Starting A Career In Dressmaking (part 1 of 2)

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Dressmaking is not longer just a hobby or something that you do when you repair clothes and zippers.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were about 31,500 Americans who were working as dressmakers in 2007.  If you think you have the skill and the fashion sense, why don’t you go ahead and give dressmaking a career try?

A dressmaker does not only work part time or contractual basis, there are dressmakers who have their own business.  Currently, dressmakers are about earning $18,510 to $28.800 every year.  Some dressmakers also offer tailoring and patternmaking services to add some bucks to their paycheck.  Patternmakers and tailors would earn about $14.78 per hour.

What kind of work do dressmakers deal with?

Daily dressmaker tasks would include measuring and assisting customers, doing alterations in clothes, and sewing clothes.  It is also a responsibility of the dressmaker to assist the customer in making correct pattern and fabric decisions.  If no existing pattern suits the customer, then it falls for the dressmaker to create a suitable pattern.

If you are planning to apply for a dressmaker position, some employers would look for knowledge in design, craft, pattern cutting, sewing and knowledge in textiles.  To have better chances of landing a dressmaking job, it would be great to take a course or training that covers general aspects of dressmaking.

Where to look for the training?  There are dressmaking courses offered in different educational institutions and colleges.  Short courses offered here can actually get you started with the basic things that you should know when entering this professions.  There are associate degrees and vocational diplomas offered to dressmakers and tailors.

Some would take their training and education in a higher level and get a bachelor’s and master’s degree leaning towards fashion and design.  Getting higher education and training like these would help you get top-class positions and high-end fashion job opportunities.  In these kind of programs, not only is basic dressmaking skill required but students also learn something about fashion history, fashion trends, and working with textiles and colors.