Two tailors, one cutter, and a room full of patterns
Every pattern cut here since 1994 is still upstairs, filed by name.
Chalkline was opened in 1994 by a cutter who had spent eleven years in a shop that sent its work overseas and did not want to do that any more. Nothing made here has ever been made anywhere else.
We are deliberately small: one cutter, two tailors and a finisher. It means about ninety garments a year and a waiting list in November, and it means the person who measured you is the person who cut the cloth.
Alterations on anything we made are free for as long as you own it. Your pattern is upstairs, so a change is a morning of work rather than an educated guess, and shapes change.
- 1994
- ~90
- 3
- Free
Who makes it
Errol Chin
Opened the shop in 1994 after eleven years somewhere that sent its work overseas. Cuts every pattern himself.
Paulette Samms
Coats and jackets. Twenty-two years at this bench and the reason the baste fittings go quickly.
Devon Wint
Trousers and shirts, and all the alterations. Will tell you honestly when something is not worth altering.
What customers say
Read all the reviewsAltered twice in six years at no charge. The pattern was still upstairs both times.
Nine of us for a wedding and every single one fitted.
They talked me out of the heavier cloth and were completely right.
Eight weeks is eight weeks. Do not turn up in November needing it for December.
Bring it back when your shape changes