Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
•   Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
•   Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Working Life

Dressmakers make a range of light clothing, including dresses, for customers. The garments are always originals. The dressmaker measures the customer and helps to select a fabric, if the customer has not already decided. They sometimes advise clients on style. The dressmaker then gives a price, after taking into consideration the cost of materials and the length of time needed to make the garment.  
 
The customer's measurements are developed into a pattern, which is laid onto the fabric. The dressmaker then cuts around the pattern. Sometimes the pattern is drawn directly onto the cloth. After the fabric has been cut, it is pinned and tack-stitched together for a fitting. The dressmaker then carefully sews the garment together using different types of stitches. The work is finished on a sewing machine. Once completed, the garment is pressed.  
 
Dressmakers may also offer an alteration and repair service. Some garments may require detailed stitching, including beadwork, sequins or lace. May specialise in making wedding and bridesmaid dresses, haute couture (high fashion) or children's clothes.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Measure parts, such as sleeves or pant legs, and mark or pin-fold alteration lines.
• Remove stitches from garments to be altered, using rippers or rasor blades.
• Sew garments, using needles and thread or sewing machines.
• Let out or take in seams in suits and other garments to improve fit.
• Measure customers, using tape measures, and record measurements.
• Fit and study garments on customers to determine required alterations.
• Trim excess material, using scissors.
• Assemble garment parts and join parts with basting stitches, using needles and thread or sewing machines.
• Make garment style changes, such as tapering pant legs, narrowing lapels, and adding or removing padding.
• Maintain garment drape and proportions as alterations are performed.

Further Information

• Dressmaker- from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Sample Machinist- from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

There are many entry routes into textile craft design. However, most take formal training courses up to diploma or degree level.

Developing your craft business increasingly involves skills in digital media marketing. Building your brand and showcasing your work are key.

Design & Crafts council Business & Guidance support 

Local Enterprise Offices Business mentoring 

Local Partnership Enterprise Business development 

Design Skillnet Network CPD and support.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: customer service, manufacturing quality, management, start your own business.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: art, portfolio prep, craft, fashion, textile, design, creative.

Search for PLC Courses

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: applied art, design, craft, fashion, creative, fabrics, interior, textile.

Applicants for craft and design courses are usually required to submit a portfolio of work via CAO.

Search for CAO Courses

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €17k - €43k

Salaries vary by employer, role, duties, location, and experience. 

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Salary expert/ Indeed/ DEASP

Last Updated: March, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Weavers and knitters; Upholsterers; Footwear and leather working trades; Tailors and dressmakers Textiles; garments and related trades n.e.c.; Pre-press technicians; Printers Print finishing and binding workers; Glass and ceramics makers; decorators and finishers Furniture makers and other craft woodworkers; Florists Other skilled trades n.e.c.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The five-year annual average employment growth rate was below average for this occupation, although there was an increase of over 2,000 persons employed between 2021 and 2022. As the Census data indicates, there are a large number of roles within this group, with many employing fewer than 1,000 persons. Between 2016 and 2022, employment levels fell for many of these roles.

Despite the decline in employment evident in the Census data, the Skills for Growth data indicates issues with recruitment of upholsterers for both the industry and retail (repair) sectors; upholsterers also appeared in the DSP Jobs Ireland vacancy data (albeit in small numbers), along with spray painters (included in the other skilled trades n.e.c. category). Although demand for many of these trades have declined in recent years, an increased focus on the circular economy may see increased demand, or at least slow the decline for roles such as upholsterers and tailors.

• Design & Craft Council of Ireland

  • Castle Yard, Kilkenny
  • (056) 77 61804
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