Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers

No automatable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as durable (75%).

• Record required alterations and instructions on tags, and attach them to garments.
• Measure customers, using tape measures, and record measurements.
• Examine tags on garments to determine alterations that are needed.
• Measure parts, such as sleeves or pant legs, and mark or pin-fold alteration lines.
• Trim excess material, using scissors.

• Press garments, using hand irons or pressing machines.
• Fit and study garments on customers to determine required alterations.
• Let out or take in seams in suits and other garments to improve fit.
• Make garment style changes, such as tapering pant legs, narrowing lapels, and adding or removing padding.
• Take up or let down hems to shorten or lengthen garment parts, such as sleeves.
• Position patterns of garment parts on fabric, and cut fabric along outlines, using scissors.
• Assemble garment parts and join parts with basting stitches, using needles and thread or sewing machines.
• Sew garments, using needles and thread or sewing machines.
• Confer with customers to determine types of material and garment styles desired.
• Estimate how much a garment will cost to make, based on factors such as time and material requirements.
• Maintain garment drape and proportions as alterations are performed.
• Develop, copy, or adapt designs for garments, and design patterns to fit measurements, applying knowledge of garment design, construction, styling, and fabric.
• Repair or replace defective garment parts, such as pockets, zippers, snaps, buttons, and linings.
• Remove stitches from garments to be altered, using rippers or razor blades.
• Fit, alter, repair, and make made-to-measure clothing, according to customers' and clothing manufacturers' specifications and fit, and applying principles of garment design, construction, and styling.