By Design Custom Tailors Available

By Design Custom Tailors operates on South Bristol Street in Santa Ana with an intake process centered on direct communication, structural viability, and candid estimates. Founded in 1970 and guided by tailor Rajan Melwani, the shop approaches alterations and bench-made clothing through decades of hands-on technical construction. Rather than agreeing to quick alterations that might warp the balance of a coat or pull tension across delicate fibers, the staff examines the garment on the client's frame, tests the seam allowances, and identifies any manufacturing limitations before quoting a price or accepting a deposit.

The workshop balances everyday tailoring with comprehensive made-to-measure projects, custom raw denim, and formal wedding attire. When evaluating incoming garments—whether an off-the-rack Italian jacket needing slimmed sleeves or a bridal gown requiring a multi-layer hem—the tailors inspect original thread tensions, internal canvasing, and drape. If an alteration risks distorting a jacket lapel roll or weakening fragile vintage fabric, clients receive an honest explanation of what can realistically be achieved. For custom commissions, the shop sources proven textiles from international mills such as Vitale Barberis Canonico, Dormeuil, Holland & Sherry, and Loro Piana, guiding patrons through single-breasted, double-breasted, unlined, and fully canvased specifications based on intended use.

Project execution relies on a multi-step fitting system developed to track body proportions accurately across repeated appointments. Simple tasks like cuffing trousers or adjusting waistbands are measured alongside the natural stance of the wearer, while complex projects such as resetting jacket shoulders or tapering denim legs through the selvedge follow clear interim phases. Every project scope is established during the initial pin-fitting, allowing clients to see how pinned seams distribute weight across the shoulders and hips before cutting begins.

Appointments are recommended for made-to-measure commissions and formalwear consultations to ensure dedicated fitting time, though standard garment drop-offs are handled through routine shop hours. Typical alterations take between one and two weeks depending on seasonal volume, while custom-built suits and specialty denim commissions follow multi-week production and fitting cycles. Clients should arrive at fittings wearing the exact dress shoes or boots intended for the trousers, along with the foundational undergarments planned for formal dresses, so hems and waistlines sit at their true operating positions.