Repair and alter people's clothingYou might increase armhole sizes or lower collarsYou need to be good with your handsAn apprenticeship is the best way to go

Probably the most prestigious position that a tailor could have would be tailoring for famous designers. The world's top tailors can find work in design centers like Paris and Milan.

Tailors are experts at specialized hand sewing. They may be known as cutters, alteration tailors or shop tailors. Tailors design clothes according to instructions from clients.

Tailors must also consider other factors. These include the size, shape, weight and color of the product. The materials used are another factor.

Ted Lazich owns a tailoring shop. He says his tailors increase armhole sizes, lower collars or reduce chest measurements. Some of these tasks take several hours, since the tailoring is all done by hand. "On an average day, three to four suits are completed with these types of adjustments," he says.

Tailor John Philbeck's average day runs from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. He has some evening appointments that might last until 8 p.m.

Tailor Mike Vonella usually works six days per week for 10 hours each day. "On average, tailors work 40-hour workweeks," says Lazich. "Saturday is required in retail establishments."

The Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) does not have a specific category for tailors. However, they do have a related category entitled apparel workers. There were 74,000 custom tailors in this category in 1998.

Christine Ryan owns a dressmaking firm in Pasadena, Maryland. She says there are probably thousands of people in this field.

"There is a sizeable 'cottage industry' consisting of people working out of their homes," she explains. "The minimal equipment and flexible work schedule make this an ideal situation for many. But it also makes it difficult to assess the actual number of people in the field."

Plus, Ryan says many independent tailors do not belong to any organization. That makes estimates difficult.

The annual median income for custom tailors and sewers was $18,630 in 1998, reports the OOH. Earnings ranged from $12,120 through $30,730.

According to tailor John Philbeck, beginning salaries are about $24,000. They can easily top $100,000 plus. "Rewards are in direct proportion to the quality and quantity of your efforts," he notes.

Cherie Bartron specializes in tailoring medieval and Renaissance fashions. She says she charges $12 per hour. "This is on top of material cost, of course."

The OOH notes that employment for apparel workers (including tailors) is expected to decline through 2008, due to increasing numbers of imports and offshore assembly.

RegionAverage Annual EarningsAverage Hourly EarningsU.S. National$26,920$12.94RegionOutlook2008 Workforce2008 to 2018 Growth RateU.S. NationalDecreasing54,600-2%

Tailors may need either a college education or other courses in the field. On-the-job training, an apprenticeship and a mastery of creative design or sewing skills are also good.

Dressmaker Christine Ryan says education and training is a tough issue because it is difficult to find professional training in many areas.

"Obviously, the Fashion Institute of Technology [FIT] in New York is a great place, and there are various other programs scattered around the country," says Ryan. "However, currently there is no national certification for professional dressmakers or tailors in this country."

Ryan says students should seek out courses in basic and advanced sewing techniques, pattern making, draping, fit, textiles, tailoring and design. She also advocates continuing education for those pursuing a career in the field. "As new fibers and techniques are always emerging, continuing education is a must."

Tailor John Philbeck says degrees in business administration, marketing or accounting would be very helpful. So would apprenticeships.

Tailor Ted Lazich says students who are good with their hands, creative and able to solve problems can do well in this industry. "To become a tailor requires five to six years of apprenticeship," he says. "Most colleges provide fashion design and technique courses, but none address men's tailoring."

The best experience, contends Lazich, is an informal apprenticeship with a reputable tailor to learn the basics of the craft of tailoring.

Here is an example of a related program:

Fashion Institute of Technology
Seventh Avenue at 27 Street
New York , NY   10001-5992
USA
E-mail : fitinfo@fitsuny.edu
Internet :  http://www.fitnyc.suny.edu/

Associations

Professional Association of Custom Clothiers
P.O. Box 8071
Medford , OR   97504-0071
USA
E-mail : info@paccprofessionals.org
Internet :  http://www.paccprofessionals.org/

Custom Tailors and Designers Association of New Jersey
102 Main St.
Little Falls , NJ   07424
USA
Internet :  http://www.ctdanj.com/index.html

Publications

Professional Association of Custom Clothiers Newsletter
P.O. Box 8071
Medford , OR   97504-0071
USA
Internet :  http://www.paccprofessionals.org/newsletter.htm

Threads Magazine Online
Internet :  http://www.taunton.com/th/admin/current.htm

Links

Occupational Employment Statistics
The OES has labor market data on over 700 careers

• http://www.bls.gov/oes/home.htm#tables

Fashion Net
A great guide to fashion on the Net

• http://www.fashion.net/

Textile Links
Everything you need to know about textiles

• http://www.texcom.com/plaza/link1.htm

Fashion and Textile Links
There are lots of resources here

• http://www.fashiontextilelinks.com/