Tailors, Dressmakers, Furriers and Milliners - What They Do

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 unit group also includes alterationists who fit, alter and repair garments. They are employed by clothing retailers, clothing alteration shops, dry cleaners and garment manufacturing companies or they may be self-employed.

Job duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

Tailors

Make made-to-measure garments, such as 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 garments as required.

Dressmakers

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

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.

Job titles

alterations dressmaker
custom furrier
garment alterationist
custom tailor
alterationist, garments
seamstress
furrier
milliner
tailor

Employment Requirements

This is what you typically need for the job:

Completion of secondary school may be required.
Tailors and dressmakers require demonstrated ability to sew, style and fit men's or women's garments and may require completion of college or other courses in tailoring or dressmaking.
Furriers require several years of experience in selecting pelts and making, fitting, styling and altering fur garments and accessories.
Milliners require demonstrated ability to sew, style and fit hats and caps.
Alterationists require demonstrated ability to sew, alter and repair garments.

Essential Skills

Building