Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers

Design, make, alter, repair, or fit garments.

Also called: Alterations Expert, Alterations Sewer, Bridal Designer, Clothing Pattern Designer, Custom Dressmaker, Custom Sewer, Custom Tailor, Dressmaker, Seamstress, Tailor, Alteration Tailor, Alterations and Tailor Shop Fitter, Alterations and Tailor Shop Sewer, Alterations Associate, Alterations Specialist, Alterations Tailor, Appliquer, Bridal Gown Fitter, Cloth Cutter, Clothing Busheler, Clothing Cutter, Coat Baster, Coat Cutter, Coat Maker, Coat Tailor, Collar Cutter, Collar Setter, Collar Tailor, Collar Turner, Corset Fitter, Couture Dressmaker, Crocheter, Custom Garment Tailor, Drapery Maker, Drapery Seamstress, Dress Cutter, Dress Fitter, Dressmaker Garment Fitter, Embroiderer, Embroidery Machine Operator, Embroidery Specialist, Embroidery Worker, Fancy Needleworker, Fitter, Fur Finisher Seamstress, Fur Tailor, Furrier, Garment Cutter, Garment Fitter, Garment Sample Stitcher, Hand Alterations Seamstress, Hand Alterations Tailor, Hand Loom Weaver, Hat Trimmer, Industrial Seamstress, Lacemaker, Laceworker, Merchant Tailor, Pants Cutter, Pants Maker, Purse Maker, Quilt Maker, Quilter, Retail Alterations Tailor, Sample Stitcher, Seamstress Fitter, Sewing Specialist, Shop and Alteration Tailor, Shop Tailor, Slip Cover Maker, Slip Cover Seamstress, Slip Cover Sewer, Suit Maker, Surgical Garment Fitter, Tailor Fitter, Tailor Garment Fitter, Top Collar Baster, Top Collar Maker, Try On Baster, Under Baster, Undercollar Maker, Underliner, Underwear Cutter, Vest Maker, Waist Cutter

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

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.
Fit and study garments on customers to determine required alterations.
Trim excess material, using scissors.
Assemble garment parts and join parts with basting stitches, using needles and thread or sewing machines.
Make garment style changes, such as tapering pant legs, narrowing lapels, and adding or removing padding.
Maintain garment drape and proportions as alterations are performed.

Skills, machines and equipment

Time Management
Active Listening
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Social Perceptiveness
Monitoring
Judgment and Decision Making
Reading Comprehension
Active Learning
Coordination
Service Orientation
Complex Problem Solving

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (57.66% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

35,230–50,200 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 51-6052.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Develop reliable production, safety, quality, and equipment skills; explore additional processes, senior specialist, or team-lead responsibilities relevant to your workplace.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (57.66% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers