FAQs

I have ordered before but cannot now log-in to my account, why is this ?

If you are returning to us after we updated our website in 2016 - and are having trouble logging-in to your account please don't worry.

We have had to completely change our website rather than simply upgrading it and so we were unable to transfer customer details to protect Customer's Sensitive Information. As a result it is necessary for all customers to re-register with the new website in order to place a new order with us. We have retained all customer measurements in their respective paper files so we can access these for the purposes of new orders and can add these to Customers' new online accounts at their request, in most cases.

Are all your garments made to measure ?

Strictly - no.

Bishops & Clergy Cassocks, Readers Cassocks and Vergers Cassocks are all made to measure - but most other items (though all are made to order) are made to measurements provided but are cut from "stock patterns", selecting the pattern that is closest to the given measurements and amending as necessary.

When we take measurements for our garments, these are done over normal/everyday clothes (e.g. shirt and trousers) - as the Clerical Robes we make are generally worn over clothes.

All the items we make are made to order and this gives us the opportunity (wherever possible) to accommodate individual requirements. We do not have sufficient storage facilities to keep "stock" items so we have very little by way of "off the peg" garments.

Do I need to pay up-front for an order ?

Our standard Terms and Conditions call for a deposit of 25% with each Order of £50.00 or over.

However, our website requires all orders to be paid in full at the time of ordering. These payments are processed securely (away from our website) via World Pay (a Global Payment provider similar to PayPal).

Alternatively if you would rather discuss all the details of your order with us via email first we can confirm your order via email.

If you are overseas and wish to place your order via email the necessary deposit can be arranged by a World Pay on-line Link - with full settlement required before despatch.

For UK customers, an invoice for whatever remains of the total cost will be sent out at the time of despatch for settlement by whatever means is most convenient. We accept cheques or card payments (by telephone or on-line link) and we can also accept on-line banking payments (details are printed on all our Invoices).

If for some reason (e.g. if ordering for a Cathedral, Church, Choir, or College) payment by Card is not appropriate, you can inform us to whom you would like the invoice addressed.

Do you have a showroom - and what are your opening hours ?

Yes, we operate from one site in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Though most of our orders are placed by email, post or through our website, we do of course welcome visitors to our showroom (which also acts as our office and production space), where our Customer Service Staff can help you discuss requirements, show sample garments, explain the relevant fabrics and take measurements for your order.

Apart from Maundy Thursday and the Tuesday after Easter - and for approximately two weeks over Christmas (depending on when Christmas Day and New Year's Day fall) our usual opening hours are :-

Monday to Thursday - 8.00 am until 4.00 pm and Friday - 8.00 am until 2.00 pm

We are also closed on all Bank Holidays.

If you would like directions, please enquire, and we can send you some appropriate notes, depending on how you intend to travel. There is generally no need to make an appointment with us, there is always someone at the front desk who can help you upon arrival.

I wish to supply my own fabric for a Shirt or Blouse, how much do you need ?

For Average Sizes we require approximately -   2 metres x 150 cms wide

                or      2½ metres x 115 cms wide

For Larger Sizes we require approximately -     3 metres x 150 cms wide

                or     3½ metres x 115 cms wide

Please do not hesitate to contact us for advice regarding our different Blouse Styles if you think this would be useful before placing an order.

Do you sell fabric or patterns ?

Sorry -  no.

Our business is only in the manufacture of Clerical Garments and Church Furnishings - and we do not sell Fabric, Braids or Patterns.

How do I give measurements ?

We provide Measurement Fields for Customers to complete, in the "My Account" area of our website. To help you in taking your measurements we have dedicated a page on our website to our detailed measurement guide complete with photographs to show you exactly how/where the measurements we need should be taken from/to. This page can be found under the Menu tab at the top of our website next to the link for this FAQ page or alternatively please click the link below.

https://www.jandmsewing.com/index.php?route=information/information&information_id=9

We may not need all the Measurements listed there for every item that you order but we do ask that you complete all the fields for your Gender so that they will then be saved there for any future orders you may wish to place. Once your order has been placed, we select the relevant Measurements that are required as appropriate.

