Sew On Wheelz, a mobile tailoring service in Thiruvananthapuram
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Want to alter your dress or get a new one stitched? What if all you need to do is make a phone call and the tailor arrives at your doorstep with the sewing machine?
Thiruvananthapuram-based couple Anish Unnikrishnan and Gayathri Krishna have made this possible with their venture, Sew On Wheelz. The unit, a tempo traveller, moves around with a tailor, a sewing machine and a designer.
“We have been running a stitching unit for 10 years now [near Carmel Girls Higher Secondary School, Vazhuthacaud], that focusses on bridal and custom-made garments . When customers came in for alteration we usually have to turn them down. That’s when we decided to start this service specifically for alteration work,” says Anish.
Gayathri Krishna and Anish Unnikrishnan
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Gayathri, a fashion designer, adds, “Tailors are reluctant to take up alteration work because it is time consuming. Customers tend to wonder what is the big deal about the task whereas it is cumbersome.”
Now, following customers’ demand, they have started taking stitching orders as well via the unit. “Our designer will take the measurements. We also keep unstitched material in the tempo in case any one wants to buy from our collection,” Gayathri adds.
The altered or stitched items are returned within two weeks.
The month-old venture has been able to build a strong customer base, especially in residential apartments. “We wanted to concentrate on that community of customers because several families live under the same roof. We got in touch with office-bearers of the residents’ associations of these gated communities to pass on the message to the residents,” says Anish.
They function in such a way that they work on orders from one community on a particular day. “Minor alteration is done and returned the same day itself. But if it entails extensive shaping or cutting, we take it to our unit at Jagathy that takes care of the orders from this mobile service,” Gayathri says.
A view of Sew On Wheelz, a mobile tailoring service
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Although our focus is on families in the apartment buildings, they cater to individuals as well. “But in such cases we don’t take the tempo. Our staff will personally collect the clothing from the customer and it will be returned within the stipulated period,” Anish adds.
While individual orders will be attended to from 10am, the tempo traveller arrives at the specified location in the evening. “That’s when the customers, especially working women and college students, are back home. We will be stationed at the particular spot till 8pm,” Anish says.
Gayathri Krishna and Anish Unnikrishnan
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Currently they have customers in around 20 apartment buildings in locations such as Kowdiar, Jawahar Nagar, Kuravankonam, Sasthamangalam, and Jagathy. “We are operating within city limits for the time being,” Anish adds.
Minimum charge for alteration is ₹100. “We attend to all kinds of men’s and women’s wear. The time-consuming work is altering readymade lehenga cholis, lachas and such heavily-embroidered dresses,” says Gayathri.
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Published – January 23, 2025 10:56 am IST
