Cheekyhandmades
Walthamstow, London · Greater London
A Walthamstow sewing studio that also takes in soft toy repairs, standing in for a more specialist repairer and passing the hardest jobs on to her. It covers washing, restuffing, seams, patching, joints, paw pads, eyes, noses and full linings, with published guide prices and every toy assessed in person before a quote.
Getting hold of them
- cheekyhandmades@gmail.com
- Their own site
- You can walk in at 13 Thorpe Crescent, Walthamstow, London, E17 5BY
When they are open
- Monday
- 9am to 5pm
- Tuesday
- 9am to 5pm
- Wednesday
- 9am to 5pm
- Thursday
- 9am to 5pm
- Friday
- 9am to 5pm
- Saturday
- 9am to 5pm
- Sunday
- Closed
As published by the business on Apple Maps. Ring before travelling.
Email is the way in. They do not take cold calls.
If your case is urgent, say so in the first sentence. They make exceptions and they will not think to ask.
If it gets lost
Not stated
This is a blank on their page, not an answer from them. We have never asked anybody in this trade the question. Of the 185 businesses we have read, 4 have written anything down about losing an item: 2 say it is insured, 2 say the risk is yours. The other 181 are silent, and silence is not a policy either way.
If you would rather not have to phrase it
“Before I send it, can I ask what happens if it gets lost or damaged while it’s with you? I’m not trying to catch you out, it just can’t be replaced. Whatever the answer is, could you put it in an email so I’ve got it in writing?”
“No, we don’t cover it” is a fine answer to get. It tells you to insure the post yourself for the full amount, both ways.
If it is lost or damaged
Their website does not say what happens if your item is lost or damaged while they have it.
Ask before you post anything you could not replace. Only four of the businesses we hold publish an answer to this.
What they take on
- Full restoration and rebuilds
- Mending and seams
- Restuffing
- Cleaning on its own
- Eyes and noses
- Joints
What they won’t do
The part every other directory leaves out. None of this is a criticism. It is how you avoid three wasted weeks.
- Won't quote from photos. Needs it in hand first
- Doesn't say whether they take work by post
Their exact words on what they refuse
Quoted from their own pages, unedited, because a paraphrase of a refusal is the kind of thing you find out was wrong three weeks in.
- “I am not anywhere near as experienced at high end repairs as Katherine is, and will leave the really specialised work to her.”
- “If toys have this filling I will insist on replacing it before I start other repairs.”
Their published prices
- Wash, fluff and stuff of a non-jointed friendfrom £55
- Wash, fluff and stuff of a modern jointed friendfrom £75
- Surface clean on vintage/antique friendsfrom £75
- Popped seamfrom £20
- Patchingfrom £20
- Joint replacementfrom £30
- External Paw Padsfrom £30
- Growlers /Squeakersfrom £20
- Full Lining£160-£400
- Replacement eyes/nose£20-£30
- Embroideryfrom £15
Getting it there
- Doesn't say whether they take work by post
- You can bring it in
Money
- Will not quote until it is in their hands, and charges to look
Anything else they say
- The price will increase slightly according to the size. Please add £10-£20 if they are filled with foam chips. This stuff is nasty and messy. It disintegrates to a powder, leaves an orange residue and is carcinogenic. If toys have this filling I will insist on replacing it before I start other repairs.
- The same business also does sewing classes, sewing machine repairs and servicing, and quilt repairs, from a studio in E17 London.
- I’m afraid it is not accessible for anyone with mobility issues.
- Parking is restricted but I can sell you a voucher when you get here (£1.20/ hour).
- A postal address is published for returning shop purchases: Cheekyhandmades, 13 Thorpe Crescent, London E17 5BY.