Professionals Serendipity 
With so many amazing places on Tamborine Mountain to buy clothing of all styles, and not to mention the beautiful wedding destinations that bring out the beautiful brides in their dresses of all shapes and sizes, it’s inevitable that sometimes you end up with that one garment that’s just not right anymore. But what to do? Give up on ever wearing it again? Not so, says Felicia Ravanelli of Alterations Exclusive. Operating since 2012, Felicia adjusts clothing of all kinds so that those precious memories don’t have to be thrown away— and she’s made more than a few memories of her own to share, too.
by Kyle Hitchmough
How long has Alterations Exclusive been operating?
I established it in Helensvale in 2012 and when my lease ran out just after COVID, I decided not to renew. We’ve lived up here for 10+ years now and I still have some people from the Gold Coast who come up and see me.
What was your inspiration to start this business?
After I left school I studied fashion, clothing, design and manufacturing. After I had my family, I got back into the industry, doing another two years at Ashmore TAFE. The only thing I’ve known to do is sew!
For those who might not be familiar, can you explain what it is you offer?
I do professional clothing alterations of most kinds. I specialise in bridal gown alterations, men’s suits and formal gowns, but I’m not restricted to that. I’m basically doing a little bit of everything, all sorts of alterations like school uniforms. Whatever the client wants you to do! Every now and then I do dressmaking as well, time permitting and I have an Etsy Shop.
There’s a very large culture on Tamborine Mountain centered around sustainable living. Do you feel you contribute to that?
I do restyle as well, so yes. I love vintage. Styling a modern garment into a vintage style is another thing I sometimes do, depending on what the client wants. I think that lends itself to the sustainable culture here, as well as using fabrics that come from the environment like cottons and linens and natural dyes. I have some Japanese indigo plants and each year when they get bigger, I potter around with dyeing indigo.
Were you affected by the recent storms in the area? How are you recovering?
We were, being on this side of the mountain. It was pretty bad. We had some smashed solar panels and our chimney was damaged as well. It’s been a challenging few weeks since Boxing Day, but we’re slowly making our way back. It’s a waiting game.
Can you tell us more about your Etsy store?
I make things like purses, knick-knacks and personal products made out of fabrics. I have beanies, little Japanese-inspired purses and wallets, and some little teddy bears. It’s basically about not wasting fabrics, and using what I have left over to make something. Lately I’ve also been making earrings. I make little tulip-styled earrings with freshwater pearls that come from America, you can’t buy them here. It’s quite an expense with postage, but I hope to make them a unique thing I can offer to Australians.
What goes into the average day here for you?
I’m not here a full week, I do work off the mountain two days a week. I recently offered free uniform alterations for parents. I know a lot of people have been doing it tough so I offered two Saturday workshops for anybody who wanted to get their uniform sorted. I had a bit of a turnout, it was nice! It’s great to meet new people, too.
Have you noticed any particular trends in your clientele?
Not really. It’s a bit of everyone, and everyone is so lovely— up here, anyway! Being in business the last 10 or so years you meet a lot of different types of people. In general, everybody’s really nice.
As a local, what’s your opinion on the Tamborine Mountain area and community?
I wouldn’t move off the mountain, especially not after COVID. We’re here to settle. I like the nature aspect of the mountain, not being held up in traffic every day, and the people.
What’s your favourite thing to do on the mountain?
I like to walk. I walk regularly with my neighbour across the road and we pick different areas of the mountain. We don’t venture out too far, we do some rainforest hikes. It’s just the environment.
What do you think Alterations Exclusive really provides to the area?
I have found in this industry that professional sewing machinists are few and far between. A lot of the youth of today follow different pathways. As it’s been my career path most of my life, I can offer a professional service to the community, and also teach the younger generation how to sew. A lot of the schools have cancelled Home Economics courses, so I like to think that when I start up my sewing lessons again, I can offer the young ones an interest in an essential life skill. My work as a bridal alterations specialist can contribute to the mountain, as it is a very popular destination for wedding venues.
Can you tell us more about your plans for a social sewing group?
I’d like to get together a group of a half-dozen or so people who like to sew and just get together here as a meeting place for some social sewing and natter and chatter over a cup of tea while they’re working on their projects.
What do you enjoy most about doing this?
Pleasing people! Pleasing the community and offering them my services for things they might not be able to do at home. A lot of people might think to sew at home is easy to do, but it’s not as easy as it sounds to do it properly, especially clothing alterations.
What’s been your most memorable moment in your time here?
My most memorable moments would be seeing my brides get married and sending me photos of what I’ve worked on for them. It’s really nice.
Is there anything else you’d like to go on the record?
I’m available for anyone who needs any professional work done to their clothing, restyling, getting into their wardrobes and not having to throw things out, seriously looking for a second opinion on whether they should keep it or not… I can offer my ideas to them. I also have intentions in offering nature inspired bridal veils, in keeping to the rainforest environment.
Alterations Exclusive
5 JURA CT, TAMBORINE MOUNTAIN QLD 4272
We are always looking for new topics for our blog. If there’s something you like to see more of, send your suggestions to: social@professionalsserendipity.com.au, or email the writer at kyle.hitchmough@hotmail.com.
