Tailor Facts & Worksheets

A tailor is a trained specialist who understands the qualities of various materials and how to create unique designs for customers. Tailors change garments, stitch multiple design features into fabrics, understand how to measure and baste items to suit clients properly, and eventually execute all operations that end in a finished garment. Tailors must be skilled craftspeople as well as friendly business associates.

See the fact file below for more information on the career as a Tailor, or you can download our 28-page Tailor worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

TAILOR

• A tailor is a skilled seamstress who specializes in stitching, mending, or changing clothing. Clothing is frequently adjusted to improve fit. As a result, the phrase “tailor-made” was coined. 
• There are several advantages to hiring a professional tailor. For example, clothing that has been adjusted to fit a person is usually more attractive and comfortable. 
• A tailor’s other significant task is clothing repair. Having quality garments repaired rather than replacing them when they become torn can save a person a lot of money in the long run.
• Some may require a tailor’s services for a variety of reasons. Some people, for example, need help finding clothing that fits. Altering widely available apparel is frequently more superficial and less expensive.

TAILOR DUTIES

• Tailors often do the following tasks:
  • Collect measurements from consumers
  • Discuss fashion and fabric
  • Determine how much the apparel will cost and how long it will take to produce.
  • Design anything by hand or with computer software
  • Design a new pattern or modify an old one
  • Make a ‘toile’ or mock-up garment out of less expensive fabrics.
  • Modify the toile and suit it to the buyer
  • Put the fabric pieces together to construct the garment
  • Fit the item to the purchaser and make any necessary modifications.

• Hand or machine-sew clothing
• Make fixes and modifications
• Although many professionals work on a variety of clothing, a tailor might also opt to specialize in one style of garment. 
• Wedding tailors, for example, change or repair wedding garments such as bridal dresses and tuxedos, whereas business wear tailors exclusively alter or improve business garments such as trousers and jackets.
• On the other hand, most tailors will work on a wide range of clothes. A tailor can expertly fix rips and tears in clothing. 
• A good tailor may also adjust ill-fitting clothing to make it fit considerably better. Sleeves and hems, for example, can be shortened, and sides can be “taken in” to make the garment somewhat smaller.
• Before making any adjustments to a garment, a tailor would typically take many measurements of the individual for whom the garment is being produced. These measures are critical, and they must be precise.
• Following a client’s measurement, the cloth is typically tacked together where it has to be adjusted. After that, the client will put on the garment to check that the changes are precise. 
• Some areas of the garment may need to be re-pinned if necessary. The garment is then stitched together where the tailor places the pins.

Workplace

• Tailors work for textile and clothing companies, department stores, and dry cleaners. Most work full-time and evenings and weekends to meet their customers’ schedules. Many tailors work for themselves.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• These are the skills you must possess to be a tailor:
  • must be meticulous and detail-oriented
  • the ability to collaborate effectively with others
  • the ability to absorb criticism and operate effectively under duress
  • sensitivity and comprehension
  • patience and the capacity to remain cool under pressure
  • abilities in customer service
  • the capacity to use your hands effectively
  • exceptional verbal speaking abilities
  • must be able to do basic computer or handheld device duties

REQUIREMENTS

• A competent tailor must possess a particular set of abilities. Sewing, patternmaking, and fashion design are examples of these talents. 
• A degree in sewing or patternmaking is an excellent method to get started in the tailoring industry.
• If these degree programs are not accessible, a degree in fashion design is an excellent degree to have while pursuing further study. 
• Fashion design students frequently study various skills required for a tailoring job, such as sewing and pattern creation. 
• These students will also learn a lot about how clothes are put together, which helps modify clothes.
• You can obtain this position by:
  • a university program
  • a university course
  • a training program
  • working towards this position

University

• You might begin by studying fashion or fashion and textiles and then specialize in tailoring.
• You could also study custom tailoring.

Requirements for Entry

• Typically, you’ll need the following:
• A diploma in art and design as a basis
• A degree requires two to three A levels or the equivalent.