Although the Measurement Fields on our website are not actually accessible to us (as this area is under the password control of each individual Customer) - whatever is input in those Fields is copied to us by our automated website with each On-Line Order placed.

How long does it take for an Order to be completed ?

Our order turn-around period does vary throughout the year.

It is affected by several factors and it is therefore not possible to give a definite answer.

We are always busier in the run up to the major Festivals of Christmas and Easter - and also in the few months prior to the Petertide Ordinations, when we give priority to Ordination Orders. We do ask Ordinands to place their Ordination orders well before their "required by" date - as often certain items can take between 8-12 weeks during this busy time.

We do try and complete most orders within four weeks, and sometimes less - but it does depend on what is ordered and how many items are ordered (e.g. 30 or 40 sets of robes for a Choir would obviously take longer than a a few garments for an individual).

Sometimes, we are affected by delays in the supply of fabric, which is outside our control. If this will affect your order we will contact you directly and may make suggestions of an alternative fabric that would allow us to complete your order quicker if necessary.

Whatever the time of year however, we will always do our very best to meet any deadline dates given to us, so when ordering, if you have a preferred delivery date then please do let us know. Our Customer Service staff will inform you at the time of ordering how busy we are at that time and if we feel it will be realistically possible to complete your order to your time scale.

How much does Postage & Packing cost ?

The cost of Postage & Packing depends on what is ordered, the address for delivery and what items are despatched in any particular parcel.

For overseas orders, the cost of Postage & Packing is calculated according to the weight/volume of each parcel, and an estimate can be given at the time of ordering if required. The final amount is calculated when the order is complete and ready to be despatched, we will then contact you directly for any payments required prior to the despatch of your goods.

Within the UK, we use a next working day Parcel Force delivery service for our larger orders of approximately £100 or above, as this provides a tracking facility and requires a signature upon delivery. The current cost is £17.48 per parcel to mainland UK; Northern Ireland and the Highlands/Islands areas will cost more, please enquire.

For smaller value and lighter weight parcels within the UK we tend to use ordinary Royal Mail, or sometimes Royal Mail Special delivery. The cost of Postage & Packing is always itemised separately on our Invoices. 

We understand that completed Orders that we send to countries in Europe do not attract any Customs Charges after "Brexit" – though we do anticipate that there could be a VAT Charge (or Import Charge) levied in the destination Country - and that this could be roughly equivalent to the UK VAT at 20% we are no longer obliged to include in what we charge at source (that we used to include in our Invoices for items sent to Countries in Europe when the UK was part of the EEC)

So, in addition to the UK Shipping Charges that we include in our Invoices, there may well be additional charges that will need to be settled locally in certain circumstances.

Unfortunately, we are currently unable to estimate the level of those extra costs for completed Orders sent to our Customers in European Countries.

Where can I find photographs of the Brocade fabrics you offer for Stoles and other items ?

We have a page on our website dedicated to all the Brocades/Tapestries we offer which shows photographs of the patterns and also explains which colours are available in each fabric. The link for this page can be found in the footer of each page (next to the Terms and Conditions, Security and Contact Us pages) or alternatively please click the link below:

https://www.jandmsewing.com/index.php?route=information/information&information_id=14

We are in the process of linking this page to all the relevant pages (e.g. Stoles, Copes, Frontals etc). If you wish to see samples of any of the fabrics listed on that page please send us an email or give us a call and we can arrange that for you.

Do you adhere to Ethical Business Practices ?

We are committed to conducting all aspects of our Business in accordance with Ethical, Social and Environmental best practices, so that our work remains sustainable. A copy of our Policies in these respects can be provided on enquiry, together with copies of written statements from the main Suppliers we use for our raw materials.