Career Overview
Design, make, alter, repair, or fit garments.
Also Known As
- Alterations Sewer
- Dressmaker
- Seamstress
- Tailor
Alternate Job Titles
- Alteration Tailor
- Alterations and Tailor Shop Fitter
- Alterations and Tailor Shop Sewer
- Alterations Associate
- Alterations Expert
- Alterations Sewer
- Alterations Specialist
- Alterations Tailor
- Appliquer
- Bridal Designer
- Bridal Gown Fitter
- Cloth Cutter
- Clothing Busheler
- Clothing Cutter
- Clothing Pattern Designer
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
- Sew garments, using needles and thread or sewing machines.
- Let out or take in seams in suits and other garments to improve fit.
- Measure customers, using tape measures, and record measurements.
- Fit and study garments on customers to determine required alterations.
- Trim excess material, using scissors.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Finger Dexterity
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Visualization
- Near Vision
- Oral Comprehension
- Control Precision
- Manual Dexterity
- Category Flexibility
- Speech Recognition
- Speech Clarity
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Perseverance
- Innovation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Relationships
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Recognition
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Google Docs
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Blind stitching machines
- Buttonhole makers
- Chain stitching machines
- Chalk pencil holders
- Coiless safety pins
- Computer laser printers
- Computerized sewing machines
- Desktop computers
- Dress forms
- Dressmakers shears
- Fabric machines
- French curves
- Industrial sewing machines
- Ironing presses
- Measuring tapes
Work Environment
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Time Pressure
- Freedom to Make Decisions
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $27,110 |
| Median | $40,860 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $62,490 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 16,290
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Sewers, Hand
Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Median Salary: $33,760
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $67,670
Sewing Machine Operators
Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Median Salary: $36,000
Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $35,950
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials
Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Median Salary: $33,880
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.