College

• You might enroll in a college course to improve your sewing, pattern-cutting, and design abilities. Courses include the following:
• Textiles Level 2 Certificate
• Pattern Cutting – Level 2 Fashion Award
• Bespoke Cutting and Tailoring Level 3 Diploma
• Craft and Design T Level

Requirements for Entry

• You may require the following:
• For a level 2 course, two or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D) or equivalent.
• For a level 3 course, 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent.
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9–4 (A*–C) or equivalent, including English and mathematics for a T level

Apprenticeship

• You might pursue a more advanced apprenticeship in garment manufacturing. As your expertise improves, you can progress to a higher apprenticeship as a bespoke tailor and cutter.
• The Savile Row Bespoke Association (SRBA) apprenticeship program may allow you to break into the business. 
• This might take anything from 2 to 6 years to finish. You would apply to SRBA member tailoring firms directly. The competition for available spots is fierce.

Requirements for Entry

• The entrance criteria differ.

Work

• You might begin by working as an apprentice to a master tailor. You can organize this yourself if you demonstrate a strong interest in sewing and sewing abilities.

College

• You might enroll in a college course to improve your sewing, pattern-cutting, and design abilities. Courses include the following:
• Textiles Level 2 Certificate

SALARY

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers earned an average of $32,150 in 2017. 
• However, this sum is only a guideline, and many tailors will make more or less than this. For example, tailors with more excellent expertise and talents may generally fetch a higher wage. Furthermore, demand for tailors in highly populated places is typically higher than demand in rural locations. 
• As a result, tailors in cities often earn more than those in less densely populated places such as suburbs and small towns.
• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers earned an average of $32,150 in 2017. 
• However, this sum is only a guideline, and many tailors will make more or less than this. For example, tailors with more excellent expertise and talents may generally fetch a higher wage. Furthermore, demand for tailors in highly populated places is typically higher than demand in rural locations. 
• As a result, tailors in cities often earn more than those in less densely populated places such as suburbs and small towns.

Job Prospects

• A skilled and experienced tailor may easily find work in almost any town or metropolis. Clothing makers, for example, may employ tailors to ensure that the clothing produced suits most individuals. 
• Tailors are also employed by retail clothing stores and premium clothing boutiques, as well as by fashion designers and patternmakers. 
• Some tailors may also contemplate starting their businesses.
• You can also consider these related careers in Fashion.
  • Pattern Maker
  • Fashion Designer
  • Textile Designer
  • Fashion Merchandiser
  • Fashion Model
  • Shoe Designer
  • Fashion Consultant
  • Jewelry Designer
  • Makeup Artist

Career Tailor Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about a career as a Tailor across 28 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about being a Tailor, a trained specialist who understands the qualities of various materials and how to create unique designs for customers.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Career: Tailor Facts
2. A Tailor’s Path
3. Help the Tailor!
4. Alterations
5. Tailor-made
6. Picture Perfect
7. Decode the Code
8. I Am…
9. Don’t be Confused
10. A Review
11. Behind the Pins

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a tailor?

A tailor is a person who makes, repairs, or alters clothing. They use their skills to create custom-made clothing, alter existing clothing, or repair damaged clothes.

What tools do tailors use?

Tailors use a variety of tools such as sewing machines, fabric scissors, tape measures, needles, thread, and patterns. They also use specialized tools such as a tailor’s ham and a pressing cloth, which help them to shape and press fabrics while they are working.

What kind of things do tailors make?

Tailors can make a variety of things such as suits, dresses, pants, shirts, and coats. They can also make costumes for plays and movies, and special clothing for people with special needs.

Can anyone be a tailor?

Anyone who is interested in clothing and has a passion for sewing and design can become a tailor. It takes a lot of practice and learning to become a good tailor, and many tailors go to school to learn the skills they need.

Where can you find a tailor?

You can find a tailor in a variety of places such as clothing stores, tailoring shops, and dry cleaning stores. You can also find tailors who work out of their homes or have their own businesses. Tailors can also be found working in theater and movie costume shops, and on television and film production sets.

Link/cite this page

If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source.

<a href="https://kidskonnect.com/careers/tailor/">Tailor Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com</a> - KidsKonnect, January 12, 2023

Link will appear as Tailor Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, January 12, 2023