Tailors make or alter custom clothes for individual customers.


Typical Salary

£20,000 – £40,000

per year

Working Hours

36–39

hours per week

Career Area

Tailors and dressmakers

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Day-to-day tasks

As a tailor, you would:

  • speak with customers about what they want
  • create designs by hand or using computer software
  • make new patterns or adapt existing ones
  • cut and assemble fabric pieces to make up garments
  • check quality at every stage of the process
  • fit garments to customers and make final adjustments before pressing and finishing

You could also carry out repairs and alterations for customers.

Skills needed

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • design skills and knowledge
  • the ability to work well with others
  • complex problem-solving skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • customer service skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

How to get into this role

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

Career progression

With experience, you could:

  • supervise a workshop team of cutters and tailors
  • become a head or master tailor with a company
  • move into training future tailors
  • set up your own business or work freelance