Dressmakers

Dressmakers work with patterns and free-hand to cut, sew, design and repair dresses and other similar garments. They must have excellent cutting and sewing technique and be able to provide detailed embellishments. Dressmakers may fulfil individual customer orders or large commercial size orders.

Quick summary

• Starting salary: $30,500 P/A
• Senior salary: $62,000 P/A
• Average salary: $45,000 P/A
•   * Wages will vary according to your level of skill, experience and employer
• Employment level:11,800 as of November 2011 (compared to 12,100 as of November 2000)
• Average weekly hours:Average weekly hours worked for full time Dressmakers is 40.2 hours
• Employment by region: The top three regions for employment as a Dressmaker include:
• VIC: 39.6%
• NSW: 29.3%
• WA: 15.1%

Employment trends
Employment for Dressmakers has grown at a rate of 5.2% over the past 5 years, however is expected to decline over the next 5 years.

Employment growth
Total employment growth over the past 5 years for male and female, employed part-time and full-time is 900

Gender (including full time and part time)
The percentage of males and females working full time and part time are:

Male Full Time: 15.8%
Male Part Time: 2.5%
Female Full Time: 35.9%
Female Part Time: 45.9%

Other relevant information

Duties and tasks

• Assemble separate dress pieces by pinning or arranging them together
• Consult with customers to decide on appropriate style, material, additions and quantity
• Create or modify patterns working with designs, samples and sketches; cut fabric and lining to fit pattern specifications
• Fit dresses and other garments on clients and make note for necessary repairs or alterations
• Iron or steam dresses or garments for customers to pick-up
• Machine and hand-sew garment sections and accessories such as buttons, hooks, zippers, etc.
• Provide price estimates of orders and process payment

Skills required

• Artistic abilities
• Expertise as a seamstress
• Problem solving skills
• Strong attention to details
• Time management

Working conditions

• Dressmakers typically work Monday to Fridays, but may need to work long hours and weekends in order to finish orders on time. They usually work in a sewing room or factory environment with sewing machines and other dressmaking tools.

Professional associations / Industry information

• The Council of Textile & Fashion Industries of Australia (TFIA)
• The Council of Textile & Fashion Industries of Australia (TFIA) has been successfully representing Textile, Clothing and Footwear (TCF) industries since the 1940s
• http://www.tfia.com.au

Related jobs and job titles

• Clothing Patternmaker
• Clothing and Soft Furnishing Production Worker
• Clothing, Fabric and Textile Factory Hand
• Fashion Coordinator
• Seamstress
• Tailor

source open.edu.au