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What does a Tailor do?

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Talent.com talent.com
Answered September 14 2021
Career Expert at Talent.com
The daily duties of a Tailor include creating, repairing, and altering garments, preparing cost estimates, and managing fabric and notions inventories. Tailors can work in several different work environments, depending on their skills or preferences. 

Tailors may work for fashion companies and ateliers, using their skills to create bespoke items. They may also work in theaters or movie studios designing costumes for different productions. To do so, Tailors and costume designers may need to do extensive research on the period of the production and examine reference fashion plates and photos. 

Some professionals may even work with super-specialized fabrics such as bulletproof vests. Other tailors work specifically in a certain garment category, such as wedding gowns. 

Other Tailors may work on a freelance basis and repair, adjust, or create custom garments for clients. In that case, they also need to manage their invoicing and other record-keeping. 

Roles & responsibilities of a Tailor
  • Sew garments for women or men (jackets, coats, pants, etc.)
  • Mark patterns and designs or use pre-designed ones to cut the fabric into the necessary shapes.
  • Alter and repair garments.
  • Ensure proper measurements, adjustments, and fittings to suit the individual customer.
  • Discus their desired specifications for clothes with customers.
  • Give customers recommendations regarding fabrics, colors, and styles.
  • Show customers samples of different fabrics and explain the qualities of each one.
  •  Take measurements. 
  • Ensure alterations are done on time. 
  • Define technical specifications for the garments and be knowledgeable about fabrics, patterns, shapes, and colors.
  • Know about patternmaking and fittings to adapt and create patterns as needed.
  • Keep up to date with the latest fashion trends and techniques.
  • Source the best quality fabrics for the project and customer at hand.
  • Use specialized equipment such as sewing machines and irons.
  • Organize and maintain an inventory of fabrics, trims, and notions. 
  • Prepare customer quotes based on time of work, costs of fabrics, and any special materials necessary. 
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