Dressmakers

Traditionally, dressmakers and seamstresses were women who made and altered women’s dresses and garments. A seamstress was more likely to sew, by hand or machine, while the dressmaker was in charge of design and pattern preparation.

Today, the words seamstress and dressmaker are often used interchangeably and describe a person who makes, designs, and/or sews a variety of clothing including suits, dresses, coats, uniforms, formal and leisure wear. A seamstress or dressmaker can also attend to clothing repairs and alterations including sewing hems, replacing zippers, letting out trousers or skirts or hand sewing intricate embellishments or embroidery. The role of tailor was considered predominantly for men. Often, tailors are required to pin men’s suit trousers before sewing, and this was considered suitable for a male clothing maker or tailor. Today, the terms seamstress, tailor and dressmaker are used more loosely but still indicate the provision of skilled, quality clothing and sewing services that may include the creation and alteration of custom-fitted business, formal, special occasion, leisure and corporate wear, and designer-inspired fashions, as well as men’s and women’s pattern making and clothing design.

A skilled dressmaker or tailor will be able to create and sew fashion and couture, sportswear, school uniforms, wedding, bride and bridesmaid dresses and mother-of-the-bride designs in either traditional or modern styles. They also alter or adjust ‘off-the-rack’ dresses to fit brides perfectly. Dressmakers help brides to fulfil their wedding gown dreams with a made-to-measure bridal gown, and brides choose their styles and fabrics, and manage costs. Dressmakers and tailors often provide design and styling consultations as part of the tailoring process and work with each client to take measurements, assist with affordability, and arrange suitable times for fittings and finished garment collection. Having several fittings while a dress or suit is being made enables the seamstress to make alterations to produce a perfect fit.