What Do Tailors and Dressmakers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Tailors and Dressmakers design, make, alter, repair, or fit garments. They also fit and study garments on customers to determine required alterations.

Other tasks include:

• Sew garments, using needles and thread or sewing machines.
• Measure parts such as sleeves or pant legs, and mark or pin-fold alteration lines.
• Take up or let down hems to shorten or lengthen garment parts such as sleeves.
• Let out or take in seams in suits and other garments to improve fit.
• Assemble garment parts and join parts with basting stitches, using needles and thread or sewing machines.
• Remove stitches from garments to be altered, using rippers or razor blades.

We asked Tailors and Dressmakers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

61% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 46% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Tailors and Dressmakers fit and study garments on customers to determine required alterations. They sew garments, using needles and thread or sewing machines.

A typical day for a Tailor, Dressmaker and Custom Sewer will also include:

• Examine tags on garments to determine alterations that are needed.
• Record required alterations and instructions on tags, and attach them to garments.
• Measure customers, using tape measures, and record measurements.
• Maintain garment drape and proportions as alterations are performed.
• Let out or take in seams in suits and other garments to improve fit.

We asked some Tailors and Dressmakers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Tailors and Dressmakers also sew buttonholes and attach buttons to finish garments. They may also put in padding and shaping materials.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Tailors and Dressmakers Position patterns of garment parts on fabric, and cut fabric along outlines, using scissors. They might also Develop, copy, or adapt designs for garments, and design patterns to fit measurements, applying knowledge of garment design, construction, styling, and fabric.

In addition, they Confer with customers to determine types of material and garment styles desired.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Make garment style changes, such as tapering pant legs, narrowing lapels, and adding or removing padding.

To some Tailors and Dressmakers, it is also their responsibility to Repair or replace defective garment parts such as pockets, zippers, snaps, buttons, and linings.

Working life

Less than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Tailor, Dressmaker and Custom Sewer, you can expect to work less than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

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