Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers

Career Description: Design, make, alter, repair, or fit garments.

Industry: Production

Other Job Titles for Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers:

• Realistic: 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.
• Investigative: 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.
• Artistic: 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.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: 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: 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.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• 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 in order to finish garments.
• Put in padding and shaping materials.
• Erect ladders and scaffolding to fit together large assemblies.
• Investigate and report on accidents.
• Operate mechanical hoppers and provide assistance in their adjustment and repair.
• Prepare inserts, heel pads, and lifts from casts of customers' feet.
• Re-sew seams, and replace handles and linings of suitcases or handbags.
• Maintain records of goods produced, supplies used, production costs, and machine maintenance and repair activities.
• Attach cloth to take-up rollers, placing it in feeding position and threading it through equipment as necessary.
• Requisition supplies, materials, and equipment and receive stock.
• Pack and label cartons, boxes, or bins of finished products.
• Provide assistance in the design and layout of forms and materials to be printed.
• Place spools of thread or wire on holders, and thread through machines.
• Apply glue or tape to holes in screens to repair leaks.
• Clean workpieces, using wire brushes.
• Install gears and holding devices on conveyor equipment.
• Operate sandblasting equipment to roughen and clean surfaces of workpieces.
• Cut metal or other materials, using shears or band saws.
• Charge furnaces.
• Chase decorative designs on silver blanks that are to be used as models for steel production dies.

Emerging Tasks

• Inspect finished products to ensure that shoes have been completed according to specifications.
• Perform "preflight" check of required font, graphic, text and image files to ensure completeness prior to delivery to printer.
• Proofread and perform quality control of text and images.
• Mix and apply glazes to pottery pieces using tools such as spray guns.
• Operate gas or electric kilns to fire pottery pieces.
• Pack and ship pottery to stores or galleries for retail.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• 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.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• alter and fit garments
• confer with customer to determine material or garment style desired
• consult with customers concerning needs
• cut or trim fabric or leather
• design tailored garments
• estimate materials or labor requirements
• examine garment fit on customer or cast member
• fabricate tailored garments
• maintain production or work records
• measure customer for size
• measure, weigh, or count products or materials
• operate sewing machine
• operate steam press
• press garment or fabric
• read production layouts
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• recognize characteristics of cloth or fabric
• repair tears or defects in fabrics, garments, or leather products
• sew by hand
• use garment construction techniques
• use hand iron
• use hand or power tools
• use portable electric fabric cutter
• position, align, or level machines, equipment, or structures
• read blueprints
• read production layouts
• read specifications
• read technical drawings
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• recognize characteristics of alloys
• recognize characteristics of metals
• set up and operate variety of machine tools
• stretch, bend, straighten, shape, pound, or press metal or plastic
• understand construction specifications
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use acetylene welding/cutting torch
• use hand or power tools
• use machine tools in installation, maintenance, or repair
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use spot or tack welding techniques
• use turnbuckle in structural repair or assembly work
• weld together metal parts, components, or structures
• strip negatives
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use color analyzer
• use densitometer
• use desktop publishing software
• use hand or power tools
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• record test results, test procedures, or inspection data
• sort manufacturing materials or products
• test manufactured products or materials
• understand engineering data or reports
• understand measuring devices
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
• use hand or power tools
• use hazardous materials information
• use interpersonal communication techniques
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use knowledge of metric system
• use long or short term production planning techniques
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use quality assurance techniques
• use research methodology procedures within manufacturing or commerce
• use spreadsheet software
• use technical information in manufacturing or industrial activities
• use x-ray or magnetic inspection techniques

Overall Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Examples
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include funeral directors, electricians, forest and conservation technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance sales agents.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$11.58
• Average annual wage (2007) - $24,100.00

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 1.89%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 1,021
• Employment (2006): 53,910

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