BECOME A FASHION DESIGNER

Tailoring is a very old tradition, and to become a tailor requires a lot of stamina and patience. You need to stitch, alter, modify, and design clothing.

Tailors need to work on different parts of their items at once, which may include the initial stitching of the cloth to working on the side collars and sewing the pocket linings.

An apprenticeship, therefore, may be necessary to provide a basic lesson in getting all these things together.

Start-Up
Many new tailors find franchises attractive options. Before you start your own shop, make sure that you research the available franchises. These can save you a lot of money and provide much needed publicity.

You may want to specialize in wedding dresses, child wear, or even the stitching the soft toys. A niche has few competitors around it, and so helps you to focus on a specialist skill.

Employ a seamstress if you can, as this will help you to understand the design formalities of ladies’ garments. Interestingly, in developed countries menswear comprises the largest proportion of the tailoring industry – though this trend is reversed in the major minorities of the US and the United Kingdom.

Become A Tailor – Your Competition
It is a good idea to get an idea of your local competition. A new entrant to the market should locate and analyze every tailoring shop in the area to get an overview of the competitiveness around. You should talk to existing business owners about the industry.

A tailor in your area will never share their insider tips with a future competitor. If you really want the trade secrets of becoming a successful tailor, it is best to talk to set up an appointment outside of your area.

A good strategy is also to talk to your family and friends in a different locality, and get acquainted with one of their tailors.

Employment
Nowadays local authorities require professional degrees or licenses before letting you operate in major commercial areas. Reputable tailoring agencies require you to have an average of four to five years of apprenticeship experience before they even consider employing you.

Did you know that local dry cleaning services often employ people full-time to do alterations to clothes? You can get real, hands-on experience by working with them even if the tasks are mundane and require only basic skills.


A course in fashion design will help new entrants to the industry to understand technical drawings and diagrams. It will also give them an idea of how different colors and shapes are used in design.

Amongst other skills, they will also become accustomed to the different types of machines and sewing supplies available on the market. It is often a good idea to enroll in a fashion and design institute to get the modern view of resources available to tailors.

Work Environment
Tailors make custom suits and made-to-measure garments. Becoming a tailor will require you to think about the financial aspects of this, too.

Initially, tailors are paid on a piece-by-piece basis. Salaries for novice and master craftsmen can differ hugely: from $24,000 upwards each year. Employed tailors work an average of between 38 and 42 hours each week. During busy times, they may have to work overtime and evenings as well.

If you have an interest in making money from making clothes, it’s wise to want to become a tailor!