Production
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
Also called: Alterations Expert, Alterations Sewer, Bridal Designer, Clothing Pattern Designer
US median pay
$41,640
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-8.8%
declining
Openings a year (US)
3,700
33,200 employed
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Design, make, alter, repair, or fit garments.
What they do day to day
- 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 and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Time Management3.1/5
- Social Perceptiveness2.9/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.8/5
- Service Orientation2.6/5
- Coordination2.6/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.6/5
- Operations Monitoring2.5/5
- Operations Analysis2.4/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service4.0/5
- English Language3.6/5
- Production and Processing3.3/5
- Administration and Management3.2/5
- Economics and Accounting3.2/5
- Design3.0/5
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:
- High school diploma58%
- Less than high school17%
- Post-secondary certificate16%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Artistic
Creating, designing and self-expression
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.