Production
Sewers, Hand
Also called: Alteration Specialist, Couturier, Custom Clothier, Custom Designer
US median pay
$36,480
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-12%
declining
Openings a year (US)
600
5,300 employed
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Sew, join, reinforce, or finish, usually with needle and thread, a variety of manufactured items. Includes weavers and stitchers.
What they do day to day
- Select thread, twine, cord, or yarn to be used, and thread needles.
- Measure and align parts, fasteners, or trimmings, following seams, edges, or markings on parts.
- Trim excess threads or edges of parts, using scissors or knives.
- Sew, join, reinforce, or finish parts of articles, such as garments, books, mattresses, toys, and wigs, using needles and thread or other materials.
- Use different sewing techniques such as felling, tacking, basting, embroidery, and fagoting.
- Fit garments on clients, altering as needed.
- Smooth seams with heated irons, flat bones, or rubbing sticks.
- Draw and cut patterns according to specifications.
- Fold, twist, stretch, or drape material, and secure articles in preparation for sewing.
- Sew buttonholes, or add lace or other trimming.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Judgment and Decision Making2.9/5
- Time Management2.8/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.6/5
- Quality Control Analysis2.2/5
- Operations Monitoring2.2/5
- Operation and Control2.2/5
- Social Perceptiveness2.1/5
- Service Orientation2.1/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service3.4/5
- Administration and Management3.0/5
- English Language2.9/5
- Mechanical2.5/5
- Education and Training2.4/5
- Mathematics2.3/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): No formal educational credential.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Less than high school82%
- High school diploma11%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.