National
| Median wages (2008) |
$12.01 hourly, $24,990 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
54,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Little or no change (-2% to 2%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
10,000 additional employees |
51-6052.00 - Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
Design, make, alter, repair, or fit garments.
Sample of reported job titles:
Seamstress, Tailor, Alterations Sewer, Dressmaker, Custom Dressmaker, Designer, Prototype Technician, Alterations Expert, Couture Alterations Dressmaker, Couturiere
Tasks
- 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.
