More information from O*NET OnLine:

Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers - 51-6052.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Design, make, alter, repair, or fit garments.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

Alterations Expert
Alterations Sewer
Bridal Designer
Clothing Pattern Designer
Custom Dressmaker

Custom Sewer
Custom Tailor
Dressmaker
Seamstress
Tailor

SOC Occupation Groups

51-0000	Production Occupations
51-6000	Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers
51-6050	Tailors, Dressmakers, and Sewers
51-6052.00	Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers

Related Occupations

27-1022.00	Fashion Designers
51-4062.00	Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
51-6021.00	Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials
51-6031.00	Sewing Machine Operators
51-6041.00	Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers
51-6042.00	Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders
51-6051.00	Sewers, Hand
51-6063.00	Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
51-6092.00	Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
51-6093.00	Upholsterers

Tasks

Assemble garment parts and join parts with basting stitches, using needles and thread or sewing machines.
Confer with customers to determine types of material and garment styles desired.
Develop, copy, or adapt designs for garments, and design patterns to fit measurements, applying knowledge of garment design, construction, styling, and fabric.
Estimate how much a garment will cost to make, based on factors such as time and material requirements.
Examine tags on garments to determine alterations that are needed.
Fit and study garments on customers to determine required alterations.
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.
Let out or take in seams in suits and other garments to improve fit.
Maintain garment drape and proportions as alterations are performed.
Make garment style changes, such as tapering pant legs, narrowing lapels, and adding or removing padding.
Measure customers, using tape measures, and record measurements.
Measure parts, such as sleeves or pant legs, and mark or pin-fold alteration lines.
Position patterns of garment parts on fabric, and cut fabric along outlines, using scissors.
Press garments, using hand irons or pressing machines.
Put in padding and shaping materials.
Record required alterations and instructions on tags, and attach them to garments.
Remove stitches from garments to be altered, using rippers or razor blades.
Repair or replace defective garment parts, such as pockets, zippers, snaps, buttons, and linings.
Sew buttonholes and attach buttons to finish garments.
Sew garments, using needles and thread or sewing machines.
Take up or let down hems to shorten or lengthen garment parts, such as sleeves.
Trim excess material, using scissors.

Detailed Work Activities

Adjust fabrics or other materials during garment production.
Confer with customers or designers to determine order specifications.
Cut fabrics.
Design templates or patterns.
Estimate costs of products, services, or materials.
Mark products, workpieces, or equipment with identifying information.
Measure clients to ensure proper product fit.
Measure materials to mark reference points, cutting lines, or other indicators.
Operate sewing equipment.
Position patterns on equipment, materials, or workpieces.
Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
Record operational or production data.
Repair textiles or apparel.
Sew clothing or other articles.
Smooth garments with irons, presses, or steamers.
Trim excess material from workpieces.