The Tailoress - Central Court 5B Empire Street

Cheryle Carter has a traditionalist approach in the foundations of garment construction. Achieving excellence in her work is a passion, her first experiences in finding her way as a seamstress began in her primary school years. Not wanting to start with the projects on curriculum eg. aprons and peg bags, with the help of her teacher she ventured into making her first suit, complete with interlining, lining and with bound buttonholes. Going on to making her confirmation dress, which was cut down to be a tennis dress afterwards, then making her High School uniform for the following year.

  She trained as a Tailoress, achieving the best of tailoring basics, and became disciplined in the art of fitting. Over the years she continued to sew for family and friends until 1993. Cheryle then started her own business from home in Cambridge, Waikato, and built a new clientele base. Believing in continuing education she studied Pattern Adaptation, Design and Textile, any further study was put on hold. Travelling to London in 2001 for more experience, she found herself immersed in life at The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, as Costume Technician, for Performance Support Wardrobe, ballet and opera. This was a dimension of sewing she found irresistable. Cheryle made her way back to New Zealand in 2004, and embarked on another business, this time in commercial premises in Cambridge township, opening The Tailoress. Her portfolio would be womens' tailoring, brides, restyling and alterations, and has met wonderful people to work for and with.

The experience gained from working on repertory costumes was beckoning, and she placed a formal interest as Wardrobe Mistress, volunteer,  with Cambridge Repertory Society, whose plays can be seen at the Gaslight Theatre, Cambridge. Her first task, was a firm determination to upgrade the wardrobe space and cull the costumes, overseeing complete overhaul.  During the next ten years 2004-2014, as wardrobe mistress, she costumed out four plays a year, researching and sourcing period costuming, making costumes from scratch as was necessary, measuring, cutting, stitching, and fitting of casts. Being creative with crystals, sequins, paints, for effective and authentic embellishments, etc.  Working with directors, paying particular attention to their costume requirements and suggestions, interpreting correctly what the mood and scene set was for the plays.

Today, her passion with which she started The Tailoress is still there, and one can contact her to discuss wardrobe requirements.