Searching

Career Exploration

Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers

Also called: Alterations Sewer, Dressmaker, Seamstress, Tailor

What they do:

Design, make, alter, repair, or fit garments.

On the job, you would:
  • Measure parts, such as sleeves or pant legs, and mark or pin-fold alteration lines.
  • Remove stitches from garments to be altered, using rippers or razor blades.
  • Sew garments, using needles and thread or sewing machines.
On the job, you'll need:

Business

  • customer service
  • management

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Manufactured or Agricultural Goods

  • manufacture and distribution of products

Basic Skills

  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • talking to others

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Hand and Finger Use

  • keep your arm or hand steady
  • put together small parts with your fingers

Verbal

  • listen and understand what people say
  • communicate by speaking

Realistic

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

  • Cooperation
  • Attention to Detail
  • Integrity
  • Self Control
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Achievement/Effort

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Word processing software

  • Google Docs
  • Microsoft Word

Accounting software

  • Bookkeeping software

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Below Average.

New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

Median Annual Salary: $34,280

Education

High school diploma/GED or no high school diploma/GED is usually needed.