With a needle and thread,
sewers and tailors create and repair clothing
and other stitched items,
both handcrafted and mass-produced.
Sewing machine operators
use sewing machines
to sew or decorate clothing and other products.
They keep machines stocked with thread,
position material under needles,
and guide their stitching to sew parts together.
When a product is finished,
these operators measure each item
to ensure accuracy.
Hand sewers stitch a wide variety of
textiles and materials to make clothing,
books, mattresses, wigs, and even toys.
They draw and then cut materials
following established patterns.
Sewers must measure
and piece together parts,
stitch them together,
and sew in trimmings, zippers, buttons,
and other fasteners.
To finish a product,
they may iron seams and trim edges.
Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers
create garments for customers
and alter clothing to fit better.
Customers try on clothing items
so tailors can pin or clip fabric
to fit their size.
They take measurements
to bring the hems of sleeves, dresses,
and pant legs to the right length,
and may let out seams or take them in
to improve a garment’s fit.
Some custom sewers
create original clothing designs,
and then sew them.
There are no specific education requirements
for hand or machine sewers and tailors,
dressmakers, and custom sewers,
although sewing skills are typically required.