Dressmaker
Dressmakers create, alter and repair garments and dresses for their customers.
Also known as: Seamster
- Typical hours30 to 37 a week
What you'll do
As a dressmaker, you could:
- advise clients on fabrics, prints, colours and styles
- give quotes for costs and timescales
- take accurate measurements
- create a new garment pattern or use a ready made one
- cut out fabric pieces and tack together for fittings
- stitch pieces together with a sewing machine or by hand
- fit the garment and make minor adjustments to suit the client
- make alterations and repairs to existing garments
Working environment
You could work in a workshop or from home.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- customer service skills
- design skills and knowledge
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with your hands
- the ability to measure and mark up accurately
- the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
- excellent verbal communication skills
- the ability to organise your time and workload
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
How to become a dressmaker
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
- short specialised training courses
College
You could take a college course to learn some of the skills you'll need for this job. Courses include:
- fashion
- fashion and textiles
- pattern cutting
- T Level in Craft and Design
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do an apprenticeship with a clothing company, such as:
- Sewing Machinist Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
- Garment Maker Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
- Fashion and Textiles Pattern Cutter Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
Direct application
You can apply directly to work as a dressmaker. You'll need experience in dressmaking and fashion, and the ability to demonstrate to employers and clients that you have the skills they are looking for.
Other routes
You can find short courses in dressmaking techniques at adult education centres and with private training providers. These cover how to use a sewing machine, pattern making and pattern cutting.
You can also find guides and tutorials online.
Career path and progression
With experience you could take on a supervisory role, move into a related career like fashion or textile buying, or become self-employed.
You could specialise in making or altering particular garments like children's clothes, dance costumes or wedding dresses.
You could also work in costume production for theatre, TV and film.
Career tips
It's a good idea to keep a portfolio of your designs and work to showcase your skills and creative ideas to employers and clients.
Guides for this industry
Related roles
- Job rolePattern cutter
- Job roleTailor
- Job roleFashion design assistant
- Job roleFashion designer
- Job roleCostume designer
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