Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
Tasks Include:
- Fit and study garments on customers to determine required alterations.
- Sew garments, using needles and thread or sewing machines.
- Measure parts, such as sleeves or pant legs, and mark or pin-fold alteration lines.
- Take up or let down hems to shorten or lengthen garment parts, such as sleeves.
- Let out or take in seams in suits and other garments to improve fit.
- Assemble garment parts and join parts with basting stitches, using needles and thread or sewing machines.
- Remove stitches from garments to be altered, using rippers or razor blades.
- Record required alterations and instructions on tags, and attach them to garments.
- Examine tags on garments to determine alterations that are needed.
- 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.
- Maintain garment drape and proportions as alterations are performed.
more »
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™; US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection. (Using onet28)
Projections Quick View:
Virginia: -2.4%
National: +1.4%
Education
High School Diploma
Job Zone:
Two: Some Preparation Needed
Income Range:
Moderately High ($36,000 - $49,999)
Median Earnings:
National
$34,280.00
State
$33,120.00
Regional
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
Description
Career Cluster: | Human Services |
Design, make, alter, repair, or fit garments.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
Education
Required Level of Education
- High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED) = 57.66%
- Less than a High School Diploma = 16.87%
- Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production) = 16.01%
- Bachelor's Degree = 9.46%
Related Work Experience
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 26.70%
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 22.13%
- None = 18.46%
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 9.69%
- Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 9.60%
- Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years = 6.83%
- Over 10 years = 5.07%
- Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 1.51%
On-Site or In-Plant Training
- Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 27.79%
- None = 17.12%
- Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 17.10%
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 15.76%
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 14.31%
- Up to and including 1 month = 7.92%
On-the-Job Training
- Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 49.79%
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 15.76%
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 9.51%
- Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month = 7.67%
- Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 7.67%
- None or short demonstration = 6.33%
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 3.29%
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
Tasks
Core Tasks Include:
- Fit and study garments on customers to determine required alterations.
- Sew garments, using needles and thread or sewing machines.
- Measure parts, such as sleeves or pant legs, and mark or pin-fold alteration lines.
- Take up or let down hems to shorten or lengthen garment parts, such as sleeves.
- Let out or take in seams in suits and other garments to improve fit.
- Assemble garment parts and join parts with basting stitches, using needles and thread or sewing machines.
- Remove stitches from garments to be altered, using rippers or razor blades.
- Record required alterations and instructions on tags, and attach them to garments.
- Examine tags on garments to determine alterations that are needed.
- 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.
- Maintain garment drape and proportions as alterations are performed.
- Press garments, using hand irons or pressing machines.
- Trim excess material, using scissors.
- Develop, copy, or adapt designs for garments, and design patterns to fit measurements, applying knowledge of garment design, construction, styling, and fabric.
- Make garment style changes, such as tapering pant legs, narrowing lapels, and adding or removing padding.
- Measure customers, using tape measures, and record measurements.
- Estimate how much a garment will cost to make, based on factors such as time and material requirements.
- 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.
- Position patterns of garment parts on fabric, and cut fabric along outlines, using scissors.
- Sew buttonholes and attach buttons to finish garments.
