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Tailor, Dressmaker, or Custom Sewer

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Life As a Tailor, Dressmaker, or Custom Sewer

Tailor, Dressmaker, or Custom Sewer Job Description Design, make, alter, repair, or fit garments.

What Do Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers Do On a Daily Basis?

  • Put in padding and shaping materials.
  • Estimate how much a garment will cost to make, based on factors such as time and material requirements.
  • Fit, alter, repair, and make made-to-measure clothing, according to customers' and clothing manufacturers' specifications and fit, and applying principles of garment design, construction, and styling.
  • Repair or replace defective garment parts such as pockets, zippers, snaps, buttons, and linings.
  • Press garments, using hand irons or pressing machines.
  • Make garment style changes, such as tapering pant legs, narrowing lapels, and adding or removing padding.

What Every Tailor, Dressmaker, or Custom Sewer Should Know

Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

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.

Other Tailor, Dressmaker, or Custom Sewer Job Titles

  • Garment Cutter
  • Alterations Expert
  • Alterations Supervisor
  • Top Collar Baster
  • Alteration Hand

Are There 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. There will be an estimated 4,800 positions for Tailor, Dressmaker, or Custom Sewer per year.

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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.

How Much Does a Tailor, Dressmaker, or Custom Sewer Make?

Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers make between $20,720 and $53,990 a year.

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Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers who work in Minnesota, District of Columbia, or California, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers in different U.S. states.

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

Tools & Technologies Used by Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Google Docs
  • Inventory tracking software
  • Bookkeeping software

How to Become a Tailor, Dressmaker, or Custom Sewer

What education is needed to be a Tailor, Dressmaker, or Custom Sewer?

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Who Employs Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers?

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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Those who work as a Tailor, Dressmaker, or Custom Sewer sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

References:

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More about our data sources and methodologies.

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