Dressmaker

Duties: - Look over sewing patterns with customers and help them to select the right one - Recommend appropriate types of fabric - Measure customers - Alter parts of patterns to improve the fit or change the style a little - Create clothing by hand and with simple machines - Ask customers to try garments on and make any alterations - May handle any administrative duties - The typical day for a dressmaker mostly involves working with clients, measuring, sewing, picking stitches, and re-sewing sections that don't fit as well - Dressmakers who are self-employed will spend some of each day advertising, as well as looking after the business side of things - Dressmakers may travel around the community if they work for themselves or a dressmaking agency to do fittings with the clients

Education: Dressmakers are generally avid recreational sewers, who take their high school home economics training to a new level. They may apprentice under an established dressmaker, or take tailor courses or home science courses at college or university. Some design or tailoring courses cover things like advanced sewing, pattern making and altering, fit, textiles, and design. Abilities and Personal Qualities: In order to work as a dressmaker, one requires good eyesight and manual dexterity. They should sincerely enjoy sewing, have an interest in creating something from nothing, and enjoy making other people happy. Dressmakers have a tendency to be interested in fashion, have excellent communication skills, and be polite, tactful, honest, and good communicators. Finally, they enjoy working with their hands.

Salary: Average $20,509 a year Locations: Dressmakers work in factories making garments for mass-sale, in custom order shops for unique clients, and in dry-cleaning or clothing repair shops. They work for theater and opera companies. They also work on staff with retail stores, looking after alteration requests. They area also often self-employed, working out of their homes or a small office. Their place of work and their schedules depend on where they are employed. Those with factories or clothing stores may work regular hours with weekends and evenings free, but those who work on their own or with theater companies may have to work longer hours in the event of a rush or large order. Availability: Low

Theatrical Costume Designer

Duties: The theatrical costume designer works closely with the costume supervisor. The theatrical costume designer works with the director, lighting crew and set designers to come up with creative ideas. Together, they must ascertain the atmosphere and the look and feel of the production and the characters. They decide what each character is expected to convey via their costuming. The costume designer sketches costume designs by hand; he may also use computer programs for designing. The theatrical costume designer is also responsible for reading the script. Education: It's beneficial for a costume designer to have experience with computer programs such as Photoshop to devise costuming ideas and sketches. Education or training from a fashion school will put you in a better position to attain a job in this field.

Abilities and Personal Qualities: - creativeness, imagination & analytical skills - outstanding design ability - superior communication & 'people' skill - leadership capability - managerial skills - budget attentiveness - an excellent eye for details - the aptitude to effort under stress in addition to gather deadlines - superior research talent, through an understanding of costume history & recent fashion - an adaptable and flexible attitude - familiarity regarding the production procedure, together with technical features for e.g. sound and lighting

Salary: Varies tremendously depending on the project and locale. These salaries are impacted by Union rates and wardrobing and styling guidelines. Locations: Your hours might be extended & could occupy evening plus weekend effort to gather deadlines. You might effort into an office, a studio or work from home. You'd even go to meetings among theatres or else TV/films production business. Availability: A permanent job isn't regular, however is likely in bigger theatre corporations or design groups that hire staff on a full time basis.