Tailors, Dressmakers, Furriers and Milliners

Nature of work

Tailors, dressmakers and furriers make, alter and repair tailored clothing, dresses, coats and other made-to-measure garments. Milliners make, alter and repair hats. This group also includes workers who fit, alter and repair clothes. They work for clothing retailers, clothing alteration shops, dry cleaners and garment manufacturing companies or they may be self-employed.

Job duties

Tailors:

• Make made-to-measure clothing like suits and coats according to customers' and clothing manufacturers' specifications and fit.
• Design patterns to fit measurements.
• Mark, cut and sew fabric.
• May alter and repair clothes as needed.

Dressmakers:

• Make women's clothing.
• Select and modify commercial patterns to customers' and clothing manufacturers' specifications.
• Fit, mark, cut and sew fabric.
• May alter and repair clothes as needed.

Furriers:

• Make, alter, restyle and repair natural fur garments and accessories.

Milliners:

• Design, lay out, cut, sew and press fabric, leather and other materials into hats and related accessories.
• Alterationists:
• Fit, alter and repair garments according to customers' requests by hand or using sewing machines.

Sample job titles

• alterations dressmaker
• custom furrier
• custom tailor
• dressmaker
• furrier
• garment alterationist
• milliner
• seamstress
• tailor

Skills

• Creating garments requires good eyesight, patience, and the ability to perform detailed and intricate work. You must be able to follow directions closely and accept instructions from both clients and supervisors. Artistic imagination and craft skills are important for turning an idea into a garment. However, it is just as important to be capable of adapting your ideas to the tastes of others. You must have good hand-eye coordination. Accuracy and a sense of proportion are also necessary. Many jobs within this group need demonstrated ability to perform the technical tasks of the job like sewing and tailoring and on-the-job training may be provided.

Job requirements

• High school is usually required.
• Tailors and dressmakers need demonstrated ability to sew, style and fit men's or women's clothing and may need college or other courses in tailoring or dressmaking.
• Furriers need several years of experience in selecting pelts and making, fitting, styling and altering fur garments and accessories.
• Milliners need a demonstrated ability to sew, style and fit hats and caps.
• Alterationists need demonstrated ability to sew, alter and repair garments.

Other considerations

• Many tailors and dressmakers work under contract with several clothing stores. Their earnings and ability to stay in business depend upon the quality of their work and their ability to attract and keep clients. Movement to higher level positions including supervisory is possible with experience.

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