Tailors and dressmakers

Average National Salaries (2020)

What does this career do?

Tailors and dressmakers prepare patterns and make, fit and alter tailored garments, dresses and other articles of clothing.

Typical tasks

• takes customer’s measurements and discusses required style and material
• prepares individual or adapts stock pattern
• examines fabrics or skins for flaws and prepares materials for cutting
• arranges pattern on correct grain of fabric, marks position and cuts out garment parts with hand shears, electric knife or cutting machine
• pins/tacks and fits garment on customer or dummy model and makes any necessary alterations
• sews garment parts together by hand or machine, makes buttonholes and sews on fasteners and trimmings
• shapes garment by pressing seams, pleats, etc.
• makes alterations to finished garments according to customer’s requirements.

Current entry requirements

There are no formal academic entry requirements, although some employers may require GCSEs/S grades. A variety of relevant vocational courses, including apprenticeships in some areas, are available leading to qualifications up to Level 3.

Percentage in work

• Employed

• Unemployed

Due to insufficient sample sizes, some data was excised.

Predicted employment status in 2022

• Full-time

• Part-time

• Self Employed

Predicted employment levels in the East Midlands

Career related courses available at West Notts

• Art and Design Practice Commercial Design (3D, Fashion and Interiors) (Advanced) - Level 3

About the statistics

Data is powered by LMI for All and is sourced from labour market statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the Institute for Employment Research, the Department for Works and Pensions, and the UK Commission for Employment and Skills.