Instead, this conscious decision allows me to connect potential clients with an incredibly talented and experienced colleague and friend – Aiga Geddes – who is an expert dressmaker. I unreservedly recommend and refer all dressmaking and bridal equiries confidently to Aiga, having looked with pleasure, and professional respect, at the beautiful work she creates from her Graceville studio.