Tailor
Tailors make or alter custom clothes for individual customers.
Typical Salary
£20,000 – £40,000
per year
Working Hours
36–39
hours per week
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