SC 01The story
Started with one machine under an umbrella
Adebola began altering clothes outside a plaza on Ring Road with a hand cranked machine and a big umbrella. Customers came back because the hems were straight and the prices were fair.
Today the workshop has four tailors, five machines, a pressing table and a little front desk. The umbrella is retired, but the habit of doing small jobs properly has stayed.
"A good alteration is the one nobody notices."
SC 02The cast
Who is at the bench
Adebola
Head tailor
Twenty years at the bench, started as an apprentice in Oje market. Does the shoulders and bridal work.
Kemi
Native wear and lace
Fits iro and buba, agbada and anything beaded. Knows every aso ebi trend before it arrives.
Segun
Hems and repairs
The fastest blind hem on Ring Road. Runs the while you wait counter.
Ireti
Front desk and rider bookings
Answers WhatsApp, writes the tickets and keeps the pickup times honest.
Example team for this demo.
SC 03The kit
What keeps the bench running
- Straight stitch machines3
- Overlocker for clean edges1
- Blind hem machine1
- Solar panels and inverter3.5 kVA
- Thread colours on the wall200 plus
The solar setup means we sew through power cuts. A generator is the backup for long cloudy spells in the rainy season.
SC 04House rules
How we work
Price before scissors
Nothing is cut until you agree the price. If we find a surprise inside a seam, we call before we carry on.
Pickup times we keep
If we are going to miss a time, you hear from us before you leave home, not when you reach the counter.
Apprentices welcome
Two school leavers learn with us each year. They start on buttons and hems and leave with a trade.
SC 05On set
A day at the workshop
Come and see the bench
Shop 14, Adeyemi Plaza, Ring Road. Monday to Saturday, 8am to 7pm.