Job Description for a Clothing Tailor
Almost everyone has come in contact with a tailor over the course of their life, whether it is for ordering a wedding dress or having the hem raised on suit pants. Tailors play an important part in helping people look their best. You will find tailors in different business environments including in upscale apparel stores, owning their own shops and working out of their home, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
About Tailors
Non-union tailors work an average of 40 to 48 hours per week, while union workers clock in at 35 to 40 hours each week. Clothing tailors sometimes work Saturdays, as that is when many people have the time to bring in clothes for repair. Tailors repair, alter and create clothes from patterns and existing outfits. For example, you purchase a blouse that's too big around the middle, they can alter your blouse to make it fit using your specific measurements as a guide. The tailor may require you to try on the blouse a couple of times to ensure an exact fit. It's beneficial for a tailor to learn and keep up-to-date on the latest styles. Some tailors work only with specific types of clothes, such as wedding or cocktail dresses.
Salary and Growth
Tailors earn an average of $12 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those with union contracts generally earn a higher wage. Occupational growth is expected to remain the same within a ten year period. Tailors who know how to market themselves and their business will experience a greater chance of success. Forty-three percent of tailors own their own business.
Educational Requirements
Most employers seek tailors who have a high school degree. Some apparel alternators will go strait into owning their own business after high school. Those who choose to seek employment with another tailor will apprentice until they learn how to alter clothes that meet their employer's specifications. Another option that raises a tailor's overall chances of success involves taking courses at a trade school. Trade schools give hands on experience which is highly valued within the apparel field.