Expand mobile version menu
  Skip to main content

Tailor/Dressmaker

salary graphic

AVG. SALARY

$36,220

education graphic

EDUCATION

No standard requirement

job outlook graphic

JOB OUTLOOK

Decreasing

What They Do

Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers Career Video

About This Career

Designs, makes, alters, repairs, or fits garments.

This career is part of the Human Services cluster Personal Care Services pathway.

A person in this career:

  • Measures parts, such as sleeves or pant legs, and marks or pin-folds alteration lines.
  • Removes stitches from garments to be altered, using rippers or razor blades.
  • Sews garments, using needles and thread or sewing machines.
  • Lets out or takes in seams in suits and other garments to improve fit.
  • Measures customers, using tape measures, and records measurements.
  • Fits and studies garments on customers to determine required alterations.
  • Trims excess material, using scissors.
  • Assembles garment parts and joins parts with basting stitches, using needles and thread or sewing machines.
  • Makes garment style changes, such as tapering pant legs, narrowing lapels, and adding or removing padding.
  • Maintains garment drape and proportions as alterations are performed.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

  • You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
  • Work in this occupation involves using your hands to hold, control, and feel objects more than one-third of the time
  • Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
  • Work in this occupation involves sitting more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

  • Seeing clearly up close
  • Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
  • Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

  • Regular working hours and limited travel

Specialty and Similar Careers

Careers that are more detailed or close to this career:

  • Alterations Expert
  • Alterations Sewer
  • Custom Dressmaker
  • Seamstress
  • Custom Sewer
  • Bridal Designer
  • Custom Tailor
  • Clothing Pattern Designer

Contact

  • Email Support

  • 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927)
    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900

Support


Powered by XAP

OCAP believes that financial literacy and understanding the financial aid process are critical aspects of college planning and student success. OCAP staff who work with students, parents, educators and community partners in the areas of personal finance education, state and federal financial aid, and student loan management do not provide financial, investment, legal, and/or tax advice. This website and all information provided is for general educational purposes only, and is not intended to be construed as financial, investment, legal, and/or tax advice.