64200 – Tailors, dressmakers, furriers and milliners

Lead statement

Tailors, dressmakers and alterationists make, alter and repair tailored clothing, dresses, coats and other made-to-measure garments.

Main duties

• Make made-to-measure garments, such as suits and coats according to customers' and clothing manufacturers' specifications and fit
• Design, select and/or modify commercial patterns to customers' and clothing manufacturers' specifications
• Mark, cut and sew fabric
• Fit, alter and repair garments according to customers' requests by hand or using sewing machines.
• Make, alter, restyle and repair natural fur garments and accessories.
• Design, lay out, cut, sew and press fabric, leather and other materials into hats and related accessories.

Employment requirements

• Completion of secondary school may be required.
• Tailors and dressmakers require demonstrated ability to sew, style and fit men's or women's garments and may require completion of college or other courses in tailoring or dressmaking.
• Alterationists require demonstrated ability to sew, alter and repair garments.
• Furriers require several years of experience in selecting pelts and making, fitting, styling and altering fur garments and accessories.
• Milliners require demonstrated ability to sew, style and fit hats and caps.

Example job titles

dressmaker · seamstress · alterations seamstress · alterations dressmaker · tailor · custom tailor · fur repair estimator · furrier · fur repairman/woman · custom furrier · women's hat maker - milliner · millinery maker · milliner

Wages (per hour)

Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.