Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers

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.

Maintain garment drape and proportions as alterations are performed.

Press garments, using hand irons or pressing machines.

Trim excess material, using scissors.

Develop, copy, or adapt designs for garments, and design patterns to fit measurements, applying knowledge of garment design, construction, styling, and fabric.

Make garment style changes, such as tapering pant legs, narrowing lapels, and adding or removing padding.

Measure customers, using tape measures, and record measurements.

Estimate how much a garment will cost to make, based on factors such as time and material requirements.

Repair or replace defective garment parts such as pockets, zippers, snaps, buttons, and linings.

Confer with customers to determine types of material and garment styles desired.

Position patterns of garment parts on fabric, and cut fabric along outlines, using scissors.

Sew buttonholes and attach buttons to finish garments.

Put in padding and shaping materials.