What does a tailor do?
So, what does a tailor do? A tailor’s job description is relatively straightforward: a tailor constructs, modifies and repairs clothing for customers based on their specific needs and preferences.
Tailors typically work in a range of settings, including independent tailor shops and boutique stores, where they create custom clothing and perform alterations for clients. Often tailors will offer advice and expertise to their customers on how clothes should fit, what adjustments should be made and what garments would look best on their body type.
Tailor skills and qualifications
A tailor needs to know how to sew well so they can create and alter various types of garments. Some of the skills and qualifications a tailor needs are:
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Knowledge of how to create various types of clothing items
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Skills to sew buttons, zippers, hooks and other details on clothing
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Ability to accurately measure individuals for proper fit
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An understanding of different cloth and material types and how to work with them
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Excellent customer service skills
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Ability to use different types of sewing equipment and tools
Additionally, many successful tailors must keep up to date with fashion trends to offer their customers advice that aligns with current styles.
Tailor salary expectations
A tailor’s salary can vary depending on several factors, such as:
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If they’re an independent contractor, an employee or an owner of their own tailoring business
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If they work for an independent store versus a major chain
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The hours they work
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Years of experience
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Reputation
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Location
On average, tailors make $19.46 per hour in the United States, although the hourly wage ranges from $12.16 to $31.14. The highest-paying cities for tailors in the US are New York City, Los Angeles, San Diego and Chicago.
Tailor education and training requirements
An individual could be a self-taught tailor without any formal education. A person with a natural talent for sewing and tailoring might be able to practice enough to develop the necessary skills to work professionally in this field.
However, most employers prefer to see at least a high school education. Some employers may require additional training in skills such as draping, sewing, pattern making, design, tailoring and more.
Some tailors have a degree from a fashion institute, which gives them a solid understanding of the fashion industry. Other tailors have degrees in fields such as business, which can help them learn how to run their own tailoring firm.
Lastly, tailor apprenticeships are a common way to gain the necessary skills to become a tailor.
When hiring a tailor, many employers will want to test the candidate’s work and will ask them to complete a series of tasks that demonstrate their skills.
Frequently asked questions about Tailors
How do you interview a tailor?
When interviewing a tailor, you might:
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Ask how they would deal with a client who was unhappy with the final product
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Ask how they would handle a request that would ruin the garment
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Request that they bring in a portfolio of their best creations>
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Ask them to perform a few simple tasks, such as sewing a button or zipper
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Ask them about some of their favorite current fashion trends
What are the three types of tailoring?
There are three general categories of tailoring:
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Made-to-measure: Made-to-measure clothing (or custom clothing) is when a client modifies an existing pattern to fit their measurements. The clothing is “taken in” or “taken out” to fit the customer’s body.
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Bespoke: Bespoke clothing is often the most expensive form of tailoring. The client chooses everything to be custom-made, from the item’s design to the pattern and the measurements.
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Ready-to-wear: Ready-to-wear garments have been premade in typical sizes and can be altered to fit a person’s body.
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