Quick answer: A tailor’s order book needs one row per item with these columns:
- order no., date, customer and phone
- the item (suit, blouse, kurta…)
- amount, advance and balance
- delivery date, days left and status (cutting → stitching → ready → delivered)
Keep each customer’s measurement card separately, so you don’t have to measure again for every order. Download both free in one Excel file below. Overdue orders turn red and ready orders turn green.
Key takeaways
- Order book for up to 60 items, with the balance and days to delivery worked out.
- Colour alerts: overdue orders in red and ready orders in green, so nothing is forgotten in the festival rush.
- Printable measurement card for a ladies’ suit (kameez and salwar) or a gents’ kurta, with design notes.
- Free, with no macros. Works on a phone in Excel or Google Sheets.
What a boutique order book should record
| Column | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Order no. and date | Matches the slip you give the customer. |
| Customer and phone | So you can call or WhatsApp when the order is ready. |
| Item and notes | For example, suit with lining, boat neck, 3/4 sleeves. |
| Amount, advance, balance | Collect the right balance at delivery. |
| Delivery date, days left, status | The most important part during the Diwali and wedding rush. |
Ladies suit measurement chart
Kameez / kurta / blouse:
- length
- chest (bust), waist and hip
- shoulder
- sleeve length and sleeve round
- armhole
- front and back neck depth
Salwar / pant:
- length
- waist and hip
- thigh, knee and calf
- bottom (mohri)
Take measurements in inches over light clothing. Write the date taken, because measurements change. Add design notes such as neck style, sleeve length, slits and piping, so the karigar doesn’t have to ask.
Tips for on-time delivery
- Give every order a delivery date. Before festivals, add a few days rather than promise what you can’t deliver.
- Check the red rows every morning. Overdue orders first, then orders due in 2 days.
- Message the customer as soon as an order is ready. Orders collected sooner means less stock in the shop and the balance in hand.
Running a busy boutique? XploreStitch – Boutique & Tailor Order Manager in Excel saves each customer’s 16 measurements once and prints them on every order. It gives a printable order slip in two copies: a customer copy with prices and a workshop copy with measurements for the karigar. It also has a delivery board with WhatsApp “ready for pickup” messages, advances and pending dues, karigar work and payments, and a monthly profit report.
Download the free Tailor Order Book & Measurement Card
There are two sheets: Order Book and Measurement Card. Fill in the yellow cells, then print the measurement card or save it as PDF.
FAQs
How much advance should a boutique take?
Many boutiques take 30–50% at booking, and the full amount for fabric they buy for the customer. Write the amount on the slip and in the order book.
Can I use it for gents’ tailoring?
Yes. Use the kurta/shirt and pant fields. The paid version also has collar / neck measurements.
Does it work on mobile?
Yes. Open it in the Excel or Google Sheets app. Adding an order takes under a minute.
