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.

The Work

Tailors produce made-to-measure, handcrafted garments to order. They also make alterations to items of clothing such as suits and overcoats. Menswear forms the largest proportion of the industry, although there is also a demand for some tailored ladies' garments.  
 
Tailors advise customers on the range of fabrics and styles for a particular item of clothing, and take measurements. The style is then converted onto a paper or cardboard pattern, which is used as a stencil for cutting the chosen fabric.  
 
The pieces of cloth are cut and usually sewn-up by hand as this produces a better finish. The tailor selects threads and needles appropriate to the fabric and uses a variety of stitches. A sewing machine may be used occasionally.  
 
The customer may need to have several fittings before the item is finished. Once the garment has been made-up, the tailor presses it.

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

• Tailor - from: N.C.S. [UK]

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

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.

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.

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.

To become a tailor it is necessary to serve an apprenticeship of up to five years, with a tailoring firm. This involves on-the-job instruction by experienced tailors combined with day or block release attendance at a tailoring course.  

The education & training route into this career is through a degree or course in Textile or Fabric Fashion Design. These courses cover all aspects of textile design such as embroidery, woven fabrics, or printed surfaces.

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

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Customer service, Manufacturing quality, Management, start your own business in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5-6 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET Centre PLC: Fashion Design, Textile Design, Art, Creative textiles coursesNFQ levels 5-6  search our FET PLC coursefinder 

Higher Education CAO Entry:  Design in fashion, Creative fabrics, Textile design at NFQ levels 7-8 Search our CAO coursefinder 

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

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

Professional Development 

Design & Crafts council Business & Guidance support 

Local Enterprise Offices Business mentoring 

Local Partnership Eneterprise Business development 

Design Skillnet Network CPD and support

Last Updated: November, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €28k - €45k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Indeed/ Glassdoor/ Payscale

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

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.

Retail Sales Assistant: Tailors 

Despite a below average growth rate, employment for sales assistants grew by 8,700 persons between 2021 and 2022 in line with the recovery in the wholesale and retail sector. However, recent job hires far exceeded any growth in employment pointing to significant job churn for this occupation. This is likely to be related to the young profile of workers in this occupation (44% were aged 15-24 years) and the majority (58%) being in part-time roles. There was a large volume of vacancies advertised through DSP Jobs Ireland and OVATE. Job opportunities are likely to continue to arise for this occupation given its large size and the volume of turnover.

• Grafton Academy of Dress Designing

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