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Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
Also called : Alterations Expert, Alterations Sewer, Bridal Designer, Clothing Pattern Designer, Custom Dressmaker, Custom Sewer, Custom Tailor, Dressmaker, Seamstress, Tailor
What they do
Design, make, alter, repair, or fit garments.
On the job, one would
- Measure parts, such as sleeves or pant legs, and mark or pin-fold alteration lines.
- Remove stitches from garments to be altered, using rippers or razor blades.
- Sew garments, using needles and thread or sewing machines.
- Let out or take in seams in suits and other garments to improve fit.
- Measure customers, using tape measures, and record measurements.
KNOWLEDGE
- Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
- Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
SKILLS
- Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
- Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
ABILITIES
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
- Finger Dexterity
The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
- Visualization
The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
- Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
- Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
PERSONALITY
People interested in this work, will do well at jobs that need;
- Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
- Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
- Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
- Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
- Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
- Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
- Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
- Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
- Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
- Social Orientation
Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
TECHNOLOGY
- Accounting software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Customer relationship management CRM software
- Inventory management software
- Office suite software
- Point of sale POS software
- Spreadsheet software
- Word processing software
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
- Preparation
Some Preparation Needed
- Education
High school diploma.
- Experience
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed.
- Jobtraining
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.