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Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 7531

Dressmaker

A dressmaker is a person who designs, makes or fits, alters and repairs women's and children's clothing produced for a particular customer, to individual order or by hand, from textiles, light leathers, furs and other materials. The dressmaker makes garments to measure according to the specifications of a customer or a clothing manufacturer, and can read and understand size charts and the measurement details of finished garments.

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Rate 5 of the 17 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

manufacture wearing apparel products

distinguish accessories

use textile technique for hand-made products

manage briefs for clothing manufacturing

distinguish fabrics

About dressmaker

Fitting a real body is what distinguishes this trade from clothing manufacture. A size chart describes an average, and an individual customer is not one, so the dressmaker works from the standard clothing size systems and then departs from them where the measurements require it.

Cutting is the irreversible step. The dressmaker cuts the fabrics, works from the properties of textile materials, and distinguishes between fabrics.

Construction and alteration are the rest of the work. The dressmaker stitches the pieces of fabric together, makes the garments, creates the buttonholes, and alters clothing. Alteration means repairing or adjusting a garment so that it fits the customer or meets the specification, working by hand or with equipment.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (17)

buttonholingbuttonholingThe methods of buttonholing using specialised buttonholing machines in order to make buttonholes to wearing apparel.properties of textile materialsproperties of textile materialsThe characteristics and properties of different textile and fabric materials. These include strength, flexibility, elasticity, softness, durability, heat insulation, low weight, water absorbency/repel...e-tailoringe-tailoringThe business model using softwares and technical applications in order to gather the information of clients for the manufacturing of bespoke products.standard sizing systems for clothingstandard sizing systems for clothingStandard sizing systems for clothing developed by different countries. Differences among the systems and standards of different countries, the development of the systems according to the evolution of ...manufacture wearing apparel productsmanufacture wearing apparel productsManufacture either mass-product or bespoke wearing apparels of various types, assembling and joining together wearing apparel components using processes such as sewing, gluing, bonding. Assemble weari...distinguish accessoriesdistinguish accessoriesDistinguish accessories in order to determine differences among them. Evaluate accessories based on their characteristics and their application in wearing apparel manufacturing.use textile technique for hand-made productsuse textile technique for hand-made productsUsing textile technique to produce hand-made products, such as carpets, tapestry, embroidery, lace, silk screen printing, wearing apparel, etc.manage briefs for clothing manufacturingmanage briefs for clothing manufacturingManage briefs from clients for the manufacturing of wearing apparel. Collect customers' demands and prepare them into specifications for the production.distinguish fabricsdistinguish fabricsDistinguish fabrics in order to determine differences among them. Evaluate fabrics based on their characteristics and their application in wearing apparel manufacturing.alter wearing apparelalter wearing apparelAlter wearing apparel repairing or adjusting it to the clients/manufacturing specifications. Perform altering by hand or using equipment.measure the human body for wearing apparelmeasure the human body for wearing apparelMeasure the human body using conventional methods or scanning technologies.make technical drawings of fashion piecesmake technical drawings of fashion piecesMake technical drawings of wearing apparel, leather goods and footwear including both technical and engineering drawings. Use them to communicate or to convey design ideas and manufacturing details to...cut fabricscut fabricsCut fabrics and other wearing apparel materials considering measures, placement of the fabrics in the cutting table in multiple layers, and making the most efficient usage of the fabric avoiding waste...sew pieces of fabricsew pieces of fabricOperate basic or specialised sewing machines whether domestic or industrial ones, sewing pieces of fabric, vinyl or leather in order to manufacture or repair wearing apparels, making sure the threads ...make made-to-measure garmentsmake made-to-measure garmentsMake garments and other wearing apparel according to specific measures and tailored patterns.keep up to date on costume designkeep up to date on costume designVisit textile showrooms, read fashion magazines, keep up-to-date with trends and changes in the world of fabrics and designs.draw sketches to develop textile articles using softwaresdraw sketches to develop textile articles using softwaresDraw sketches to develop textiles or wearing apparel using softwares. They create visualisations of the motives, patterns or products in order to be manufactured.
Optional (14) — show
manufacturing of children clothingmanufacturing of children clothingThe specificities of manufacturing clothing for children, considering the sizes and adaptations required in the manufacturing process such as cutting, types of fabrics, patterns, and quality.mass customisationmass customisationProcess of modifying wide-market goods and services to satisfy a specific customer need in order to produce wearing apparels within e-commerce, lean and supply-chain management affairs.CAD for garment manufacturingCAD for garment manufacturingSoftwares of computer aided design for garment manufacturing which allow create 2 or 3 dimensional drawings.embroider fabricsembroider fabricsEmbroider fabrics of different proveniences or finished articles by using embroidery machines or by hand.create mood boardscreate mood boardsCreate mood boards for fashion or interior design collections, gathering different sources of inspirations, sensations, trends, and textures, discussing with the people involved in the project to make...create patterns for garmentscreate patterns for garmentsCreate patterns for garments using pattern making softwares or by hand from sketches provided by fashion designers or product requirements. Create patterns for different sizes, styles, and components ...assist with dressingassist with dressingAid clients to choose clothes for different occasions, ensure that the chosen clothing pieces are clean and ready for wearing, and help the client with putting them on.analyse scanned data of the bodyanalyse scanned data of the bodyAnalyse 3D scanned data for the development of prototypes, of avatars, for the creation of size charts, the garment pattern modification, alteration and manipulation, and for testing fit.draw sketches to develop textile articlesdraw sketches to develop textile articlesDraw sketches to develop textiles or wearing apparel by hand. They create visualisations of the motives, patterns or products in order to be manufactured.decorate textile articlesdecorate textile articlesDecorate wearing apparels and made up textile articles by hand or using machines. Decorate textile articles with ornaments, braided cords, golden yarns, soutaches, jewellery, and cristals.use 3D scanners for clothinguse 3D scanners for clothingUse different 3D body scanners and softwares to capture the shape and size of the human body in order to produce 3D body model for the creation of avatars and mannequins.sew underwearsew underwearSew underwear striving for neat seams and aesthetical finishings. Combine good hand-eye coordination, manual dexterity, and physical and mental stamina.bundle fabricsbundle fabricsBundle fabrics and place several cut components together in a single package. Join related products and items together. Sort the cut fabrics and add them with the accessories required for assembling. ...pleat fabricspleat fabricsApply pleating processes to fabrics and wearing apparel products following adequate procedures and using specific equipment for the purpose.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

tailor15 shared essential skillsclothing alteration machinist10 shared essential skillsclothing sample machinist8 shared essential skillsclothing technologist8 shared essential skillswearing apparel patternmaker8 shared essential skillssewing machine operator7 shared essential skillsprotective clothing apparel manufacturer6 shared essential skillssewing machinist6 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a dressmaker do?

Dressmakers design, make or fit, alter, repair tailored, bespoke or hand-made garments from textile fabrics, light leather, fur and other material for women and children. They produce made-to-measure wearing apparel according to customer's or garment manufacturer's specifications. They are able to read and understand size charts, details surrounding finished measurements, etc.

What skills does a dressmaker need?

A dressmaker needs 17 essential skills, including buttonholing, properties of textile materials, e-tailoring, standard sizing systems for clothing, manufacture wearing apparel products.

Will AI replace dressmaker jobs?

The AI disruption score for dressmaker is 39/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: mass customisation, CAD for garment manufacturing, standard sizing systems for clothing. Most resilient: buttonholing, assist with dressing, alter wearing apparel.

Quick Facts

SectorManufacturing & Production
ISCO GroupFood processing, wood working, garment and other craft workers
Essential Skills17

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