Creativity is one of your greatest strengths. For many years now, you've been passionate about sewing and making bespoke garments. What if you turned this passion into a real profession? Discover the many facets of a tailor's job in this job description. Training, missions, role, salary, skills and qualities required... We've got it all!
What is the role of a tailor?
The tailor is a profession in the textile, clothing and arts and crafts sector. This professional specializes in the creation of garments and alterations on various textile materials (leather, silk, wool, cotton, jute...). At the customer's request and according to the project presented to him, he designs a made-to-measure suit. His role is to take measurements, choose the right fabrics, draw patterns, sew and alter.
To become a tailor, you need to have rigorous know-how, a great sense of aesthetics and a commercial flair for meeting customer requirements.
What does a tailor do?
The tailor is a professional in the creation, transformation, fitting, alteration and modification of garments. Here are his main tasks:
Creation of a made-to-measure garment:
- The craftsman offers the customer an existing model, one that he adapts or creates from scratch. Based on this choice, he advises the customer on the cut best suited to his morphology and helps him choose the fabric.
Pattern design and finishing :
- He draws the pattern from the measurements taken.
- He then cuts the fabric and sews it with the necessary materials.
- He proceeds to fittings in order to carry out, if necessary, final alterations and rectifications.
- Finally, the expert adds the finishing touches (topstitching, pockets, ironing).
The designer creates the garment in its entirety, or divides the tasks between several professional tailors. He or she may work alone in his or her own workshop, with others or for haute couture houses.
What are the qualities and skills of a tailor?
This job requires a number of qualities and skills:
- artistic flair (creative spirit),
- passion for art, fashion and clothing,
- precision in gesture and measurement,
- rigor and perfectionism,
- mastery of cutting, assembly and hand and machine sewing techniques,
- sense of touch and love of textiles,
- management of deadlines and working hours,
- organization in his workshop,
- concentration, patience and listening,
- know how to establish a relationship of trust with customers and show them off to their best advantage.
What training do you need to enter this profession?
This profession is accessible directly after 3ème. In fact, future professionals can prepare a 2-year CAP (vocational training certificate) in the following sectors fashion professions :
- CAP métiers de la mode option vêtement flou,
- CAP in fashion, tailoring option.
This first diploma in the craft sector can be supplemented by a BAC Pro or Brevet Professionnel :
- BAC pro sewing and garment-making trades
- BP made-to-measure clothing, ladies' tailor option
- BP made-to-measure clothing, men's tailoring option
- BP made-to-measure clothing, flou couture option
A BTS in fashion and clothing is also possible.
If you're looking to move into a field like fashion and luxury goods, we recommend a school like ISAL PARIS.
This establishment, specialized in fashion and design, offers a wide range of training courses to enable you to gain real professional experience alongside experts, and acquire a wealth of knowledge about fashion products and services.
Training "Bachelor of Fashion Creation and Design"This program is ideal for stimulating skills and techniques in styling, pattern-making, sewing, textiles and design. During a series of workshops, students give free rein to their creative imaginations, creating unique clothing collections which they also present at the end of their studies.
Once they have completed their training, graduates can join independent workshops offering jobs for haute couture or luxury clothing houses.
Alteration and service boutiques are also creating more and more jobs in the sector.
After several years' experience, tailors can set up their own business.
How much does a tailor earn?
Entry-level tailors earn an average of €1,400 gross per month. Tailors specialized in haute-couture earn between €4000 and €7000 gross per month.
Salary levels vary according to experience, reputation, seniority and the company where the position is held.
