tailor

The work

Tailors produce custom-made (‘bespoke’) suits, jackets and coats for men and women. They may make up the whole garment, or work in a team with each member focusing on part of the tailoring process.

When making an item of clothing, the work of a tailor involves:

• agreeing a style and fabric with the client
• calculating how long it will take to produce the garment and how much the work will cost
• producing a design (either by adapting an existing pattern or creating a new design)
• creating a pattern, either by hand or using computer aided design
• fitting the garment and noting any alterations needed for the final garment.

Because they often work with expensive fabrics, many tailors will produce a ‘mock-up’ of a garment, called a 'toile', made in calico (a type of cotton). They will usually hand-stitch bespoke garments.

Ideas for designs will come from clients, as well as from magazines, brochures, pattern books and fabric samples. Some tailors carry out repairs and alterations.

Hours and Environment

Tailors work around 40 hours a week, but this can increase depending on deadlines. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required to carry out customer fittings.

Tailors work in sewing rooms. These are sometimes attached to shops or small factories.

Skills and Interests

To be a tailor you need:

• pattern-cutting skills
• knowledge of fabric types and their properties
• excellent sewing skills 
• an interest in textiles, fashion, design and trends
• creativity and the ability to visualise designs 
• the ability to put clients at ease and work with them tactfully
• accuracy and attention to detail
• the ability to maintain concentration, sometimes for long periods
• a smart appearance.

Entry

You may be able to begin work in this area straight from school, learning from a master tailor the skills needed for bespoke tailoring.

You can do range of courses to develop your skills in this area and help you get into the industry. These include:

• City & Guilds Level 1 Certificate in Design and Craft (7722) – this provides an introduction to a range of areas including textiles
• City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate in Design & Craft (7822) – this course builds on the skills developed at Level 1 
• City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate (7922) – on this course you will develop skills to the level of a professional craftsperson 
• ABC Level 3 Diploma in Handcraft Tailoring.

If you are interested in working more closely with the manufacturing industry, doing a course such as the ABC Level 3 Diploma in Production Tailoring may be useful.

Apprenticeships
Savile Row employers support the 18-week pre-apprenticeship stage of the Bespoke Tailoring Apprenticeship Programme (offered by Newham College in partnership with Savile Row Bespoke) as an entry route into the industry. The number of opportunities on Savile Row is limited, so competition for places on the programme is strong.

Funding for apprenticeships is available for 16-24 year olds and some over-25s. To find out more, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk. For information about apprenticeships in other parts of the UK, see Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Training

To become a skilled bespoke tailor you need to follow an intensive and lengthy programme of on-the-job training, working alongside experienced master tailors.

On the Bespoke Tailoring Apprenticeship Programme you will develop skills in hand and machine sewing, pattern-cutting and garment construction. This four-year programme is available at three levels. 

If you are a tailor working closely with the manufacturing process, you can work towards one of the following NVQs/SVQs: 

• City and Guilds Manufacturing Sewn Products (4146) at Level 2
• City and Guilds Apparel Manufacturing Technology (4133) at Level 3.

Opportunities

Most opportunities exist in small and medium-sized companies in the major cities throughout the UK.

As a tailor in a larger company you could progress to senior tailor or supervisor. A common career move for tailors is to become self-employed.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

The starting salary for a tailor is around £10,000 to £13,000 a year.
With experience, this can rise to between £14,000 and £18,000.
Tailors working in high quality bespoke outlets on Savile Row may earn around £40,000.
Self employed tailors will set their own rates.

Further information

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