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Dressmakers create, alter and repair garments and dresses for their customers.
You could work: in your own business; managing your own hours
As a dressmaker, you could:
You could work in a workshop or from home.
You can get into this job through:
You could take a college course to learn some of the skills you'll need for this job. Courses include:
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
You could apply to do an apprenticeship with a clothing company, such as:
You'll usually need:
You can apply directly to work as a dressmaker. You'll need experience in dressmaking and fashion, and the ability to demonstrate to employers and clients that you have the skills they are looking for.
You can find short courses in dressmaking techniques at adult education centres and with private training providers. These cover how to use a sewing machine, pattern making and pattern cutting.
You can also find guides and tutorials online.
It's a good idea to keep a portfolio of your designs and work to showcase your skills and creative ideas to employers and clients.
You can find out more about garment making and dressmaking from UK Fashion and Textiles (UKFT).
With experience you could take on a supervisory role, move into a related career like fashion or textile buying, or become self-employed.
You could specialise in making or altering particular garments like children's clothes, dance costumes or wedding dresses.
You could also work in costume production for theatre, TV and film.