Before You Bring Your Garment to the Atelier: How to Prepare It for a Transformation

Before a garment reaches my work table to become something else, there are a few preliminary steps that make a huge difference to the final result. And they're almost always very simple gestures anyone can do at home.

When a garment arrives well prepared, I can spend the first appointment talking about design and possibilities, instead of sorting out basic issues that could have been handled beforehand.

Before you bring it in, check this

Bring the garment clean, following its care label. If it is old or delicate, or you are unsure which treatment it can withstand, ask before washing or ironing it. Check the seams and point out worn areas without trying to conceal them. Also bring any reference images or garments that help explain what you have in mind.

"The more information you bring, the less time we lose guessing and the more time we spend designing."

What to note down if the garment has special meaning

When a garment carries emotional weight — it belonged to a mother, a grandmother, a specific moment — it's worth noting which part matters most to preserve. It's not always obvious at first glance: it could be a specific button, the feel of a fabric, or even a hand-sewn label. The clearer you are about which element can't be lost in the transformation, the easier it is to design something that respects it.

When it's worth bringing more than one reference garment

A single reference image is sometimes not enough to convey what you are looking for. If several garments or photos come close to your idea — even if none is exactly what you imagine — bring them all. Seeing which elements recur, such as a neckline, a length or a texture, helps me understand your style much more than one isolated reference.

Come with an open mind, not a fixed result

It's common to arrive with a very specific idea of what you want. And it's fine to have one — but it's also worth listening to what's technically possible with that specific fabric and structure. Sometimes the best transformation isn't the one we imagined at first, but the one the garment itself allows.

If you have a garment waiting for a second life, you can contact Atelier Yvicor and we'll start there: taking a calm look at it together.

Explore our clothing transformation and upcycling service to prepare for an initial assessment.

Frequently asked questions

How should I prepare a garment before bringing it to the atelier?
Bring it clean according to its care label and check the seams. If it is old or delicate, ask before washing or ironing it; include references that help explain your idea.

Should I hide stains or damage on a garment before bringing it in?
No, quite the opposite — those details can completely change which transformation is feasible, so it's better if they're visible from the very first moment.

Is it better to bring a single reference image or several?
Several, if possible — seeing which elements repeat across different references helps much more in understanding the style you're after than one isolated image.

"A good transformation begins before the first stitch is sewn."

— Patricia Rojas