- Put in padding and shaping materials.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
Knowledge
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
76.25 | Customer and Personal Service | Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. |
64.00 | English Language | Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. |
58.00 | Production and Processing | Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods. |
54.75 | Administration and Management | Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. |
54.00 | Economics and Accounting | Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
Skills
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
53.00 | Time Management | Managing one's own time and the time of others. |
50.00 | 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. |
50.00 | Speaking | Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
50.00 | Critical Thinking | Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
Abilities
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
72.00 | Visualization | The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged. |
72.00 | Arm-Hand Steadiness | The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position. |
72.00 | Finger Dexterity | The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects. |
68.75 | Near Vision | The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). |
65.50 | Oral Comprehension | The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. |
62.50 | Control Precision | The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions. |
53.00 | Manual Dexterity | The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects. |
50.00 | Oral Expression | The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. |
50.00 | Originality | The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem. |
50.00 | Information Ordering | The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations). |
50.00 | Category Flexibility | The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways. |
50.00 | Speech Clarity | The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. |
50.00 | Speech Recognition | The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
Work Activities
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
70.50 | Controlling Machines and Processes | Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles). |
64.25 | Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work | Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
63.75 | Thinking Creatively | Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
58.25 | Making Decisions and Solving Problems | Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
56.00 | Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge | Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
54.75 | Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People | Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. |
53.75 | Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events | Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
51.25 | Getting Information | Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
50.75 | Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials | Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. |
50.75 | Performing for or Working Directly with the Public | Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
Work Styles
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
78.25 | Cooperation | Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. |
76.50 | Attention to Detail | Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. |
76.00 | Integrity | Job requires being honest and ethical. |
72.00 | Self-Control | Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. |
71.25 | Stress Tolerance | Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations. |
69.50 | Achievement/Effort | Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks. |
69.25 | Concern for Others | Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job. |
68.50 | Independence | Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. |
68.00 | Dependability | Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. |
65.75 | Social Orientation | Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job. |
65.00 | Initiative | Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. |
64.50 | Adaptability/Flexibility | Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. |
64.00 | Innovation | Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems. |
63.00 | Persistence | Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. |
60.00 | Leadership | Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction. |
56.25 | Analytical Thinking | Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
Work Values
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
55.50 | Achievement | Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement. |
55.50 | 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. |
55.50 | Independence | Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
Work Context
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
96.60 | Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls? |
90.60 | Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job? |
90.60 | Time Pressure | How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines? |
88.00 | Freedom to Make Decisions | How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? |
87.40 | Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions? |
82.80 | Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer? |
81.00 | Telephone | How often do you have telephone conversations in this job? |
79.60 | Deal With External Customers | How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job? |
78.00 | Structured versus Unstructured Work | To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals? |
76.60 | Frequency of Decision Making | How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization? |
76.40 | Spend Time Sitting | How much does this job require sitting? |
76.00 | Contact With Others | How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it? |
74.80 | Face-to-Face Discussions | How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job? |
74.20 | Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment | How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.) |
73.40 | Work With Work Group or Team | How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job? |
71.60 | Physical Proximity | To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people? |
71.60 | Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | How much does this job require making repetitive motions? |
70.60 | Responsibility for Outcomes and Results | How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers? |
64.80 | Coordinate or Lead Others | How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job? |
63.40 | Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job? |
63.20 | Responsible for Others' Health and Safety | How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job? |
60.20 | Consequence of Error | How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable? |
54.80 | Level of Competition | To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures? |
54.40 | Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body | How much does this job require bending or twisting your body? |
53.00 | Electronic Mail | How often do you use electronic mail in this job? |
52.60 | Letters and Memos | How often does the job require written letters and memos? |
52.00 | Spend Time Standing | How much does this job require standing? |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
- Overall Experience
- Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
- Job Training
- Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
- Examples
- These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, tellers, and dental laboratory technicians.
- Education
- These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
Earnings Benefits*
Region | Entry Level | Median | Experienced |
---|---|---|---|
United States | $23,910.00 | $34,280.00 | $42,340.00 |
Virginia | $22,880.00 | $33,120.00 | $38,420.00 |
Region | Entry Level | Median | Experienced |
Alexandria/Arlington | $28,495.89 | $44,067.33 | $48,779.82 |
Bay Consortium | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Capital Region Workforce Partnership | $26,645.07 | $39,413.20 | $40,951.37 |
Central VA/Region2000 | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Crater Area | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Greater Peninsula | $28,209.30 | $34,519.37 | $40,324.01 |
Hampton Roads | $25,008.93 | $33,404.30 | $38,760.82 |
New River/Mt. Rogers | $25,872.86 | $32,887.40 | $36,578.61 |
Northern Virginia | $24,999.55 | $40,885.72 | $49,728.16 |
Piedmont Workforce | $27,606.95 | $37,056.95 | $45,545.06 |
Shenandoah Valley | No Data | No Data | No Data |
South Central | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Southwestern Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
West Piedmont | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Western Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
* Earnings Calculations:
Regional Earnings:
Entry = Annual mean of the lower 1/3 wage distribution;
Experienced = Annual mean of the upper 2/3 wage distribution.
