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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

  • Restoring and Repairing
  • Constructing

Analysis

  • Analyzing Information

Communication

  • Advising and Consulting

Information Handling

  • Processing Information

Creative Expression

  • Designing