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Tailors & Dressmakers

Tailors and dressmakers prepare patterns and make, fit and alter tailored garments, dresses and other articles of clothing.

Tasks

  • Takes customer’s measurements and discusses required style and material
  • Prepares individual or adapts stock pattern
  • Examines fabrics or skins for flaws and prepares materials for cutting
  • Arranges pattern on correct grain of fabric, marks position and cuts out garment parts with hand shears, electric knife or cutting machine
  • Pins/tacks and fits garment on customer or dummy model and makes any necessary alterations
  • Sews garment parts together by hand or machine, makes buttonholes and sews on fasteners and trimmings
  • Shapes garment by pressing seams, pleats, etc.
  • Makes alterations to finished garments according to customer’s requirements.

Entry Requirements

There are no formal academic entry requirements, although some employers may require GCSEs/S grades. A variety of relevant vocational courses, including apprenticeships in some areas, are available leading to qualifications up to Level 3.


What could I earn?

Salaries for this occupation tend to start at £21,000 per annum and can progress up to £32,000 per annum.

Is it in growth or decline?

There are currently 1,443 employed Tailors & Dressmakers in the region.

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Coronavirus update

Southwark College is closely monitoring all communications and guidance as it becomes available. This information is for students and staff and reflects updates from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Public Health England (PHE). We are prepared to escalate our contingency arrangements in the event of change.

The government is monitoring the situation closely and will continue to work with the WHO and international community. For staff and students, it remains business as usual across our sites and our workplaces.

Please note that, at present, this advice refers only to arrivals from Wuhan, and not the remainder of China. If you have returned from Wuhan you should:

General guidance for those planning visits to Wuhan or other destinations in China

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) maintains updated travel advice for those planning a trip to Wuhan or other destinations in China. This is available at:

www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/china

Note

This advice is derived from The Department of Health and Social Care will be publishing updated data on a daily basis at 2pm until further notice:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-information-for-the-public#situation-in-the-uk

Supplementary Q&A for individuals wishing to know more around how the UK is managing the risk:

https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2020/01/23/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-what-you-need-to-know/

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