What Does it Take to Be a Tailor, Dressmaker, or Custom Sewer?
Job Description & Duties Design, make, alter, repair, or fit garments.
Life As a Tailor, Dressmaker, or Custom Sewer: What Do They Do?
- Position patterns of garment parts on fabric, and cut fabric along outlines, using scissors.
- Measure customers, using tape measures, and record measurements.
- Make garment style changes, such as tapering pant legs, narrowing lapels, and adding or removing padding.
- Repair or replace defective garment parts such as pockets, zippers, snaps, buttons, and linings.
- Confer with customers to determine types of material and garment styles desired.
- Put in padding and shaping materials.
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Things a Tailor, Dressmaker, or Custom Sewer Should Know How to Do
Below is a list of the skills most Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers say are important on the job.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Shop Tailor Apprentice
- Custom Dressmaker
- Lacemaker
- Collar Setter
- Underwear Cutter
Job Opportunities for Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
There were about 44,300 jobs for Tailor, Dressmaker, or Custom Sewer in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Tailor, Dressmaker, or Custom Sewer. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 4,800 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Tailor, Dressmaker, or Custom Sewer are Oregon, Washington, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Wyoming, or Delaware. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers Salary
The salary for Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers ranges between about $20,720 and $53,990 a year.

Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers who work in Minnesota, District of Columbia, or California, make the highest salaries.
How much do Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $28,990 |
Alaska | $35,930 |
Arizona | $40,830 |
Arkansas | $25,640 |
California | $43,200 |
Colorado | $35,500 |
Connecticut | $39,620 |
Delaware | $29,680 |
District of Columbia | $44,810 |
Florida | $28,810 |
Georgia | $39,400 |
Hawaii | $31,420 |
Idaho | $31,300 |
Illinois | $38,710 |
Indiana | $29,470 |
Iowa | $34,260 |
Kentucky | $31,820 |
Louisiana | $31,350 |
Maryland | $35,270 |
Massachusetts | $39,000 |
Michigan | $35,530 |
Minnesota | $45,060 |
Mississippi | $24,320 |
Missouri | $33,420 |
Nebraska | $31,000 |
Nevada | $34,880 |
New Hampshire | $28,190 |
New Jersey | $33,870 |
New York | $39,700 |
North Carolina | $26,600 |
North Dakota | $33,350 |
Ohio | $35,130 |
Oklahoma | $28,920 |
Oregon | $33,800 |
Pennsylvania | $35,740 |
South Carolina | $31,130 |
Tennessee | $29,170 |
Texas | $28,870 |
Utah | $35,400 |
Virginia | $27,340 |
Washington | $32,620 |
Wisconsin | $29,790 |
What Tools do Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Google Docs
- Inventory tracking software
- Bookkeeping software
How to Become a Tailor, Dressmaker, or Custom Sewer
What kind of Tailor, Dressmaker, or Custom Sewer requirements are there?

What work experience do I need to become a Tailor, Dressmaker, or Custom Sewer?

Where do Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers Work?

Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers work in the following industries:

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Are you already one of the many Tailor, Dressmaker, or Custom Sewer in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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