Korjausompelu Helsinki
Clothing Repairs and Restoration in Helsinki
Korjausompelu by Double Stitch by Sumu. Zipper replacements, invisible mending, lining repairs, and full garment restoration at our Liisankatu studio.
A broken zipper on your favorite jacket is not a reason to replace the jacket. A tear in the lining of a coat you have worn for ten winters is not a reason to throw it away. Double Stitch by Sumu is a Helsinki korjausompelu (repair tailor) that specializes in giving clothes a second life.
Our repairs are invisible enough that most people will not notice anything happened, and our prices are low enough that keeping what you own is usually the right financial decision as well as the right environmental one.
Repairs are the most sustainable clothing choice available to you. The carbon cost of producing a new garment is many times the cost of fixing the one you already own, and the load on the landfill system is multiplied again when a repairable garment is thrown away instead. If you have a coat, a jacket, jeans, a bag, a wool sweater, or a dress that has seen better days and you are not ready to let it go, bring it in.
What We Repair
The full range of clothing repair and restoration work, from quick zipper swaps to invisible weave repairs on heritage fabrics.
Zipper Replacements
Our most common repair. Jackets, coats, trousers, skirts, dresses, boots, and bags. We stock common zipper colors and sizes and source unusual ones from our supplier. Turnaround is usually under a week.
Invisible Seam Mending and Weave Repair
For wool, cashmere, silk, and cotton where the fibers can be realigned and stitched so the repair is virtually invisible. A slower, more skilled repair for pieces worth keeping for years.
Hem Repairs
Fallen hems on coats, dresses, trousers, and skirts. We rehem with the correct hand or machine technique for the garment and fabric.
Hole and Tear Mending
Small holes and tears in knit, woven, and stretch fabric. Invisible repair for formal or valuable pieces, or visible sashiko-style mending on denim and casual pieces as a design element.
Lining Replacement
Jacket and coat linings tend to fail before the outer fabric. We replace linings in full or part, matching the original color and material, or upgrading when a better lining improves the garment.
Button Replacement and Buttonhole Repair
Lost buttons, damaged buttonholes, missing closures. We match original buttons where possible or replace the full set for a new look.
Pocket Repair and Replacement
Worn-through pocket bags, especially on trousers, are very common. We replace them fully in matching fabric.
Moth and Wear Damage
Moth holes in wool, elbow wear, cuff fraying on shirts, collar wear. Specific repair technique for each fabric, aiming for the least visible and most durable result.
Garment Restoration
Full restoration of vintage or heirloom pieces. We assess the garment, propose a restoration plan, and return it to wearable condition.
Bag and Accessory Repair
Handles, straps, linings, and zippers on handbags and totes. Keep the bag you love instead of replacing it with one you like less.
Repair or Replace: An Honest Guide
We will not sell you a repair that does not make sense. Here is roughly how we think about it.
Repair Almost Always Makes Sense
- Well-made coats and jackets with zipper or lining issues
- Jeans with worn hems, knee holes, or pocket wear
- Wool sweaters and cashmere with moth holes
- Bags and leather accessories you already like
- Any garment you love and cannot easily replace
Repair Might Not Make Sense
- Fast-fashion pieces where the repair costs more than a replacement and the fabric is already failing elsewhere
- Garments with multiple simultaneous failures in already-thin fabric
- Very inexpensive zippers you could replace at home with a kit
When you bring something in, we tell you which category it falls into. We would rather send you home with honest advice than charge for a repair that will fail in six months.
Repair Pricing Guide
Approximate starting prices at our Helsinki studio. Exact quotes are given after assessment.
- Zipper replacement (pants, skirt)
- from 35 euros
- Zipper replacement (jacket, coat)
- from 55 euros
- Jean hem repair or rehem
- from 25 euros
- Hole or small tear mending (invisible)
- from 30 euros
- Invisible woven repair (wool, silk)
- from 55 euros
- Hem repair (skirt, dress, trousers)
- from 25 euros
- Button replacement (single)
- from 5 euros
- Full button set replacement (jacket)
- from 25 euros plus buttons
- Lining replacement (jacket)
- from 120 euros
- Pocket bag replacement
- from 35 euros
- Bag handle or strap repair
- from 40 euros
- Restoration projects
- quoted individually
Turnaround Times
Zippers, hems, buttons, and common repairs
Invisible mending, wool repair, lining replacement
Full restoration, quoted with timeline at assessment
Sustainable Fashion Through Repair
Repair is the most effective clothing sustainability strategy available to individuals. Buying less is first. Repairing what you already have is second. Everything else (rental, swap, resale, recycled fabric) comes after.
Every zipper we replace keeps a jacket out of the landfill for another few years. Every invisibly mended sweater is a sweater that does not get thrown away. Over the life of a good piece of clothing, routine repairs are often cheaper and always better for the environment than replacement.
Finland imports most of its clothing. Repair is one of the few things we can do locally that pushes against that footprint, and we are proud to be part of Helsinki's repair infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does zipper replacement cost in Helsinki?
Zipper replacement starts at 35 euros for pants and skirts and 55 euros for jackets and coats. Specialty zippers (invisible, two-way, long separating) can add to the cost. Turnaround is usually three to seven business days.
Can you really make holes invisible?
In most cases on wool, cashmere, silk, and tight weaves, yes. The technique involves realigning the original fibers and stitching along the weave so the repair blends in. On knits and very worn fabrics the repair will be strong but visible. We assess each piece and tell you honestly what result to expect.
Do you repair jeans?
Yes. Jean repair is some of our most common work: hems and rehems, knee holes, crotch blowouts, back pocket wear, fly replacement, and zipper replacement. We can do invisible denim repair or visible sashiko-style mending as a design choice.
Can you fix moth holes in a wool sweater?
Yes. Moth hole repair on wool, cashmere, and other knits is a specialty. We can make most moth damage nearly invisible. Bring the sweater in and we will assess it and quote you on the spot for simple cases.
Do I need an appointment for a repair quote?
For simple repairs (zippers, hems, buttons) you can drop in during opening hours and we will quote on the spot. For complex repairs, invisible mending, or full restoration, book a short appointment so we can give the piece a proper look.
Where are you located?
Double Stitch by Sumu is at Liisankatu 9 LH3, 00170 Helsinki, in the Kruununhaka neighborhood. Walking distance from the Helsinki city center, close to public transport.
How long does repair work take?
Most common repairs take three to seven business days. Invisible mending and lining replacement take seven to ten. Restoration projects are quoted with a custom timeline at assessment.
Bring In Your Garment
Drop by during opening hours for simple repair quotes, or book an appointment for complex work and restoration.
Double Stitch by Sumu, Liisankatu 9 LH3, 00170 Helsinki