Dressmakers and Tailors

Dressmakers or Tailors make, alter and repair women's and men's tailored garments, formal wear, couturier clothing, and special occasion wear such as suits, dresses, coats, evening wear and bridal wear.

  • The Job
  • The Facts
  • Related Courses

What the job involves

  • Confers with customers to determine material, styles and designs of garments
  • Interprets designs, sketches and samples to determine pattern specifications
  • Cuts out master patterns
  • Lays up and cuts fabric
  • Pins, bastes and drapes garment parts
  • Sews garments
  • Fits basted garments on customers and marks areas requiring alteration
  • Sews buttonholes, and sews on buttons, hooks, eyes and press fasteners to finish garments
  • Pressing and finishing work

Key values of workers in Dressmakers and Tailors

  • Relationships

    Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

  • Independence

    Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

  • Working Conditions

    Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

  • Recognition

    Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

  • Support

    Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Top skills required for workers in Dressmakers and Tailors

  • 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.

  • Speaking

    Talking to others to convey information effectively.

  • Critical Thinking

    Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

  • Social Perceptiveness

    Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

  • Monitoring

    Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.