Tailors and Dressmakers

Tailors and dressmakers prepare patterns and make, fit and alter tailored garments, dresses and other articles of clothing.

Wages

New workers
AVERAGE
Experienced
£ 8,712
£ 19,654
£ 29,516

Available jobs

In the past year there were 8,572 vacancies for this type of job

Related courses

People work towards these careers by taking these courses at college and uni.

What they do most days?

  • Makes alterations to finished garments according to customer’s requirements.

  • Shapes garment by pressing seams, pleats, etc..

  • Sews garment parts together by hand or machine, makes buttonholes and sews on fasteners and trimmings.

  • Pins/tacks and fits garment on customer or dummy model and makes any necessary alterations.

  • Arranges pattern on correct grain of fabric, marks position and cuts out garment parts with hand shears, electric knife or cutting machine.

  • Examines fabrics or skins for flaws and prepares materials for cutting.

  • Prepares individual or adapts stock pattern.

  • Takes customer’s measurements and discusses required style and material.

Hard Skills

Hard skills are specific, learnable, measurable, often industry or occupation-specific abilities related to a position.

Skills are ranked based on the number of job adverts that list them as required skills.

  • Sewing

  • Garment Alterations

  • Textiles

  • Embroidery

  • Garment Construction

  • Image Stitching

  • Selling Techniques

  • Trailer Repair And Maintenance

  • Flatbed Truck Operation

  • Machinery

Soft Skills

Soft skills can be self-taught and usually do not necessitate a certain completed level of education.

Skills are ranked based on the number of job adverts that list them as required skills.

  • Detail Oriented

  • Communication

  • English Language

  • Customer Service

  • Sales

  • Time Management

  • Management

  • Problem Solving

  • Coordinating

  • Quality Control

How do I get a job like this?

People in these types of job started their career paths after studying courses like the ones below.