Denim Repairs & Alterations

We make our jeans to be worn, lived in and repaired. Over time, even the best-made denim will show signs of wear, and we want to help keep your favourite jeans in rotation for as long as possible.
We offer free repairs on Blackhorse Lane Ateliers jeans, and also repair and alter denim from other brands.

At A Glance

Blackhorse Lane Ateliers Jeans

  • Denim repairs: Free
  • Hemming: Free
  • Waist alteration: £55
  • Leg tapering: £40

Other Brands are only limited to

  • Denim repairs (darning): from £25
  • Hemming: £20

Prices for other brands depend on the repair, weight and construction of the denim. See the full price list below.

Current turnaround: 4–6 weeks

Denim Repairs

Repairs are free on Blackhorse Lane Ateliers jeans, subject to the terms below.
We also repair jeans from other brands.

Our repairs are intended to reinforce worn areas and extend the life of your jeans rather than make them look brand new. We use traditional darning techniques and will always do our best to work with the character and wear your denim has developed over time.

Before bringing your jeans to us

Please make sure your jeans are clean and washed before they arrive.

This is important for preparing the denim properly for repair and, most importantly, for the health and safety of our machinists. If we receive jeans that are dirty, unwashed or have strong smells, we won't be able to work on them.

If there are areas of wear that you do not want repaired, please mark them clearly or let us know when you bring them in. Otherwise, our machinist may repair them as part of the work.

You can also email photographs of your jeans to enquiries@blackhorselane.mom before bringing them in. We can usually give you an idea of the likely cost and turnaround, although the final price may need to be confirmed once we have seen the jeans in person.

Alterations

Hemming

We can shorten and re-hem jeans at our Coal Drops Yard and Berwick Street shops.

  • Blackhorse Lane Ateliers jeans: Free
  • Other brands up to 17oz: £20
  • Other brands over 17oz: £25

If your Blackhorse Lane jeans have not been washed, please let us know. We normally add 1" to the hem as a shrinkage allowance.

This isn't necessarily the case with other brands, as different finishing processes can affect shrinkage. We'll assess the denim and only add an allowance if it looks raw and has never been washed.

We prefer to hem 100% cotton jeans and cannot accept any jeans containing more than 1% stretch.

Waist Alteration

£55

We can take in the waist by up to 2" through the centre back seam and seat.

Leg Tapering

£40

We can taper the leg from the knee down to the hem.

The alterations are pinned in person in store and usually take 4–6 weeks to complete and be ready for collection.

We no longer offer waist alterations and leg tapering for other brands.

Sending Your Jeans to Us

Please drop your jeans at our Coal Drops Yard store for denim repair.

If you are sending your jeans to us, please include a note with:

  • Your name
  • Return address
  • Daytime phone number
  • Email address
  • What you are sending
  • What you would like to have done to your jeans

If there is any wear to your jeans that you wouldn't like us to repair, such as pocket bag openings or cuffs, please mark these clearly. Otherwise, our machinist may mend them as part of the repair.

Prior to sending in any denim for repair, you may email us images to assess the likely cost and turnaround time. Please email enquiries@blackhorselane.mom or use the contact form for quick enquiries.

Price List for Other Brands

The following prices apply to non-Blackhorse Lane Ateliers denim. Prices are approximate and may vary depending on the construction, condition and weight of the garment.

Crotch Repairs

  • Small holes (around 2cm) darned and reinforced: ~£25
  • Large holes (5cm+) darned and reinforced: ~£40
  • Full crotch blowout patched and darned: ~£60
  • Stitching or reinforcing of seams: £10–20
  • Stitching or reinforcing of hem/cuff: £10–20
  • Additional charge for denim 17oz and over: +£10
  • Additional charge for denim 21oz and over: +£20
  • Additional charge for denim 23oz and over: +£30

Hemming

  • Shortening and re-hemming up to 17oz: ~£20
  • Shortening and re-hemming over 17oz: ~£25

Where to Bring Your Jeans

Coal Drops Yard
Blackhorse Lane Ateliers
Unit 32, Coal Drops Yard
London N1C 4DQ

Soho
Blackhorse Lane Ateliers
96 Berwick St
London W1F 0PH

If you're a Walthamstow local, you can also drop your jeans off at our factory:

Factory
Blackhorse Lane Ateliers
114B Blackhorse Lane
London E17 6AA

Please note that there may be an additional wait when using the factory drop-off service, as we need to transport the jeans between the factory and our repair team.

How We Repair

  • We use a traditional Singer machine to industrially repair your jeans. Using a zig-zag stitch, the worn area is reinforced. This also means we can get into most of the nooks and crannies of our craft-quality jeans.
  • We may need to use a patch inside the jean at no extra charge, but try not to do this unless necessary as it adds bulk.
  • We'll do our best to match the hemming thread to the stitch size and colour of the original jean.
  • We do not use indigo-dyed thread. Therefore, the darning thread will not fade in the same way as your jeans. However, we'll do our best to match the darning thread to the colour of the denim.
  • If we replace pocket bags, buttons or belt loops, there will be a noticeable difference in colouration due to the age and wear of the original garment. We will always ensure the same type of denim or component is used where possible.
  • When repairing other branded jeans, it may not be possible to match the trim colour exactly, although we'll always ensure the correct size and type of component is used.
  • It isn't always possible to darn the corners of pockets due to hidden rivets.

Important Terms

  • Full blowouts and pocket bags:** If the damage to your jeans is equivalent to what we class as a "full blowout", this will incur a fee as it is not covered under general wear and tear. Full pocket bag replacements are charged at **£60 per pocket bag**.
  • Clean garments: Please ensure your jeans are clean and washed before sending them to us for denim repairs or alterations. This is so the denim is properly prepared for darning and to help protect the health and safety of our machinists. You can find care instructions on your BLA garment, otherwise please refer to our general denim care guide. If we receive your jeans in an unwashed, dirty or smelly state, we won't be able to work on them.
  • Payment: Payment is required before any work is undertaken. We can send you an online invoice, or you can pay in store.
  • Sample jeans: Denim repairs are free on Blackhorse Lane denim, however, we reserve the right to charge for repairs on sample jeans.
  • Damage caused through sport: We reserve the right to decline free repairs on Blackhorse Lane Ateliers jeans if we feel that the damage has been deliberately encouraged, for example through sport.
  • Return postage: Return postage must be paid whether your denim is in for a free BLA repair or a paid repair on another brand. As we are undertaking BLA repairs free of charge, return postage remains the customer's responsibility. All jeans will be posted using a tracked and/or signed-for service. The cost is £9 per parcel within the UK, and shipping rates vary for worldwide destinations.
  • Loss or damage in transit: We accept no liability for jeans that are lost while being transported to us, so we recommend using a tracked service when sending your jeans. We cannot replace packages lost during return shipment if proof of tracking is unavailable. However, should you have proof of shipment and your jeans are lost or damaged in transit, the maximum liability is a replacement of the same jean if it is available in our stock, or a maximum of £100 credit upon production of the original receipt.
  • Work not undertaken: Should we not undertake any work on your jeans due to neglect of the garment, or should you change your mind, you will be charged to have your jeans sent back to you.
  • International shipments: If sending from outside the UK, please ensure your parcel is marked as a used garment repair. We cannot accept any customs charges and will have your jeans returned to the sender if charges are incurred.

Have Any Questions?

See anything not mentioned above, or unsure whether we can repair or alter your jeans? Email us at enquiries@blackhorselane.mom or use the contact form for quick enquiries.