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Tailoring

Remember you can have a skirt, pants, shirt, or dress made to fit by a tailor or seamstress, so you shouldn't pay more than the amount you'd pay him or her (plus material) for the same garment at a market stall or art shop. Also you get the best price because you're dealing directly with the person making your garment.

Stay clear of tourist ghettoes. Tailors on Bali do good work, take only two to three days to complete a job, charge very reasonable prices and are very clever at copying from an already sewn piece or from a photo in a fashion magazine or catalog.

Give a false deadline to avoid a delay. They may charge you extra fee for 'fast work' (two days). More elaborate designs cost more and take more time. Bring a shirt, skirt, or pair of trousers, which fit you very well.

From any of these garments the tailor will make a paper pattern. Always specify the buttons to be used and whether you desire double stitching (you do). Check out their previous work.

Prices for typical materials like print batik for a shirt, cotton for dresses or trousers are extra. You'll find a good selection of materials on Jalan Sulawesi in Denpasar.

Locate a good tailor on Jalan Legian (between Kuta and Legian); in Denpasar there are few tailors along Jalan Gajah Mada who do sew for less. Or you can get the name of a good tailor or seamstress from a fabric shop.

If it's a retail outlet that offers alterations, look for a sewing machine on site. It's a good sign because you work directly with the tailor and avoid the middleman.