National and State Earnings:
Entry = Annual 10th percentile wage;
Experienced = Annual 75th percentile wage.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection. (Using onet28)
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
Employment Projections
Current | Projected | % Change | |
---|---|---|---|
United States | 35,000 | 35,500 | +1.4% |
Virginia | 2,302 | 2,247 | -2.4% |
Region | Current* | Projected | % Change |
Alexandria/Arlington | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Bay Consortium | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Capital Region Workforce Partnership | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Central VA/Region2000 | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Crater Area | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Greater Peninsula | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Hampton Roads | No Data | No Data | No Data |
New River/Mt. Rogers | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Northern Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Piedmont Workforce | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Shenandoah Valley | No Data | No Data | No Data |
South Central | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Southwestern Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
West Piedmont | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Western Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection. (Using onet28)
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
Related Occupations
Related Occupations
The related occupations here have similar general capabilities and interests; career explorers may also be interested in the related occupations:- Sewers, Hand
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- Barbers
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- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
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- First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants
- First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers
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- Manicurists and Pedicurists
- Massage Therapists
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- Personal Care Aides
- Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other
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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
View Videos
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View Video & Transcript on CareerOneStop
CareerOneStop Human Services Videos
Overview
Occupations
The data sources for the information displayed here include: New York State Department of Labor; New Jersey Department of Labor; California Occupational Information Coordinating Committee; CareerOneStop. (Using onet28)
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
Proficiency Ratings
These proficiencies are scored on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being not
important to the job and 5 being extremely important to the job.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
Titles
- Alteration Hand
- Alteration Manager
- Alteration Tailor Apprentice
- Alterations Expert
- Alterations Sewer
- Alterations Supervisor
- Alterations Tailor
- Appliquer
- Bridal Gown Fitter
- Cloth Cutter
- Clothing Busheler
- Clothing Cutter
- Coat Baster
- Coat Cutter
- Coat Maker
- Coat Tailor
- Collar Cutter
- Collar Setter
- Collar Tailor
- Collar Turner
- Corset Fitter
- Couture Alterations Dressmaker
- Couture Dressmaker
- Couturiere
- Crocheter
- Custom Dressmaker
- Custom Seamstress
- Custom Tailor
- Custom Tailor Apprentice
- Designer
- Drapery Maker
- Drapery Seamstress
- Dress Cutter
- Dress Fitter
- Dressmaker
- Dressmaker Garment Fitter
- Embroiderer
- Embroidery Machine Operator
- Embroidery Worker
- Fancy Needleworker
- Fitter
- Fur Finisher Seamstress
- Fur Tailor
- Furrier
- Garment Cutter
- Garment Fitter
- Hand Alterations Seamstress
- Hand Alterations Tailor
- Hand Loom Weaver
- Hat Trimmer
- Lacemaker
- Laceworker
- Merchant Tailor
- Pants Cutter
- Pants Maker
- Prototype Technician
- Purse Maker
- Quilt Maker
- Quilter
- Sample Stitcher
- Seamstress
- Seamstress Fitter
- Sewing Machine Operator
- Shop and Alteration Tailor
- Shop Tailor Apprentice
- Slip Cover Maker
- Slip Cover Seamstress
- Slip Cover Sewer
- Suit Maker
- Surgical Garment Fitter
- Tailor
- Tailor Apprentice
- Tailor Fitter
- Tailor Garment Fitter
- Top Collar Baster
- Top Collar Maker
- Try On Baster
- Under Baster
- Undercollar Maker
- Underliner
- Underwear Cutter
- Vest Maker
- Waist Cutter
- Wardrobe Specialty Worker
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
Related Schools
There are no Related Schools at this time.The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)