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Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers

Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers

Overview
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
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.

Education

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

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, and tellers.

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

Salary Salary

Salary at 10th Percentile: $20K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $25K
Median Salary: $32K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $44K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $58K

Demand
Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend
Core Tasks

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.

Let out or take in seams in suits and other garments to improve fit.

Sew garments, using needles and thread or sewing machines.

Fit and study garments on customers to determine required alterations.

Measure customers, using tape measures, and record measurements.

Trim excess material, using scissors.

Assemble garment parts and join parts with basting stitches, using needles and thread or sewing machines.

Maintain garment drape and proportions as alterations are performed.

Make garment style changes, such as tapering pant legs, narrowing lapels, and adding or removing padding.

Repair or replace defective garment parts, such as pockets, zippers, snaps, buttons, and linings.

Take up or let down hems to shorten or lengthen garment parts, such as sleeves.

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.

Press garments, using hand irons or pressing machines.

Estimate how much a garment will cost to make, based on factors such as time and material requirements.

Position patterns of garment parts on fabric, and cut fabric along outlines, using scissors.

Record required alterations and instructions on tags, and attach them to garments.

Confer with customers to determine types of material and garment styles desired.

Develop, copy, or adapt designs for garments, and design patterns to fit measurements, applying knowledge of garment design, construction, styling, and fabric.

Examine tags on garments to determine alterations that are needed.

Put in padding and shaping materials.

Sew buttonholes and attach buttons to finish garments.

Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Accounting software
Bookkeeping software
Computer aided design CAD software
Garment design software
Customer relationship management CRM software
Tailor Master
Inventory management software
Inventory tracking software
Office suite software
Microsoft Office
Point of sale POS software
ArbelSoft TailorMax
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Word processing software
Microsoft Word
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Accommodation furniture
Sleeve boards
Arts and crafts equipment and accessories and supplies
Rotary fabric cutters
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Computer laser printers
Domestic appliances
Steam irons
Hand tools
Dressmakers shears
Industrial laundry and dry cleaning equipment
Ironing presses
Measuring and observing and testing instruments
Transparent rulers
Merchandising furniture and accessories
Dress forms
Office and desk accessories
French curves
Personal safety and protection
Pressing mitts
Sewing supplies and accessories
Coiless safety pins
Textile and fabric machinery and accessories
Blind stitching machines
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Customer and Personal Service
81%
Importance

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.

English Language
72%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Production and Processing
67%
Importance

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Administration and Management
64%
Importance

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.

Economics and Accounting
64%
Importance

Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

Design
60%
Importance

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Mathematics
59%
Importance

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Sales and Marketing
56%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Personnel and Human Resources
55%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

Clerical
53%
Importance

Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Top 10 Skills
Time Management
63%
Importance

Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Active Listening
60%
Importance

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
60%
Importance

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

Speaking
60%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Social Perceptiveness
58%
Importance

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

Judgment and Decision Making
55%
Importance

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Monitoring
55%
Importance

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

Active Learning
53%
Importance

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Complex Problem Solving
53%
Importance

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Coordination
53%
Importance

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Top 10 Abilities
Arm-Hand Steadiness
78%
Importance

The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

Finger Dexterity
78%
Importance

The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

Visualization
78%
Importance

The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

Near Vision
75%
Importance

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Oral Comprehension
73%
Importance

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Control Precision
70%
Importance

The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

Manual Dexterity
63%
Importance

The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

Category Flexibility
60%
Importance

The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

Information Ordering
60%
Importance

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).

Oral Expression
60%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Top 10 Work Activities
Controlling Machines and Processes
77%
Importance

Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
72%
Importance

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Thinking Creatively
71%
Importance

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
67%
Importance

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
65%
Importance

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People
64%
Importance

Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
63%
Importance

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Getting Information
61%
Importance

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
61%
Importance

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
61%
Importance

Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Detailed Work Activities

Measure materials to mark reference points, cutting lines, or other indicators.

Repair textiles or apparel.

Sew clothing or other articles.

Operate sewing equipment.

Measure clients to ensure proper product fit.

Record operational or production data.

Trim excess material from workpieces.

Adjust fabrics or other materials during garment production.

Smooth garments with irons, presses, or steamers.

Estimate costs of products, services, or materials.

Cut fabrics.

Position patterns on equipment, materials, or workpieces.

Mark products, workpieces, or equipment with identifying information.

Confer with customers or designers to determine order specifications.

Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.

Design templates or patterns.

Work Context
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?

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?

Time Pressure

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

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?

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Face-to-Face Discussions

How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

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?

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

Deal With External Customers

How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?

Education
Interests
Realistic
96%
Importance

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Artistic
58%
Importance

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Enterprising
53%
Importance

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Conventional
34%
Importance

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Social
29%
Importance

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Investigative
15%
Importance

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Top 10 Work Styles
Cooperation
83%
Importance

Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Attention to Detail
82%
Importance

Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Integrity
81%
Importance

Job requires being honest and ethical.

Self Control
78%
Importance

Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Stress Tolerance
77%
Importance

Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Achievement/Effort
76%
Importance

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Concern for Others
76%
Importance

Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

Dependability
75%
Importance

Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Independence
75%
Importance

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.

Social Orientation
73%
Importance

Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.

Work Values
Achievement
62%
Importance

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.

Independence
62%
Importance

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

Relationships
62%
Importance

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.

Working Conditions
50%
Importance

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
39%
Importance

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
39%
Importance

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