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Tailors, Dressmakers, Furriers and Milliners (7342)

Job titles

Nature of work

Tailors, dressmakers and furriers make, alter and repair tailored clothing, dresses, coats and other made-to-measure garments. Milliners make, alter and repair hats. This unit group also includes alterationists who fit, alter and repair garments. They are employed by clothing retailers, clothing alteration shops, dry cleaners and garment manufacturing companies or they may be self-employed.

Fields of interest

  • Making or building things, constructing, doing repairs, and performing installations
  • Working in the arts, culture, music, and recreation
  • Working with your hands

Main duties

  • The following is a summary of main duties for some occupations in this unit group:
  • - Tailors make made-to-measure garments, such as suits and coats according to customers' and clothing manufacturers' specifications and fit; design patterns to fit measurements; mark, cut and sew fabric; and may alter and repair garments as required.
  • - Dressmakers make women's garments; select and modify commercial patterns to customers' and clothing manufacturers' specifications and fit, mark, cut and sew fabric; and may alter and repair garments as required.
  • - Furriers make, alter, restyle and repair natural fur garments and accessories.
  • - Milliners design, lay out, cut, sew and press fabric, leather and other materials into hats and related accessories.
  • - Alterationists fit, alter and repair garments according to customers' requests by hand or using sewing machines.

Main characteristics of the occupation

These headings are provided for the following occupation(s) :

Employment requirements

  • * Completion of secondary school may be required.
  • * Tailors and dressmakers require demonstrated ability to sew, style and fit men's or women's garments and may require completion of college or other courses in tailoring or dressmaking.
  • * Furriers require several years of experience in selecting pelts and making, fitting, styling and altering fur garments and accessories.
  • * Milliners require demonstrated ability to sew, style and fit hats and caps.
  • * Alterationists require demonstrated ability to sew, alter and repair garments.

Skill type

  • Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations

Skill level

  • Technical

Job titles - Classified elsewhere