The Saffron Stitch

The Saffron Stitch: clothing alterations and bespoke tailoring in Toddington

The Saffron Stitch is a sewing workshop based at St John's Barn, Unit 1, Griffin Farm, Conger Lane, in the village of Toddington (LU5 6BT). The company presents itself as a business able to sew any item it is commissioned to make, and its activity is built around two main areas: garment alterations and bespoke commissions.

Garment alterations using traditional techniques

The workshop offers clothing alterations carried out by an experienced tailor, who handles resizing, restyling and repairs. According to the company's own information, this work is done using traditional techniques perfected over twenty years of experience. The service covers womenswear, menswear and childrenswear, and occasionally pet items as well.

Bespoke commissions: from christening gowns to curtains

The company accepts a wide variety of sewing commissions. Examples it mentions include a christening gown made from the mother's wedding dress, cushions, curtains, a window seat cushion or a memory-foam bed for dogs and cats. The firm sums up this activity with the idea that you only have to ask to commission any piece.

Ecclesiastical textiles

The company was incorporated in February 2017 and, according to its own presentation, has built a reputation in the field of ecclesiastical textiles. Among the items it makes, it cites banners, copes, altar frontals and mitres. As an example of this work, the website points to a mitre made with St Alban's yellow saltire and a traditional Armenian cross, in which the palm frond symbolises martyrdom and the sword the manner of it. The model wearing this piece is the Rt Revd Dr Alan Smith, 10th Bishop of St Albans.

The origin of the name and the tailor's training

The company's name comes from saffron, a spice to which the firm attributes symbolic value. The resident tailor was born in the Iranian province of Khorasan, the same region where the saffron crocus blooms, and trained at the Royal School of Needlework. During that time, one of his silk embroidery pieces for the certificate inspired the company's name change. The company notes that the English word saffron probably derives from the Persian zarparan, meaning 'gold string', and that saffron is the world's most valuable spice because of its properties and the hand labour its production requires. The firm states that these characteristics inspire the way it works.

Customer reviews

The Saffron Stitch works with Trustpilot to channel customer opinions through an independent review platform, and also invites customers to leave reviews on Google. The company says it uses this feedback to improve its service.

Location and contact

St John's Barn, Unit 1, Griffin Farm, Conger Lane, Toddington, LU5 6BT · Telephone: 01525 643510